Page 12

Chapter 12

MICAH

S he looked like a fish. Well, a great deal more attractive than any fish I’d seen, but the way she was currently gaping at me made me want to burst out laughing.

Turnabout was only fair play, right? Not that I’d ever tell Ray something like that, but it felt good to tease her right back.

Hell, I’d probably been gaping when I’d gotten Ray’s text. My first thought had been about what Josie and I had done that afternoon.

Shit. I was already in deep. All I could think about was tasting her again, hearing her scream my name as I devoured her. Ray would be pissed if I let it slip that I’d hooked up with his sister, and that was the last thing I needed.

I shifted on my feet, trying to will away my rock-hard cock that was ever-present when I was around my hurricane.

“Let’s get our goal scorer a beer,” Dom said, slapping my shoulder.

“It’s not that big of a deal. I score goals,” I muttered, turning toward my friend. “Hell, you had two tonight.”

I averaged five goals a season, but my assists were in the high double digits, and my plus-minus rating was rock solid every year. I’d never been much of an offensive d-man, though, and that never bothered me. If the opportunity presented itself, fuck yeah, I was taking it, but as long as I played my best for my team and didn’t make shit plays or cause stupid penalties, that’s all I cared about. Fortunately, the coaches and GMs all agreed with me.

“Yeah, but yours was pretty sweet.” He locked his arm around my neck and tugged me toward the bar. “Be right back. Anyone else want one?”

Tally, Santa, and Sin called out their orders, and he steered me away from Josie. I instantly wanted to be pressed against her again instead of in Dom’s clutches, where he could interrogate me. I’d seen his shrewd gaze when Josie had coughed at Harper’s comment.

“Want to tell me what that was about?” he asked as soon as we’d given Jack, one of the other bartenders, our order.

“No idea what you’re talking about. Don’t you need to get home to Ally or something?”

He chuckled. “Deflect all you want, buddy. I was wearing the exact same expression a few months ago. And Ally told me to go have a beer to celebrate and then come home so we can celebrate.” He wiggled his brows.

I scoffed. “You’re almost as bad as Sin.”

“Whatever. I’m in love. You should try it.” He paused. “Or are you already trying it?”

“Oh, fuck off.”

“Not a denial. Tell me all about it.” He rubbed his hands together. “And don’t fucking glare at me. You had all sorts of shit to say to me at the start of the season about Ally, and you’ve been wound tight since Josie showed up.”

“Everything’s fine.” Yeah, I’d probably tell Dom about Josie at some point, but I sure as fuck wasn’t going to do it in a bar surrounded by my nosy teammates. Fuck no to that.

“Here you go. Great game tonight.” The bartender slid our beers toward us, saving me from responding further.

“Thanks, man,” I said with a nod, and then I spun on my heel. Dom could fucking pay the tab. I ignored his chuckle as I walked away.

“So, how did you respond?” Josie asked as soon as I was back at her side.

“What?”

“To my brother. Please tell me you didn’t say that to him. Although, I guess he would’ve blown up my texts by now if you had. You look really hot in that suit, Micahtron. Ugh, I want to kiss you.” The last two sentences came out softer than the rest. “I’m babbling.”

I leaned in close, letting her scent wash over me, and couldn’t stop myself from grazing her ear with my lips. I just hoped her hair hid us. “I’ve wanted to kiss you again since I walked out of the condo.”

“You can’t say stuff like that to me right now,” she whispered back.

“You getting all hot and bothered, Hurricane?” I teased, even though I was pitching a tent right now. The suit jacket was staying on.

She huffed out a breath and turned her head to meet my gaze. The heat in her eyes took my breath away.

“Of course I am, with you looking like that and breathing in my ear.” Her exasperation made me grin.

“So, if I were to find you in a quiet corner away from everyone and slip my fingers into your panties, are you saying you’d be drenched?” My words came out as a low growl, and heat stained her cheeks. I was playing with fire, but I didn’t care because I craved the burn. Craved her with everything I had.

“Holy shit, Micah,” she rasped.

Fucking hell, this woman. I should have felt guiltier about her brother’s text. About how we hadn’t told him that Josie was staying with me. Not that I expected him to randomly ask if his sister was living with me, but I felt guilty for withholding that information. And then there was how much I wanted her. I wasn’t going to tell Ray that because it would be weird, but it added to my guilt. I hated keeping secrets, especially from a man who was like a brother to me.

But I’d shoved my guilt aside, misplaced or not, and only replied on the standard responses and then bullshitted with him over text a bit before I’d arrived at the bar.

“You two are looking pretty cozy right now.” Sin’s voice pulled me out of my head, and taking a nonchalant sip from my beer, I turned to look at my teammates.

“Stop stirring up shit that isn’t there,” I said. “Josie was just teasing me about finally scoring tonight. She’s always taunting me.”

“It’s because you’re so easy,” she said, a faint tremble in her voice that did nothing to calm the raging need I had for her.

“Sure, sure,” Dom said with a smirk. “But it is good that he finally got a goal. It’s been a while.”

“Fuck off. Goal scoring is your job,” I fired back. “I’m just here to make sure no one gets the puck past Tucks and to save you from injury.”

“And you’re great at that. The last few games were fucking rough, but tonight was a turning point, right, boys?” Tally said, lifting his beer. “To kicking ass, staying healthy, and making the postseason.”

I caught his eye as the rest of the bar cheered. He knew something was up with Josie and me. But hell, I didn’t really know what was going on with the two of us. Yeah, we wanted each other, but Josie wasn’t known for sticking around long term. She went with the flow and did her own thing.

Not that I usually knew what I wanted anyway. Except I knew I wanted Josie—fucking desperately. But how long would it be before she was on to the next adventure?

***

“All right, we’re out of here. Gotta get some sleep before we all have to be at the airport bright and early tomorrow,” Tally said an hour later, Cora tucked close to his body.

I couldn’t agree more. Josie had stuck next to my side for most of the night, and I hadn’t been able to resist reaching out and skimming my fingers across her hip or teasing her palm. Anything to keep touching her without being obvious. I was ready to explode.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure there’ll be a lot of sleeping,” Sin teased.

“Don’t be jealous,” Tally fired back.

“Jealous? Pfft. There’s a gorgeous woman right over there who would love to come home with me tonight.” Sin gestured toward the packed bar.

“You hear how gross you sound, right?” Trust Harper to be the first one to call him out.

He wiggled his brows at her. “The ladies don’t think it’s gross.”

Harper made a gagging sound and rolled her eyes while I chuckled at their antics. Sin was always looking to get a rise out of someone. He didn’t have a serious bone in his body, except when he was on the ice.

“On that note, have fun,” Cora said with a laugh as she and Tally headed out of the bar.

Dom had already left after finishing his beer. He still tried to hang out when he could, and for all the good-natured shit we all gave him, we couldn’t fault him for wanting to be home with Ally and Livi. He loved those two more than anything.

What would Josie be like with a kid?

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

That thought had no fucking business in my brain.

“You okay?” Josie asked.

I glanced down at her. “Yeah. Uh, yep.”

She quirked a brow. “Okay. You made a weird choking noise.”

I shook my head. “Nah, I’m fine. Should we head out?”

She smiled. “I thought you never ask.”

“We’re heading out too,” Santa said, Anna nodding next to him. Josie and I said our goodbyes and quickly followed them out of the bar.

And as soon as we were back at the condo, clothes were flying and all thoughts about what might happen in the future faded away as we devoured each other.

I definitely no longer minded having a roommate. Especially one who met me kiss for kiss.

Fuck. I couldn’t get enough of her.

JOSIE

Micah: What are you wearing?

An image came through of him propped up in bed, his glorious abs on display and one tattooed arm resting on the edge of the sheet at his waist.

Holy freaking goodness.

My entire body lit up like a freaking firework.

I snapped a quick selfie in my Stampede jersey that I’d worn for tonight’s shift at Tipsy.

Micah: It has my name on it, right? Take it off.

Josie: Simone might frown at that.

Micah: Damn. Not home yet?

Josie: Leaving soon. So, what’s under the sheet?

“I’m almost done. You?” Simone called out. I dropped the rag I was currently holding, glancing over my shoulder like I’d been caught. At least I wasn’t handling any glassware right now.

“Yeah, yeah. Just wiping everything down, and then I’m good up here,” I replied, glancing back at my phone to wait for his response.

Three dots appeared and disappeared. And then appeared.

Send a dick pic already.

Micah: We can have a joint show-and-tell as soon as you’re back in my bed. I love how it smells like you when I get home.

Micah: Not in a creepy way, of course.

I giggled, loving when he got awkward. Blond, awkward, and hot as hell was my kryptonite, apparently.

After quickly finishing the rest of my tasks, I said good night to Simone and got into Micah’s truck. It was nice using it while he was away, so I didn’t have to waste money on calling an Uber. And his truck smelled like him.

I guess we were both smell-creepy.

Grabbing a fast shower as soon as I got home, I slipped on my robe and climbed into bed, and then I hit FaceTime.

“Hello, gorgeous. Damn, you look good in my bed,” Micah said, his voice low, as soon as the call connected.

His hair was tousled, and I wished I was there, running my fingers through it.

“I wish you were here, too,” I murmured, tucking my wet hair over my shoulder.

“Did you get off in the shower before calling?”

I swallowed audibly. “Coming in hot already.”

He chuckled. “Did you?”

It really was true that the quiet ones were the dirtiest, and I was here for it.

“Did you?” I asked. I’d personally kept my hands PG because I wanted to take a fast shower so I could call him.

His smirk twisted up my belly.

“I had to. Aside from making you scream my name while you come, there’s nothing better than jerking off with your name on my lips and images of you in my head.”

“Holy shit,” I rasped.

“And if I can’t touch you tonight, you’ll have to do it for me. You up for that?”

I could only nod.

“Good girl. Now, take off that robe.”

“If you insist,” I said, quickly shedding my robe. Desire sparked through my body as Micah shoved down the sheet, revealing his already hard cock.

Holy hell. I couldn’t wait for him to get home in a few days. I’d never wanted anyone as much as I wanted this man, and whatever was going on between us, I was loving every second of it.

***

“This place is awesome,” I said, walking into the art gallery where Harper worked the following day. I probably should’ve said no to lunch because I knew she was going to grill me about Micah, but I liked Harper. She was a fun friend that I felt like I could relate to, and I didn’t have any really close friends. I had casual friends in the various places that I’d lived over the years, but I wouldn’t say I was really close to any of them. But Harper and I just gelled. And yeah, confiding in her when she was dating one of Micah’s teammates could definitely backfire, but Harper seemed like a genuine person who wouldn’t spill my secrets to everyone.

Harper gave me a big smile. “Hey, Josie. Yeah, it’s pretty sweet, but you owe me deets.”

I chuckled. “About art? I’m not a super artsy person. I mean, I like drawing, but nothing like this.” I waved my hand at the walls and smirked at her expression of annoyance.

“Ah, yes. Your spicy drawings. Did you get any more clients? Seriously, it’s so cool that you’re drawing special pieces for their fans. And I bet Micah is a helpful source of inspiration.” She wiggled her brows at me.

I giggled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And yes, I’m up to six authors now, including Cora, when she’s ready.” Word of mouth had paid off more than I’d thought possible.

“That’s amazing. I hope everything works out so you can just stay here in Denver,” she said.

“Aw, thanks. Yeah, it’s growing on me.”

She smirked. “Yeah, I bet he is.” She grabbed her bag from under the counter, ignoring my gaping mouth at her comment.

Not that she was wrong. Crap. How red was my face right now?

“Gary, I’m grabbing lunch. Text if you want anything,” she called out. Then she walked over to me, linked her arm with mine, and guided me toward the front door.

“Shit, it’s cold. I know the best little sandwich shop we can hit up, and you are going to spill all the dirty, dirty deets while we’re there.”

I couldn’t help but grin as we walked down the sidewalk; the snow piled up on one side of me. I shivered at the sight of all of it. We got a decent amount back home near Philly, but not like this.

“Maybe it was just a kiss,” I said nonchalantly.

She turned, giving me side-eye. “Yeah, sure. With your history and the way that man looks at you like he’s ready to feast? There’s no fucking way it was just a kiss.”

“Seriously, Harper.”

“Just stating the obvious.” She unlinked her arm from mine and, pulling open the door, said, “Here we are. Their Thanksgiving wraps are to die for. I could eat them year-round.”

“There are like thirty options,” I said, staring at the wall behind the counter where all the sandwiches were written out with short descriptions.

Harper continued without hearing me. “It’s the Gobbler. You know, like what Micah wants to do, or maybe already has done, to you.”

“Oh my god, you’re relentless.”

She chuckled. “It’s not like my personality should be a surprise to you. You’ve been hanging out with us for over three weeks.”

“It feels longer.”

“Because I’m awesome, I know. Now pick a sandwich. I technically only have forty-five minutes before I have to head back. I mean, Gary’s fine with it since I’m his best employee and have solid sales, but I want to make sure we have plenty of time to discuss what’s going on in that condo.”

“Fine, fine.” I perused the wall of options again and finally decided to follow Harper’s suggestion and get the Gobbler. And tried not to think about how Micah did, in fact, enjoy gobbling me up. I fought down the shudder coursing through me and prayed Harper wouldn’t call me out for blushing.

It was just the cold air. Because winter.

“Ha! You’re not denying it,” she teased.

“Oh, hush. I need to order lunch.” I ignored her chuckle and stepped up to the counter.

We grabbed drinks and waited for our sandwiches, then sat down at a small table in the corner. There was a steady stream of customers, but most of them ordered their food to go, so only five of the twelve tables were full.

“Spill, lady. Spill it all,” Harper said before she even unwrapped her sandwich.

I took a big bite of my food instead.

“Ooh, that’s good,” I said after taking my time to chew and swallow. And not think about swallowing Micah’s dick.

Dammit.

“I’m sure that’s what you say to him.” She grinned and took a bite of her own Gobbler. “Mmm. So good.”

Screwing the cap off the bottle of water I’d grabbed, I took a slow sip. She waved her hand like she wanted me to hurry up.

“Fine. Yeah, we kissed the other night. And it turned into more.”

“And now you’re banging him all over the condo. Go, you! Get that man you’ve been crushing on.”

I giggled. “I really shouldn’t give you too many details because he would kill me if it got out. He’s quiet about stuff, we all know that,” I said.

“I promise, I’m a vault. I’m just happy for you and him. I’m very familiar with opposites attracting and working out. Hell, how it can work out.” She fanned herself.

“You’re ridiculous. And we’re just having fun and hooking up. No convos about the future or anything.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

I shrugged. “It’s fine.” Then paused. “And no, don’t say anything. It really is fine. We’re having fun, and I never settle down for long anyway.”

“Don’t bullshit me. You told me about that kiss years ago and you’ve been teasing him since you moved in, but I don’t for one second believe you don’t have feelings, like real forever feelings for him.”

“I mean, yeah. I’ve always had a thing for him, and he apologized for his dick response from years ago. I’m okay with all of that. But we’re so freaking different, and I don’t want to think about too far out. I just want to have fun for now.”

I took another bite of my sandwich to stop talking. Yeah, I would always want him, but I wasn’t going to assume this was a long-term relationship for either of us. Living in the moment was my thing, and that’s all I was going to focus on.

“Okay, we’ll skip the feelings talk. As long as you are having fun and you’re not ignoring how you feel, you can enjoy your bubble. But back to the fun stuff. Is he amazing? I bet he is. Those quiet ones.” She grinned, knowing full well what it was like to be with a guy that was more reserved.

“Seriously, the stuff that comes out of that man’s mouth.” I blew out a breath. “He’s lethal, and I’m loving every second of it.”

“Ooh, Micah’s a dirty talker. I could totally picture that.”

Heat fluttered in my belly. “You have no idea.”

We spent the rest of lunch talking about fun stuff—our work, the guys, and upcoming games. And I tried not to think about how Micah would feel if I told him I wanted to see where we could go. My feelings were getting deeper by the day, but could we really have a future together?