Page 127 of Puck Yes
“You bet I am. I’m not stupid.”
“Me, neither,” Ledger says, then taps his pool cue to the felt. “Let’s play a round instead of playing watchdog over your sister.”
Garrett growls but acquiesces, and I file away the fact that Aubrey’s big brother is very protective.
Then, I watch my guys with admiration as they begin a round of pool.
Yes, it’s the bone structure, but it’s really the size of their hearts that’s making me fall in love with them every day.
51
SURPRISE SHOOT
Ivy
I’m pretty good at taking care of my guys too. One evening in early December, as Hayes is undressing me for Stefan, slowly, sensually taking off my white bra, kissing my shoulders as he goes, a delicious idea pops into my head.
The next morning, while Stefan makes double kale smoothies for the two of us in the kitchen and we talk about the day ahead, I tell him my idea.
Stefan grins wickedly. “You’re a mind reader. He told me the day we shopped for your vibrator that he wanted that.”
“That so?”
“Yes. You know him well.”
“And I know a photographer,” I say, smiling at him likethat’s you, babe.
Stefan checks his watch, as if it contains a calendar. “He’s got dinner with his agent tomorrow night after the game, I think he said. Why don’t we surprise him when he comes home?”
My heart flutters. I love that Stefan not only showers me with affection, but he looks out for Hayes too. I melt a little more from that knowledge.
That feels a lot like family.
There’s that word again. It’s true—these men are starting to feel like family. Instead of elated, I’m suddenly terrified. Terrified of falling harder.
* * *
That next night at the arena, I zip up my fox costume and hit the ice for the first intermission.
“And now,” the announcer booms. “Your Golden State Fox, also known as…Foxy.”
I chuckle inside my costume—the mascot officially has a name. The fans voted for it. As Foxy, I race around the ice, heading straight for the T-shirt cannon. Then, I fire T-shirts into the crowd.
Dogs, planners, and operating a T-shirt cannon—some things just make you forget your fears and just feel happy.
* * *
Nighttime and lace are two of those things. At Stefan’s home that night, as Roxy curls up on the fluffy red dog bed the guys got for her, I slip into a pink, demi-cup bra and matching bikini panties. I roll a pair of stockings up my thighs, then slide into white heels with ribbon straps that Stefan ties at my ankles.
“Ready?” he asks as he runs his hands up my legs.
“So ready.” I stretch out on the big Alaskan king bed that we share most nights.
Stefan arranges me on the pillows and then adjusts the lights. He picks up his Nikon, and when Hayes arrives home from his dinner, calling out to us as he climbs the stairs, Stefan begins the shoot.
“In here,” I answer as the photographer snaps the first photo.
Hayes turns the corner, enters the bedroom, then unleashes a rumble that makes my skin sizzle. “Wow.”