Pucking Parker (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 1)

“After you.” Preston holds out his hand for me to enter the house before him.

Drake and Taylor are behind us.

Preston startles me when his big hand lands on my bare shoulder. I move through the dense crowd, swept away by the electricity dancing along my skin, allowing the music and Preston to entrance me.

Once we reach the kitchen, Preston spins me around. He strokes the side of my face with his thumb, his blue eyes fixed on me. His dark shaggy hair falls onto his forehead, and I reach up to sweep it away. He smiles, and not one of his usual cocky smirks. A real smile that sets off every nerve ending in my body.

“To answer your question,” I say. “Yes.”

He hands the cups to the guy behind the bar to fill. “Yes to what?”

“What you asked me the other day in the cafeteria. I never gave you my answer.”

“You didn’t have to. I already knew what you would say by your reaction.”

I cock an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?”

He lifts our beers from the bar and thanks the bartender with a slight tip of his head. “You’re not the easiest person to read, Bex, but I’m getting used to your tells.” Preston hands a cup to me. “Drink up.”

“I don’t have any tells,” I shoot back.

He sips the foam from the top of his cup. “Yes, you do. You just don’t realize you’re doing it.”

I chug a good amount of my beer, telling myself I need to slow down. Coach Vaughn will not give me a break tomorrow if I show up hungover again.

“So, what do I do? Enlighten me, Parker.”

He smirks, running his fingers down my bare arm. “See these little bumps. Every time I touch you, the same thing happens.”

“Have you ever considered I might be cold?”

He laughs. “Nice try. It’s like ninety degrees in this house. You’re not cold.”

“I wouldn’t call goosebumps a tell. That’s ridiculous. Everyone gets them.”

“You’ve always responded to my touch. Even that day in the locker room.”

He’s right. No sense in denying it.

“I’m attracted to you. So what? That doesn’t mean anything. I bet most of the girls in this house would have the same reaction if you spoke to them, let alone touched them. You know you’re like a walking orgasm. It’s not news to you.”

He laughs, almost spitting out his beer. “I plan to give you a lot more of those.” I narrow my eyes at him and he adds, “Orgasms. Lots of them. I’d do anything to hear you moan my name again.”

“Wanna dance?” I have to change the subject before someone overhears our conversation.

He knows my dad would kill him, and yet Preston doesn’t seem to give a shit who hears him.

He licks the beer from his lips. “Any excuse to touch you.”

I smile, and it must be contagious because Preston does, too.

Looking over my shoulder for Taylor, I spot her in the corner of the room with Drake. His hip digs into hers, his arm is on the wall behind her head, caging her in, and their mouths are inches apart. They look cute together. But he’s such a player. All of the guys on the hockey team are, with the exception of a few who have long-term girlfriends.

I wish Taylor would stay away from Drake. But I’m not one to judge or offer advice when I can’t shake Preston. He’s on my skin, in my head, and slowly creeping into my heart. This is bad for both of us—especially me.

Slipping my fingers between his, I drag Preston into the living room to dance. We sift through the crowd and create a spot for ourselves by the stairs. He leans back against the railing, his strong grip on my hip as he pulls me into his chest. I rock my hips from side to side, swaying to the beat of the pop song. Preston lowers his head until I feel his breath on my neck. His tongue wets my skin, his teeth grazing along my sensitive flesh. I can’t believe he’s doing this in front of people.

Where’s my willpower when I need it? I should stop him, take a few seconds to get some air. Because I sure as hell need it around Preston.

“Let’s take this upstairs,” Preston whispers in my ear, his voice deep, smooth. His teeth nibble my earlobe, and I still in his arms.

I’m powerless. My mind rendered useless around him. His hand lingers on my hip and then slides up my stomach. His intoxicating scent fills my nostrils, and I close my eyes. Rubbing over his growing erection, I give him the answer he needs.

Preston clutches my wrist and leads me upstairs. We travel up another flight of steps. He seems like he knows the layout of the house, as if he’s looking for a particular room. At the end of the hall, he opens the door to what looks like a game room.