Yeah. Pretty much, I would do anything for this guy.
“I’ve got you.” I used my own T-shirt to wipe away his release, then hauled a blanket off the back of the couch to cover us.
“Mmm.” He shimmied closer, and within moments, his breathing evened out and his body relaxed against mine. He was a weight in my arms, still and calm like he almost never was when awake, and when we’d first hooked up, had rarely been, even in sleep.
This, post-orgasm, snuggled against my chest, was the only time he was this relaxed. I liked to think that was down to me being me. Because I had that big an ego.
CHAPTER 3
EVAN
This time of year,it felt like we lived at the curling rink. Which was fine, because Perry loved the sport like he loved to breathe. Maybe even like he loved me. I bounced on the balls of my feet, watching him arguing with the manager about the ice conditions.
If I was the manager, I’d listen to Perry. He knew what he was talking about. He’d been curling since he was six, and if he said the ice was off, then the ice was off. The city was hosting a tournament in a week, so getting the ice right mattered, and they were running out of time to fix it.
“Swear to god, Andre, if you fuck this up, we’ll take the league someplace else,” Perry threatened, loud enough to turn heads.
I wondered if he could really convince the other teams to play at a different rink. Knowing how persuasive he could be, I bet he could.
“You don’t own the sport, Perry. Chill out.”
“I don’t think you understand the calibre of the teams that will be here. Alan fucking Channing is going to be playing in your house. Alan Channing. You know the Skip for the Olympic team? And he’s playing in your dinky little bonspiel. The least you can do is get the goddamn ice right.”
“Everyone knows you’re only stressing over it because you want the guy to notice you,” Andre said, sneering at him, as he glanced past him to me. “Is your little baby broomer not enough for you?” His sneer deepened. “Or is it you who’s not enough for him?”
Perry’s fingers clenched into fists and he took a half step towards the mean little man.
I hurried to his side. “Forget this asshole, Perry.” I tugged at his arm. “Lemme talk to Mike. He’ll fix the ice whatever this asshat says.”
Perry growled, but let me lead him away. “I hate that asshole. He has no right?—”
“Shh.” I petted his back, then snuck my fingers up to play in the curls cascading over his collar.
“I hate him,” he repeated.
“I love you for being so bulldog,” I said. He might have been pissed over the ice conditions, but he’d only threatened violence when Andre mentioned me.
“He’s a jerk.”
“He really is, and he’s still bitter, after all this time, because you spoiled his fun and wouldn’t let him have me.”
Perry turned on me, powering me back into an alcove out of sight of most of the people getting ready to curl. “No one gets to have you,” he growled.
I grinned at him. “Just you. And whoever you approve of,” I added. I was teasing, but he frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I’m kidding. I know you’d never think anyone was good enough for me, and that’s okay.”
“Is it, though?” He studied my face, his frown deepening.
“What? Of course it is. In fact, it’s sort of sweet.”
Little lines appeared between his eyebrows.
“Okay.” I took his hand and led him towards the sheet we would be curling on. “Stop obsessing over this. Andre is a jerk who will never have what you have.” I kissed his cheek. “No regrets, babe. I promise.” I tightened my fingers in his and changed our trajectory, “Let’s find Mike. We have a few minutes before we start.”
He muttered something under his breath I didn’t hear, but that was fine. He did that a lot. He always had a ton going on in his head, which was why I loved being able to turn his brain off for him sometimes. It was what I gave back for the mind-melting orgasms and endless cuddles afterwards.
