PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) (21 page)

He beams. “Good, I know a great little place. I think you’ll love it.”

A few minutes later, the car slows down and comes to a stop in front of a Thai restaurant.

“Oh! I’ve heard this place is fabulous,” I say as Jayson opens the door and steps out. We walk into the restaurant and are seated quickly.

After we order drinks and decide to share some dishes, we begin talking. The conversation flows naturally. I’m no longer nervous and there is much less tension than I was expecting.

Jayson tells me more about the job his company will be doing and I enjoy listening to how excited he is about it. I tell him about my mother’s phone call this morning and how her and Tom are going to relax out east for a few days.

“That sounds great,” he tells me. “I can’t wait until we can do that one day.”

“I bet that would be a lot of fun,” I answer, smiling shyly. I know Jayson wants to be with me, but I didn’t realize he really thought that far ahead.

“Oh, it would,” he says slyly now. “I’ve fantasized about having you all to myself in a beautiful, secluded setting many times.”

I blush again. “I can only imagine what happens in your fantasies.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you one day. Knowing I won’t be able to have you again any time soon is leaving me a lot of time to come up with my own scenarios. I’m actually kind of enjoying it, like a mind-fuck.” He winks at me.

“You’re teasing me.”

“I know,” Jayson answers, grinning again as our food is delivered to the table along with another round of drinks.

“That’s not fair, Jayson,” I tell him after the waiter walks away.

Jayson shrugs. “I said we could take it slow and I stand behind that one hundred percent, Ashley. But I can’t change who I am or how I think. I know what it’s like to have you, and I can’t just forget that. If I have to wait until our wedding night to make love again, I swear I will, but I can’t stop what happens in my head.”

“Oh, so we’re getting married now too?” I ask. More than any lewd thing that’s come out of his mouth, the words “wedding night” have surprised me most of all.

“Maybe. We’ll see how dinner goes, but it’s always a possibility.”

I’m taken aback. “Well, it seems you’re going to make this harder for me than it already is, saying things like that.”

“And you’re making me hard. I mean, you’re making it hard for me,” he says, cleverly faking a Freudian slip while taking another sip of his drink.

I laugh. “You’re an ass.”

“It’s part of my charm.”

We spend the next few minutes picking at our dishes and smirking to ourselves. This little game we are playing is pretty amusing for both of us. I like that we can talk about everyday things one minute and enjoy some sexual banter the next. It suppresses the sexual tension between us and lightens the mood at the same time.

We finish our food and only have a couple of sips left in our glasses. The waiter comes over to ask if we’d like dessert but we’re both pretty full already. Jayson declines and our waiter goes to get or check.

“So, what now?” Jayson asks me.

I blink. “What do you mean?”

“Dinner is over, we’re not going back to your place because we know what happens there.” He grins. “And I’m not ready to end our night yet. So, what do we do now?”

“How about we go to your place?” I ask boldly, shocking Jayson silent for a moment.

“My place?” he repeats.

“Yes. I don’t think you live far from here, right? Why don’t we get some ice cream or have another drink, or whatever?”

“I like the ‘whatever’ part.”

I roll my eyes. “No. I mean really have dessert or drinks. Nothing else. I think we can do that, don’t you?”

He narrows his eyes incredulously. “I’m only a couple of blocks away. But don’t think anything is going to happen. I won’t let it, Ashley.”

“I don’t think that at all. I just want some ice cream and another glass of wine,” I joke as we get up from the table and stroll to the exit. “Besides, we both have work tomorrow, so I can’t stay late.”

I really don’t know why I suggested going to Jayson’s apartment. I think it’s a dangerous move, but we’re adults and should be able to be alone together without any debauchery—I hope. He seems pretty serious about not letting anything happen between us, anyway, so hopefully he will stick to his word even if I can’t.

We walk hand in hand again in the direction of his building. I’m not sure exactly where he lives, but I know this is a much nicer area than mine. We are coming upon a convenience store, so Jayson suggests we go in and pick up some dessert.

“I always have some wine at home, but food, not so much,” Jayson tells me as we walk in. We go to the freezer and pick out some vanilla ice cream, and on the way up to the register he grabs some chocolate syrup. The clerk rings us up and he pays.

We step back outside and continue another block to his building. He stops in front of his entrance and opens the door for me, allowing me to step over the threshold into the bright, marble lobby of his building. Jayson nods at his doorman as we pass him and presses the button for the elevator. We step in in silence when it arrives and the doors open. He pushes the button for the eighteenth floor and the doors close.

“Remember, Ashley—hands to yourself,” Jayson teases me as we arrive at the eighteenth floor.

“Please. I’m a lady. You’re the one who should be getting the warning,” I tease back much more confidently than I feel. Being alone in this elevator is torture enough. What was I thinking coming here?

The doors open and there are only four apartments on his floor. He strides over to the second door, fumbles with his keys, and unlocks it. Again, he holds it open allowing me to go in first.

I can’t help but look around in awe. It’s not the hugest apartment I’ve seen in New York City, but it’s big. There is a long wall of floor-to-ceiling windows straight ahead overlooking the river and a beautiful skyline view. I walk toward the window to get a better look and pass through a great room sparsely furnished with low leather couches and a glass dining table. There’s even a gourmet open kitchen on my left.

Jayson walks over to the island and puts the grocery bag down. I continue to the windows to look out and hear Jayson opening a bottle of wine.

“Wow. Your view is incredible,” I say, awestruck. I don’t know anyone who lives in an apartment like this.

“Thanks. I can’t lie, it’s pretty awesome,” he replies, taking out a couple of wine glasses from the cabinet and filling them.

I take one more look before walking back to the kitchen and sitting on a stool at the island. Jayson is standing across from me.

“Cheers,” he says, holding up a glass. “To another successful night together.”

“Cheers,” I reply clinking his glass. “But the night’s not over yet.”

“Don’t try to be a bad girl, Ashley. I told you, I won’t let anything happen.”

“Don’t call me a bad girl again, Jayson. It kind of turns me on.” Maybe I should lay off the wine. I think it’s making me bolder than I should be.

“Now who’s being a tease?” Jayson asks. “Just wait, Ash. You have no idea what I do with bad girls.” He smirks, looking right at me. “Would you like that ice cream now?”

“I would. Thank you.” I turn on my stool to check out the rest of the great room while he pulls out some bowls and spoons.

“Chocolate syrup?” Jayson asks as he pours some over his own bowlful.

“Of course.” He pours some over mine, puts a spoon in and slides it over to me.

“I’m glad we came here,” I admit, taking a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. “I like knowing what your home looks like. I feel like I know you better now.”

“I’m glad you came here too. I feel like I’ve known you my whole life, Ashley,” he answers genuinely. “You’re so easy to talk to and I can just be myself. It’s nice.”

“Yeah. You’re pretty cool, too.”

We continue eating our ice cream. I have a little more wine, but I think I’ve reached my limit. Surprisingly, I get to the bottom of my bowl. I stand and walk to the windows to look out over the city again. Jayson walks over and stands next to me.

“It’s crazy that in this huge city filled with people, I met the one guy who might be my brother one day.”

“Come on, Ashley. We would barely be related. It’s silly that you even think it’s an issue.”

“I guess you’re right,” I say. “It’s still a little strange. But life is funny like that sometimes.” I look up at him. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I had a lot of wine and I’m getting tired.”

Jayson smiles down at me. “Sure, I’ll call a car and get you home.”

I want to kiss him so badly. I know he can see it in my eyes. With the view from the window and Jayson looking back at me, it’s the perfect scene. Instead he squeezes my hand and walks back to the kitchen. I follow a few steps behind and help clear the bowls and glasses while he puts the ice cream away.

“We should go downstairs. The car will be here shortly,” Jayson informs me.

“Okay.” I don’t want to leave, but I know I should. We’ve played it safe all night and it’s been great. I don’t want to ruin it.

Jayson takes his keys and walks to the door, holding it open for me. We step up to the elevator and press the button.

“I really had a great time tonight, Jayson,” I say. “I think I really like you.”

“Thanks. I
know
I really like you.” He winks at me. “Tonight was perfect.”

We step inside the elevator when it arrives, press the button for the lobby, and lean against the wall next to each other, staring ahead. As we start to descend, he turns toward me.

“I’m sorry, Ashley.”

“For what?” I ask.

Jayson steps in front of me and takes both of my hands in his. He pushes them against the elevator wall next to my head and presses his body against mine. He looks into my eyes for a split second before he kisses me, passionately prodding my lips open with his tongue.

I instantly give in, I don’t have time to think, and even if I did, I still would have let him. Our tongues entwine. I feel him getting hard against me and I kiss him deeper, full of desire.

The
ding
of the elevator reaching the lobby snaps us out of our embrace. Jayson backs away and straightens himself out. I fix my hair quickly and try to look as casual as possible. I look at Jayson—his cheeks are flushed and his lips swollen, and I know I must look the same. He’s looking straight ahead with a smirk on. The doors open and I giggle as we step out into the lobby.

Jayson takes my hand and leads me out to the awaiting town car. He opens the door so I step in and slide over, which seems to be becoming our routine. He gets in behind me and closes the door and the car starts heading to my apartment. I look at Jayson and start giggling like a school girl.

“What’s so funny?” he asks me, feigning innocence.

“You.” I answer smiling, “What happened to taking things slow?”

“It was only a kiss. I remember you told me you only kiss on the first date. I figured we were in the elevator, so it was like a safe zone.”

“A safe zone?” I repeat with a snicker.

“Yes. Nothing else could have happened in the short ride—and we were leaving my apartment, not going to it. So I knew a kiss wouldn’t lead to anything else.” Jayson says, sounding pleased with himself. “In the elevator, that is.”

“Wow. You really thought that through.”

“Not really. But I had to at least kiss you, Ashley. You’re a hard woman to resist.”

“I’m glad you did,” I reply softly.

The car slows down as it arrives at my building. Jayson and I are looking at each other, our eyes filled with desire.

“Now it’s time to go home and get some sleep.” Jayson tells me, turning away to open the door and step out of the car. I follow behind him, and we are once again standing in front of my building.

“Thanks for dinner.” I smile up at him. “And dessert. I had a wonderful night, Jayson.”

“I had a great night too, Ashley,” he replies. Jayson leans over and kisses me gently on the cheek. “Sweet dreams.” He makes those two words seem so… dirty.

“You too,” I reply. I don’t want him to leave. I want him to come up to my apartment and make love to me again. “Come home with me tonight,” I say quickly as Jayson turns toward the car. He looks back at me and smiles.

“Not tonight. I don’t want you to regret anything in the morning. We’re supposed to be taking it slow, remember?” Jayson reminds me, smirking again. “I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen, Ashley, and I meant it. Trust me, I wish I could, but I’m not that kind of guy anymore. Now, can you go into your building so I know you are home safe?”

“I guess so,” I reply, turning to walk inside. “Thanks for taking me home and making sure I’m safe.”

“Of course. Plus, it gives me one last look at that gorgeous ass before I leave,” he adds, sounding like himself again.

I roll my eyes and smirk at him. Then turn again toward my building. Knowing that he is watching me, I add a little strut to my step until I open the door and get inside.

This man is driving me crazy—but in a good way. I am still wearing a smile as I get into bed. I have no more doubts—Jayson has won my heart.

J
AYSON

H
oly shit
, I need a cold shower,
I think to myself as I ride in the town car back to my apartment. I have never held myself back like that—never had to.
Ashley, you are one special woman, but I am going to fuck the shit out of you when our day comes.

Jesus Christ, talk about blue balls. I guess this is what love is all about? Doing whatever it takes to makes someone else happy?

I know I could have had Ashley tonight. She flat-out asked me to come back home with her. But I need her to feel secure and know she can trust and believe in me when I say I only want her—and I do. Ashley is the perfect match for me, someone I know I can spend forever with and never get bored. She is beautiful, smart, funny, and everything I could ever want in a woman.

I really don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to restrain myself, though. The sexual banter between us is one thing, but when Ashley is straight-up asking for it, it takes every ounce of strength I have to hold back. I don’t know when it will be the right occasion, but we have to give it a little more time before we give into our desires. She needs to be sure of me, and of us.

I haven’t even thought about anyone else since we met at her mom’s house. Ashley is always on my mind, and I honestly hate waiting to see her again each time we part. Matt even noticed and started making fun of me at work. He swore he wouldn’t tell Dad that the woman I am getting all wrapped up in happens to be his girlfriend’s daughter, and I trust him. That’s not going to stop him from giving me a hard time about it, though.

Dad and Cynthia will know at some point, but not until Ashley is ready—not until there is something serious to tell.

Between keeping our relationship a secret and abstaining from sex, there is a lot of unspoken physical tension between us. Being involved in something so taboo makes it that much hotter, and I actually enjoy the challenge and this new game we are playing. It will only make the prize that much sweeter.