“Is that really what I said?” Jamie let out a groan.
“Yep.” Tyler exhaled, his laugh warm against Jamie’s skin. “You were full of it.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“No, really. Every one of those guys was following your lead tonight. You looked like you belonged out there, and they were right there with you. It was…” He lifted his head to look right at Jamie. “I’m so glad I get to see you like that.”
Jamie’s chest felt warm. “Like what?”
“To see you perform at the highest level. You moved beautifully, all power and precision. I feel like I know you better now that I’ve seen you play hockey. I don’t know, maybe it sounds silly, but now I see all of you.”
Jamie kissed him, just a quick, teasing press of their lips. He drew back before he could get carried away, and felt Tyler’s thigh press against the lump in his coat pocket. “Shit, I brought you something.”
Tyler tilted his head to the side. “What?”
Jamie wasn’t sure how he managed to pull the hat from his pocket without dropping Tyler, but he pressed the lavender knit against his boyfriend’s hard chest. “Thought you might miss this,” he said.
“Jamie,” Tyler said, looking at the beanie he’d worn sinceJamie had met him all those months ago before his eyes found Jamie’s face. His expression was so soft, so wrecked and happy that Jamie was tempted to kiss him. “I was prepared to sacrifice it to the hockey gods,” Tyler added. “But I’m glad to have it back.”
“How the hell did you get it all the way to the ice?”
“I bribed a stadium worker, obviously. Oh,” he paused, and Jamie caught the mischievous sparkle in Tyler brown eyes—fuck, he looked just like Rowan. “There’s a man named Don Schwartz who you owe a signed jersey. I have his address in my phone.”
Jamie barked out a laugh. “I can’t believe you,” he said, shaking his head. “Did Rowan have fun?”
Tyler nodded, a tender smile on his lips. “The most fun. He shouted your name the whole time. The suite was awesome–Layla had a bunch of toys set up for the little ones and the food was amazing.”
“I’m guessing he went down okay?”
“Yep. The Pack n’ Play in the guest room is perfect, and he loved the stuffed muskie. I asked him what he wanted to name it, but he said he wanted to wait to ask you.”
Jamie groaned. “That kid is going to kill me, Tyler. He’s going to fucking kill me with how cute he is.” He shook his head. “What about you? Did you have fun?”
“Yeah,” Tyler said, nodding. “We hung out with Layla most of the time.” He let out a quiet, amused laugh. “I never would have thought I’d feel so at home in a room full of women in coordinated puffy coats, but they are all great.”
“That’s all I want,” Jamie said. “I want our time together to make your life better, or easier, or bring you some joy.” He shifted Tyler’s weight, his arms beginning to ache. “Baby, as much as I like having you up here, I need to sit my ass down.”
Tyler wriggled free of Jamie’s grip, and gave him a gentle shove in the chest, sending him stumbling back onto the couch. As soon as Jamie’s ass hit the cushions, his breath froze.
“Wait wait wait.” He held up his hands, staring up at his boyfriend, his mouth going dry. “What are you wearing?”
Tyler’s lips curved up into a smirk.
CHAPTER 26
TYLER
HERE, TOGETHER, WHEN WE CAN
Tyler was well-practiced in seduction.
When he was up on the stage at the club, he used his body to weave a fantasy. He knew how to lure someone in with a look, to put himself on display. He knew how to morph, depending on who was in the audience. The way he’d flex his jaw and roll his hips to entice women, or arch his back to entice men.
Now, standing in front of Jamie in nothing but a Sullivan jersey and a pair of green, lacy boy shorts, Tyler wasn’t thinking about anything but the man in front of him.
Nothing mattered but turninghimon.
“Fuck, you look good in my sweater,” Jamie said, his voice rough and reverent. He braced his elbows on his knees, looking seconds away from standing and snatching Tyler up to have his way with him.
