PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) (26 page)

I pull my phone from my pocket and shoot a text to Rachel:

The deed is done. Shit has hit the fan.
I don’t think she teaches on Sundays, so I expect her to get back to me and she does almost immediately.

Shit. Guess it didn’t go so well,
She types in response.

Not really. Having a “family meeting” this week,
I write back.

Haha. Sounds like a blast. Maybe Chris and I will come in later,
Rachel sends back. I take a bite of my salad and sip of my drink before typing again.

Sounds good. Maybe c u later.
She sends me a thumbs up in response.

I send a text to Jayson while I have my phone out.

Miss u a lot today,
I write and send. I haven’t really opened up to him like that before. Only as a response to his own statements. He writes right back.

Miss you too. Everything will be ok. Let’s hang tonight.
I smile as I read that. I would love to see Jayson tonight. I’m not sure if Rachel and Chris are definitely coming by the restaurant later, but I’ll figure it out.

Sure. I’ll call when I’m done,
I reply and put my phone away.

I only have a couple of minutes left and want to finish my lunch. I eat what’s left of my food and finish my iced tea in the same rushed manner I’ve been doing everything else in today. I clear the table and bring everything into the kitchen, then go to the ladies room to clean up. If this evening continues like the rest of the day, this shift will be over in no time.

Luckily we are very busy and the night is flying by. As it begins to wind down, I work on cleaning and resetting my section. I’m looking forward to getting out of here and want to be ready to go when the time comes. I notice Rachel walk in and give me a little wave. I don’t see Chris, so maybe they had a change in plans. She sees I’m busy and makes her way to the bar where Brooke greets her. I know Rachel would prefer to see Sam, but I won’t be long anyway.

I am at the coffee station making some cappuccinos for one of my last tables when I catch a glimpse of Jayson making his way to the bar. I wasn’t expecting him to come in, but I’m happy to see him. I don’t know if he and Rachel will remember each other, but it should be amusing if they do.

I deliver the coffee and cappuccino to my customers and ask the other table I have if they would like anything else. They order some dessert and coffee—figures.

I keep an eye on the bar to try and see what’s happening, if anything, between Jayson and Rachel. I’m surprised to see them sitting next to each other talking and smiling and it makes me very happy. It’s important that my best friend and my boyfriend like each other. Jayson definitely did not make a good impression the first time we met, so I’m glad he has a chance to redeem himself.

I catch Brooke looking at them, also. She is sneering, probably wondering if he’s more of a player than a faithful boyfriend and planning to make her own move on him. She knows Rachel is my friend, though, so maybe that’s in my head.

I deliver desserts to my last table and pick up the check from the other. I finish cleaning and doing my side work so once the last table pays their bill I’ll be done. I go to the ladies’ room to fix myself up a bit while I wait. I don’t want to hover over them, anyway.

I forgot that I ran out of the house this morning without doing my hair or putting on makeup, and at this point, I look like a hot mess. I do the best I can to pretty myself up and go back out to the dining room.

I wave at Rachel as I pass the bar. Jayson has his back to me and she gives me a thumbs-up in return. I am relieved things are going well, even more so when the last table asks for their bill and promptly pays it. I clear their table after they leave and I’m ready to hit the bar.

I walk over to where Rachel and Jayson are sitting and take a seat next to Rachel. I smile at Brooke hoping she will come over and offer me a drink. She is not as friendly as Sam is, so I’m sure it will be a few minutes.

“Hey, guys. Looks like you remembered each other.”

“Actually, Jayson didn’t remember me at all,” Rachel responds.

“Sorry. I only had eyes for one girl that night,” Jayson says, and I roll my eyes remembering the blonde I saw him with that same night.

“It’s fine. I actually had a little fun with him when I got here. It was my payback,” Rachel says, smiling slyly.

Jason rolls his eyes. “Yes. It was a lot of fun.”

“What am I missing here?” I ask as Brooke finally makes her way over and asks what I would like. She takes a little longer than necessary to set the wine glass down and pour, probably so she can hear what’s going on.

“I thought it would be fun to use some cheesy pick-up lines on Jayson,” Rachel says “Kudos to him, though. He told me he wasn’t interested because he has a serious girlfriend. If I was giving him the ‘are you faithful’ best friend test, he totally would have passed.”

“Glad you found it so amusing,” Jayson says with a smile.

“I did. And I don’t think you’re a douchebag anymore, so it kind of all has a happy ending,” Rachel tells him, looking at the both of us. “Seriously, though, it’s been nice getting to know you a bit for myself, not just through what Ashley tells me.”

“Yes, it has. Although I’m sure she only tells you good things,” Jayson replies.

“She tells me
all
the good things,” Rachel says with a wink.

“Well, I’m glad you guys got that all ironed out. I think. What happened to Chris?” I ask Rachel.

“He has to work early and didn’t feel like going anywhere. I thought I would come solo, anyway. I wanted to get the scoop on your mother, but maybe this isn’t the best time.”

“It’s fine. Jayson is aware of everything that’s going on, obviously.” I take a long sip from my glass before I retell the story from this morning to them.

“Oh, shit,” Rachel replies. “Your mom can be so harsh sometimes. Sorry, Ash.”

“Whatever. It’s pretty much the reaction I expected. Luckily, Jayson suggested we all meet and settle everything together,” I tell her with a note of sarcasm.

“Oh! Can I come?” Rachel jokes.

“Sure! You can take my place.”

“Come on Ashley, it won’t be so bad.” Jayson interrupts. “I’ll help Cynthia understand everything and we will be one big, happy family.” Rachel laughs and I roll my eyes again.

“We’ll see what happens. For now, what should we do tonight?” I ask.

“I think I’m going to head home. You have company now and Chris is probably all lonely without me,” Rachel says with a wink.

“Okay. We can walk you, if you’d like,” I offer.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just up the block. Thanks, though.”

We all get up from our stools and take the last couple of sips of our drinks. I say goodnight to the few people from work who are still there and the three of us walk out the doors.

“It was nice to meet you, Rachel—for real, this time,” Jayson says.

“Nice to meet you, too. I’m glad we bumped into each other,” Rachel replies. She gives each of us a quick hug and walks in the direction of her apartment.

“Where would you like to go now?” Jayson asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. What do you feel like doing?”

“You,” he responds with a sly smile.

“Come on, I’m serious,” I say.

“Me too. Where do you want to go?”

“Let’s go to my apartment. I rushed out today and would like to change out of these clothes and chill on my couch. Is that okay?”

“Sure. I just want to be with you tonight. Doesn’t matter where.” He really knows how to make me feel special.

“All right, then, let’s go,” I say. We reach our hands out simultaneously, which makes me smile, and walk back to my building hand in hand.

It’s a Sunday night, so there aren’t many people out on the streets. We walk slowly and talk about this morning without getting angry or upset. Jayson has a way of making me feel good, like everything will just be okay, always. He lifts my worries and fears and replaces them with love and hope.

By the time we reach my building, I’m not dreading our first official “family meeting” anymore. I’m not looking forward to it, either, but I know we will get through it.

I say hello to the doorman as Jayson and I pass. We are still holding hands as we wait for the elevator. We ride up to the twenty-first floor and walk into my apartment. I pour us both a glass of water and open a bottle of wine I’ve had sitting on my counter for several weeks now. We clink glasses and each take a sip.

“Why don’t you hang out here? I want to shower and change, if you don’t mind,” I suggest.

“Sure. Unless you want some help,” Jayson offers.

“I think I have it under control,” I reply.

I toss the television remote at him and take a couple more sips of my wine before I walk into the bedroom. I don’t want to leave him out there for long, so I hurriedly turn the water on and undress. I shower quickly, soaping up my body and just rinsing my hair before getting out. I wrap myself in a towel and give my hair a fast comb through, then head back into the bedroom to get dressed.

After a couple of steps, I stop in my tracks. Jayson is sitting on the edge of my bed. He pats the spot next to him indicating I should sit down there. I raise my eyebrows as I look at him.

“Don’t be scared, Ashley,” Jayson teases me, patting the bed again.

“You don’t scare me,” I say with a smirk as I walk over and stand next to the bed. “What’re you doing in here?”

“Nothing. Just thought I would make myself comfortable while I waited. Are you going to sit down?” Jayson asks.

“Sure,” I answer and boldly sit on his lap.

“What are you doing?” he asks, though he doesn’t object.

“Just making myself comfortable. Don’t be scared,” I say, mimicking him and smiling.

“As a matter of fact, you’re a little intimidating right now,” he answers.

“Let me help you relax, then.”

I unbutton his shirt and pull it back off of his shoulders and over his arms. I gently push him back onto the bed so he is lying down with his feet on the floor. I move off his lap and unbutton his jeans, then pull the zipper down. I grab a hold of the waistline of Jayson’s pants and begin to remove them. He arches himself up so there is no resistance and I pull them all the way down.

Sitting next to him, I take his cock in my hand and begin to stroke it, slowly running my hand up and down his shaft. Jayson exhales a long breath.

“Are you feeling more relaxed now?” I ask, smiling slyly as I continue to fondle him.

“I am,” Jayson answers.

“Good.”

I stand up in front of him and remove my towel. He starts to sit up and I push him back down.

“Down, boy. Not yet. You can look, but don’t touch,” I tease him before slowly dropping to my knees.

I begin to stroke him again, harder this time. Jayson is lying back and can’t see me anymore. He is breathing heavier as I continue to move my hand over him. I run my other hand up the side of his leg to the top of his thigh. He is so hard already from my touch. I lean up on my knees and as I continue to work him with my hand and wrap my lips around the head of his dick.

Jayson moans softly and sits up. I stroke him a few more times while my lips are closed tight around him and then let go.

I slide my mouth over his cock, which is now completely hard and try to take it all in. I run my tongue along its length as I glide my warm mouth up and down. Jayson has his hands resting lightly on my head. I keep moving my mouth over him, sucking gently along the shaft, causing a suction that I can tell Jayson is enjoying by the groans he is making each time.

I wrap my hand over his cock again as I continue to suck and stroke in unison. I work faster, bringing him close to the edge and then slowing down again. I continue for a few more minutes until his fingers are entwined in my hair, gripping tight, and I don’t think he will be able to hold back anymore.

I slowly stand up again. Jayson is sitting in front of me and looks up as he runs his hands up over my breasts.

“You are so fucking sexy, Ashley,” he says in a breathless voice. I narrow my eyes and smile as I push him back onto the bed.

I reach over and take a condom out of my drawer, quickly unwrapping it and unrolling it over his erection. Then I move forward and straddle his lap. I put my hands on his shoulders and lower myself onto him. His cock easily slides inside of me and when I have completely taken him in, I gasp.

I move my hips slowly back and forth, making myself comfortable. His cock is so thick it rubs against every inch inside of me. I am wet already and have barely even moved. Jayson places his hands on my breasts and caresses them as I start to ride him.

I grind my hips, moving up and down, slowly at first and then picking up the pace as I go. I’m making small circles as his cock moves in and out of me. Jayson moves his hands to my hips, helping to exaggerate my movements.

He sits up and we are face to face. He keeps his hands on my hips and I move faster, wrapping my arms over his shoulders. I continue to ride him, circling my hips and sliding his stiff cock in and out. I keep the same motion, the head of his cock is repeatedly rubbing my sweet spot and I moan.

Jayson grabs my ass and pulls me hard into him. At the same time, he presses his lips into mine and starts to kiss me. Our tongues dance again, connecting us on another level. He is pushing and pulling me into him and I’m moving up and down on just the tip of his dick now. It’s all I need as I relish the feel of it going in and out of me causing a very pleasurable friction in just the right place.

I am about to orgasm and I can’t stop it. I tighten my grip around Jayson’s back and a throaty groan escapes my mouth as I release myself onto him. Jayson moans as he feels me tightening around him, my juices spilling over his shaft while it’s still inside me.

I continue to thrust my hips forward and back, but slower now. Jayson lightly sucks the tip of my tongue before taking it into his mouth again. He is massaging my tongue with his, our mouths hot and filled with passion. Our bodies are pressed together. My nipples are hard and they rub against Jayson’s chest as I continue to slide myself up and down the length of his long cock.