We don’t move for quite some time until I lean back and take his face between my hands. Julian smiles, leans in, and kisses me.
“No more hockey,” I say.
“No more hockey for a while,” he agrees.
“What do you want to do now?”
“I’m tired. I’d like to take a nap.”
I grin. “Really?”
Julian nods. “Traveling is exhausting all on its own, but then you add in the physical stress of the game and the mental fatigue of constantly losing the game… I could probably sleep for a week.”
“Then let’s get you to bed. I’ll tuck you in.”
I love his amused smile. He lets me take his hand, and I pull him down the hall and into the bedroom. I turn to him and pause. I’d like to pamper him right now. Take off his clothes and put him into bed, but am I allowed to do that? Will he think that I’m trying to undress him for other reasons?
Julian’s hand tightens around mine, and he pulls me closer. His lips brush mine. “Want to take a nap with me?”
A smile touches my lips, and I sigh. “Yeah.”
“Maybe cuddle?” he asks, and I fuckingadorethe hopeful note in his voice.
“Definitely.”
He kisses me lightly again and lets my hand go. I watch as he pulls his shirt over his head. I missed when he kicked off his shoes at the door, but he’s not wearing them. With the expanse of his beautiful, smooth chest exposed, I turn my attention away from those washboard abs and undress as well.
We strip to our underwear and climb into bed together. I bring him into my chest right away and wrap my body around him.
Julian sighs in contentment. His face presses against my chest and his entire body begins relaxing in my hold. His fingers move over my back lightly and I close my eyes to absorb his warmth. So much warmth.
When I open my eyes again, I see that more than an hour has passed. His fingers continue moving softly over my back. I think I dozed more than Julian did.
“You’re still awake,” I comment.
“Mm,” he agrees with a quiet hum.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” His lips move against my skin, and I try not to shiver. Can he feel the way goosebumps trail down my spine? “I’m in that state where I’m so tired that I can’t fall asleep.”
“That’s inconvenient.”
He chuckles quietly.
“You want to do something else instead?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Nothing. I can’t actually think of anything I’d rather be doing than laying with Julian. “We can go for a walk?” I suggest. “I hear cold air might help put you to sleep.”
“I think that’s fresh air, but I don’t want to get out of bed.”
“Oh, good. Neither do I.”
His smile presses against my chest again. “How about you tell me about your family? We haven’t talked about our families yet. Your profile said you have several brothers and sisters, right?”
I nod. “Yep. So, I have two older siblings—both married and have kids. Kiaan is the oldest, and he has two kids. Then my sister Ishika, who also has two kids. Then there’s me. After me is Veer, also married with a little son. Then Navi, not married and I don’t think he particularly wants to be married, though he keeps talking to girls with the proposed intent of marriage. Last is our baby sister, Sona. She’s nineteen and in school, hoping to be a movie director or something.”
