Page 9 of Revenge Puck

“Uh,” I say.

He waits.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asks, brows furrowed with concern. “Do you think smashing into me gave you a concussion?”

I lower my lashes and blush. “Your body isn’tthathard.”

His lips tilt into a smile as he studies me again, as if he’s trying to place me. I can almost see the gears turning behind his eyes, the “Have we met?” hovering on his tongue.

But instead of asking, he exhales. “Sorry. Long night. I’m a little out of it.”

“Hmm,” I hum. “Bad night or just long?”

He chuckles. “Yeah.”

“Which one?”

“Both?”

“If it makes you feel any better, I walked out on my date because he was degrading me and my new job.”

In my pocket, my phone vibrates like it’s possessed, over and over. No doubt it’s Blaire, frantically checking in on me to make sure I’m not dead or kidnapped, or worse.

I ignore it.

Aaron Bishop looks down at me, thick brows raised. “Youwalked out on a date?”

My chin notches up proudly. “I did. And I’m proud of myself and want to celebrate.”

His mouth quirks, but instead of being impressed with me and saying so, he stuffs his hands into his pockets. “You heading somewhere else, or…?”

I glance up and down the city street. “I was on my way home, but…”

Aaron tilts his head. “But?”

“I’m not quite ready yet.”

He glances behind me at the bar, then down the tiny block. “Want to grab a quick drink or something? I’m not quite ready to go home, either.”

And here it is, my chance.

The one my best friend and I have joked about. The one I never thought would ever happen, Blaire’s voice echoing in my head.If you ever get Aaron Bishop alone, or get the chance to bang him, take it. Do it for the good of the people. For vaginas everywhere!

“Sure. I could do a quick drink.”

I fall into step next to him as he heads two doors down, a big shadow beside me. Mentally, I list all the things I’ve cataloged about Aaron since my brother joined the Ice Wolves and they became friends:

He plays defense. He’s known to drop gloves without hesitating if someone takes a cheap shot at him or a teammate. Has a reputation for being intense on the ice and almost painfully quiet off it.

My brother once said,You want Bishop on the ice when things get ugly, but they’ve also become friends. Declan told me that Aaron is usually the one planning team dinners, and treats them all like brothers, which I find interesting.

The media paints him as intimidating. Rude. Closed off and reluctant to do interviews.

But what the world doesn’t know?

He is kind.

Giving.