Page 6

So much for no alcohol.

Theo

W as I really just flirting with Adrian DeLuca?

And why can’t I stop smiling? He’s a hockey player, of all things.

Not once in my whole hockey career have I ever checked out an athlete.

Sure, I could appreciate their bodies and their skills, but not one of them did it for me.

Back then, I was more into the smaller guys, ones I could toss around and flaunt my muscles for.

But I was different back then. Or hell, maybe I wasn’t.

I was always into a submissive partner. One that I could take care of. One I can spoil and cherish. I thought I imagined that submissive side of Adrian out on the patio. And when my body reacted to this idea that had started building in my head, I panicked. I ran back inside like a coward.

Luckily, the little brat followed me. Fuck, Adrian isn’t anything I’d ever imagined.

He’s even better. He’s attentive, playful, and sweet.

And the shy, vulnerable glimpses he allowed me to see?

Fuck. When was the last time someone flirted with me like that?

Hell, when was the last time I flirted back?

Then Kayla approached me and told me that Luna and John also didn’t miss the wide smile on my face.

She said I technically still had twenty minutes left on my break and to flirt away.

I’m pretty sure there’s a rule against hitting on the customers, but Kayla knows my situation, so her encouragement isn’t surprising.

Note to self: I’ll have to buy her a gift card for her favorite café.

I didn’t miss the way Adrian looked disappointed when I snapped at him. Truthfully, I didn’t mean to. Something about him made my protective side flare up. Not to mention, I wouldn’t want anyone to feel as lost as I did when I had to quit hockey.

But as I get back to work and the night progresses, that happy feeling I got while flirting with Adrian begins to fade. And when a stunning little twink begins hitting on Adrian, all thoughts that we might have chemistry fade away.

The twink is blond, beautiful, and young.

Hell, he’s someone I would have hit on in college.

Kayla and I keep revisiting the table and dropping off drinks, with the blond drinking the most. Initially, I was impressed that Adrian didn’t want any alcohol.

I’m no prude, but I liked how he seemed to be changing my perspective on the ‘ typical hockey player ’ I’ve grown used to.

But as his teammates get louder and rowdier, I can’t be entirely sure I imagined the sweet and slightly bratty boy I wanted to get to know.

A half an hour later, the beautiful twink plops himself onto Adrian’s lap and kisses him right on the lips.

A commotion erupts at their table, and several of Adrian’s teammates break out into loud shouts.

At first, I fear the worst and think there might be some homophobic assholes on his team, but the encouraging hoots ease my fear.

That’s until the phone cameras start flashing and I realize there will be online proof of someone else kissing Adrian.

Maybe this is the guy that Adrian mentioned when we first met. What was his name? The one he watched movies with and likes classics.

Adrian stands, lightly pushing the blond off his lap. He leans down and whispers something into his ear. My stomach turns. Adrian’s gaze meets mine, and my face heats. Fuck. Have I really just been staring at the guy like a possessive caveman?

Adrian makes his way up to the bar, avoiding Kayla and Luna. He beelines right toward me. “Hey.” He smiles. “Can I get a shot of vodka and a glass of water?”

“I’m cutting him off, DeLuca.”

He jerks back as if I slapped him. “What? Oh god, no. The water’s for Guy. The shot is for me, I need one after that.” Adrian points behind him, and I have no idea what he’s talking about. So much for no alcohol. I scoff. What kind of name is Guy, anyway?

“You should probably get your boyfriend home.” My tone is colder than I mean it to be.

“He isn’t my boyfriend,” he snaps back.

“Right.” I tap the bar top, slide him two glasses of water, and give him a two-finger salute before sauntering to the other side of the bar to wipe down an empty table.

What the fuck? A salute? My face heats even more as blood rushes to my head.

I’m so embarrassed. It’s so fucking obvious I’m jealous and acting like Adrian is my boyfriend.

What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve never been the jealous type before.

Mortified, I frantically scrub the already spotless table, practically climbing into the booth to reach every inch, until a throat clears behind me.

I glance over my shoulder.

Adrian is standing there with a cocky smirk playing on his lips and a heated look on his face.

Off in the distance, I see Guy drinking his water while chatting with another teammate.

Adrian watches me as he sips from his glass of water, as if it’s the finest whiskey.

There’s hunger in his gray eyes, and I know mine mirrors his.

The well-fitted suit clings to Adrian’s muscular arms and thick thighs.

It dawns on me then: he’s definitely bigger than me.

And yet, despite his size and my previous tastes, I can’t deny that Adrian is the sexiest man I’ve ever been attracted to.

Adrian DeLuca’s thick muscles taunt me, and his personality tempts me.

I want to bend him over my knee and redden that pretty ass.

I groan, internally rolling my eyes at my wayward thoughts, and climb back out of the booth. To my shock, Adrian gets right up in my space, standing at the same height. There’s a challenging gleam sparkling in his eyes.

His fingers wrap around my jacket, and he tugs me closer until we’re nose to nose. I’m embarrassed to say, I go forward willingly.

He straightens my collar. “You look good in this leather jacket, Walsh.”

My brain fizzles, and I swallow hard, trapped in his gray-blue gaze. I’m unable to pull away from the brat. It’s almost as if I’m witnessing myself on a movie screen; I have absolutely no control over the outcome. All I can do is watch and see how everything unfolds.

Adrian leans in even closer until his lips are grazing against the shell of my ear. “He isn’t my boyfriend.”

I suppress a shiver.

“I’ll take Guy back to his place, but only because it’s the right thing to do. That…and because you asked me to.” His hand slides under my jacket and travels up my chest.

I suck in a gasp. Big. Fucking. Mistake. Adrian’s scent swirls around me, making me dizzy. Fresh soap, sugar, and lime.

Holy fuck.

I’m hard. So, so fucking hard.

His hand begins traveling downward. I’m half afraid he’ll feel me up right here at work, and half afraid I won’t stop him. A big part of me wants Adrian to feel exactly how hard I am for him.

His fingers graze the top of my jeans, and I growl. If this boy touches me, I’m going to come in my pants like a teenager.

I grasp his wrist, stopping his descent. “What the fuck are you doing to me, boy?”

Crap. I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but clearly, I’ve lost my damn mind.

He shudders, leaning his chest against mine. “Theo,” he whispers.

My free hand grips his hip. I push him away slightly, needing some space, but not before I feel his massive bulge against my thigh.

Movement catches my eye, and I see Guy stumbling toward us. “You better go, then.”

He looks over his shoulder and spots Guy. “One last thing, Walsh. Guy might have stolen a kiss. But you’re the only one who’s been on my mind tonight.”

I blink, searching his gaze and finding nothing but the truth.

Adrian pulls away. “Have a good evening, Theo.” With that, he gives me a two-finger salute, helps Guy to the door, and swaggers out of the bar.

I narrow my eyes. That fucking salute. Did the brat just mock me?

“Earth to Theo!” Kayla says, now standing by my side, causing me to jump. “You might want to cover that monster in your pants.” She playfully slams a menu against my chest, laughing.

I gasp, catching it. “Oh, shit!” I use the laminated menu to cover my very obvious erection.

“Oh, and Theo?”

I groan. “Yes, Kayla?”

“Don’t forget to put on your name tag.”

My name tag. It’s still in the cubby under the bar. It strikes me, then. Adrian DeLuca recognized me. No one ever recognizes me.

My heart pounds, and a wide smile breaks across my face.