Monster Pucked (Pucking Monsters #2)

2. Ehrokk

CHAPTER 2

EHROKK

I didn’t steal leftover containers. My mother always taught me that when you returned a dish, you sent it back with something you made inside of it.

So there I was, standing on Klaus and Flurry’s front steps with a container of slice-and-bake sugar cookies in hand.

It was a joke, honestly. Bringing them cookies like this when they had Marco to whip up any type of baked good they wanted.

Marco.

The handsome, silver fox vampire who saved my life at the Christmas party.

It was just a few drops of blood, but if I thought hard enough, I could still taste him lingering on my tongue. Spicy cinnamon and warm cloves. Fitting for a man who demanded respect in the kitchen, but had treated me so tenderly.

And that kiss.

Gods, that kiss.

I couldn’t get it out of my head. For the last few days, my thoughts constantly returned to the moment his lips brushed mine, to the way he held me. Touched me. He’d ignited a deep longing within me, uncovering a desire I hadn’t felt in a long time.

The desire to be loved. To be wanted.

Too bad I knew he’d never want me that way.

I knocked on the door and waited patiently. A few seconds passed, and the door swung open.

Oh.

His handsome face smiled back at me.It was like I’d summoned him with my thoughts.

“Ehrokk?” Marco asked, his perfectly manscaped brows drawing together. “How delightful. It’s good to see you again.”

He was as impeccably dressed as he’d been at the party. A black dress shirt clung to his lean body, unbuttoned just enough that his graying chest hair peeked out. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing veiny, defined forearms. It was like he’d stepped out of a GQ photoshoot.

The only things out of place were the dish towel slung over his shoulder and the stained apron wrapped around his waist.

“Uh, hi.” I awkwardly swept my hand over the back of my head, shifting my weight so my boots crunched in the snow.

The corner of his lips twitched, like he was fighting back a smile. “What are you doing here?”

I held up the plastic container, giving it a little shake that rattled the cookies inside. “I wanted to return this.” I thrust it out toward him. “Thank you for sending me home with food.”

Marco grinned, his fangs gleaming as hetook the container, holding it up to examine what was inside.

“They’re sugar cookies,” I blurted. “They’re nowhere near as good as the ones you make, but my mom would be disappointed in me if I returned it empty.”

“I’m sure they’re delicious. Would you like to come inside? The family is out for a few hours and I’m prepping dinner.” He gestured to the blotchy reddish-orange stains on his apron. “I’m making tomato bisque and could use a taste tester.”

“Klaus, Flurry, and Holly won’t mind? I don’t want to intrude.”

Marco waved me off. “Nonsense. You’re a teammate. You’re practically family.” He opened the door wider, ushering me inside.

I stepped into the foyer. My body tensed in surprise as Marco moved behind me and removed my coat. “Allow me,” he murmured, his voice low and commanding.

Breathe, breathe, remember how to breathe. I shrugged my coat off and unwrapped my scarf. He plucked it from my grip and hung both on pegs that lined the wall.

His touch alone had gone straight to my cock. What the hell was wrong with me?

“Don’t you look cozy,” Marco said, his chestnut eyes sweeping up and down my body.

Shit.

There was no practice today, so I’d planned to drop off the container and kick back at home. In my old college hoodie and comfy gray sweatpants, I was dressed for that , not an impromptu meet-cute with the sexy vampire I couldn’t seem to shake from my mind.

“Thanks,” I said, awkwardly shoving my hands in my hoodie pocket and stretching it down.

I hoped like hell Marco couldn’t see the outline of my cock through my sweats.

Who was I kidding?

Of course he could see it.

“Come with me, Ehrokk.” Marco started down the hall toward the kitchen, and after giving myself a slight adjustment , I followed behind him.

“University of Minnesota,” he said over his shoulder. “Is that where you went to school?”

“Yep. I’m a Gopher. I entered the league before I graduated, though.”

As much as I loved my professional hockey career, dropping out of college was one of my life’s greatest regrets. Someday I was going to go back, either online classes or re-enrolling after retirement. I was determined to get my degree.

“Are you from Minnesota?” Marco asked.

“Born and raised. Did the terrible accent give me away?”

We entered the kitchen and Marco turned to face me.

“I like your accent. It’s cute.” He set the cookies on the island and pulled out a barstool. “Sit.”

There was something about the way he said it, telling me to sit rather than asking, that made my cock twitch. It seemed his commanding nature applied to more than the kitchen. It was hot.

Despite being dominant on the ice, outside the rink I was submissive. I craved a relationship where someone would put me on my knees and tell me what to do. I’d yet to find a partner who was comfortable doing that in our relationship.

I did as I was told, sliding into the chair Marco had pulled out for me. When I looked over at him, he flashed a satisfied smile before pivoting his attention to a steaming pot on the stove, stirring it a few times.

The tangy scent of tomatoes, earthy basil, and sexual tension lingered in the air between us.

“It smells amazing,” I said, inhaling deeply.

He dipped a spoon into the pot, blowing on it a few times before bringing it over. He held it out, offering it to me. “Give it a try, taste tester.”

My heart pounded as I accepted the bite, slipping it inside my mouth. The rich, acidic flavor exploded on my tongue, leaving behind a peppery aftertaste that made my mouth tingle.

It was the best soup I’d ever had. Made by the most attractive man I’d ever seen.

“It’s so good,” I huffed. “Truly.”

“Do you want a bowl?”

“If there’s enough…”

“Don’t be silly.” Pulling a bowl from the cabinet, he filled it with a generous portion of soup.

“Here we are,” he said, setting a spoon, napkin, and the steaming bowl in front of me.

“Thank you.”

I quickly scooped up another mouthful. Then another. Until I’d nearly finished the bowl.

“I’m glad you like it,” Marco asked, amusement in his voice.

“It was delicious.” Remembering my manners, I dabbed my mouth with a napkin to catch anything that might have dribbled. “How long have you been working for Klaus, Flurry, and Holly?”

“I’ve been with Klaus for years. He has a very particular palate and he needed someone to meet his nutritional standards. Being Klaus, he went through a rather extensive list of private chefs before he showed up at my restaurant.”

“You have a restaurant?”

“ Had . I liked working for Klaus so much that I sold it to my protégé.”

“Wow, that’s—” I struggled to find the right words. “A big decision.”

He shrugged. “Manning the kitchen here for events is enough of a restaurant experience for me. After such a long existence, I’m looking for other things in life that make me feel fulfilled.”

Before I knew what was happening, he popped the top off the container, pulled out one of the cookies, and to my absolute horror, took a big bite.

Of all the people to try my slice-and-bake cookies, why did it have to be him?

“Mmm,” he hummed. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. “These are lovely. Soft inside, crunchy outside. Did you make these yourself?”

Does he really like them or is he just being nice?

“Yes, with the help of the Pillsbury Doughboy.”

Marco chuckled. “Food doesn’t have to be sophisticated to be enjoyable.” He leaned in closer—so close I could smell the woodsy scent of what I’m assuming was his aftershave. “Do you want to know a secret?”

“I absolutely do.”

“Well,” He leaned in and whispered, “When I don’t feel like making it from scratch, I go out and buy fried chicken. The oil and the breading—it’s a pain in the ass. I can’t stand how it makes the house smell, either.”

I broke into a fit of laughter, sputtering on the spoonful of soup I’d just shoved into my mouth. “I wasn’t expecting that, but it makes sense.”

“There’s a lot about me that might surprise you,” he said seductively.

His words rushed straight to my cock and I shifted in my seat. Thankfully, the ledge of the countertop covered my lap, hiding my rock hard erection.

Apparently, some light flirting was all it took for Marco to get me hard. I’d never experienced this type of instant desire with anyone before. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I knew I craved his presence.

“So,” he said playfully, obviously aware of the effect he had on me. “Remind me again which position you play?”

It took my brain a second to catch up. I could barely remember my name at the moment, let alone think about work. “Uh, goalie. I’m the goalie.”

He tsked, waggling his brows. “Right. Right. I remember now. I’ve seen you doing those stretches during warm ups.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Everyone loves the groin stretches.”

“Yes. You’ve got to get your groin nice and limber before strenuous activity.”

I nearly choked on my soup. This couldn’t be happening. A hot vampire like him interested in a complete oaf like me? In what world?

I decided to be bold. “Marco, are you coming on to me?”

“Was it not obvious?” He shook his head, puffing out a breath. “Goodness, I’ve really lost my touch.”

“No—it’s just. I’m not used to a man like you being interested in someone like me.”

“I thought the kiss we shared would have made it quite clear that I’m interested.”

I dug my tusks into my upper lip, the memory of the kiss still lingering. It had definitely shown there was chemistry between us.

“I’m interested too.”

His face lit up. “Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve?”

Other than sitting on the couch with a pint of chocolate ice cream and climbing into bed before the ball dropped, my night was wide open.

“No, not really.”

“Go out with me.” Again, an instruction rather than a question. “Ah, where are my manners? Ehrokk, will you please go out with me on New Year’s Eve?”

“Like on a date?” I asked, dumbfounded that this handsome vampire was being so persistent.

Marco gripped my knee and flashed a smile. The gleaming white tips of his fangs filled my mind with images of him biting me, leaving me wondering what those fangs would feel like scraping across my skin. The thought sent a wave of need straight to my cock.

“Yes,” he said. “A date.”

I swallowed hard, shifting in my seat. “That would be great.”

“Good. Hand me your phone.”

His command made my heart skip a beat. I pulled my phone out, unlocked the screen, and handed it over. He smirked as he put in his number.

“You can meet me at my house and I’ll arrange everything,” he said with a sense of finality, passing it back to me.

“Okay.”

“Are you all finished with your soup?” he asked, noticing my empty bowl.

“Yes, thank you. That was some of the best soup I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad. I like feeding people.”

Was that some sort of innuendo?

“I, um, I should probably get going.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “There’s no hurry. Klaus, Holly, and?—”

“No,” I rushed out. I rose to my feet, nearly knocking the bar stool over. “I have some things to do today if we’re going out tomorrow, so…”

“Okay,” he said, sounding disappointed. “Well, at least let me walk you out then.”

We made our way toward the foyer, and as we reached the door, he stepped into my space, pressing me against the wall until we were chest to chest.

While I was considerably larger, he made me feel… dainty? Submissive? I was at his mercy, and it sent a silent thrill through me.

“Ehrokk,” he rased.

“Kiss me,” I blurted.

I wasn’t ready for what happened next.

Marco rose off the floor, levitating in the air so we were face to face.

“Are—you—you’re floating ,” I said, stunned. I had never seen anything like it.

He gripped my neck, cupping my face with his thumbs.

“Being a vampire has its perks,” he whispered.

Tilting his head, he pressed his lips against mine. They were pillowy soft, caressing my chapped lips and polished tusks, begging me to let him in. I opened my mouth and his tongue slid inside to sensually glide against mine.

My hands went to his hips, gripping them tight, pressing my pelvis to his while we were level. Our hard cocks rubbed together, the two of us gently thrusting.

I groaned, my breathing growing ragged. I wanted him. Fuck, I wanted him.

Marco slowly pulled away, staring deep into my eyes as my chest heaved and my heart hammered.

His tongue darted out, sweeping over his fangs and along his upper lip, like he was tasting me. Savoring me.

“That was—” I started as he lowered to the floor. For the second time today, he had me searching for words. The kiss at the Christmas party was amazing, but what we’d just shared? It was filled with desire, an ache I felt deep in my bones.

“It was everything,” he said quietly.

“I have to go.” I edged closer to the door, attempting to put some space between us. Another second in his presence and I was going to drop to my hands and knees, begging him to fuck me right here. Not ideal, considering we were in the foyer of my teammates’ house.

“Right,” Marco said, grabbing my scarf and my coat, handing them to me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, tugging my coat over my broad shoulders and wrapping my scarf around my neck.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He opened the door for me and I hesitated before stepping onto the porch, wondering if I should give him another kiss before leaving. Ultimately, Marco made the decision for me. He grabbed my scarf, tugging me to him for a little peck on the lips.

It was innocent compared to the heated make out session we’d just shared, but it gave me a dazed, over the moon feeling because it was the sort of thing you’d do with a partner .

It felt like I was the one floating as I walked back to my truck. He watched from the doorway, and I gave him a little wave before starting my car.

He waved back, his lips twitching with a smile that made me feel giddy as I pulled out of the driveway.