As I wait for the pan to heat up, Erik walks over and hugs me from behind, and my insides immediately turn to mush.
“I wouldn’t have thought that you’re a hugger,” I remark.
He lets go of me, and the absence of his touch almost hurts. “Sorry, do you not like that?”
“Come back here, you.” I pull him toward me by the waist. Erik chuckles, and he puts an arm around my shoulders.
Yeah, I could get used to this.
“To be completely honest, I’m awkward and I wouldn’t call myself a touchy person,” he says. “But I like being close to you.”
That makes two of us.
I put some bread in the toaster and cook the eggs before plating everything. Handing Erik a plate and a fork, I turn back to the counter to grab my portion.
And that’s when Erik moans. It’s erotic, loud, filthy, and ahugefucking turn-on.
I spin around to catch him blushing hard with the fork still in his mouth.
“What was that?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Nothing.”
I cock my head. “Are you sure?”
“Those eggs are really good.”
“Dude, they’re just eggs,” I say, and when I look back at Erik, his plate is empty. “Whoa, that was quick. Do you need more?”
“Nah, I’m good, I eat super fast. Thanks though.”
If there’s one thing I remember from my hockey days, it’s that I needed to stuff myself with food all the damn time. There’s no way Erik isn’t hungry.
“Aren’t you on an athlete’s diet?” I walk over to my fridge to pull out a few containers. “These are overnight protein oats,” I say, giving Erik a jar and a spoon. “You can add berries or whatever you want for flavor.”
He stirs the oats, inspecting them. “This is perfect, thank you. I haven’t had someone give me breakfast like this?—”
Ever?I freeze, my mouth parted, as Erik recovers. There’s no way nobody has locked him down before. The guy’s a catch if I ever met one.
“Well, I mean, it’s hard to start something serious when I’m on the road for half the time,” he continues.
“Hmm, yes. Hockey players are known for staying single until retirement,” I reply in a joking deadpan, testing the waters. A breath stays stuck in my throat as I try to gauge Erik’s reaction.
Thankfully, he offers a quiet laugh. “You got me there. Still, there’s a lot less stability, especially at my level. That can make things a little complicated.”
“How so?”
“There’s talk of relocating my team to Hamilton for budget reasons. Besides, there’s the whole ‘I could be traded tomorrow’ factor.”
That makes sense, I guess, even though Hamilton isn’tthatfar away. I’m sure I’d survive if I added a few more train trips to my schedule. Besides, I work remotely anyway?—
And shit, I’m thinkingwaytoo far ahead.
Dial it back, Luke.
“For sure. My life can get hectic, too,” I say, keeping things vague. “I’d need to find someone who can match that energy.”
Erik’s face brightens a little, and I’m hoping it’s because he got the hint.
