“They were handing these out in the kitchen.” He holds up his small glass of clear liquid.
Glancing down at my own, I shrug and decide to give it a try, only to nearly spit it out. “Whoa. What is this?” It’s enough alcohol for the entire year.
“Some kind of schnapps or something. I’m not sure, but it tastes kind of lethal.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go easy on this one.”
He chuckles, and his brows rise as he quickly clinks my shot glass then downs his as if he is a pro. Hesmiles at me. “What? He made the team drink this at the end of last season. It’s not my first rodeo.”
“I noticed.”
For the next hour, we each get caught in conversations with others. Tyler is busy talking to teammates but appears to be relaxed, and I only hear various tail ends of his conversations but there isn’t much hockey talk. Meanwhile, I catch up with girlfriends of a few of the guys that I already knew.
It’s getting late or at least for my standards. Quickly I go to the restroom and emerge only to nearly run into Tyler.
“There you are.”
I stare at him strangely. “Scared I ditched you?” I tease.
He lifts a shoulder, and I wonder if he is buzzed, but he doesn’t appear to be. Maybe a little loose from a drink or two but definitely completely aware of the way his eyes are spearing into me, and my body is beginning to quicken.
“I like the necklace.” He steps forward, and his hooked finger glides along a strand of gold garland wrapped around my neck because I added it half an hour ago when someone wanted to swap for my hat. The way his eyes drop down to where he is touching me below my collarbone, it’s as though his finger is a feather dancing around my chest.
I step closer to him, feeling a wave of sensuality flood me. There is nobody around, but it still feels dangerous. “Sorry, I decided being Santa’s helper isn’t for me,” I softly inform him, and I notice how my voice is flirty.
His eyes meet mine, and for a second of silence, it’s clear what we both want to suggest.
“We’ve made an appearance, and they’re setting up for karaoke which is my sign that we should escape.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I insist.
His lips purse as he blows out an audible exhale, asthough he needs to cool himself off. He must be heating up the way I am.
It’s a quick goodbye and thank-you to Bjorn. I’m happy he is enjoying himself tonight, plus it was super sweet that he sent us home withknack, a sort of Swedish toffee for Enzo.
Arriving in front of our doors, we both stall. My eyes look everywhere except at Tyler. Everything inside of me is racing.
“Well, that was fun. He’s a good guy,” I attempt to make conversation.
“Yep.” Tyler taps his foot on the carpet, and I’m about to say something, but he beats me to it. “Listen, about that kiss…”
I’m going to go bold, and I ensure that our eyes lock together. “Can we just admit that we both want this night to end only one way?”
His entire body deflates as though he was holding air in. “Thank fuck.”
Tyler storms to me, and his lips crash onto mine, and in unison, his hand fists my hair by my back.
I almost fall down, but he pulls me to him to ensure I regain my balance.
“Your place or mine?” His breath is already labored, which is fair enough because the man’s kisses should be criminal.
No hesitation from me, I walk him back. “Yours. There are blocks everywhere at my place, and we can’t afford an injury from stepping on the walk of death.” It might sound humorous but I’m serious as can be.
I drape my arms around his shoulders, causing him to fumble with his keys, as he is in a rush. “Your stupid garland is getting tangled around my arm.” With frustration,he rips the tinsel off my body and carelessly throws it onto the ground before opening the door with gusto.
We nearly tumble into his place, and he kicks the door behind him closed. Already halfway down the hall, we are pawing one another in an effort to get clothes off. It all happens so fast that I’m not sure when he managed to peel off his shirt. The moment we are in his room, he turns me around and searches for the zip on my dress. I lift my hair to the side, and he unzips me roughly, and I hear a snap.
“Broke the zip. I’ll get you a new dress,” he promises matter-of-factly before he spins me around and yanks me against his body.
