Page 7 of Tricky Puck

“Now that we have that cleared up, let’s order a drink.” She’s looking over my shoulder at the server as the young woman approaches.

“I’ll have—” she starts, but I cut her off, with good intentions, of course.

“We’ll both have Pappy van Winkel straight up.” A glance tells me she’s more impressed than shocked. “And leave the bottle.”

Now, she’s shocked. But only for a flicker. The waitress takes off, leaving us to have at it.

“Your strategy is to get me drunk? Not very original.”

“I thought you said you weren’t a lightweight.”

“I didn’t say your strategy would work.” She unleashes the twinkle in her eye with a full-blown smile now, and dammit if something in me doesn’t overreact before I can keep myself under control. My blood races to my cock, leaving a trail of sparks that make me so hot I want to strip naked—or strip her naked. Make that both of us.

“My strategy is to loosen up, or this is going to be a short night, and even though I told Grandma I’d be home early, I don’t want to disappoint the old lady by showing up before the evening news.”

She nods. “Low tolerance for boredom. Check.”

“I’m never bored.”

“How do you manage that?”

“I’m very, very good at amusing myself.”

Her smile disappears, and she tries unsuccessfully to make her expression neutral, but I see the disturbance. I’m not sure if she’s worried, afraid, or excited. All three would make me more than curious—or more curious than I already am because I can’t lie to myself. This woman—whatever her name is—has already made me more curious than I’ve been about a woman since…shit. Since that second-grade crush on my music teacher with the golden voice.

“What’s your name?” I ask. “I didn’t catch it in all the excitement.”

She snorts a laugh. “Easily excited, aren’t you? My name is Delaney Collins, but I won’t mind if you don’t commit it to memory.”

“Easily bored. Check.” I enjoy throwing her words back at her.

“You saying you’re boring, Milano?” She smirks.

Shit. Point one for the lady. “You were right. You’re no lightweight.”

The server returns with our glasses and the bottle, and after she sets down the menus, she lingers for a second longer than necessary, which isn’t a big deal, except she’s staring at me.

“Are you Link Milano?” She’s somewhat breathless, and I hold my groan to myself. Normally, I don’t mind recognition. Sometimes, I enjoy it, especially when it’s a cute young lady like our server, but I don’t want to deal with the issue of my celebrity status tonight—though I’m not sure why.

I nod. “Give us a few minutes before we order.”

“You’re quite the player,” she says. “Maybe you can sign the menu for me?”

“Sure.”

She shoves a pen at me, and I glance at Delaney to see her reaction. She’s thoroughly amused, and I’m thoroughly unsurprised.

“What’s your name?”

“It’s Ashley. You’re a more delish snack in person than I expected. My friends will be so jelly. Can we take a selfie?”

Without waiting for an answer, she whips her phone from her pocket and leans in while I scribble my signature. I slide my gaze to Delaney, and she’s studying the menu as if she’s here by herself.

“Smile.” The server clicks more than once, taking a series of photos before I push the signed menu into her hands and put an end to her celebrity adventure.

“We’re ready to order.”

Delaney looks up from her menu at me, and after a beat of indecision, she slides the menu to Ashley, nodding.