PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) (10 page)

“Maloney? Are you kidding?” he asks, clearly annoyed.

“No, I’m not kidding. If it works out, it could skyrocket my career and reputation.”

“No. Not happening,” he replies, like a stubborn child.

“You don’t have a right to make that decision,” I answer, just as annoyed now.

“Don’t be stupid, Dani. He loves women, he thinks your hot, he’s not going to do shit for your career,” he spouts in anger.

“Ouch,” I say, hurt, “when you put it that way, you just sound like a jealous asshole. Is it that you don’t think I have the talent, or that you’re scared of losing me?”

“I know you’re talented. I just don’t trust that that’s what he’s looking for,” Puck says more softly, “I’m not letting anything come between us again.”

“Then trust me,” I declare.

“I do trust you, it’s him I’m worried about.”

“Puck, please,” I explain, “he’s a partner in a huge firm. I don’t think he would waste his time or money just for a piece of ass.”

“I guess not,” Puck concedes, “but you would be so busy. I would never see you.”

“Why don’t we just see what happens and take it from there?” I offer.

“Fine. Just don’t make any decisions without consulting me first.”

I smile, “I didn’t know we were at that point in our relationship already.”

Puck steps over to me so we are standing next to each other. He takes the mug from my hands and places it on the counter.

“We might be taking it slow,” he starts, searching for the rest of the words, “physically, but emotionally, I’m all in, baby. I’ve waited half my life for you. I’m not playing games.”

“That means a lot, Puck, and I’m sure you mean it, but I’ve spent half my life hating you and trying to advance my career. I want you. I want ‘us’ to happen, but I also want my own life too. Let’s just see what happens,” I tell him thoughtfully.

“Okay. If it means that much to you, go for it,” Puck agrees, “but if he makes a move, I will slash him with my stick.”

“Deal,” I answer with a grin.

I reach out my hand to shake on it. Puck grabs my hand and pulls me in towards him. With both hands on my face, he plants his warm lips on mine and lovingly gives me a long, tender kiss.

He slowly backs away again, “now make some lunch, woman. I have to get ready for practice. You already skipped breakfast today, you don’t want to piss off the boss,” Puck teases.

“Yes, sir,” I joke back.

Puck leaves the kitchen to get ready and I stand in place for several minutes, a smile across my lips. This morning has been yet another crazy day of ups and downs, but now, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

P
UCK

W
omen are
crazy - all of them. Amanda turned out to be completely insane. It’s too bad, she is really good at her job. I’m glad I learned the truth though before she really fucked things up for Dani and I.

And Dani interviewing with Maloney? Is she trying to kill me? We finally get together and she wants to leave and go work for that guy? Can’t she just let me take care of her? She can still cook for me if she wants, she can live here - whatever makes her happy. I just want her here with me, not working her ass off for some pricks that won’t appreciate her the way I do.

I’m not letting her go this time. She can interview and ‘see what happens’, but I’m sure there are other career opportunities that could be better suited for
us
. Something that would allow her to pursue her dreams, and us to be together. I’ll have to think of something before she decides to commit to Maloney - if that even becomes an option. I don’t need to dictate what she does with her own life, but there’s no way I’m letting her commit to something huge without at least trying to get her to stay here with me.

DANI

Admittedly, I’m a little nervous about my interview with the law firm. This is a huge opportunity - one I have hoped for for a long time. Now that it’s actually happening though, I’m not as excited about it. I feel like I’m forcing myself to go, which is unlike me. I forced myself to interview with Puck, but that was a completely different situation. As much as this job would mean to my future, I’m not as sure anymore what I want my future to hold.

I dress in business attire which always makes me feel uncomfortable. I decided on a black pencil skirt and pale blue silky blouse with simple black heels. I think it’s a good choice for a law firm, but not anything I’m used to wearing. I imagine myself holding the chef position they’re offering and trying to be business-like, and hope that’s not something the job entails. I feel much more like myself in pants and chef coats.

As I make the drive into the city, I replay my day yesterday with Puck. Physically, I want him in a way that I’ve never experienced. I’ve never had a man tell me ‘no’ before, and I actually found it to be a turn on. I know he’s doing what I asked for, but I would have changed my mind in a heartbeat - I did - but he’s still making me wait and I respect that.

Puck really has changed so much since we knew each other as kids. I guess we both have grown up a lot. I spent a lot of time dealing with what he put me through and working out my own abandonment issues that stemmed from my mother’s absence. I still have a way to go with trusting others, but I’ve come a long way from where I started.

I want to commit to Puck. I want to have something real with him, but I want to know I don’t
need
him. I have to be able to make it on my own, and know that I became successful because of my own talents and abilities, not because of who my boyfriend is.

Boyfriend. I haven’t said that yet. Puck, my boyfriend and step brother. It’s kind of awkward, but we haven’t spent very much time together in our lives, so I don’t feel like we have much of a family connection with him - at least on an emotional level. Joanne is like a mother to me, but that won’t affect anything. I think it would be a dream come true for her if Puck and I became a ‘thing’. She has always loved me as her own and I expect that having her two ‘babies’ together would put her over the moon. She’s open minded enough that she would view us together as a blessing.

I park in the garage underneath the landmark building, checking my make up in the rear view mirror before I get out. I walk uneasily on my heels to the elevator. The sound makes me think of Amanda Adams and I’m briefly disgusted at the thought of her. Then again, I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for her so I can’t completely disregard her - even though her intentions were to get me away from Puck, not skyrocket my career.

I press the button to the twenty third floor and lean against the elevator wall, drumming my fingers nervously against it. The quiet music should soothe me, but I’m too anxious right now to relax. The elevator stops a couple of times and people get on and off, exchanging friendly smiles.

When the doors open for my stop, the office before me is even more grand than I imagined. I step out into a bright reception area with a classy, tasteful decor. The walls are painted in pale gray and there is a large, oblong, white reception desk with a teak wood top. An artistic metal piece designed with the names ‘Maloney, Winn, and Harvey’ is hanging on a faux stone wall behind the desk. There are two beautiful that look like they just stepped off a runway sitting behind the desk.

“Good morning,” I say with an heir of confidence, “Dani Quinn, I’m here to see Mr. Maloney.”

“Good morning, Ms. Quinn,” the blonder one greets me, “MacKenzie is expecting you. She’ll be out in just a moment. Can I offer you coffee or a bottle of water?”

“No, thank you,” I decline.

“Okay, you can have a seat and they’ll be with you shortly.”

I take a seat in one of the cream colored leather chairs. It’s comfortable, which is the complete opposite of how I feel in this office already. I’m used to being around wealthy, prominent people, but not in their offices. I enjoy taking a small space in their kitchen or hidden away in their lavish home somewhere.

I’m going into this with an open mind, but hoping my position here would entail me spending most of my time in a much smaller, less extravagant space.
If I could wear chef clothes and comfortable shoes, that would be even better.
I think as I adjust my skirt.

“You must be Dani,” another beautiful woman says to me.

I recognize her voice immediately as MacKenzie and stand up to shake her hand.

“Yes. MacKenzie, I presume,” I reply, extending my hand to meet hers.

“So nice to meet you. You can follow me. Can I offer you a drink?” she asks as I follow her around the stone wall.

“I’m okay, thanks.”

We walk passed two large, glass walled conference rooms and enter a large corner office. There are two glass walls overlooking the city. The rest of the office matches the reception decor. It has a modern, rustic feel - if there is such a thing. I take note of the degrees and varying awards and photos hanging on the wall behind the massive desk.

Tom Maloney immediately stands and introduces himself, as does Mr. Harvey, who are both seated in comfortable stuffed chairs around a coffee table.

“You must be Danielle Quinn,” the first man says, extending his hand, “I’m Jon Harvey, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

His warm smile and firm but gentle handshake take my nerves down a notch. He seems like the more genuine and down to earth of the two men.

“Tom Maloney,” he introduces himself, “thank you for coming in today. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since the fundraising event.”

“Thank you for having me,” I reply, shaking his hand.

We all sit down around the coffee table and MacKenzie sets down some water bottles with the firm’s name on them before taking a seat herself.

“We have a busy day ahead so I would like to just get down to business.” Maloney starts, “We are very happy with our current chef and situation here, unfortunately for us, he’s decided to move on and open his own restaurant. We’re now in need of a replacement and I was blown away by the menu you prepared last week and the stellar job you did executing the event. I know it’s different than what you would be doing here, but I have a good eye for people and I know talent when I see it. I expect that you would be able to learn quickly and expedite the necessary responsibilities flawlessly within a short time.”

He opens the bottle of water and takes a drink and Mr. Harvey picks up where he left off, “I’ve worked alongside Tom for many years and if there’s one thing I know - it’s that I can always trust his instincts. I didn’t have a chance to see you in action, but I’m confident in his judgment and opinion.”

“Thank you for your kind words and for your belief in me to handle a position of this magnitude,” I reply, trying to sound professional, “as you have seen from my resume, I have a lot to offer and am very qualified, but I’ve never charged an operation like this one.”

“We are aware of that, and would want to hear your honest thoughts on what you think and if you feel you would be properly suited for what is required.” Maloney explains, “in addition to the work week, we require some nights and weekends, many early mornings, and frequent last minute meetings and cater-outs for clients.”

“Basically, you’re like a doctor on call, except you spend a majority of your time in the kitchen instead of the operating room,” Harvey adds trying to be humorous.

“That’s the bad news. The good news, is that your salary will make any doctor envious,” Maloney continues, “this is just a quick overview. There is much more entailed. MacKenzie will take you down to the dining hall to meet Robert, our current corporate chef who will go over everything in detail with you. We just wanted a chance to meet first and give you the basics.”

I’ve done my research this time and I know a lot about Robert. He’s a seasoned chef who’s worked in several countries. He makes me look like an amateur, which in some regard, I am, but I was asked to be here so I’m not worried. Supposedly he’s a nice guy and easy to work for so I’m hoping he receives me well.

“Once you have a chance to mull everything over, we can meet again. If we decide you would be a good fit, we’ll take it to the next phase of interviewing and evaluations,” Harvey finishes.

We talk a little more about the law firm, the chef position, and a few personal details. We shake hands once again and I thank them for their time before MacKenzie leads me back out to the elevator and down to the executive kitchen. We make some small talk along the way but she doesn’t reveal much in the way of the job or who else might be in the running - that is if there is anyone besides me.

We walk down a hallway, passed the dining hall entrance, and into the chef’s office. The room is smaller, but still more impressive than what I was expecting. There are papers and books scattered about but it seems more like organized chaos than just a mess.

MacKenzie introduces us and I can tell right off the bat that Robert is a nice guy. He’s friendly and outgoing, and explains everything to me in detail, taking time to answer all of my questions. He walks us around the enormous kitchen, which is kept in immaculate condition. He introduces me to several people as we work our way through.

Back in his office, Robert explains how he’s happy to be leaving and doing his own thing. He loves the job and has been with the firm for years, but he’s ready to move on. I thank him for everything and MacKenzie offers to walk me back out and validate my parking before I leave.

“What do you think so far, Dani?” she asks in the elevator.

“I think there’s a lot to think about,” I say with a genuine smile.

“Sure is. Take your time - not too much time though,” she laughs, “it’s a great opportunity, especially for someone without family obligations. I hope you seriously consider it,” MacKenzie comments.

“Of course I am going to consider it,” I reply enthusiastically, “thank you again for contacting me and showing me around.”

“Any time. I’ll be in touch with you soon,” she says, “enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You too,” I answer.

She exits the elevator on her floor and I continue on to the parking garage.

This is a huge operation, feeding hundreds of people daily while managing smaller events at the same time. The menu is varied and only a handful of items are constant, the rest change daily. I honestly don’t know if I can handle it - or if I want to. I don’t have any family to worry about, but I do want a personal life, more specifically, one with Puck.

I get in my car and drive back home, my mind turning over everything that was said in the last couple of hours. This could very well be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I don’t know it’s what I really want. Maybe a year ago I would have jumped on it, but now that I see a possible future with someone other than myself, I’m not as excited as I once would have been.

I keep thinking about the job and the prestigious reputation that would come with it. If I could handle that, I could quite literally do anything, but I know in my heart that it’s not what I want. I want a position that allows me a career and a personal life. I want Puck. I want to be able to put my own issues aside and put my trust in him.

_______

I
find
a parking spot near my apartment, walk into the building and to my door. I’m taken aback when I see Puck leaning against the wall.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised.

“Hello to you too,” he replies.

“Hi,” I say, “I just…I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I wasn’t planning on coming by, but I couldn’t wait any longer,” Puck explains, “I want to hear all about your interview.”

He looks me up and down approvingly, “I bet Maloney loved that tight ass skirt.”

“I’m not sure - he didn’t say. We were talking about work and other important business. My wardrobe wasn’t on the agenda,” I reply facetiously, placing my key in the door.

“You gonna invite me in?” Puck asks.

“I don’t know. Are you going to make any more ridiculous comments?”

“Not sure. I can’t make any promises,” he answers matching my witty tone.

I open the door and enter my apartment. Puck follows behind me. I try to remember if I cleaned up before I left and what shape everything is in, but it really doesn’t matter. Compared to Puck’s maid-kept estate, I don’t think the condition of my modest apartment makes a difference.

I place my things down on the hall table and turn toward Puck who is looking around and taking everything in.

“Nice place,” he comments.

“Whatever,” I reply, “it’s no mansion, but it’s home.”

“Size doesn’t matter, babe,” Puck laughs at his own joke, “when it comes to homes that is. It’s very ‘you’ and I love it.”

I roll my eyes but I can’t help laughing. I’m a little on edge having Puck here unannounced. He walks over to the breakfast counter and takes a seat on the stool.