Easy Puck
Page 18
To no avail. I try, too, but those suckers hold.
Ashley works her way around our circle, and before long, we’re all wearing NOLA Squad tattoos. Winter’s also sporting a NOLA Bride and a Much Hap-penis tattoo that has another—as Murph said—“gold dick pic.”
“Are you satisfied?” Charly asks Ashley. “I think you’ve accessorized the hell out of all of us.”
“Very,” Ashley says as she hugs Winter. “I want to remember my best girl’s engagement.”
Not to be outdone, Murph insists on having an impromptu engagement party.
Winter takes my hand, and we head out of the dressing room. Murph is always looking for any excuse to throw a party, and I can hear him calling people as we walk to the parking lot.
And he got his damn hot tub, so he wants to show that off, too.
It’s a win-win.
As soon as we arrive at his house, I pull Winter onto my lap, and we hang out by the pool area in the backyard. The hot tub is filled with women in bikinis, and I don’t think any of us actually know who they are.
When Ashley joins us, she complains about all the women Murph invited.
“That’s Murph,” I say. “He won’t settle down.”
“He’s not even talking to any of them, though,” Winter points out.
That’s true, actually. I’d been so focused on Winter I hadn’t noticed what my teammate was doing.
“Why the hell did he invite them all then?” Ashley says curtly. “They’re just puck bunnies. It’s pretty obvious they only want one thing.”
Murph strolls over to us. “Hey, y’all.”
Ashley rolls her eyes at him. “Seriously, why invite all these strangers over if you’re not even going to hang out with them?”
Murph glances over at the hot tub. “They bothering you?”
Ashley blushes. “No. Yes. I don’t know!”
She storms off, and I shake my head. “Murph, what are you doing?”
He just grins. “I didn’t invite them for me. I invited them for Dean.”
“Dean?” Winter looks around. “I don’t see him.”
“He’s a no-show,” Murph says. “He’s had a rough go of it.”
Winter turns to me. “You didn’t mention that. I would have baked him something.”
I kiss her neck. “You still can. I didn’t know if he wanted his situation known.”
“Is it family related?” Winter asks.
I nod, and Murph and I exchange glances.
“I’m going to give him a call,” Murph says. “And maybe I’ll try to make up with Ashley.”
“Whatever happened between you two?” I ask him.
He just flips me off and keeps walking. “None of your business, Storm,” he calls over his shoulder.
Winter turns to me. “I can’t believe Ashley never spilled. She’s usually an open book.”
I shrug. “Maybe we’ll find out someday. In the meanwhile, you want to get out of here?”
Winter smiles. “You have some post-engagement party plans for us?”
Absolutely.
I want to take my fiancée in my arms and tell her how much I love her.
How much I’ve always loved her.
“I vote for going straight to the bedroom,” she whispers to me.
I kiss her as we stand up. “We’re on the same page, Princess,” I say in her ear.
Winter and I spent so many years on different pages while we chased our dreams. And I’m a lucky guy to have a second chance to make up for what we missed.
I count my blessings that we were given the opportunity to reconnect. I never forgot the blue-eyed girl who helped me wash away the stain of loss, but I also never thought I’d be able to welcome her back into my life. Then, fate stepped in and put Winter right at my front door. And, despite my guarded heart, I let her in.
And like it’s always been with Winter, she gave me far more than I expected anyone could. She always has.
To give my heart to Winter, and to share a future together forever, is the best—and easiest—decision I ever made.
The End
Turn the page to find out what’s next!
The Boudreaux Universe
To learn more about The Boudreaux Universe, click here:
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About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Belle writes about smart, sassy women and the hot, sexy men who want them. She spent years in the field of psychology before writing her first novel riding the train around Europe. She often works through her story ideas while hiking with her husband or hanging out with her two kitties. She loves road trips and songwriting. And cupcakes.
Find Melissa at www.melissabellebooks.com and to receive an email when Melissa releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!
A NOTE FROM MELISSA
Thank you for reading Easy Puck! Declan Wild’s story will be told in DECLAN which is coming in May 2020! My one night stand is now my husband ... A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE ROMANCE.
Mia
I don’t do professional athletes. And I certainly don’t do one-night stands.
But after my father tells me to marry before he’ll let me take over his PR firm, which has been my one and only dream since I was a kid, I decide I need a night out.
And when a hot hockey player picks me out at the saloon in the heart of Montana, I decide I want to play.
He takes me to his home on a gorgeous ranch. We steam up the sheets all night long.
And in the morning, I leave him a thank you note and slip out while he’s sleeping.
I’m sure I’ll never see him again.
Until the next day, when my uncle introduces him as my future husband.
Declan
Before I retire from playing professionally, I’m lining up my next shot—an ownership stake in the Montana Wild Kings hockey team. But the team’s got a PR problem, and they’ll never approve a bachelor.
I’m not in a relationship. I’m not even dating.
And I can’t remember the last time I was interested in someone. Until I go to the bar after the game to blow off some steam and figure out my next move.
That’s when I meet her. Mia. The first woman I can remember who doesn’t know I’m a big time hockey player.
After we spend an incredible night together, she bails.
I figure that’s it.
Until my agent calls me into his office. The only other person in the room? Mia.
My future wife.
We vow to keep our arrangement strictly professional so we both get what we want. But the more we face off, the more I want to score…
Get the book here! To be notified when my next book is released, sign up for my newsletter. Click here to sign up!
Acknowledgments
Thank you to—
The lovely and talented Kristen Proby for inviting me to write in your world. Kristen, you are inspiring, kind, and down-to-earth, and it’s an honor to work with you!
To Lori and everyone at Lady Boss Press for all your support. It’s been wonderful getting to know all of you!
To Dawn for always being flexible with my crazy schedule and of course for your gift of editing.
To J. Hunter for your fabulous covers and artistry.
To Mr. B for being my go-to on everything sports-related.
And to my readers for going on this journey with me.
Also by Melissa Belle
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BOSTON BOYS BILLIONAIRE Series
BOSTON BILLIONAIRE
BOSTON LOVE
BOSTON BOYS Series
BOSTON ESCAPE
BOSTON ROOMIE
WILD MEN Series
WILD MAN
COLTON
DYLAN
AYDEN
JENSON
BRAYDEN
CAMERON
DECLAN
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