Page 19 of So Pucking Over You
“Nothing. I just realized the time.”
“You’re having second thoughts. I wasn’t good enough. Experienced enough.”
I slap her ass. “Do not talk that way about yourself. You’re amazing! Perfect. Everything.”
She crawls over my chest to turn the light back on. “Then what’s the issue here?”
“I’m too old for you.”
“How old?”
“Nine years.”
“Wrong. You just turned thirty-four. I’ll be twenty-six next month. Besides, that age gap is nothing. So quit trying to comeup with excuses. If I don’t interest you, just say so. But the wood you’re sporting is a little telling. Unless it’s just been so long, any port in a storm has that effect on you.”
“It’s you. It’s been you for a while.”
She smiles, rolls on top of me and props herself up with her arms on my chest. “Really, like a really long time? Cuz I’ve had this crush on you since I was eighteen. In college when the other girls would give me shit because I looked like a boy and never seemed to date I told them you and I dated and you liked my sleek cat form. Of course they had no clue who you were. The only sport they were even remotely aware of were football and quarterbacks.
“Anyway, I showed them pictures of you. Remember that shaving commercial you did with your shirt off? Then when you came to the house with Gordy for Thanksgiving, I took all those family photos. I cropped a few and showed them you and me together. That was such a great holiday. They left me alone after that and I actually started to enjoy college.”
“You didn’t?”
“Oh yes, I did.”
“That explains the conversation your father had with me at Christmas that year, where he mentioned you were still in college and had a lot yet to experience. He reminded me that it was the man’s responsibility to always protect the woman. Shit, he thought we were having sex.”
“Possibly. It doesn’t matter. They like you. If it makes you feel better, they told me to go for what I want.”
“And what is that?”
“You.”
I laugh. “That’s what I love about you. Your outspoken, tell it like it is attitude.”
Her eyes go wide, and she gasps. “You love me?”
“Babe, I’ve loved you forever. I’m not trying to rush you, but maybe you need to know that this is not a fling, a booty call, or a few nights stand for me. I want you. I want you forever. I want to marry you if you’ll have me.”
“Dash, I…”
“Wait. There’s a couple more things I need to say. I know you love the Blades and you just got your dream jobs. And I support you one hundred percent.
“I-I’m retiring at the end of the season. Win or lose this is my last year on the team. On any team. You’re the first and only one to know.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have the ranch, and I’ve made good investments. I’m set. I wouldn’t mind getting married, if the right woman said yes. I’d follow her around while she shows the world that women belong in hockey, in sports. Then when she’s tired of the rat race maybe we raise a few kids and dogs together.
“There’s no timeline or pressure once I retire. I just want to be with you. If you’ll have me.”
“Are you sure? No more dick moves about age? Because Dash, I want the same thing. I’ve wanted it for a long time.”
“I’m sure, but you don’t have to answer me now. I only want you to know the truth. I’m tired of holding back. Let’s finish out the season together and see how it goes. I’ll do whatever you want. Come here. Let me hold you while you sleep.”
Sitting up, she pushes me to my back and covers my lips with hers. “Yes. The answer is yes.”
CHAPTER 11