Dirty Pucker (Denver Bashers #2)

3. Del

Chapter 3

Del

I instinctively take a step back as I look between my new teammate who can’t fucking stand me and the gorgeous blonde I was just speaking to.

The gorgeous blonde that I just found out is my new teammate’s cousin.

Jesus fucking Christ, what are the odds?

I wanted to unwind after practice, so I stopped at this random bar for a beer. I hardly ever do that, but I figured why not? I was pretty stressed from meeting the team and having our first practice together, and I thought having a beer would be a nice way to unwind. And then I overheard some drunk creep hassling a woman I couldn’t see because he was standing in front of her. So I grabbed him and told him off, and that’s when I saw her…

And holy fuck, she was an absolute smokeshow.

That blonde hair, those blue eyes that are somehow soft and bright at the same time, that lush mouth, how tall she is….

Tall, pretty blondes are my weakness. But that was beside the point.

When the creep finally stumbled off, I was going to sit back down, but she stopped me. She thanked me. And then she offered to buy me a drink. That threw me off. Because it felt like she was flirting with me.

It’s been a while since that’s happened, so I wasn’t sure. But then I focused on the way she looked at me, the way she smiled at me, how she touched my arm.

Okay yeah, she was flirting with me. As surprised as I was, I was also into it.

But then she said her name.

Ingrid.

I remembered how Coach Porter said the name of the head of the Bashers’ social media was Ingrid.

There’s no way that could be a coincidence. That’s not a common name. It had to be her.

And then Theo walks in and announces they’re cousins?

I should buy a lottery ticket after this and really test my luck.

I exhale as I look between the two of them. Theo looks like he wants to punch me, and Ingrid looks like she’s never been more confused.

Her perfectly arched eyebrows crash together as she focuses on me. “Wait, you’re Del Richards?”

“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat.

Recognition flashes in her gaze, and a sinking feeling hits my gut. A second ago she didn’t know who I was. But now she does. And from the look on her face, I’d bet anything that her cousin has told her what a piece of shit I am.

Which means she probably thinks I’m a piece of shit too.

And why wouldn’t she? It’s the truth. I’m the asshole hockey player with a reputation for fighting too much. I’ve fought with her cousin. We’ve beaten each other to a bloody pulp. No question she hates me now.

She’s quiet as she looks at me. I notice that the brightness in her soft blue eyes from when we chatted earlier has dimmed.

“You trying to hit on my cousin?” Theo glowers at me.

I huff out a breath. “It’s not like that.”

To my surprise, Ingrid aims a lethal frown at him.

“Theo. What’s your problem?”

“Ingrid, this guy’s an asshole?—”

“No, he’s not,” she says, her tone sharp. “Some drunk guy was harassing me a minute ago and Del got rid of him.”

Theo blinks at me, clearly surprised. And now I feel like an even bigger piece of shit. I know Theo hates me, but does he really think I’d just stand there and let a woman get harassed by some creep?

And then I remind myself that Xander thought I leaked his sex tape. Because I made fun of him about it.

That familiar wave of shame hits. Okay yeah, maybe I really am a massive piece of shit.

I take a few steps back. “I should go.”

I head out the door without looking back. Snowflakes float in the air, melting as they hit the ground. It’s almost spring, but it’s snowing. That’s Denver for you.

I’m not even a few steps down the sidewalk when Ingrid calls my name.

“Del, wait!”

I stop and turn around. She walks up to me, her peaches-and-cream skin flushed from the chill in the air.

“I’m so sorry about what Theo said. We’re cousins, but we grew up together and we’re close in age, so we feel more like siblings. He acts like my big brother sometimes. It’s annoying. And obnoxious.”

“I get it. I’m like that with my little sister.”

Her blue eyes go soft. She blinks. “Dakota, right?”

“Yeah. You know her?”

She nods. “We’ve hung out a bunch of times. She’s really sweet. Of course you’d want to protect her. You’re just being a good big brother.”

Something about what Ingrid says hits me hard. Like she understands and doesn’t hold it against me.

“But Theo was out of line with what he said to you,” Ingrid says.

I shake my head. “He wasn’t. I’m an asshole.”

To my surprise, she bursts out laughing. For a second, all I can do is stand there and stare at her.

Her voice. God, it sounds so melodic when she laughs.

Her sandy blonde hair falls in long, soft waves over her shoulders. Her eyes are bright again. And that smile…

Those rosy lips curve up in the most arresting smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so gorgeous. She looks like an angel. Actually, goddess is more like it.

I try and fail not to stare at her. But I can’t help it. She is breathtakingly beautiful.

She rests her palm on her stomach as she chuckles.

I frown at her, confused. “What’s so funny?”

She stops laughing, her smile softer now as it plays across her lips. “There’s no way you’re an asshole.”

Her tone is teasing and playful. My heart thuds faster in my chest.

I’m not used to this—to people looking at me the way Ingrid is looking at me right now. Like she genuinely enjoys talking to me. Like she’s enjoying being playful with me and teasing me.

I feel the corner of my mouth curve up. “You just met me three minutes ago. How can you be so sure?”

Her gaze still on me, she bites back a smile.

Fuck, that’s cute.

She shrugs a shoulder. “I’ll tell you tomorrow when you come to my office for our meeting.”

I watch her as she starts to walk backward toward the bar, mesmerized by her boldness, her sweetness, her easy confidence.

She flashes that gorgeous smile once more. “It was nice meeting you, Del.”

She disappears inside the bar before I can say anything. For a moment, I stand there and soak in the most enjoyable chat I’ve had with someone in a long time. I finally start walking to my car parked down the street, my head spinning after just one conversation with Ingrid Thompson.

As I drive home to my apartment, I catch myself smiling. And then I realize that I can’t remember the last time I smiled this hard, for this long. And I can’t wait to talk to her again.