Page 69 of Puck Love

I dug into the pasta, aware of my dad’s scrutinous stare from across the table.

My father had always been a bit of a worrier, and he had finely tuned instincts regarding the slightest hint of conflict. I had no doubt that he knew something was up with me…and he’d be correct.

But I was keeping this secret.

Knock knock knock

I lowered the volume on the cop drama on my flat-screen, unsure if the sound was part of the unfolding heist.

Knock knock knock

I tossed the remote onto the coffee table and headed for the front door.

Ding dong

Ding dong

I glanced through the peephole and quickly unlatched the lock. I’d been fighting sleep on the sofa for an hour, but damn, I was wide awake now.

“What the?—”

Trinsky dropped a duffel bag on the floor, crashed his mouth over mine, and kicked the door shut. We shouldn’t do this anymore. I shouldn’t want this. But I wrapped my arms around him and crumbled like a fucking cookie.

We bounced from wall to wall in the entry, sucking, licking, and biting in what was either a manic greeting or a fierce showdown. Trinsky finally pushed me against the door, his chest heaving as he eyed me warily.

“I missed you, you fucking vampire.” He pressed a hand to his neck and scowled. “Geez, I think I have a puncture wound.”

I matched his grumpy expression and opened my mouth to blast him. But I couldn’t remember if I was angry or sad or just very fucking tired, so I closed my eyes and…laughed.

“Sorry, I’m just…punchy and—what are you doing here? I heard you were coming early. Denny warned me and supposedly my agent left a message I never received, but?—”

“They asked me this morning. I hopped the first flight out and after a full fucking day of travel, I got mauled by a feral coyote. Are you gonna invite me in or what?”

I studied him for a long moment.

Damn, Mason Trinsky was a delicious sight in his faded Levis and the snug-fitted tee I’d yanked from his waistband, exposing a hint of skin. His handsome face was sun-kissed, his lips were swollen, and his eyes were twinkly and mischievous…and oh-so kind.

I opened my arms wide.

He stepped into my embrace and enveloped me in a bear hug, his nose tucked into my neck. I swayed with him under the lantern chandelier, breathing in his scent as I raked my fingersthrough his short hair and swallowed around a ball of emotion I didn’t understand.

“I’m glad you’re here, asshole.”

He chuckled lightly and squeezed me a little tighter. “Me too, Jakey. Me too.”

19

TRINSKY

“Are you hungry?”

I shook my head. “Nah, I grabbed something in Burlington. I parked my rental in your driveway, but I don’t think anyone will notice with all the trees out there.”

Jake locked the door and turned off the foyer light, leading me into a great room that could have been something straight out of a fancy magazine. Sort of like my place in Denver but much more sophisticated. High-beamed ceilings and a wall of windows that probably featured a forest view made the space seem impossibly big. A soft gray sectional sofa floated in the middle on a geometric rug in front of an imposing stone fireplace. And there were fucking pillows everywhere.

I fingered the fringe on a light-blue one and shifted my gaze to the family-style kitchen. Again…huge and very state-of-the-art with shiny appliances and an island with enough real estate to be the envy of any Michelin-starred restaurant.

It was very me to tease him for the opulence, which was ridiculous coming from a guy who owned sweet homes in Colorado and California. But he looked so earnest, and I feltoddly…mushy being here with him. Don’t ask me to explain. It was just a strange feeling.