Page 7 of Scoring in Cedarwood

Tanner snorted. “I’m teasing you to get you to loosen up. I’m not going to get wild and crazy. I won’t open your house up to everyone who walks by. I know boundaries and even though I should feel insulted by the rules, I understand. You’re a guarded person. That’s cool. Rest assured I’ll treat you with respect. You won’t know I’m here.”

“Well, okay.” Dane pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. I’ll relax in time. Let me help you with your bag.”

“I’m good.” Tanner grinned. “Get your heart rate back into a normal range.” He clapped Dane on the shoulder then walked out of the room.

Dane bowed his head. So much for making the right impression. He’d messed the welcome all up and put a wedge between himself and Tanner—and they had to live together. What did he have to show for his overprotectiveness? His privacy and his home wereintact, so there were pluses. But Tanner was a tad too handsome for Dane’s own good. He scrubbed both hands over his face. “Dev, I hate you,” he mumbled. “Why’d you swear I needed to sponsor a hot baseball player?”

* * * *

Tanner retrieved his bag from the trunk. He should put the car away in the garage—maybe after he settled in.

Dr. Dane confused and intrigued him. On one hand, the man came across so stuffy and well-crafted, but on the other, very nervous. He was cute, too. He could see himself making a move on Dr. Dane. But Devlin’s words came to mind—no dating the hosts. Did Devlin realize Dr. Dane ticked almost every one of Tanner’s boxes for a possible date?Probably not.

Tanner wandered into the house. Bone-deep weariness hit him. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t want to play the role of Foxy. He wanted to be a baseball player without a reputation. He was getting too old for the brash persona. He’d found out two years ago not everyone wanted to fuck him and those who did just wanted to say they’d been with him. They wanted attention because of what he’d done.How is that fair? Screw that.He should focus on baseball—not getting in Dr. Dane’s pants.

“You have the keys. Here’s the security code, as well as a remote for the garage.” Dane strode into the bedroom and collided with Tanner. He grasped Tanner by the shoulders. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t know I’d be coming in and out.” Tanner breathed in Dr. Dane’s scent—clean, fresh and sexy. He cleared his throat but didn’t shrug out of the doctor’s hold. He needed to get a grip on his libido and willed his burgeoning erection to stay hidden. “I’m going to pull the car into the garage.”

Dr. Dane nodded and let go. “Sure. Help yourself.”

“Thank you.” He took the remote, keys and paper from the doctor. He danced back and forth, trying to dodge Dane. “Sorry. Are we going to two-step?”

“I’m…” Dane ducked around Tanner. “Good night.”

“Yeah. Good night.” Tanner tucked the new keys and remote into his pocket. “Oh, wait. Is this the code for the house or what?”

“The alarm system, yes. You tap the keypad just to arm it, but if you accidentally trip the alarm, then that’s the code.” Dane stood in the corridor. “Anything else?”

“No. I’m good for now.” But he could use another one of those not-quite hugs. He wanted to be pressed against Dr. Dane. “I appreciate everything you’re doing.” He dropped his second bag in the bedroom before heading through the garage to the driveway. He parked his car in the empty stall. A strange feeling swept over him—like he belonged in the good doctor’s home.Odd.He hadn’t put down roots anywhere in five years. Other than living over the restaurant, he hadn’t stayed in the same place for more than a few months at a stretch.Why is residing in the doctor’s house any different?He wasn’t sure.

He pressed the button on the fob to close the garage door and went inside. He debated wandering through the house but opted to head back to his bedroom suite. Dane didn’t strike him as the type to appreciate intrusions. He put his clothes away then flopped onto the bed.

Someone wanted him. Okay, so maybe the doctor had only sponsored him, but he hadn’t said no to having him live there. Yes, Dane was a little different, but so what? He could deal with the doctor’s quirks.

His phone pinged. Tanner checked the notification—a text from Devlin Chase.

Settling in? Happy with your sponsor?

He shrugged. He had to answer, but with tact.

Sure. He’s okay. I hope things work out. Will sign in tomorrow on the app and see you at practice in the morning.

What a liar. He loved the idea of having a gay man as his sponsor. He had the freedom to come and go as he pleased, no one would judge him for his sexuality and it was a stable home. Who could argue?

He checked in via the team app then tossed his phone aside on the bed. Devlin Chase and everyone else with the Wildcats would know he’d come to town. Good. He wasn’t leaving any time soon—unless his hitting slump continued.

Fuck me.He didn’t want to think about his statistics or much of anything else. If he focused on what he wasn’t doing, he’d never get anywhere. The slump had dominated his thoughts. That had to be why he’d gotten into a decline on the field. He’d deliberated too long on his situation. He’d let his need for a second job and the other stresses in his life overrun his game brain.

He turned the lamp off. Shafts of light from the security floods seeped through the slats of the window blinds, giving the room an odd striped glow. He should change out of his clothes and into pajamas, but the will to do so wasn’t there. Despite being tired, he couldn’t sleep.

Tanner kicked out of his socks. He stretched and rubbed his chest. Silly thoughts entered his mind. He’d been alone a long time. Despite not having a date in the last six months, he wasn’t upset about being without a guy. But he did miss the touch of a lover. Someone to make him feel important. To be loved. He missed having his boyfriend beside him as he slept and waking up to a hard male body in his bed.

Dane appeared to be in shape—just the way Tanner liked. He struck Tanner as the type who would cuddle. Tanner would have to work to get under Dr. Dane’s skin and open him up, but once he did, he had the feeling the doctor would be a world-class snuggler.

Tanner shoved his shirt out of the way, exposing his abs. His skin sizzled. Had the temperature in the room hit an all-time high? His cock hardened. He caressed his flat belly then down to his erection. The clothes had to go. He stripped and embraced the cooler air on his body.

A groan rumbled in his throat. He pinched his nipple, then wrapped one hand around his dick. Touching himself helped with the pressure in his being, but not enough. He’d rather have a handsome man there with him. Dr. Dane would do nicely. He longed to hear the doctor’s voice and feel his breath on his neck. Was Dr. Dane a biter? Screamer? A bottom? He imagined Dane’s hands on his body.

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