Page 48 of Snapping the Ice
“Thanks.” Ezra peered at her. “Have you seen anything since we’ve been gone?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m here. I would have texted, but I saw you both here, so…” She pursed her lips. “The other man visited about an hour ago, acting like he was trying to break in. So I took more video and called the police.”
I widened my eyes. “Really?” I faced Ezra, the color draining from his face. “Good thing you’ve been with me.”
He didn’t look so good. “Did…did they arrest him?” He dropped the shirt to his side.
“No, I think he saw me in the window. He ran off before they got here. I reported the incident to the police. They might contact you. They left about fifteen minutes ago.” She winced. “I gave them your phone number. I hope that’s all right.”
“Sure, it’s fine. I’m filing an order of protection tomorrow, so this should help.” He drooped his shoulders, his jaw muscle tensing. “Thank you, Stella. It means a lot to have your help and to know you’re watching my place while I’m gone.”
“It takes a village.” She strode to him. “If my son were in trouble, I hope someone would look out for him too.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Where is your son?” I stepped toward them. Having another gay son’s mother helping Ezra had to drudge up nastyfeelings for him, since he hadn’t spoken to his own mother in so long.
“Oh, he lives down in Tucson.” She cocked her head, focusing on Ezra. “Are you okay, son?”
“I’m…I’m fine,” Ezra croaked, swiped at his eyes and straightened. “Listen, I’m packing some things and I’ll be gone until Thursday. Can you send me the new video?”
“Of course.” She glanced at me and made her way toward the door. “I’ll leave you both to it. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”
“We will. Thank you, Stella.” I touched her arm as she left, closing the door behind her. “Damn, what a nice lady.” I locked the door and followed Ezra into his bedroom. “Hey, you don’t look fine.” I wrapped my arms around him from behind and nuzzled behind his ear.
“I’m not, but what else can I do?” He patted my arm over his chest. “Let me pack so we can leave.” He huffed. “I don’t feel safe in my own home.”
I released him. “Anything I can help you with?” My gaze swept over the clothing piled on the bed. He’d made quick work of it already.
“No, I’m almost done.” He piled clothing into the open suitcase on the bed.
A thought niggled in my head. “You can find people’s addresses on the internet. Do you believe Tate would actually search for my address?” Would it even be there with how recently I’d moved in?
“Shit.” He closed the suitcase and halted, hanging his head. “His family owns a real estate business. They have access to all sorts of housing records. I’m sure your apartment would be easy for him to find.” His hand fisted at his side.
“Would he do that?” Holding Ezra’s arm, I twisted him to face me. The guy wouldn’t dare. Not with two hockey playersthere. But fuck, anyone could see our schedule online and would know we’d be gone. “Ezra, I don’t like this.”
“I’m sorry, Lucas. I don’t want you worrying about me.” As his brows snapped together, his gaze flickered over my face. “You need to focus on your hockey game.”
An ache stretched across my chest. It wasn’t fair. “Maybe you should stay in a hotel.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I promise I’ll be careful, and I’ll call the police if I see him. Once the order is in place, he’ll back off.”
“Yeah, okay.” Fuck, I didn’t like this. I glanced at his suitcase. “Are you ready?” For now, he’d be safer at my place.
After arriving back at my apartment, I made space for him in my closet and dresser, so he’d be comfortable while I was gone. “You can make yourself at home. Don’t feel you can’t like, eat our food or something.” I watched him hang a few shirts in my closet. My stomach fluttered. Jesus, it was like he was moving in with me.
How long before I had to leave? Evan had been out when we’d gotten home. I fished my phone from the pocket of my joggers. I still had a few hours before we had to leave for the airport.
As Ezra dropped his empty suitcase into a corner of my bedroom, he sighed.
“Come here.” I wrapped him in my arms and pressed a kiss on the side of his head. We were alone and my bed was right there. Fuck, he probably wasn’t in the mood for?—
Lifting his head, he brushed his lips against mine, tentative at first and then harder, more urgent. His tongue glided over my lower lip and slipped inside, kissing me fully.
It seemed we were thinking the same thing. I couldn’t get enough of him. How could I possibly stay away from him for so long? I roamed my hands down his back and cupped the globes of his ass.
With a whimper, he rocked his hardening cock into mine. “I want to forget all this shit and lose myself in you.”
Pleasure shivered up my spine. I had my answer. “Anything you want, I’m yours.” With a smirk, I pushed him backward onto my bed.
