Page 161 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“Nothing much. Just questioning who you are. Calvin has never been seen with a woman before outside of events. You know that just as much as all these bunnies do. You can’t be surprised it’s being talked about.”

“No, I guess not,” I mumble. On some level, of course I expected it. It’s just…spending time with Calvin makes it easy to forget that he’s also Killer, a man most of the city thinks they know.

Bea reaches for my hand and squeezes. “I know it’s scary, but weirdly, this life becomes normal fast. This stuff,” she says, gesturing to the screen, “is written by bitter, jealous women who think the world owes them something. The only two people who know what’s happened between the two of you are you and Calvin. That’s how it’s supposed to be. You just have to decide if you’re okay with this side of his life. If he’s worth it.”

“He is,” I say without second thought. “It’s just weird having people care about who I am and what I’m doing.”

“Think of it another way—you could be about to bring even more clients in. Good job we’re looking at the other places Monday, huh?”

“Do you feel weird knowing that it’s your man whose brought us all this success?” I ask.

“I…it’s kinda weird. But I’m not going to complain. We can’t help it if the men we fall in love with come with a truckload of fans.”

The men we fall in love with …

As I repeat those words over and over in my head, the salon door opens, and Bea’s next client walks in.

“Embrace it,” Bea says before walking off. “There are worse problems to have than being talked about on a bunny site.”

She’s right, and no sooner is she out of my sight than I push that website from my mind and focus on work.

Calvin already had plans tonight, so when I get home, it’s to an empty apartment. It’s probably for the best, because after a long day on my feet, all I want to do is sink into a hot bath and then stare at some shit on the TV. And that’s what I do—along with messaging Garrett, who’s still questioning me about the night before as if I haven’t already told him every detail I’m willing to share.

Calvin might be out, but that doesn’t stop him from messaging me.

I feel like a teenage girl, my legs kicking out excitedly regardless of whether he’s saying something cute or filthy, and let me tell you, his dirty mouth definitely extends to his messages.

I eventually fall asleep with a smile on my face and the scary, yet exhilarating thoughts that this could be it. Calvin could be the one I was waiting for.

It might be naive of me, but I can see it. Us. Our future.

The butterflies are still there when I wake the next morning, and he’s the first thing I think of. And then when I reach for my cell, I find that I’m not the only one, because I have a message from ten minutes ago.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: Good morning, beautiful. I hope you weren’t too lonely without me.

Sienna: Good morning. My bed is very big without you…

Calvin King of the ice Keller: So is mine.

Sienna: I need to see your apartment. Make sure you’re not some crazy man who’s obsessed with stuffing dead animals or something.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: I can assure you, there is nothing dead up here.

Sienna: Good to know.

We message back and forth while I get up and dressed, and as if he knows I’m walking out of my bedroom, heading for the kitchen, my apartment buzzer goes off.

My breath catches, and I glance down at my cell.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: I hope you’re hungry. Open the door.

My heart races as I rush over, and it only gets worse when I find him on the other side, holding a bag that I assume is full of breakfast.

“Surprise.”

I act on instinct, reaching out, twisting my fingers in his hoodie, and dragging him inside.

“Miss me, darlin’?” he teases as he happily steps into my body.