Page 331 of Playing the Pucking Game

He groans as if he’s in pain.

“Just wait until you see what I’m wearing beneath.”

“Christ, babe. Do you want me to be walking around this event hard all night?”

My smile turns mischievous, and he shakes his head.

Reaching for my hand, he tugs me closer, until the warmth of his body burns down mine. “You are hands-down the best thing that’s ever happened to me, pretty girl. Even when you weren’t mine, you were still one of the best things about my life.”

His words, and the emotion in his eyes as he says them, make me feel like the luckiest and most loved girl in the world.

“And now I’m yours?” I ask, unable to stop myself from digging for a few more compliments.

His hand slides up my bare arm, his touch making me shudder in the best kind of way until his fingers wrap around my neck, drawing me even closer.

Pressing his forehead against mine, he stares me dead in the eyes before whispering, “Everything, Parker. Now, you’re my everything.”

“Linc,” I breathe.

One second he’s there, and the next he’s gone. With his hand holding mine, he tugs me toward where the guys are waiting for us.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he says, keeping his back to the others, almost like he’s shielding me.

He reaches toward one of the barstools before he reveals a clear box with a stunning ivory rose corsage with deep green detailing.

“W-what?” I stutter, confused.

“Six years ago, I’d have done anything to have been your date to your senior prom. I know this is very different, but I want to give you the kind of experience you should have had that night.”

Emotion burns up my throat as he pulls the lid off the box and gently lifts the floral display from its home.

“Can I?” he asks, reaching for my hand with his free one.

Movement behind him catches my eye, and when I look up, I find our friends all watching us with smiles on their faces.

“This is going to ruin your reputation,” I whisper.

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about me but you, pretty girl.”

My eyes drop to where he slides the corsage onto my wrist, the opposite one to where I wear the bracelet he bought me.

“I can’t believe you’ve done this,” I say, gently tracing the delicate petals with my fingertip.

“It’s never too late for a do-over, Parker. Now, will you do me the honor of being my date for tonight?” he asks, holding his hand out for me to take.

I click my tongue, fighting my smile. “I mean…I did get a few offers, but…you are quite hot. And something tells me that you might know how to end the night on a high.”

“Oh, babe, you can guaran-fucking-tee that.”

He tugs me forward once again, and this time he brushes his lips against my stained ones in a sweet and teasing kiss.

“Do you want a drink?” he asks as he pulls back.

A laugh tumbles from my lips when I take in the lipstick that’s transferred to him. “Red is your color,” I tease, dragging my thumb across his bottom one to wipe it off.

“Yeah, I’ve been told that before.” He tugs me toward our friends. “Champagne?”

“Sounds perfect.”