Page 23 of Misconduct Zone

“Lars Drakenberg, are you saying you want to take me out on a date? I’ll dress up pretty for you.” I’m not expecting the punch to my ribs. “Hey,” I yell with fake outrage.

“Yes, we should date like most couples do.” He caresses my stomach, and my abs contract under his hand.

“Most couples don’t already live together and see each other naked a few times a week.” It’s in a team shower, but I still see his body.

He groans but not in a good way. “I will have to start using the private showers. I won’t be able to see you and not have a reaction.” His hips jut forward so his erection rams my thigh.

Pride fills me with that statement. The unflappable Lars can’t resist me. “In your version of taking it slow, do we get to fuck tonight?” The answer won’t be the one I’m hoping for, but it’s worth asking. Just in case.

He scoots up to rest his head on the pillow and tugs me onto his chest. “Today has been monumental. You set boundaries with your family and had your first kiss with a man. The conversations around coming out can be exhausting. Now you need to sleep. The plane leaves early tomorrow morning.”

“You sound so reasonable. Where’s my breathless Lars who can’t keep his hands off me?” I pout and try to tickle him, with no reaction. Not even a flinch. Figures.

“Sleep,” he commands, and my eyes drift shut.

“Don’t be too proud of me. I still called my uncle’s bar and bought a round of drinks for everyone there to make up for any lost business.” My lips rain kisses on his shoulder.

“Small steps. I will always be proud of you. And I would bet your uncle’s place had an increase in business with the possibility of your arrival. You explained your team commitment. They cannot expect you every time you fly into Detroit.”

I sigh because they do. And if I don’t, I’m a selfish, terrible son. They’ve drilled it into me since I went away to college.

“Thank you.” With his heartbeat under my ear, envisioning all the naked things we’ll do together, sleep finds me in minutes.

Chapter 14

Lars

The bright sun streams through the curtains we forgot to close yesterday. His warm body stayed tucked into my side all night. I slept the best I have in years with him in my arms. He is always on my mind, and I obsess about the littlest details. If he has eaten enough calories to sustain a hard workout, if he has pushed himself so hard during the workouts that it affected his shoulder, if he has had enough water. But when I hold him, all those worries disappear.

His steady breathing becomes the rhythm and balm lulling my anxiety into submission as our hearts beat in sync. I cannot see all of his face, but he’s relaxed and at peace. I wish we had time to stay in bed and kiss every inch of each other, discovering each dip and curve of our bodies.

There’s commotion and I know it’s at least a few team members rolling their suitcases down the hall. Checking my watch, we have fifteen minutes to be on the bus to the airport. Coach has said he is not afraid to leave us behind if we are not responsible enough to be on time.

Waking Dylon feels like a crime. “Dylon.” I stroke his cheek and am rewarded with sleepy, lust-filled eyes and a dimple. “We have fourteen minutes to get on the bus.”

He leaps out of bed as if on fire and begins throwing the clothes from the floor into his suitcase. I pluck my shirt out of his bag and put it on.

“Hey.” I tug him in for a hug, trying not to worry about his wild eyes, and place a lingering, closed-mouth kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you on the bus.”

He chases my mouth for more kisses, but we do not have time. Once I start with him, I cannot resist.

“Okay.” He shakes his head. “Last night was real, right? I didn’t dream it.”

My heart skips a beat, determined to eradicate his insecurities. “It was a dream, but it was very, very real.” The tips of my fingers run down his arm as I back away.

The only thing propelling me away from him is the threat of missing the bus to the plane.

As I exit his room, Ace opens his door with his suitcase in tow and a surprised expression when he sees me.

“Fell asleep watching a movie,” I say, not understanding his confusion.

While gathering my toiletries in my room, I catch my reflection in the mirror and see the red scrapes from beard burn. An uncharacteristic hysterical laugh leaves me. Hopefully Ace isn’t familiar enough with beard burn, and I can play it off as an allergic reaction to the pillow.

I am being ridiculous, but lotion takes away some of the redness. I don’t have time for a hot towel or anything else.

Before last night, I would have thought anyone finding out about us would be the worst possible thing. Today, after sleeping with him in my arms, that threat’s less significant than never having him again.

I will pick him every time unless he changes his mind.

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