There are a whole host of insecurities tumbling around inside me. The cocktail isn’t conducive to passion but it’s fine.
In fact, no, it’s better than that.
Because he kisses me like there’s no one else on earth and that’s empowering. My heart races and my body stirs. Craving more, cravinghim, I lean into him, wanting the press of his torso against mine. The pressure. The heat. Fuck, I could?—
A gasp ricochets around the diner.
I’ve heard the boy come way too many times for comfort, so I recognize that stunned gasp—Pecan’s here.
I tense but Zach doesn’t. He maintains the kiss for a good long while, even slips me some tongue before finally making a retreat. I’m not as into it as I was, not when I’m fully aware we have an invested audience, but holy fuck, what that boy can do with his mouth should be a crime.
By this point, when we pull away, me bright pink and breathing heavily, Zach looking like thecockwho got the cream, there are five massive hockey players standing by our booth.
Pecan, Alec, Mason and Gregg (two solid D-men,) and Joker (alternate captain and a forward).
Pecan’s the first to blurt out, “Why the fuck are you kissing Denveron the mouth, Zachary Bradley, when we haven’t had the talk yet? What about looping me in first? HUH!”
“Because Denver Parilla wants him to?” I counter, eyes narrowed. “And no talk is required unless I’m involved.”
His focus flicks between us before he lets out a massive whoop, making me jump in the process, while he fist-pumps the air. “Just you wait ‘til I tell Logan. He owes me three hundred bucks.”
“PETER CANARD, YOU DID NOT ENCOURAGE MY BABY BROTHER TO GAMBLE?”
“He came to me. What’s a man to do? Turn down free money?” He sinks into the booth beside me. “Tell. Me. Everything.”
“Ew, no!”
“I need to know the details. I gotta share with my mama. She’ll want the deets as well.”
I gasp then spin to face Zach, who’s looking cockier than is healthy for his already massive ego. Also, could he manspread anymore?!
The slightest whisper of unease filters through me until Pecan grouses at my continued silence, “I know nothing! As your officialmutualBFF, it’s a crime against humanity that I don’t know anything about you two hooking up! Especially with how hard Zach was fighting filming the?—”
When he breaks off, Zach shrugs. “It’s fine. D knows about the reel.”
Alec butts in, “Did you?—”
“Shut up, Alec.” Zach hauls me even closer. Another forehead kiss makes my heart flutter and dispels my earlier anxiety.
“I don’t want you to tell Aunt Helmie, Pecan.” I rest against Zach. “No gossiping allowed.”
He plants his hand on his chest. “You’re mean!”
“Nothing new there,”Zach chirps.
“I need to tell her. She likes to be kept updated?—”
“If you tell her, then I’ll have to tell Mom!”
“And? No way you can keep this under wraps. Not when he rolls up for Thanksgiving and his tongue’s stuck in your mouth half the tripand…” He studies Zach. “He suddenly has a penchant for wearing your lipstick.”
My brows lift at ‘penchant.’ Who even knew Pecan had that word in his vocabulary?
“Peeks,” Zach chides, but he sounds amused. Damn him. “I’m not going to devour Denny in front ofher mom.”
“Just in their den, huh?”
The pair of them cackle and, these little shits, fist-bump in front of me!
