Egotistical Puckboy (Puckboys 1)

“As hot as topping you would be, I’m not into pressuring people,” I say. “What do you want?”

“To keep doing what we’re doing. I haven’t had enough of you yet.”

“I actually have a theory, if you want to hear it.”

He steps back. “As long as you’re getting naked while you ramble whatever ridiculous shit is going to come out your mouth.”

“I did the math, and—”

“You know how to count?”

“So funny. You want to hear this or not?”

“Not, but you’re going to keep talking anyway.” Anton shucks off his shirt and then drops his jeans.

I do the same with my hoodie and sweats. “As I was saying, I did the math. Do you know we win games after we hook up?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was joking before, but I think I seriously have a magical dick. Because we win. Think about it. Last night, we didn’t hook up because you were too busy putting all your furniture back in your room.” The memory still amuses me. “Seriously, that was so fun to watch.”

“Your point?”

“We lost tonight. But we hooked up in Dallas and then won against Arizona. It’s legit.”

“So, you’re saying that hockey has nothing to do with skill and everything to do with us. Just how much do you think the world revolves around your ass?”

We’re naked now, and I pull him against me. “Tonight, everything will be about yours.”

Anton tenses in my arms, and when he looks up into my eyes, there’s hesitance there.

“Unless you actually don’t want to,” I say. “I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

He seems surprised by my answer, but he shouldn’t be. I may push and tease and throw things out there that I want, but never do my needs exceed those of my partner’s.

Even if he’s Anton Hayes. This thing might have started out with deep-seated animosity, but I think we can’t deny it’s grown to something that’s less like hate and a lot like … something softer. Harder to define.

He reaches between us and wraps his hand around my cock, stroking lightly.

I let out a shaky breath. Yep, don’t hate a thing about this.

“I want this,” he rasps. “But you need to go slow. It’s been a while.”

“Good thing we have all night then.” I grip his ass cheeks and squeeze. “Get on the bed. Hands and knees.”

He does as I say, and a thrill rushes through me at being the one in control tonight. I don’t always need it—sometimes I don’t even want it—but with Anton, it heightens everything. Probably because I know he’s so against giving it up.

His hole is exposed for me, and I want to dive right in, but then I remember—

“Supplies? I didn’t bring any considering you didn’t tell me this was your plan.”

“In my jeans.” He smiles at me over his shoulder.

“If you’d told me before we went to Tripp’s, I would’ve canceled on him.”

Anton lifts up, still kneeling, but his long torso is upright. “You were right though. I appreciate you taking me to hang with Tripp because I do need more queer allies in the league. When it does eventually get out about me, I’ll need that support.”

“The guys will have your back no matter what.”

“Does that include you?”

The question holds a lot more weight than the simplicity he’s phrased it with.

“I’m hoping to have your back and front.” I waggle my eyebrows.

“And afterward?”

After? Who knows.

Sixteen

ANTON

I’m not used to this. Needing reassurance. At times I think it’s easier if I pretend Ezra is someone else, but then I look at him, and the confidence that flows through him so naturally encompasses me as well.

If he can find this easy, I’ll fake like it’s easy for me too.

All I know is tonight, I need to be held, and the only way I can think to ask for that is by getting Ezra to top me.

The orgasms are becoming normal for us; any form of emotion is not. The exclusivity, plus sex, plus making this into more than it is would be too close to a relationship for me, and that isn’t something I’m interested in. I don’t think it’s something Ezra would ever be interested in, if past history is anything to go by.

“Cutting the shit?” he says, and it takes me a second to remember I asked him a question. “Even if we stop all this, even if I go back to wanting to crush you into the boards, I’ll still have your back. Some things are bigger than holding a grudge.”

“Like orgasms?” I play off my vulnerability, because that’s not something I’m comfortable with.

“They are what got us into this mess.” He steps up behind me and presses a kiss to my shoulder that I accidentally lean into. “Now, you’re obscuring my view.”

I laugh and plant my hands back on the bed. “Way to make this weird, Ez.”