Pucking Wild (Jacksonville Rays, #2)

by Emily Rath

This is for all the thirty-somethings trapped in marriages, friendships, and family dynamics you’ve outgrown. Set yourself free. Watch how you fly. Oh, and give pegging a try.

Tess and Ryan first met at the beach when Ryan accidentally kicked a soccer ball at her head. As far as anyone else knows, that is the extent of their relationship. Only Tess and Ryan know this moment happened. Now you know too. To quote Dua Lipa, “One kiss is all it takes…”

Hopping up the back steps of Jake Compton’s house, I shift my beach bag on my sunburned shoulder with a wince, reaching out to tap in the security code. Rachel and the rest of the Rays are still out at the beach, but I’ve had about all I can take of this feeling of sand creeping up my ass. I’m ready to shower.

I put on a good show earlier, relentlessly teasing Rachel about how I was going to start a humane society for homeless Rays. But I wasn’t serious…okay, I wasn’t entirely serious. Fine, I was serious, but purely as a thought experiment. No action. Nope. No sex for Tess this weekend. As much as I might enjoy the idea of a night of debauchery with an insanely handsome and ripped professional hockey player, Rachel Price is my best friend. I don’t want to do anything to upset her balance here. And hooking up with one of her players? One of her patients?

I tug open the washing machine door, shoving my towel and coverup inside. Without hesitation, I slip out of my swimsuit too. It’s still a bit damp, so I have to peel it off me. As I do, a little sand falls onto my toes. “Oh, gross,” I whine, letting my bottoms drop down around my ankles with a soft plop. Then I undo the hook at the back of my top and shrug it off, wincing as the move stretches my sunburned shoulders. I glance down and break out in a fit of giggles. I’ve got tiny pieces of beachy seashells sticking to my tits. Sand up my ass crack, crusty shells on my boobs. How does Ariel make this look so glamorous?

I hurry back towards the kitchen, both hands going up to tug my hair tie lose as I turn the corner. My phone sits on the end of the island by my beach bag. I kick my flip-flops off next to the stool as I snatch up my phone and my tumbler of iced tea. I tap the front of my phone and read the time. 4:17 p.m. Dang, I’m cutting it close.

A rustling sound behind me has me turning, phone in hand. The door to the pantry is wide open. Before I can make a move, a man inches out, back still turned, with his hands full of six party-sized bags of chips. Our eyes meet at the same time. God, his are so pretty, all bright and apple green. It’s Langley, the puppy from the beach who hit me with a soccer ball. Damn, he looks like he just walked off the set of a Frito-Lay commercial. His messy blond hair is windswept, and he has those tanned, cut muscles. Board shorts rest low on his narrow hips, showing off a white strip of skin. I want to lick it. I want to see how far down that pearly white skin goes.

And that’s when I realize he just did the same thing to me. He just took in my full naked body, standing here in the middle of Jake Compton’s kitchen like I’m doing my own one-woman show:

“Where the hell did you come from?” I cry, slapping my left arm over my naked breasts. I drop my right hand down, still holding my phone, trying and failing to cover the kitty. Langley’s pretty green eyes go even wider. Mouth moving like a fish, he finally blurts out the only thought he can hold in his head. “Why the hell are you naked?”

Oh god. Oh fuck. Oh shit. Doctor Price’s friend is standing in the middle of Compton’s kitchen bare ass naked. Fuck, she looks amazing. I’m salivating. I’m sweating. I mean, I’ve been checking her out all day in that sexy red swimsuit. Especially when she arched back on her elbows and rubbed sunscreen all over her tits. She had her eyes closed, soaking in the sun like a mermaid on a rock. Not gonna lie, it gave me a semi. I had to pretend I wanted to swim just to go dunk my head in the cold water.

I let my eye trail down. Her tits are so large and full, the skin around her nipples ivory and unblemished, fading to the softest blush pink. And she has two perfect buds. I could suck the life out of her, bringing her to orgasm with just my tongue. Don’t even get me started on the wide set of her hips, the thick curve of her thighs. She’s squeezing them together, as if that could hide her pussy from me. Nice try, gorgeous. Tess…that’s her name. Short. Sweet. Tess Owens, Doctor Price’s best friend. Shit. Reality comes screaming back to me as I realize I’m still standing in Compton’s kitchen, holding an armful of chips, staring at my team doctor’s naked best friend. I’m not just staring. I’m scheming, imagining what I’d do to her with my tongue, my hands—

“Why the hell are you naked?” Thank God, she’s just as flustered as I am. “Seriously, is there a portal opening back there? Are you some kind of ninja?” “I used the back door,” I call. “Well, get back in the pantry and let me find a towel or something,” she says. I turn sharply, ready to obey, and my elbow slams into the doorjamb. “Ouch—fuck—” The bags of chips slip from my arms and drop to the floor. Ignoring them, I slap a hand over my eyes like I’m twelve. Only problem is now I can’t see, and I slam my damn face right into the side of Compton’s pantry. “Ouch—shit—” Pain lances my nose as I reel back. “Oh god,” she gasps. “Are you alright?” “Ouch,” I groan, stepping back and crunching a bag of chips in the process. “Langley, are you—you’re bleeding!”

She rushes around the kitchen island. “Hold on,” she calls. I tip my head down and spy the round curves of her perfect ass as she bends over the sink. She’s got the cutest little dimples, her back sloping, boobs swaying as she reaches for the sink handle and turns it off. I tip my head back, quickly averting my eyes as she hurries forward. “Here,” she says, handing out a dish cloth soaked in water. “Are you okay?” I look down at it, then at her, trying to keep my gaze above her chest. “Uhh…why don’t you use it?” She laughs, holding up the dish rag. “Cuteness, what do you expect me to do with this? Make a nipple hat?”

“Look, I don’t mean to pry,” I say. “But why are you naked in Compton’s kitchen?” She smiles, crossing her arms over her chest. It helps a little, hiding her nipples away. “I’m staying here,” she replies. “And I didn’t expect anyone else to be here. You were all at the beach. Why are you in Compton’s kitchen?” “He sent me to get more food,” I reply, gesturing to the bags of chips on the floor. But wait—oh shit—did I miss something? Is Tess doubly off-limits? Being Doc Price’s friend is a chain-link fence. Being Compton’s girl is a brick wall. “You’re staying with Compton?” “Well, technically I’m staying with Rachel,” she replies, leaning her bare hip against the island. “But…this is Compton’s house,” I reply, not putting the pieces together.

“Yeah, umm…we’re both staying here. Rachel knew I wanted to spend time at the beach and Jake offered us both his guest room for the weekend. Not too shabby. Cheaper than a hotel for sure.” I breathe a little sigh of relief. “Yeah, that was nice of him.” “Yeah, he’s great,” she replies.

Something about her eyes makes the orange in her red hair seem brighter. It’s like she’s on fire, a ray of sunlight.

I don’t strut around talking about claiming women and fighting off the affections of other men like some brute caveman. But right now, with this beautiful naked woman standing in front of me, I feel ready to go looking for a club. Me Ryan. You pretty. Make fire and baby.

“Why is he so off limits?” She just gives me a level stare. “Puppy, do you want him to be on limits for me? Do you maybe wanna set us up? Maybe you wanna watch him grind on me in this kitchen a little—” “No,” I say, heat burning in my cheeks. “No?” she echoes, eyes twinkling. I know she’s teasing me. “No,” I repeat. “No Compton.”

“How’s the nose, puppy?” I drop the kitchen rag away, seeing the dark stain of my blood. “I think it stopped—wait—why are you calling me that?” She shrugs a naked shoulder. “Because it fits. You’re like a lost little puppy looking for a home, all sweet and sensitive. What’s your pleasure?” I go still, bloody rag in hand. “What?” “I like to think I can read people,” she replies. “You’re hard to read, Langley.” “Call me Ryan,” I say, shifting past her to toss the soiled rag onto the counter. She takes a deep breath, letting it out. “Fine. Ryan it is then. Tell me a secret, Ryan.” “A secret?” “Yeah, you’ve seen me naked, so it seems only fair. Even the odds.” “What kind of secret?” I say, feeling my pulse thrumming. This woman does things to me, things I don’t rightly understand.

“I want to know what you taste like.” Fuck, did I just say those words out loud? It had to be me because she’s looking at me like I’m crazy. “Ryan—” “A kiss,” I say, breathless. “That’s my secret. I want a kiss. One kiss. From you.” Her full lips tip on one side, flashing me a sexy little half-smile. “And what would a guy like you do with one kiss from a girl like me?” “Savor it,” I reply. “Cherish it. Save it for a rainy day.”

“I like that,” she replies, her voice soft. “No matter where we are, when the clouds roll in on those dark and rainy days, we can pull out this moment and sit inside it. We can remember what it feels like to be windswept and sun-kissed and free.”

“Here’s the deal, Ryan,” she says. “I’m naked and vulnerable, so you have to be a perfect gentleman, okay? No getting handsy with me. You asked for a kiss, and I’m gonna give it to you.” Oh god, this isn’t happening. I came in here for Fritos. I didn’t even want to come. I lost a coin toss with Sanford. Now I’m standing here with a gorgeous naked woman, and she’s going to kiss me.

“You don’t have to do this,” I say, heart pounding. “I want to,” she says, her gaze still so soft as she steps in. “Hands behind your back, Ryan. Grip your wrists.” I move without hesitation, doing as she says. “I have to warn you,” she says, that soothing voice coiling deep inside me. “I’m covered in sand.” “Me too,” I reply. “That shit gets everywhere.” “Mhmm.” She steps an inch closer. “My hair, my boobs, the crack of my ass.” I grin. “You’re still gorgeous, Tess.” “Oh, I know. I might just taste a little gritty. Don’t hold it against me?” “Never,” I reply, heart in my throat. “I may taste like blood.” She shakes her head. “Nah, you cleaned up good. Not a drop in sight.”

“You wanted a kiss,” she says, stepping in until her bare tits brush against my chest. I groan, fighting the urge to touch her. Instead, I grip tighter to my wrists. “Yes,” I say on a breath. She brushes against me with her sun-warmed skin until I’m pressed up against the doorjamb. She lifts her hand, two fingers trailing up my sternum before she cups my cheek. “One kiss,” she whispers. “Just one,” I repeat, bending down to breathe her in. She smells like suntan lotion and sea salt and some kind of coconutty shampoo.

“One kiss, Ryan,” she murmurs. “For the rainy days to come.” “One kiss,” I repeat. Making my move, I drop my face down to hers, my parted lips meeting hers. We both breathe in as we kiss. This isn’t a peck or a chaste brushing of lips. No, it’s a searing. A supernova. Our mouths open, and then she’s moaning into me. It’s the sweetest sound of aching need. She wants me. Wants this. The realization has me ready to break our agreement. I want to haul her against me, sling her onto this counter, and bury myself inside her. I want to worship her, please her, make her scream my name as we come together.

Both her hands cup my face, her full breasts bare and warm against me. Our mouths stay open as we tease and chase. She sucks on my bottom lip, biting with her teeth, and I taste her with my tongue. It’s enough. It has to be. Because just as soon as the kiss started, she’s pulling away.

Smiling up at me, she raises a hand to her mouth, two fingers brushing over her lips. “That was lovely, Ryan. You’re a good kisser.” “So are you,” I say, surprised I remember how to form words. “I have to go,” she says, her gaze darting to the clock above the stove. “And you have chips to deliver.” She points to the mess on the floor between us. I nod, still feeling dumbfounded. “Oh and—please don’t tell Rachel about this,” she says. “I’m not ashamed of you or anything,” she adds quickly. “You’re her friend, her patient. I wanna respect that.” I nod again. “Yeah, cool. Anything.” “Well, it was nice to meet you, Ryan.”

This is only the beginning. Because there is no way I’m letting her just walk away. Tess Owens is my dream girl…she just doesn’t know it yet.

This night has been a total whirlwind. Rachel just had to drop the gauntlet with her sexy little taunt, telling Ilmari she’ll marry him if their game against the LA Kings was a shutout. Well, joke’s on her, ‘cause now I’m standing in her mother’s bedroom, waiting as Rachel hunts through her mom’s couture gown collection, looking for something suitable to wear to a wedding. Her wedding. That’s right, I’m about to be a bridesmaid at my best friend’s surprise midnight four-way wedding. God, I love L.A.

She stands before me in a floor-skimming, shimmery gold slip dress with barely-there straps. The bodice dips low between her breasts, clinging to her like a second skin. If I was a cartoon, I’d have big hearts in my eyes. “This is as close as we’re getting to a wedding dress,” she says, smoothing the dress over her hips. “I’m sorry, but I’m not wearing pink, and all the black ones felt too austere.” “Rachel, is that runway Versace?” I say.

“Oh, honey,” I say on a sigh. “You look so beautiful. They’re gonna die.”

“No, you’ve got your something old and something borrowed,” I say, pointing at the dress and the jacket. “The flowers can be your something new. We need to find you something blue.” She laughs, fiddling with the sleeve of the jacket. “What was your something blue at your wedding?” My smile falters as memories of the day flash in my mind—the heat of the sun on my shoulders during the outdoor ceremony, one too many glasses of champagne at the reception, dancing until my feet blistered. “My shoes,” I reply softly. “Oh, that’s brilliant.” Rachel hurries around the corner. “Mom basically has her own shoe warehouse in here,” she calls. “Come help me pick out a pair.”

“Rachel Diane Price,” I say, my voice louder. “Are you sure you want to get married tonight? Because I swear to God, if you give me even a look like you’d rather run, I will throw you over my shoulder, linebacker my way down those stairs, and we’ll run.”

“I need to hear you say it, Rach,” I say again. Rachel smiles, her eyes suddenly watery. “Tess, I love you so fucking much.” “I love you too,” I say quickly. “And only my love for you has me asking this now. You deserve an out if you need it. I mean, you haven’t known these guys long, Rach. And it’s a big freakin’ leap. Marriage is…well, it’s a legal quagmire—” “Tess,” Rachel says again, lifting a hand to cup my face. I still at the touch. “I don’t need Lawyer Tess with me right now. I’m good,” she says with a gentle nod. I suck in a breath, letting it out. “You’re good?” “I’m really, really good,” she replies. “Tess, they’re the ones.” “They’re the ones?” I echo. “They’re the ones,” she repeats. “Tess, I’ve waited my whole life to feel like I make sense. Always searching for the reason. My reason. I thought travel was my reason. Then maybe it was medicine. And I do, I love medicine,” she adds. “I love healing what’s broken in others. Each time I think it heals a little something in me too.”

She found me at my lowest and gave me a home

“And then Jake found me in Seattle,” she says with a smile. “And when he found me, I found me too. I’m who I’m meant to be now. With them, I’m me. Jake, Caleb, and Ilmari, they’re my reason. So, I’m not walking down that aisle ton...

I’ve never had a place that felt like home. I envy her that she’s found hers at last, even as I’m so...

Harrison calls out, “Rach, we’re coming in!” I block the doorway with my body. “Absolutely not. He’s not seeing her before the wedding.” Jake stands between Harrison and Amy, both hands covering his eyes. “I don’t wanna see her, Tess. I just need to talk to her. Babe, I need to talk to you! I’m kind of freaking the fuck out!” My protector mode surges. “Jake Compton, are you having second thoughts?” “What?” he squawks. “No. Fuck no. Get out of my way, and I’ll marry her right here, right now. I wanted to marry her the night we met. Rach, tell her I’m not backing out!” Deep inside the closet, Rachel laughs. “What’s wrong, angel?” “Shit, can I drop my hands?” he says. “I wish you would,” Harrison mutters. “You look ridiculous,” Amy laughs. Jake drops his hands, blinking at me as he takes me in. Then his face splits into a wide smile. “Whoa, Tess, you look dynamite. Green is definitely your color.”

“Nice try, handsome,” I say, crossing my arms. “But you’re not getting past me.” “I don’t want to get past you,” he replies. “And I swear I don’t want to see her before it’s time. I just—Seattle, I need to talk to you about something!” I glance over my shoulder to see Rachel standing there with a sappy, lovesick look on her face. God, they’re both hopeless. “What do you need, Jake?” “I just talked to Caleb, and apparently he asked Mars to stand in as his best man when Cay and I get married,” Jake calls. “Well…I think that’s really sweet,” Rachel calls back. “Cay’s not really close with anyone else but you.” “Yeah, and then Mars asked Cay to stand in as his best man when he gets married to you,” Jake goes on. “So, what’s the problem, angel?” He groans. “Alright, well, I’ve got our twins out here because I really think we need to settle this once and for all,” he calls, one hand each on Harrison and Amy’s shoulders. “Seattle, I know you may want me to be your best man but—” “What?” Harrison cries, slapping Jake’s hand off his shoulder. “No fucking way, asshole. Rachel is my twin. I will literally stab you in the throat if you try and take this from me. I’m best man.” “See, this is the problem,” Jake calls. “Your brother is threatening to murder me if I’m your best man!” Inside the closet, Rachel is laughing. “Jake, you know I love you, but Harrison is my best man.”

Rachel smiles. “That sounds great, babe. Was that your only concern?” He groans again, glancing to Amy. “Well…there’s still the issue of who’s going to be my best man when I marry Cay. And babe, I love you so fucking much—” “Hey, don’t even try it, jerk face,” Amy huffs. “I flew all the way from Japan for this. I’m your best man.” “And that’s what I want,” Jake says quickly. “Am, it’s you and me. Comptons for fucking life. I want it to be you, I just—” He sighs, glancing over his shoulder at me. That’s when I finally crack a smile. “You just don’t want to hurt Rachel’s feelings or make her feel left out. Right?” “Exactly,” he says, relief etched on his face at being understood.

“I’m coming out,” Rachel calls. “NO!” Four voices say at once. Jake slaps his hands back up over his eyes as she steps around me. She moves into the doorway, the tail of her gown whispering across the carpet. “Wow,” Harrison huffs, his dark eyes wide as he takes in his twin for the first time in her rocker glam wedding look. “Sis, you look…holy shit.” “That good, huh?” she says with a laugh. He steps forward, quickly wrapping her in a hug. “God, this is fucking torture,” Jake groans. “You really do look amazing,” says Amy, tears shining in her eyes.

“Alright, we’re officially calling this Twin Summit to order,” she declares. Then she turns to Jake’s sister. “Amy, I would never dream of taking the spot that only you can fill. You’re Jake’s best man tonight. No question.” Amy nods. “And H, you’re mine,” she adds. “Of course,” he replies. Rachel places one hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Angel, look at me.” “No,” he replies. “I don’t want to jinx us.” “I don’t believe in superstitions,” she says gently. “Besides, I think Twin Summit rules outweigh wedding superstitions. I want you to look at me.” Slowly, he turns, dropping his hands. The moment he sees her, I swear my heart skips a beat. That look he gives her, it’s the look of pure love.

Inside my own chest, the dull thumping of my jaded heart echoes in its loneliness. Battered and broken, she beats in survivor mode. It pulses to the cadence of a single word. It’s a harsh reality. A life sentence. Alone. Alone. Alone. I tune out that sound, focusing instead on my friends. This is their moment.

“Amy, I really hope you’re okay with this, because I love your brother so goddamn much. And I swear, I’m going to be so good to him—” “I know,” Amy assures her. “I’ve never seen him so happy, Rachel. You and Cay and Mars, you deserve him. And he deserves all the happiness you can give him,” she adds, eyes shining as she smiles up at her brother. “I just want you happy, Jake. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“What about you, Tess?” Rachel calls, glancing at me. “You approve of this chaos? A four-way L.A. wedding?” I huff a laugh and smile. “I had a feeling we’d all be standing here eventually. You’re too unorthodox for your own good.” “Well then,” Rachel replies, taking Jake’s hands in both of hers. “Jake Price, I want to marry you. Tonight. But first, I want to watch you marry Caleb.”

“I’m just saying, don’t you think it’s all a little weird?” Davidson shuffles in front of me as we take our seats. Is this weird? Of course, it is. It’s our last night in L.A., we’re fresh off another win against the Kings, and instead of crashing asleep in my hotel room, I’m standing in my game day suit in rock legend Hal Price’s Beverly Hills living room, balancing an Old Fashioned in my hand. I’d say that’s pretty weird. Oh, and the only reason I’m standing in Hal Price’s living room is because I’m about to watch his daughter—who happens to be my team doctor—marry two of my teammates and my equipment manager. Again, pretty fucking weird.

Boom. Compton and Sanford are out as gay. Fucking finally. No surprises there. That news was almost boring in its predictability. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m totally happy for them. Love is love. Give me a flag and douse me in glitter. I’m down to dance at a pride parade. And Sanny and Compton were practically already married. That they’re rushing down the aisle is a surprise to literally no one. I already bought them nine rounds of His & His golf as a wedding present. But then, boom again. Just as soon as we all settled with the news of their relationship, they flipped the script on us. They’re in love with each other…and Doc Price…and they’ve all been secretly living together practically since the start of the season. What kills me is that I kind of already knew. When I ran into Tess on the beach, she told me Compton invited her and Doc to stay for the weekend to enjoy the beach. Yeah, she’s a sneaky little liar. Tess knew. Doc was already living there even then. But that surprise was nothing compared to the final reveal: Kinnunen is with them too.

“Langers, look,” Novy hisses, slapping my shoulder. I turn my head, following their gaze to the corner of the room where Hal Price is standing there laughing, his hand on the shoulder of none other than Al Fucking Pacino.

“I think Langers is about to piss himself,” Morrow laughs. “Shut up.” I tear my gaze away from the vision of Hal Price laughing with Al Pacino.

“Guys, Slash is here.” We all turn, following his point to the other side of the room where Slash is most definitely standing next to Alice Cooper. Yeah, this is fine. “And to think I was gonna skip this to stay and soak in the hot tub,” Sully adds, shaking his head in disbelief. “Ladies and gents, if you could all start finding your seats,” calls a deep voice from the front of the room. “I think we’re ready to get this party started.”