Page 21 of Defensive Zone (Chicago Thunder #3)

Chapter Twenty

Zach

The second I’m inside my hotel room and the door clicks closed behind me, I pull the phone from my ear and switch to FaceTime. Within moments, the image of Carter fills my phone screen, and the sight of him naked in my bed causes my breath to catch in my throat.

How did I get so fucking lucky?

“Hey there, handsome.” He grins. The phone is positioned against his thigh, giving me the perfect view of his smooth, expansive chest. His abs ripple as he moves his hand that’s just out of shot, and a low growl rumbles in my throat.

“Didn’t I tell you not to touch yourself?”

“Maybe.” His eyes sparkle with mischief and arousal. “But I told you, I’ve been horny all evening, then you left me hanging to talk to your teammate. I didn’t know I was so into edging until now. Maybe we can try it some more when you come home to me.”

Home.

I don’t know why hearing him call my apartment home does something to me. My heart swells in my chest, pride blooming through my veins at how casually he said it.

Doesn’t he realize that he is my home?

It’s not some geographical location. I could be anywhere in the world, but as long as I had him at my side, I’d be home.

I tip my head back with a groan. “You’re cruel.”

“That makes two of us,” he teases. “Anyway, we’ve been on video call for nearly a minute now. One of us is wearing too many clothes, and it’s definitely not me. Prop the phone up and strip for me.”

Not wanting to keep him waiting any longer than I already have, I flick the desk lamp on and place my phone upright on the dresser, angling it so he can see down to my knees. I kick off my shoes and then undo my cufflinks. He hums the intro to “The Stripper” by David Rose the only thing I can hear are my labored breaths and pounding heartbeat.

Carter crawls up over me, nestling against my side and throwing a leg between mine. He nuzzles his face into my neck, peppering gentle kisses against my hot skin.

We lie there for several minutes. Carter wrapped around me, the feel of his lips against my neck and his hard cock digging into my hip bringing me back down to earth.

“Wow,” is all I manage to say.

He chuckles into my neck, then lifts his head. His lips are puffy, and his hair is a mess from my hands, but he’s never looked more beautiful.

“So, we’re definitely doing that again.” He beams. “A lot. Oh, and we’re going to be sixty-nining, like, every day.”

“Is that so?” I huff a laugh and curl my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss him. Just like that first time I tasted myself on his lips, I’m overcome with emotion. Maybe it’s the post-orgasm high, or maybe it’s just because it’s Carter.

The man I’ve loved for nearly twenty years.

“Welcome home, baby,” he murmurs against my lips.

And I’m right where I need to be.

In Carter’s arms. Home .