“What are you smiling about?” Kip asked.
“Uh, just a guy wants to meet up with me.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Someone I met at work.” Kyle realized as he said it that it wasn’t actually a lie. “So...” He stood up, grabbing what was left of his cookies and cream milkshake because there was no reason to waste it. “I should get going. Gotta freshen up a bit first, y’know?”
Kip grinned at him. “Have fun. Scott’s going to meet me here.”
Kyle quickly dipped and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for inviting me today.”
“Anytime. See you soon.”
Kyle rushed out of the restaurant and into the nearest subway station, giddy with excitement about getting his hands on Eric Bennett tonight.
Eric felt invincible. He was always charged up after a win—especially a shutout—but tonight he felt confident and attractive and horny as fuck. This must be how his teammates felt when they talked about needing to get laid after a big win.
He tried not to let any insecurities creep in and ruin this incredible high he was riding. He ran upstairs to his bedroom to make sure nothing was out of place, which, of course, nothing was. He checked his nightstand drawer and was relieved that he had plenty of lube left in the bottle. After a moment of worrying about appearing too forward, he set the bottle on top of the nightstand. There was no reason to be shy tonight. Eric found the simplicity of this arrangement exciting. He didn’t have to guess or be subtle. He could see why hookups were appealing for a lot of people, as long as it was with someone he trusted.
His doorbell rang and Eric darted down the stairs, heart hammering with anticipation. He opened the door and found Kyle, bundled into a scarf and hat, cheeks pink from the cold.
“Hey,” Kyle said. He was smiling, and for a moment Eric couldn’t speak because he looked so beautiful. Then he finally snapped out of it and stepped aside to let Kyle in.
Kyle set his backpack down and removed his outerwear, which Eric took from him to stow in the closet. Kyle was in bartender mode tonight: a white T-shirt, faded jeans, and no glasses. It was a look that was designed to tempt men, and it was probably what Kyle normally wore when he was meeting a hookup. Eric wasn’t sure if he was disappointed that he wasn’t getting the softer, grad student version of the man.
“It was fucking hot watching you get that shutout,” Kyle said, stepping close.
“It was pretty hot getting that shutout,” Eric said. He tilted his head, his lips hovering in front of Kyle’s. “I feel like celebrating.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
There was no caution in this kiss. No chaste warm-up. The moment their lips collided they were devouring each other, Kyle’s fingers gripping Eric’s jaw, and Eric palming the back of Kyle’s head. Every nerve in Eric’s body buzzed with need. He felt ravenous and ready to drink his fill of this gorgeous man.
Kyle pushed him back against a wall, Eric’s back thudding next to the painting they had been admiring together at the party. Kyle grabbed Eric’s wrists and pinned his arms against the wall. The sudden vulnerability sent a jolt through him, and he gasped as Kyle kissed his throat.
“You like that?” Kyle said against his skin. “Would you stay like that for me if I ask you to?”
Eric groaned in response, then managed a strangled, “Yes.” He would stay like this as long as Kyle wanted, sore muscles be damned. He would fight through the discomfort, like he did when practicing yoga, and command his body to endure it. For Kyle.
He could feel the press of Kyle’s teeth against the tender flesh near his Adam’s apple, and he guessed that Kyle was smiling.
“You seemed to like it when I was calling the shots last time.”
“I did.”
“Maybe we can play with that, then. Because I meant what I said last time: I’d love to introduce you to the wonderful world of edging. I have a feeling you’d love it.”
Eric nodded. “Okay. We can try that.”
Kyle stroked a gentle hand over Eric’s beard, then gripped his jaw and kissed him fiercely. The force of it made Eric’s legs wobble. He wanted Kyle to do whatever he had planned right here, against this wall, but Kyle was the voice of reason.
“Why don’t we go upstairs so we don’t knock that painting to the floor?” he murmured.
Startlingly, in that moment, Eric couldn’t give a fuck about the painting. But Kyle was right; they needed a bed. “Yeah. Yes. Upstairs.”
Kyle stepped back. “You go up. Get naked and wait for me on the bed.” He chuckled, probably amused by the dazed expression on Eric’s face. “Go. Now.”
Kyle played two levels ofAngry Birds Blaston his phone, which he felt was enough time for Eric to get undressed and ready for him. He walked up to the story below the master bedroom—the yoga studio. He took his time, taking a leisurely stroll around the dark studio space, making his footsteps heavy. He hoped Eric could hear him, and that he was tense with anticipation.