Sincerely, The Puck Bunny (Totally Pucked #2)(68)

Maddison stills next to me, and when my eyes meet her wide green eyes, she looks completely shocked. “Wait, like, as in we’re the only people here? At all?” She looks from me to the hostess, who nods slowly.

“If you’ll follow me this way, I’ll get you seated and have your wine selection out shortly.”

Maddison’s hand tightens in mine, and I chuckle. “Gotta go big or go home to impress my girl.”

“Wow.”

We follow behind the hostess, who leads us into the dining room, which is completely empty. There’s a cozy, quaint table set with a cream-linen tablecloth, adorned with several low burning candles, casting a romantic glow.

I owe you one, Russo.

Pulling out Maddison’s chair, I pull it close to me, then take a seat next to her as the hostess shows us the wine menu, and I let Maddison pick because I honestly don’t give a shit, except the way it tastes after it’s been on her lips.

I’m obsessed with this girl, and I can’t fucking wait to kiss her red lips.

The chef prepared a meal that’s solely for us, so as we wait for it to be brought out, she glances around with stars in her eyes.

“God, this is so incredible, Briggs. I can’t believe you did this.”

I shrug. “Anything for you, baby.”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and she entwines our hands in her lap.

“I have to tell you about Graham’s latest idea for Olive. He wants to build her a treehouse,” Maddison says, laughing.

The entire night we laugh and tell stories of our childhoods. We spend our time together getting to know each other in ways we hadn’t had the luxury to before this moment, and if it’s possible, I realize I’m even crazier about this beautiful, sarcastic, slightly nerdy girl. All night, her hand brushes against my thigh under the table, dancing across my forearms and trailing up my hand, the smallest of touches, yet… we still can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.

Enough to where I’m ready to take her home and spend the rest of the night making up for lost time.

I place my hand on her thigh, sliding it higher as she finishes the glass of wine in front of her, until my fingers drag under the hem of her dress. I ache to replace my fingers with my tongue and watch as she falls apart beneath me.

“Briggs,” she breathes. Not a warning...more like an invitation, and that’s the moment when I realize we need to get out of here, and quickly.

A man is only so strong when it comes to resisting his woman.

“Let’s go before I spread you out on this table and have my dessert.”

Her eyes widen, and I see her throat bob as she swallows.

Raising her hand, she says, “Check, please.”

I almost fall out of the fucking chair since I already paid for the entire restaurant, but the sentiment is still there.

What I have planned next…well, I think it might even top dinner.

After we leave the restaurant and ride a short distance to our next destination, I cover her eyes as we make our way out of the limo and to the place where the next part of our date will happen.

“Briggs, I can hardly walk in these heels when I can actually see so… can I look now?”

I laugh, and once I turn her around, I uncover her eyes and wait for her reaction.

“Oh my god,” she whispers, covering her mouth. “Oh my god.”

The sleek, black A-Star helicopter sits on the helipad in front of us with the pilot standing to the side of the door. He’s also a hockey fan, and a friend, so I called in a favor.

“Hi Roger.” I grin, approaching him, practically having to drag a shocked Maddison behind me. “This is my girl, Maddison.”

“Hi-i,” she says.

Her eyes dart back to mine and she shakes her head, “I can’t believe you did this. Briggs…”

I nod. “I know, baby.”

I would do it again every fucking day to see that smile.

I help her up into the helicopter and get her buckled in, while Roger gives us each a headset, and her hand never leaves mine. She holds on tightly, like letting go would break the moment between us.

“Thank you, for everything. This is incredible,” she says quietly, just as the blades begin to whirl.

“Always.”

A few minutes later and we're airborne. As we take off, her hand tightens in mine, but her eyes never leave the glowing city beneath us. The skies are clear, and the air still as Roger takes us over Chicago’s skyline, pointing out several places from the cockpit. Maddison stares in awe, and when the arena comes into view, she whips toward me excitedly, pointing.

“Look, that’s where you play!”

I nod, smirking. “I know, baby. Speaking of… I want you and Olive to come to a few games this year, when the season starts up again.”

“I’d love to.”

The rest of the night passes in only what can be described as pure fucking happiness. I can’t remember the last time I laughed or smiled so much that my jaw hurt. I’m so fucking happy.

And it has everything to do with Maddison.

All I want to do is recreate this night every chance I get for her. To see this happiness in her eyes. Always.

By the time we pull up at her apartment and I help her out of the truck, she’s grinning slyly. “Remember what happens next on my dream date?”