by Lulu Pratt
Not that this was a relationship. It was just a date.
“We didn’t discuss you too much over dinner. I don’t want to be that guy, Elyse.” Ryder’s slight accent vibrated through me, and I smiled weakly. That wasn’t an oversight on my part, since I hated the looks of pity and sympathy I received when talking about my past.
“I’m just a starving artist trying to make it. Your life is much more exciting than mine,” I tried to quip, but he paused with my hand tight in his.
“Somehow, I doubt that. Not with the depth I see in your eyes.” I turned around to look at him, seeing the intensity of his stare. He tugged gently, and I held my hand up as I stumbled forward against his chest. His skin was taut and warm underneath his shirt, and I licked my lips slowly as he released my hand to slip his long arm around my waist. “Elyse, I don’t want you to feel like you have to run from me.”
“I’m just getting to know you,” I murmured before his mouth claimed mine gently. It wasn’t a hard kiss, not by any means. It was gentle, and I moaned against his lips as my body responded, parts of me coming to life that I was convinced were dead or had never been reached before. His mouth moved quickly, and I reached an arm around his waist to pull him closer. I felt his tongue on my mouth and parted my lips eagerly, rewarded as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.
I wasn’t sure how much time passed as we kissed. Seconds or minutes, but his slow kisses were so good. Ryder was as skilled with his lips as I assumed he was on the ice, and I felt a void as he pulled away, clawing at his hair as he panted against my forehead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan on that.”
“It’s okay,” I murmured, wanting more as I breathed in his woodsy scent. I didn’t want to continue this in public, but I was scared that if I let him go, he would disappear.
“Would you like to get that coffee now?” he murmured before kissing my hair. I considered his answer and nodded, deciding that I needed some time to think this over.
He led me to a small dimly lit coffee shop, opening the door for me. I walked through and looked around at the mismatched couches with a soft smile. I’d never been here before, and the atmosphere was great. We walked up to the counter and placed our orders before Ryder paid. Once we had our drinks in our hands, he led me to a love seat by a fireplace and we settled in. We were close, and I pressed my swollen lips together before glancing down at my drink.
“You didn’t mind what happened back there?” he asked. I stared at him in surprise.
“I probably wouldn’t have responded like that if I didn’t. It was a surprise, but a good one,” I admitted quietly as he chuckled. “What do you want from me, Ryder?”
“You’re so shy, but you can be direct,” he mused as I stared at him. “I want to get to know you. That kiss almost knocked me on my ass, and that’s not easy to do. It doesn’t mean that I expect you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I just want to see you smile and feel good about yourself.”
Chapter 4
RYDER
ELYSE DIDN’T FEEL bad about herself, but I could see in her expression that she doubted herself. It was evident in her eyes that she went through something, and the curiosity was deep. I just had to let that go for now.
We sipped our drinks, and I focused on the heat between our bodies. I wasn’t going to kiss Elyse again yet and would revisit that when I dropped her off at home. I asked her when she worked at her bookstore next, and she told me the following afternoon for the closing shift. She smiled when she spoke of it, and I knew she loved her job.
“I don’t have a pre-season game until two nights from now. It’s a home one, and then we travel for about a week. Want to go out again after work tomorrow?” I asked.
“You want a second date with me?” she responded, and I knew I wanted that more than anything.
“I do,” I admitted, and she smiled.
“That sounds nice. I get out of there at eight. Will that work for you?”
I nodded.
“You can pick me up at the bookstore. It will save some time.”
“That sounds great. I know the place already. One of the wives likes to go to the café attached to your store and writes her books while the baby is with the nanny.”
Her eyes lit up, and I tilted my head at her.
“Becci? I see her on my day shifts. She’s great. She’s married to a hockey player?” Elyse asked, and I nodded.
“Our assistant captain.”
She took a long drink from her cup and laughed.
“I know her a little. We just make small talk before she goes to the corner table and gets to work. I always tease her about reading her next release.” Elyse set her cup down and smiled.
“I’ll tell her that I know you. Maybe she’ll get you a signed copy,” I suggested, and she laughed sweetly.
“Since we’re going out tomorrow, why don’t you take me home so we can have that goodnight kiss?” Her voice was low, and I met her eyes, a deep purple in the light of the shop.
“Yeah, I can do that.” We left the coffee shop, and I opened the car door for her, driving slowly to her house. The idea of kissing her again thrilled me, and I parked at the curb before turning the engine off. The road was lit with streetlights, and I glanced around slowly. “Is this a safe place to live?” I asked, and she laughed.
“I have a few police officers scattered around the neighborhood. They keep a close eye on things,” she replied as I stared at her. “You’re protective again.”
“I can’t help it. My mom raised me to watch out for people,” I told her as she raised her eyebrow.
“Is she a fan of you beating up men on the ice to watch out for your people?” Elyse countered, and I pictured my mom as she told me that I needed to tone things down on the ice.
“She isn’t. She’s proud of me, but it’s my dad who tells me to be aggressive out there,” I admitted, and Elyse smiled. “Can I start that kiss in my car?” She nodded and I leaned in to brush my lips against hers, feeling the electricity between us. I liked this girl. I wanted her as more than a one-night stand or even a casual fling. I kissed her again and she responded, tilting her face against mine as her tongue stroked my lip.
We took it to her door, and I pulled her against me, kissing her fiercely. The porch light was bright, and I knew that anyone who passed by might see us. I wanted to unlock her door and bring her inside where there was a counter. There was a couch. There was that sturdy oak table that I’d noticed. Fuck, I wanted this girl.
I heard her keys and slid a hand down to capture them. She moaned against me, and I pulled away. “If I unlock this door and let us in, I’ll never want to leave.” I stared into her wild eyes and licked my lips. “I won’t ever force you, but I am only a man, Elyse.”
“Tomorrow. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Elyse stammered, and I nodded. I kissed her again, chastely this time, before unlocking her door.
“Lock your door, Elyse,” I told her, and she nodded before backing inside. She blinked at me before closing the door, and I listened to the deadlock click in place. I turned to walk to my car and looked out as a sheriff drove through the neighborhood in an SUV, giving me a long look.
“You’re Ryder Bellamy?” he asked as he stopped and rolled down the window with a quick look around.
“I am.” I offered my hand, and he shook it before glancing at the townhouse behind me.
“Are you seeing Elyse?” he asked.
I smiled. “Something like that,” I replied, and he frowned a little as he looked at me.
“Take care of her. She’s been through a lot.” His words were vague, and I raised an eyebrow as I scrubbed a hand through my hair.
“What do you mean?” I asked, and he looked at the townhouse for a moment.
“Just be gentle with her,” he warned before nodding. “Good luck with the season, Ryder.”
He rolled up his window and parked at a house just down from Elyse’s place, hopping out and walking inside. I unlocked my car and glanced towards Elyse’s house, seei
ng the light through the closed blinds, turning on in the front rooms as she seemed to walk down the hallway.
The next day dragged until it was time to pick Elyse up at the bookstore. I dressed in fitted black jeans and a white button-up, slipping my feet into work boots on the way out. I slicked my hair back casually, comfortable to let it do what it wanted. I spent most of my life with a helmet on my head, so I didn’t worry too much.
I drove the car to the quaint part of town that offered a lot of shopping and antique stores. I glanced at her building and parked down the block as soon as I could find a space. I checked myself in the mirror and tried to force my nerves into settling down. I wasn’t usually like this with a woman, but I had to think for a moment on how long it had been that I dated one on a serious level. I guessed that it was a few years, and I opened the door and stepped out into the fresh night air. I looked around and noticed a few people walking on the sidewalk before making my way to Elyse.
Her second-hand bookstore had a heavy wooden door with a small glass pane, and I could see her at the counter as I peered in. She looked stunning with her hair in a ponytail and a smile on her glossy lips. I paused as I took her in and jumped as someone asked if they could get into the store.
“Of course. I’m so sorry.”
I opened the door for the woman and allowed her to enter before following her. My eyes were locked on Elyse as she glanced up, blushing as she handed two books to a customer. I smiled at her and looked around the cozy room as I approached the counter.
“Hi,” I said as I leaned forward on the wood to try to breathe her in.
“Hi, Ryder. It’s good to see you.” Her eyes were warm, and I wanted to kiss her. I wanted her to know how long the day had been for me. I needed Elyse to see that she was important to me, but even I couldn’t explain why right now.
Not yet.
A woman approached Elyse behind the counter and took me in with a sharp eye. “It’s eight, honey. I’ll close up and count for you tonight.” The older blonde smiled, and I gave her my winning grin, making her shake her head.
“Are you sure, Gloria?” Elyse asked as she shot me a look.
“Of course. Go out and have some fun,” Gloria assured her, and Elyse pressed her lips together.
“Gloria, this is Ryder. Ryder, this is the owner of the store and my friend, Gloria.” I took the offered hand and kissed it as Gloria raised an eyebrow.
“Keep this one. He’s a rare find,” Gloria smiled.
I stood at the front of the store looking at the bestsellers and classics as Elyse got her coat and purse.
“She’s right, you know,” I assured Elyse as I led her down the street to my car.
“What?” Elyse queried as I chuckled and took her hand.
“Gloria said I’m a keeper.” I laughed as she rolled her eyes at me, a smile wide on her face.
“So, what are the plans? I’m glad you went casual, since I was working tonight.” She smiled as I opened the car door, leaning in to press her mouth to mine. She tasted like fruit, and I fought the urge to suck her lips between my teeth. I kissed her softly for a moment before pulling away, struggling to breathe.
“I thought we could catch a movie at that new theater. They serve dinner and drinks, and anything your heart desires,” I suggested.
“That sounds relaxing and perfect.” I kissed her one more time before making sure she was settled in the car and walked around to my side. I got in and started the engine, breathing in the citrus scent that she was wearing tonight.
We selected a new comedy for the film and took our seats in the luxury theater. I offered her a menu, and we picked an appetizer and two entrées along with some iced tea to drink. I settled back once the waitress left, slipping an arm around Elyse as she stared into my face. “This is great.”
“It beats where I used to see movies as a kid.” I stroked her cheek and watched as her eyes fluttered closed. “You look beautiful tonight, Elyse.”
“I was working. How could that be? I got sweaty unboxing books for an hour.” She laughed, and I ran a hand through her silky hair.
“You always take my breath away. You have since the first time I saw you,” I murmured as her eyes widened. “I couldn’t wait for tonight to come. I thought about it all day.”
“So did I,” she admitted as she reached an arm across my stomach, shifting around before she finally let it rest. Elyse rested her head on my shoulder and breathed in slowly. “What’s happening here?”
“Something fast, but I don’t want you to worry. We can take this slow and get to know each other,” I promised her and kissed her hair. “I promise that to you.” The words of the sheriff played through my head, and I fought the urge to ask her what he meant by it.
The previews started, and we got our food. We left the armrest up and cuddled together as we ate, laughing throughout the film. When it ended, a girl picked up the plates, and I paid the bill before looking at Elyse. I couldn’t help but kiss her, more than the little ones we’d been sharing throughout the last couple of hours. I heard her moan as she pressed closer, tucking herself into my chest. The kiss deepened as voices filtered through the room, but we were lost in our own world as our tongues danced together. A throat cleared, and I glanced over to see a guy watching us with a trash can by his side. “Sorry about that.” I stood and held out my hand to Elyse. We left, and she giggled as we walked to the car.
“I feel like a teenager,” she murmured as I tried to imagine her younger. I thought she must have driven the boys crazy and broken a few hearts along the way. “My heart is going to beat right out of my chest.”
“Thank God we’re not teens,” I muttered, getting another laugh from her. I got us into the car and looked at her as I started the engine. “What now? I know it’s a bit late for most things, but I’d like to spend some more time with you.”
“Come to my place,” she suggested before slapping her hand over her mouth. “Oh, God. Not like that. Not for that.” Her cheeks flushed, and she looked like she was about to go into a panic attack.
“I meant what I said earlier. Promise.” I kissed her nose once I removed her hand and started in the direction of her home. I parked on the curb and got out, leading her to the door as another officer cruised slowly by us. “You are safe here. That’s the second one I’ve seen.”
“They like to make sure everyone is safe. They act like my father sometimes.” Elyse laughed as she pulled her keys from her purse. “Well, a better version of him, anyway.”
I took the keys and unlocked her door, allowing her in before I closed and locked it. I stood for a moment as she wandered towards the couch, slipping her light sweater off before pausing to fold it. She placed it on a chair and ran a hand through her ponytail before turning around to face me.
“Are you okay with this?” I asked as I waved a hand between us.
“Slow,” she reminded me as I dropped her keys on the table beside her couch and stepped towards her.
“Slow,” I promised as I cupped her face. I brushed my lips gently against hers, feeling how swollen and eager they were from our earlier kisses.
♥♥♥
Thank you for reading the first chapters of Hot Shot. Want more? Go to Amazon.com to read the full book. Thank you!
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Lulu Pratt’s Books
Pretend Daddy
Long and Hard: A Bad Boy Box Set
All He Wants For Christmas
Heart Beat
Hot Shot
Going Down
Rough and Ready
Crushed
Relentless Pursuit
Quickies: A Romance Novella Collection
Best Jerk
Fake Marriage Act
Recharged
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Lulu Pratt, Game of Love: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance