Page 110 of On Ice

Marco gives a tired laugh. “I’m not going to argue. I’m exhausted. Lead me to the nearest bed.”

“Just follow me,” Williams says in a pleasant tone. “I’ll get you settled in.”

“We’ll talk later,” I call out to Marco’s disappearing back.

“Yes, sir,” he returns with a cocky grin over his shoulder.

My feet feel like lead as I make my way up the staircase. I want to go straight to Evan’s room, but first I want to wash my face, brush my teeth, and change into pajamas. Before leaving the hospital, I changed back into my suit, although I ditched the blood soaked dress shirt for a T-shirt one of the nurses was kind enough to get me.

When I enter my room, I glance longingly at my bed. But then I pull up short when I see Evan lying there sound asleep. Shocked to see him in my room, my heart stutters with pleasure. I inch closer to the bed, hoping my injured brain isn’t hallucinating his presence. He seems real enough as he hugs my pillow, softly snoring.

I’m so relieved and happy to see him, I can’t help smiling. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning as I stare down at him. Not only is he safe, he’s literally waiting for me in my bed. He couldn’t have known I was coming home, so that means he’s here in my bed because what? He missed me?

I’m unprepared for the surge of heat and affection that throbs through me at the idea of that. Evan, must have been worried about me and so he crawled into my bed. I can think of no other reason he’d be in my room. As I study him, I desperately want to touch him. But instead, I hobble into my bathroom to wash up. I take a very quick shower, making surenot to get the bandage on my head wet. Then I towel off and change into a pair of silk boxers.

Feeling human again, I go to sit on the edge of the bed, next to Evan. He’s still sleeping, his lips slightly parted. I like watching Evan sleep. I do it often after we fuck. Once he falls asleep, I always stay awake and study his handsome face. I don’t remember ever doing that with any of my past lovers. This thing with Evan, it’s different. It always has been, even since the first night we met.

I wince when I think about how close I came to ruining our connection. The memory of how hurt he looked that morning when I told him who I was and what my plans for the Ice Hawks were guts me. All of that crap feels like a million years ago now. I don’t know how we managed it, but somehow we’ve moved past all the awful things I did to Evan. I probably don’t deserve his forgiveness, but it feels like he has given it to me.

I reach out an gently push a lock of hair off his forehead. His eyes flutter open, and my chest squeezes. He looks confused at first, then he widens his eyes.

“Luca?” he whispers, eyes fastened on my face. His eyes flick to the bandage on my head, he blinks, and then quickly sits up. “What are you doing here? You… what… shouldn’t you still be in the hospital?”

“Probably,” I say quietly. “But I wanted to be home.”

“Right.” He looks embarrassed. “Sorry I’m in your bed. I was really worried about you.”

“Were you?” I love hearing him say that. I’ve never been a person who liked displays of affection unless they came from family. But I definitely like it when Evan shares his feelings with me.

He grimaces. “Nobody would tell me anything. Tony was very evasive about what happened.”

“Well, I’m home now,” I say smoothly. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

He looks unconvinced. “You don’t really look fine.”

“All I need is sleep.”

He nods. “I… I can go back to my room, if you’d prefer that?”

“No,” I rumble. “You’re right where I want you.”

He looks pleased and he scoots over, making room for me. He pulls back the covers, and I swallow the lust that nudges me at the sight of him in nothing but black briefs. I climb into the bed and the sheets are warm from his body heat. I lie down with a groan, and he immediately moves closer, his warm skin pressing mine.

“Are you in pain?” He looks worried as he studies me. “I feel like you should still be at the hospital.” He lightly brushes the tips of his fingers over the bruising on my body, and anger ripples through is green eyes.

“I’m sore and my head hurts, but considering what happened, I’m lucky to be alive.” I study his tense face, looking for any sign he’d have preferred a different outcome. All I see is worry.

“I didn’t think anyone would dare attack you.”

I shrug. “There will always be people who want to challenge me.” I clench my jaw. “And they’ll pay with their lives for trying.”

“God,” he exhales as if stressed. “I truly don’t understand the world you live in.”

“I know.”

He hesitates. “At least you’re home, right?” He’s trying to be positive, but I can see the strain on his face as he takes in my bruises.

“I’m okay, Evan,” I try to reassure him. “I’ve been through much worse.”

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