Puck Battles: A Complete Sports Romance Series

by Kristen Echo

  “It’s good you took Renee under your wing. She’s vulnerable,” he said as his hand moved an inch up her thigh.

  “Why do you care?” Hailey tucked her legs under her and faced him.

  “My sister got caught up in drugs and then gangs. We lost her. Hockey saved me from following the same path. Charging down the ice gives me a greater high than any narcotics. No matter how long my career lasts or where it takes me, I won’t forget where I came from. If I can stop anyone from that life, I have to try.”

  Hailey placed her hand on his. The heat spread like wildfire, warming every inch of her. “We all have a past. I’m sorry for your loss. If you’re comfortable, I’d love to know more, but if it’s too much, I get it.”

  “You lost someone?”

  She’d lost so much. “I know how much it hurts to lose a sibling. My brother served in the Army. He died two years ago defending our country.” No amount of time made saying that any easier.

  “That loss never heals. My sister’s been gone over a decade and I… It still pisses me off. Where we lived in Cali, joining a gang was a way of life come a certain age. She was older by a few years. I was always heavy into hockey which kept me clean. Donna didn’t get the attention she deserved. Drugs became her escape. Eventually, the gang owned her. The shit she did.” Joe shook his head. “I was too young, powerless and self-absorbed to help. Then she OD’d. My folks were a joke before and after she died. We no longer have a relationship. Hockey kept me off the streets and on the straight and narrow, but that so easily could have been my life.”

  “With your determination, I find that hard to believe. You strike me as someone who never backs down.” She smiled. They were sitting so close. Hailey removed her hand and slid back on the couch.

  Joe moved closer. “When I want something, I go after it. Relentlessly.” His eyes fixed on her mouth.

  “What do you want? Every time I turn around you’re there.” Her breathing became shallow.

  “Spend the night with me. Stop pushing me away.” His mouth loomed closer. His tongue pressed against his incisor and she quivered.

  “Okay,” she said and reached out, pulling him closer.

  The kiss stole her senses and ended with them fighting for dominance. Not much of a fight since they both knew what they liked and what they wanted. Their hands roamed, and legs coiled. Within a heartbeat, she was in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his hips and they moved down the hall.

  Joe kicked his bedroom door closed behind them as they traveled in the dark. Her lips never left his. She sucked on his tongue and rubbed her mound over his erection. She needed him inside her in the worst way. All the moaning and sex she’d been subjected to at the party had riled her up beyond measure.

  The lights flicked on in the attached bathroom as they entered. She didn’t ask questions as he plowed ahead. He opened the glass shower door and walked in. A moment later water rushed over them.

  It wasn’t freezing, still she gasped at the unexpected blast of cold. “I’m wet,” she panted.

  He pressed her against the tile and consumed her mouth. His hands roamed under her shirt, gripping her breasts. She pealed the soaking shirt over her head along with the sports bra, giving him full access.

  “You’re perfect.” His eyes stayed glued to hers as his mouth covered her nipple. He licked and nipped until she cried his name. He grabbed the soap from the tray and lathered her breasts. The water warmed quickly as it rushed over them and rinsed the bubbles away.

  Hailey gripped the back of his shirt and yanked it over his head. She wanted to feel his skin against her. The steam fogged the glass as her hands glided over his muscles. He moved one hand from her ass to the front of her jeans and undid them. He tugged, but the wet fabric stuck to her body.

  “Hold on to my shoulders,” he said, placing her onto her feet. “I don’t want you to fall when I eat your pussy.”

  Her fingers dug into the meaty flesh by his neck as he dropped to his knees. He yanked her pants and panties down over her ass and licked inside her navel. The jeans came down slowly and he kissed and washed his way down her legs. Hailey ran one hand through his wet mane, tugging the ends as he teased her, avoiding the area that needed the most attention. Once her pants were around her ankles, she kicked them off. Her socks were soaked, but she didn’t care to remove them. She opened her legs wide, placing one foot on the bench.

  “You missed a spot,” she said pointing to her clit. “I want that mouth right here.” She ran two fingers through her folds and wiped her fluids against his lips.

  “I didn’t miss anything.” He gripped her hand and sucked her fingers.

  Without warning he dove between her legs. Hailey squealed as he latched onto her sensitive nub. He slipped two fingers inside her and ran his tongue back and forth over her. Within seconds, she was panting and riding his face. Joe twisted his fingers, finding her trigger. He pressed it repeatedly until she shattered.

  “Joe!” His name bounced off the walls.

  He was nowhere near done. “More,” he moaned against her folds. Joe kept pumping his fingers and lavishing her pussy with more attention than she could handle.

  Her legs shook, and her core clenched as another climax built. When he nibbled and tugged on her clit she screamed, and the flood gates of ecstasy opened. He lapped at her release until she pulled his head back. “That mouth of yours… Damn. I could let you eat me for hours, but I’m about to turn into a prune. I need to move out of the water.”

  He smiled and licked his lips. They were extra puffy and extra sexy. “Move to the bench and bend over. You’ll be out of the water.” Joe stood and pulled down his jeans. They didn’t give nearly as much resistance as hers had.

  His erection bounced gloriously against his stomach. He stepped into the flow of water and rubbed his length. Water dripped off the tip, making her thirsty. She couldn’t help herself from touching him. His muscles rippled and flexed under the fingers. She planted a soft kiss between his pecks then moved towards the bench.

  “You want to fuck me from behind?” Hailey flipped her soaked hair over her shoulder and faced the bench. She gripped the edges and stuck her ass in the air. “Don’t be gentle. Fuck me hard.”

  “I plan to punish your pussy for running from me. Three times, now. You’re going to be sore, baby.” His fingers dug into her hips as he lined up. “Wait here. I need to grab a condom.”

  “We’re protected, and I got checked out after last time. I haven’t been with anyone else. Unless… you’d rather stop.” She felt like she’d waited an eternity for this moment. She wriggled her ass against him, too impatient to wait another second.

  “I’m clean.” He ran his tip through her saturated folds. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Don’t keep me waiting. Punish me.” She bit her lip, waiting for the exquisite stretch that came from being taken.

  “This right here is all I’ve been able to think about since that first night.” He slammed into her with a grunt. “A month since I’ve felt the inside of a woman.” He pulled out and smashed into her harder.

  Hailey’s murmurs of bliss were swallowed by the slap against her backside. “Yes,” she hissed.

  Joe plunged deep and covered her back with his chest. His lips grazed the shell of her ear. “You will come for me so many times, you’ll wish you’d never left me hanging.” He licked her lobe and ground his pelvis against her backside.

  She shivered with anticipation and desire. Her hips tilted to take more, and he gave it to her. He pounded into her, delivering on his promise. The next time his hand struck a wave of bliss rippled from deep inside.

  Her orgasm rolled into another as he fucked her without mercy. She loved it. Everything he did demonstrated his command and ability to give pleasure. He turned off the water and lifted her back into his arms. He carried her out of the shower, fusing their mouths together. She wrapped her legs around him as he slipped back inside her.

  The cold marble soothed the sting
on her ass as Joe placed her on the bathroom countertop. Mirrors lined the walls behind her and on the side. Water from her socks dripped onto the floor. He tugged them off and tossed them aside. She kept her legs around his waist and watched from different angles as he owned her. There were no better sensations than to be taken that way. Her body given for him to control.

  Joe wrapped his hand around her hair, jerking hard as he slipped his cock out. Then he pushed back twice as fast. Her nails raked the hard plains of his back and he moaned. She roamed every accessible area. He moved her legs, placing her feet on the counter. His eyes drifted from hers, and he noticed her injury. She sensed he wanted to say something, but she covered his mouth. Her lips stole whatever sympathetic phrase he thought he should say.

  Her eyes shifted towards where their bodies joined. Hailey held onto her knees, watching his cock burrow into her. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

  “I won’t,” he grunted. “You’re too beautiful.” His hand moved over the scars on her ankle and he pumped faster. “Every inch of you is exquisite. You’re blowing my fucking mind. I’m going to come so hard, baby.”

  Seeing her injury didn’t stop him from giving her everything he had. He was in charge, but every move was designed to make her come. He fucked her rough because she liked it. His fingers moved over her clit and she crumbled.

  “Let go,” he ordered.

  “Oh… Oh!” Hailey quivered and pulsed as the next orgasm tore through her. “Joe… Oh. My. God!” The climax rolled and rolled and wouldn’t stop.

  “That’s it, baby. Give me all of it.” He thrust again and stilled. “Fuck!” Joe came hard and his entire body trembled. Hailey wrapped her arms around him. Their bodies spoke a language of lust that left her shaking and spent.

  Joe smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Wow. I’m not sure I have ever come so much.” He pulled out. A stream of his release dripped onto the bathmat. He chuckled and grabbed a towel from the stack on the counter. He wet it in the sink and washed her.

  “Ahhh.” She squirmed as the cloth rubbed her clit. Hailey stilled his hand and exhaled sharply.

  “Sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t push more than I thought you could handle, but—”

  “That was exactly what I needed.” She pulled his face closer and kissed his lips. “You wanted to leave me sore, and you succeeded is all. Me and my pussy will survive to fuck another day.”

  “Glad to hear it.” He removed the wet towel from between her legs and cleaned himself. His body glistened with sweat. “I should take a cold shower and give you a short break.” He laughed and strolled into the shower.

  Hailey let her feet dangle for a moment before sliding off the counter. “Enjoy the shower. I’m good.”

  “Keep the bed warm, I’ll be there in a minute.”

  She smiled and ventured into his bedroom. More hockey gear and photos decorated the walls and surfaces. A flash of blond hair caught her eye and her heart stopped beating. Upon closer inspection, it was a picture of Joe and Cameron. It wasn’t Ryan.

  She buried her face in her hands. The sound of water running interrupted her silent meltdown. Hailey spotted her bag on the floor. She grabbed dry clothes, dressed and raced out of his room. She carried her boots and left Joe’s condo.

  It wasn’t running. Okay it was. Hailey knew if she slept with him, she’d get attached and it was bad enough she liked him. That wasn’t supposed to happen. With Joe or anyone ever again.

  Chapter 8

  Guilt gnawed at her heart, making it impossible to sleep. Not that the hour she’d closed her eyes while seated on a bus bench could be considered restful. The long walk from Joe’s complex failed to clear her mind.

  She’d given her heart and told Ryan she’d love him forever. That didn’t end in death. When they’d scattered his ashes, she’d promised to never love that way again. But at her age, maybe there would be room for something else. The feelings brewing inside her confused her. It wasn’t love; she knew better than to mistake lust for love. Joe Larson surprised and intrigued her, unlike anyone she’d ever met.

  Did she really think she’d walk away unscathed?

  When the sun poked over the horizon, she found herself back at his place. The only reason she returned was for Renee. It had nothing to do with his scent sticking to her skin or the way her thighs tingled as she walked. It had even less to do with the butterflies in her stomach or the spring in her step. Nope, she was only there for the case and to help the teen.

  She knocked on his door and squared her shoulders for whatever berating would be thrown her way. Getting yelled at and scolded was nothing new. A minute passed, and no one answered. She knocked again. He had every right not to answer, but as the seconds ticked by her heart rate increased. They had to still be there. She was about to pound on the door when she heard the lock click.

  Joe opened the door. A towel hung low around his hips. His lips thinned as their eyes met. She looked away, unable to meet his heated gaze. His hair was damp from the shower and drops trickled down his pecks, over his washboard abs and disappeared under the towel.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your day. I… is Renee awake?”

  He leaned against the doorframe with one arm over his head, posed like a cover model for a dirty magazine. The perfect teaser picture before the main spread where every inch of his body would be displayed. She liked those magazines and would pay top dollar for his feature. He shook his head and water splattered against her face.

  “She’s still out. You coming in to wait for her?” He pushed the door wider, but his body prevented her from going in without touching him.

  “If that’s okay with you? I’d appreciate it.” Hailey chewed her lip as her eyes continued to feast upon him. She’d come for her friend, but all she wanted to do was push him against a wall and ravage him. Her fists clenched.

  “Your routine is getting old fast. You know?” He crossed his arms over his chest. His muscles bulged, drawing her attention to all the claw marks she’d left behind. Her claim.

  “I get it. You wanna air this in the hall or may I enter?”

  Joe stepped aside and waved her in. “This cut and run bullshit is driving me insane. I don’t know why I care, but I do.”

  The door closed as she marched past him. He grabbed her arm, halting her progression. Hailey didn’t know what to say or how to respond. She wanted him to care but wished he wouldn’t. She saw the man before her and wanted to kiss him as well as push him away. The juxtaposition confused the hell out of her.

  “That’s your issue. I never asked for you to care about me. I don’t need anyone,” she said, tugging her arm free.

  “More bullshit. Everyone needs someone. Why won’t you let me in?” His eyes darkened, and she saw more than lust swimming in them.

  She took off her jacket and threw it at him. “You’re so full of it. Sex is sex. It doesn’t have to mean any more than two people sharing their bodies. This concept isn’t new for you.”

  Joe tossed the leather on the ground and gripped her arms. “I’m well aware of what casual sex means, but that’s not what this is.” He pointed between them.

  Nervous laughter erupted. All the lust, bubbled to the surface, consuming her. “You think every woman should cave to your whims and be grateful the all mighty Joe Larson is giving them attention. I’m not some fan-girl who will inflate your ego. Neither of us wants anything serious. So, stop looking at me with your bedroom eyes, spewing your pick-up lines. I don’t need or want them. I would never expect someone like you to give up your playboy lifestyle.”

  He pulled her flush against him. “I love giving women the attention they deserve. Every person I’ve been with has known the score. There’s no trail of broken hearts. That’s not who I am.” He tilted her chin up when she tried to look away. “Do I love sex. Yup, I sure do. Can I handle more than an erotic escapade? Yes. Hailey, I’m not on a mission to conquer the female race.”

  Her chest felt tight and the moment too inte
nse. “What’s your mission then?”

  “Win the Stanley Cup. Enjoy my life. Simple,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers. “To make my sister proud.”

  “Nothing’s simple.”

  “You complicate everything. Hailey, you’re infuriating.”

  They were both breathing heavy. “Shut up!”

  “Make me!” He let go of her arms.

  She needed him to stop talking. Her hand moved over the towel and ripped it from his waist as her mouth pressed against his lips. The chemistry between them exploded like sticks of dynamite near an open flame. His words lit the match to ignite the passion she’d been keeping at bay. She could no longer hold back.

  Joe opened his mouth and their tongues dueled. Fighting for dominance, for passion and for pleasure. His hands knew their way around the female form and within seconds she was naked. Their bodies acted on impulse and fit together perfectly.

  Hailey climbed him like a tree, wrapping her arms and legs around him. He gripped his cock, poised at her entrance and thrust. Her back slammed into the wall and she moaned. Her walls were slick and welcomed the invasion. She’d smiled against his mouth, thinking she hadn’t made it more than two steps into his condo before fucking his brains out.

  They went at it like barbarians. Wild, hard and fast. Their lips remained locked as their bodies tangled.

  “Say you’re sorry for leaving.” Joe rotated his hips, grinding into her. “Say you won’t run again.”

  Hailey kissed his clean-shaven jaw. “I’m not sorry. I did what I had to.” Her tongue licked along the smooth surface.

  He growled and pushed in harder, adjusting her angle so he could sink deeper. “Wrong answer.” Joe slammed into her again and again until her climax floated within reach. Then he stopped.