Arrogant Puck: A Friends to Lovers Sports Romance (Hockey Heartthrobs Book 2)

by Vanessa Winters

  That might be why it ended so badly. It was easy, but sometimes easy is boring.

  That doesn’t mean I want complicated, though, and that’s what this is.

  My phone rings on the table and I jump to pick it up, assuming it’s Damien calling me back.

  Instead, I find Toby’s name on the screen. He mentioned a few times that he loves talking on the phone. I’m one of those weirdos who likes phone calls, so I don’t mind. My friends hate that about me.

  I hesitate. We had a great time on Friday, but this thing with Damien has me confused.

  I decide to answer it. Talking to Toby might help.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Jenna, how are you?”

  “I’m well, how are you?”

  “Good, good. I was wondering if you’re free for dinner tonight?”

  “Oh. Yeah. I don’t have any plans.”

  “Great! I’ll pick you up at six?”

  “That’ll work. See you then!”

  We hang up, my head spinning. How’d I go from trying to hang out with Damien, to making a date with Toby?

  If Damien calls me back, I don’t know what I’ll do. I certainly can’t talk to him while I’m out with Toby. If he calls in the next hour, I’d probably bail on the date.

  Damien doesn’t call. I have to hide my disappointment when Toby knocks at exactly six. I guess a part of me wanted to cancel the date.

  “Hey! You look great.”

  “Thanks, you do too.”

  That’s the truth. Toby is wearing jeans and a button down shirt. It’s my favorite combination on a guy.

  I decided to go with a casual dress that falls just below my knees. I don’t know where we’re going, but I figured the simple blue dress would work for anything.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.”

  I lock my door and follow Toby out to his car. He takes me to a burger place downtown that I love, which is a point in his favor.

  We’re seated quickly since it’s Sunday night.

  “Have you been here before?” Toby asks.

  I nod. “The food is really good.”

  “What do you recommend?”

  “I like the Baja burger or the hangover burger.”

  “Both sound delicious. I do love an egg on a burger. I think I’ll get that.”

  I’m in the mood for something spicy, so I go Baja. We place our order and talk while we wait for the food to come. Just like Friday night, the conversation comes easily. Toby and I are totally compatible. Meeting him was a stroke of luck in my otherwise cursed dating life.

  It’s too bad I had to go and ruin it by sleeping with Damien.

  I know Toby and I aren’t dating officially, so it’s not like I cheated on him. It’s just that I can’t stop thinking about Damien, even though this date with Toby is going well.

  After we finish eating, Toby pays the tab and we head out.

  “I’d love to walk around, but I have work early. I hope you don’t mind me dropping you off.”

  “I understand. I have work early, too. I had a really good time, though.”

  Toby smiles. “I did, too.”

  He parks in front of my building and walks me to the door.

  “Thanks for coming out with me,” Toby says. “I hope we can do it again sometime.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Unlike Friday, Toby hesitates in front of my door. A look flashes across his face, like he’s convincing himself to do something.

  Then, he kisses me.

  It’s slow and sweet, but not too much at the same time.

  Despite being taken aback, I smile.

  “Goodnight, Jenna,” he says.

  “Goodnight, Toby.”

  He waits until I’m inside my apartment to leave. Toby is such a gentleman.

  Inside my apartment, I’m even more confused than before. The date and the kiss were both amazing. Toby is everything I’ve been looking for in a boyfriend. He’s my type, he’s in medical school so we understand each other and the stress we’re under, and we can talk easily with each other.

  Yet, my mind still wanders to Damien and our night together. He’s not my type at all. Sure, he’s attractive, but he’s not what I normally go for. His job keeps him busy, but it’s different than the struggle of medical school. We do have great conversations.

  What am I going to do? Damien still hasn’t called me back. We desperately need to talk.

  I like Toby, but I’ve known Damien forever. We have a connection I’ll never have with anyone else. That’s what happens when you grow up with someone. Even the couple of years we didn’t talk didn’t break our connection. That has to be worth something.

  I think I need to give it a shot with Damien. It might end in disaster, but it also could be great. We already know we’re sexually compatible. We’re close friends. We have everything we need to give this a shot.

  The only problem is, I don’t know if Damien feels the same. He might want this to be a one time thing. He might want to pretend it never happened. He might never speak to me again.

  I sigh. I know that I want to give us a try. I can’t let go without knowing what might’ve been.

  However, a relationship is two people. What I want only matters if it matches with with Damien wants.

  If only he would call me back.

  It’s getting close to nine pm. I jump in the shower, put on my pajamas, and climb into bed. I have to be at work by seven, and I don’t do well when I don’t get enough sleep.

  I check my phone one last time before setting my alarm and placing it on my table. Still nothing from Damien.

  Tomorrow, I’ll make him talk to me. I’ll go to his apartment after class so he has no choice.

  I just hope he wants the same thing I do.

  I don’t know if I can handle it if he rejects me.

  Damien

  Have I passed the window of opportunity for calling Jenna back? I should’ve done it last night, but I was too stressed. My failed attempt at flirting with Cameron weighed on me. I ended up watching some ridiculous realty TV show until I fell asleep.

  Now, it feels like I’m too late. We may never speak again.

  I’ll never forgive myself if that happens. This is why I shouldn’t have slept with her on Saturday night. I might’ve ruined what we had because I was horny and fighting some weird feelings for Jenna.

  I could use a good distraction. I’ve been alone all day. That’s why I’m struggling so much. I can’t get out of my head.

  Matt has a part-time job doing some maintenance for a company Sophie’s dad’s friend owns. He goes to apartments and fixes stuff when he’s not playing hockey.

  I pull out my phone and call him.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” He answers. It’s already early evening, so I knew he’d be home.

  “Hey. I was wondering if your job is hiring at all?”

  Matt laughs. “They could always use more guys to help out. I’ll give the boss your name.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  “Is everything okay? How’s Jenna?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her.”

  “Damien.”

  “I know. Trust me, I’ve lectured myself enough already. I don’t need you to do it, too.”

  “Well, as long as you know you’re being an idiot.”

  “I’m aware. Thanks again for helping me out with the job thing. I’ll go insane if I don’t do something on off days.”

  “I hear you. I’m sure he’ll give you a call this week.”

  “Perfect.”

  We hang up and I feel slightly satisfied. I avoided getting a job because I don’t want to overwork myself, but I think it’ll be worth it. Plus, it never hurts to make some extra cash. I can’t live on my signing bonus and meager weekly paycheck forever.

  With that settled, I turn on Netflix and search for something to watch. I’m not in the headspace to try something new, so I go for an old show I’ve seen a few tim
es. It’s hilarious no matter how many times I re-watch it.

  I’m too lazy to cook tonight so I order a pizza for delivery. I rarely do this, so I even opt for mozzarella sticks too. They’re my guilty pleasure.

  Less than ten minutes later, there’s a knock on my door. I grab my wallet and head over.

  “That was fast,” I say as I open the door.

  But it’s not my pizza waiting for me on the other side.

  “Sorry,” Jenna says quickly. “You were expecting someone. I should go.”

  “A pizza,” I say. “Stay.”

  Jenna bites her lip. This is part of why I’ve been kind of avoiding her since Saturday night. Now that I know what it’s like, I want to be the one biting that lip.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt.”

  “I ordered enough food for twenty people and it’s just me. I want you to stay.”

  She still hesitates, but Jenna finally comes in to my apartment. She tosses her jacket on the hook by the door. She’s planning on staying a little while.

  Good. We need to talk.

  We sit down on the couch and an awkward silence settles over us. I hate it. We’re never like this.

  I open my mouth to say something when Jenna speaks instead.

  “I went on another date last night. With Toby.”

  “Oh,” I say, ignoring the surge of jealousy flowing through me. “How’d it go?”

  “It was nice. We went to dinner and talked the whole time. He’s really great. We get along well. Then, he dropped me off at home. And he kissed me goodnight.”

  Jenna is a kind, caring person. She would never hurt another soul on purpose.

  Yet it feels like she’s jamming a knife into me with every word. The date is bad enough. Knowing that he kissed her has my blood boiling.

  I have no ownership over Jenna. She doesn’t belong to me. Even if we were dating, that would be true.

  Knowing this doesn’t stop me from wanting to kill Toby.

  “Are you going to see him again?” I ask hesitantly. I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  Relief and fear course through my veins. Is she avoiding another date with him because of me? I’m not what she wants. We’re never going to date. It would be better if she started seeing Toby and we went back to how things were before we slept together.

  It’s not exactly what I want. It’s what needs to happen, though.

  “I think you should…”

  Before I can get the words out, there’s another knock on the door.

  “Dammit. The pizza.”

  I rush over to get it. I toss cash at the guy and practically slam the door in his face.

  Jenna stands when I reach the living room.

  “I really think maybe I should go.”

  I put the pizza and mozzarella on the coffee table and step towards her. “Don’t go. Stay.”

  She studies me. “Okay.”

  We don’t talk again as we eat the pizza. My words from earlier settle between us. Jenna has no idea what I was going to say, and I’m wondering if I even want to encourage her to date another guy. It would be selfish not to. I’m not the dating kind, and I shouldn’t try to keep her from doing it with someone else if that’s what she wants.

  “The pizza was good. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  We sit awkwardly on the couch. I turn to face her, ready to say what I need to say, when she does the same.

  It’s too much for me to handle. She’s so sweet and beautiful. Her lips taste like peppermint because of her Chapstick. I need another taste.

  I lean forward and press my lips to hers. She startled at first but recovers quickly.

  “Damien,” she whispers. “I don’t know…”

  “Me, neither. Let’s just enjoy it right now.”

  Jenna’s walls fall down completely. She hoists one leg across my lap so she’s straddling me on the couch. Her hips grind into mine as we make out. My hard cock presses against her thigh. There’s no way she doesn’t feel it.

  Jenna’s fingers tangle in my unruly hair. I rub my arms across her shoulders and down her back until I get to the bottom of her shirt. I hate to separate our lips for even a second, but I want her shirt off. She backs away just enough for me to pull it over her head. I toss it onto to table, next to the half-empty pizza box.

  We continue to kiss like the world is about to end. My hand massages her breast over her bra. She moans against my lips.

  “You like that?” I whisper.

  She nods, kissing me again. I snake one hand behind her back and unclip the bra. She won’t be needing this for the next few hours.

  “You’re wearing too many clothes,” Jenna says. “It’s not fair.”

  I grin. “We can change that.”

  I lean back just enough to pull off my own shirt. Jenna runs her fingers up and down my chest.

  “You’re so… muscular,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “You love it.”

  Jenna’s eyes meet mine. “It certainly makes this more enjoyable.”

  I laugh and kiss her again. Carefully, I move us so she’s laying on the couch and I’m hovering above her. I don’t want to crush her, but I like being on top, even during foreplay.

  I kiss her chin, then her neck, as I work my way down to her nipples. She moans as I take one between my lips.

  “Fuck, yes, Damien,” she breathes. “Keep doing that.”

  She pushes my head down towards her breasts. I squeeze and massage one while I suckle the other. Jenna moves around underneath me, showing me how much she loves what I’m doing.

  Jenna is one of the most responsive partners I’ve ever had. She’s not afraid to shift if she wants my attentions elsewhere. I like that about her.

  Jenna puts one hand between us and cups my hard-on. She undoes my fly and slips her hand into my pants to get a better grip. Her palm is cool, but it feels great against my cock.

  “You like that?” she asks, smirking. I can only nod. Of course, I like a hot woman touching my dick. What heterosexual man wouldn’t?

  “You know what you’d like even better?”

  “What?” I manage to ask as she squeezes my balls. Fuck, I don’t know where Jenna learned to give a hand job, but she’s damn good at it. I usually skip this part. With Jenna, I can’t get enough.

  She adjusts so her lips are right against my ear. “My mouth.”

  Jenna grins and pushes me off her so she can be on top. In this case, I don’t mind one bit. She kisses her way down my body until she reaches my jeans. Jenna pulls them down and tosses them on the floor.

  My cock is standing straight up, ready for her. Without hesitation, Jenna licks the tip before taking most of me into her mouth.

  I grab her hair to move it from her face. It also gives me something to hold on to while she sucks me. I’m not one to try and force anything, but I do like to have some control.

  “That’s right, Jenna,” I say, thrusting upward just slightly. “Take me.”

  Her lust-filled eyes meet mine. “I wonder if I can take all of you.”

  “Let’s find out.”

  Jenna opens her throat and quickly bobs her head down until her lips touch my balls. Fuck. She can take all of me. Not many women can.

  She continues to lick and suck my hard cock as I guide her head up and down.

  “I’m close,” I say. “I don’t want to finish yet.”

  I tug her hair so she comes closer to me, and I kiss her again. My tongue dips between her lips. As we make out, I fumble with the button and zipper on her jeans. She helps me out, and they quickly join mine on the floor.

  “I’m on birth control,” she says. “And I’m clean.”

  “I’m clean, too,” I say. I get tested regularly, just in case. Any sane person should. There’s no reason not to, especially when plenty of places do it for free.

  “Then fuck me, Damien.”

  She do
esn’t need to ask me twice. Once again, I adjust our position on the couch so I’m hovering above her. I guide my cock into her waiting center. She’s so warm and tight, I nearly cum right then and there.

  Luckily, I manage to hold out. Jenna meets my thrusts with her hips, moaning the entire time. I circle her clit with my fingers on one hand while the other twists her nipple.

  “Fuck, yes, Damien. You’re so fucking good.”

  I speed up only to slow down again. I want this to last.

  And it does. We keep going, both of us reaching the edge of orgasm only to come back down, until we can’t take it anymore.

  “I need to cum, Damien. Fuck. Make me cum!”

  I speed up again, also quickening my pace on her clit. Her pussy clenches my cock. It’s too much for me. I slam deep inside her and empty my load.

  I fall to the side of the couch breathing hard.

  “Fuck. That was good,” I manage to say.

  Jenna climbs on top of me and plants a kiss on my lips. “Yes, it was. I can’t wait for round two.”

  Laughing, I get up off the couch and grab her hand. “I think we should go somewhere more comfortable.”

  She takes my hand and I pull her into my bedroom. I don’t normally do this, but I’m breaking a lot of rules for Jenna.

  I know we have a lot to talk about, but right now, we don’t need words. We need action.

  And we’ve got plenty of that.

  Jenna

  I wake to sunlight coming in through the curtains. That’s weird. I must not have closed them last night, because I have dark fabric covering my windows to prevent this very thing.

  Then I feel the weight on my side. I’m not alone in my bed.

  I’m not in my bed at all.

  It all comes back to me. I came to Damien’s to talk about what happened the other night. Instead of talking, we had a repeat performance.

  Multiple times.

  I wasn’t drunk when I came over. I remember everything. There’s just a period of adjustment when you wake up somewhere you don’t usually wake up. I’ve never slept at Damien’s before, not even on the couch.

  The couch. I am so not the kind of person to have sex on a couch. Mike and I always did it in the bedroom. No adventures for us.