Page 46 of My Pucking Crush

An outside investigative firm cleared the guests and gave me access to their data. The attendees are so rich, many of them have their own protection. Other bodyguards are hanging out in a lounge or outside with their limos indulging in a smoke.

The entire Crushers security team is here, and with no credible threat to Max right this moment, I melt back into the background with my guys.

“You and Ryan getting along better?” Bronwin asks me, fisting a crystal tumbler of scotch.

“I guess so.” A low chuckle in my chest breaks free.

If jerking off together counts.

I shove my hands deeper into my pocket to look bored.

Bronwin is drinking, but he’s the boss. He can do whatever the hell he wants. It’s not like he’s going to spring into action if something goes down.

He studies me. “You sure? He had on a big smile when he walked in here.”

That strikes me, but he walked in ahead of me. “He did?”

“Yeah, kept looking back at you, too.”

If I had a glass, I’d drop it. But I play it off like it means nothing. “Probably making sure I’m keeping my distance. He doesn’t like me getting too close.”

Unless he’s threatening me with a good time. My heart dances in my chest thinking of that fucking kiss and feeling his hot cum hit my stomach. God, I want more of that. But I can’t touch him again.

“Keep up the good work, Sheppard.” Bronwin pats my shoulder and ambles away.

I watch Max from the edge of the ballroom near the doors that open to a lavish lobby. When I’m about to turn away, I catch it. Those sneaking looks under his golden lashes to find me in the ballroom.

To make him work for it, I change my position more often than usual. Every time I casually glance back, he’s watching me with a frustrated set to his jaw that satisfies the hell out of me.

This goes on for an hour, but I’ve run out of places to plant myself.

We finally lock on a stare and when I thinkhe’lllook away this time, he crosses the room headed right for me. I brace myself to be yelled at for fucking with him.

Not wanting to be scolded by a client in front of people, I step into the lobby and wait for him in a quiet corner near the coat room, which is empty at the moment.

Watching Max burst into the lobby, I cross one ankle over the other preparing for his wrath. I guess I deserve it. I’m taunting him when he’s doing team PR. Shit, I can’t help it. I adore seeing what makes him tick. How far I can go.

“A word, guard.” He grabs me by the lapel with both hands and practically hauls me off my feet.

Breaking free from his grip, I bite out, “What thehell is wrong with you?”

He growls and pushes me into the coat room. “What are you doing to me?”

“Watching you.” I set my feet apart, steeling my spine for a punch in the face.

“That’s not watching. You’restalkingme. From every corner of the room.” His red, flushed face suggests he’s more pissed than I took him for. “With eyes that aren’t looking for trouble. You’re...”

“You keep checking me out, so I moved. Remember what I told you about people watching your eyes and then finding me?” I cover my game, but Max sees right through me.

“Bullshit.”

“Maybe I like looking at you.” I give him a once-over. “You like being watched. You play professional hockey. You’re a god on the ice and you know it. Youwantthe glory and the fame.”

“I had no choice.”

“What?”

“There was literally nothing else I was good at. I didn’t choose this. It chose me.”