Page 49 of Riding Pine
“I didn’t hate the name,” I offer, and he pauses his movements. “Baby. It’s okay for you to call me that if you want to.”
He breathes out and turns towards me. “Ben…I’ve been alone for a long time. By choice, though. I want you to know that I really like having you around. I like everything about us so far. You’re someone I never thought I’d get the chance to know.”
Such soft words from the tough man. Just hours ago, I watched him slam people hard into the boards and assert himself on theice. There was no vulnerability on the ice. But there is now, and I suppose this is the moment for me to do the same and show him I’m in for this.
“I like everything about us too, Lukas. I’ve never had anyone take care of me like you do or make me feel like you do. While we’re being honest here, I’ll tell you it scares me too.”
When the oven beeps, he slides the pizza into the oven, sets a timer and turns back to me. He bites at his lip while he leans back against the counter. His muscular arms bulge as he surveys me with something new. Something I can’t name.
“Would you water my plants while I’m gone? Usually I’d ask one of the guys’ girlfriends, but…I’d like it to be you.”
Plants? Really?
“Are you just looking for an excuse to give me the key to your apartment?” I laugh, and he finally returns to the playful Lukas, as he grabs at me.
“I can neither confirm nor deny.”
“Yeah, I can water your plants. Daily? Every other day? Tell me.”
Lukas pulls me into the living room, excited for a reason I’m not sure of until he opens his mouth and starts talking about plants.
“This one is the most important. My grandpa had it in his apartment, and I took it with me after he died. This plant has been strapped in the passenger seat and seen more of the country than most people.”
“No pressure there, Lukas. You should have started with the one you like least.”
He doesn’t have many. Four plants in total, and they all have a colourful history. His spider plant, which a roommate left behind, and he couldn’t just throw it away. A succulent, a billet team’sfamily gifted him that refuses to die, his grandfather’s ficus, and the ivy that hangs in the corner that I think is the prettiest.
When his arm stretches to open the cupboard door in the kitchen to show me the watering can and plant food, one of his tattoos leaps out at me, and I glance back at the plants.
“Is that ivy out there why you have it tattooed on you?”
He nods. A wistful smile on his face. “My mom always liked ivy. We had them all over the house growing up. Most of them died when she got sick, and I was away. Someone sent that one to the funeral home. I think one of her home care people?” The oven timer sounds, and he removes his pizza. After placing it on a cutting board, he turns to me again. “Anyway, ivy is a symbol of eternal life and even fidelity. When I got the tattoo, it was to remind me of Mom. For as long as I was on the earth, so was she.”
Lukas turns to cut the pizza as my eyes sting with unshed tears. Such a short time ago, I thought he was merely a good fuck and a memory to reach for from time to time. But the more time we spend together, the more I realize there are so many layers to this man. His heart is too big for his body, and he hides it all. Even with his on-ice persona.
The toughness and the fighting, it’s not who he is. Not even a little. Like the plants he cares for, he’s adapted to his environment to thrive, and for the first time, I truly doubt my life choices and wonder if I’m good enough to be with him.
“Do you want a slice? I eat a lot after games. If it’s early enough, I cook something better than this, but you’re tired.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I don’t want you to stay awake just for me.”
“I could join you, but only for one slice. I don’t want to take away from you at all.”
We eat our pizza in mostly silence because I’m processing this new side of Lukas, and I just want to fall asleep for a week.
“Babe?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll clean this up. You’re falling asleep sitting up. Get into bed, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Normally, I’d push back and insist on helping, but I’ll take that offer. Thank you.”
Lukas takes our plates, and I head to the bedroom, torn between falling asleep, or staying awake for an orgasm. I’ve barely slid under the blankets when Lukas enters the room and quickly sets his alarm before shedding his clothes.
“Do you have a morning class?”
“No. Not until noon,” I mumble and shift as he pulls me against his body. Fuck, he feels nice against my back. I press my ass against him, and he laughs softly, his breath skating over the back of my neck.
“Get some rest, Ben. We have time in the morning.”
