“I should catch more games,” Kendrick says, almost to himself. “I know that we have some amazing teams, and I don’t get out nearly enough to support them.”
“You’re busy. I imagine that CAP took a lot of time to put together.”
“It did,” he says, inclining his head in agreement. “But I have a team. This isn’t all me. I can definitely afford to take a couple hours off to support my athletes.”
“I think we’d love that,” I say, smiling. His leg brushes mine, and for some reason, my dick jumps. “Sorry,” I say quickly and move to give him more space.
“Don’t be. It’s fine.”
His leg brushes mine again, and I find it difficult to catch my breath as I stare into his eyes. My dick is totally misbehaving right now, so I try subtly adjusting myself to discourage the bubbles from teasing it. I think that’s what’s happening here.
Even though the water is hot, I feel his skin against mine as if it’s hotter. Not burning. But hot. I feel it seep into my body.
“If you could choose a team to play for, which would you choose?” Kendrick asks.
I grin because football is a comfortable subject.
We talk for a long time. The sun begins setting, and the air gets colder. We’re both hunkered down in the water until it brushes our chins to keep as much of us out of the freezing air as possible. But there’s no mistaking that we’re going to have to get out into this cold.
“The temperature is going to drop more,” Kendrick says as he looks up at the sky. “Probably best to get out now.”
I nod. “Okay. Thanks for hanging out.”
Neither of us makes an effort to move yet. Maybe he’s trying to work himself up to standing like I am. Or maybe he’s lingering like I am and pretending it’s the cold keeping me here. I’m not sure I want the night to end yet. I want to keep talking to Kendrick.
“Would you like to come in?” Kendrick asks. “Warm up in front of the fire? We’ll order a bite to eat. Spend some more time together.”
I sigh. “Yes. I’d like that.”
“Okay. On three, we jump out. Ready?”
“Not even a little bit,” I say as I adjust myself to sprint up on three.
“One. Two.” Kendrick hesitates, and this time I know he’s working himself up like I am. “Three.”
We stand, though not in such a rush that we send water flying. Holy hell, it’s cold. I climb out and grab my towel to wrap around me, then reach for my pile of clothes and boots. Kendrick grabs the untouched tray of fruit and nuts, and we hurry inside.
It’s blessedly warm, but I shudder all the same.
“You can drop your clothes on the bench,” Kendrick says as he sets the tray down. “I’m going to stoke up the fire a little more.”
I do as I’m told and follow him toward the woodstove that’s blessedly giving off a whole lot of warmth. Jesus, it’s cold when you get out of hot water like that. Especially after spending so long in the hot tub. It wasn’t just a quick dip.
Kendrick shuts the stove once he’s stuffed more wood inside and faces me. Is it just me, or did he bring the heat with him? I think there’s an extra charge between us. Another heat source. I lick my lips as I watch him, and his eyes drop to my mouth.
My cheeks heat. “So… I’m told that I’m really oblivious and it would be helpful if you told me what you hope for tonight.”
A sexy little smile makes the corners of his lips curl a little. He steps closer. “I’d like just what I said.” His voice is quiet. Smooth. But it hits something inside me that reaches to my core. “We’ll warm up and dry off. Have some food delivered. I enjoy your company, Brevan, and I would like to continue getting to know you.” He pauses, his eyes boring into mine.
My heart races and my breath is lodged in my lungs as I wait to see if he’s going to add something else. I have a strange sense of knowing that I’m going to be disappointed if that’s all he wants tonight. I swallow the lump in my throat.
“I hope to have permission to kiss you,” he says, voice softening more. “Perhaps you’d also be interested in a cuddle in front of the fire.”
A shiver of anticipation races through me, and I nod. “Can we do that part first?” I whisper. If it hangs over us without me knowing when it’s going to happen, I’m going to be fidgety all night.
His lips curl, and Kendrick closes the distance between us. His mouth touches mine. It’s soft. A question. I lean in closer, needing more pressure. I need to know that this is truly happening.
One of his hands grips my hip, and it feels like a hot iron. The other curls into my damp hair, gripping it firmly, and bringing my mouth just how he wants me.
