Erik shivers. “The Vikings invaded Britain for a reason. It was warmer there.”
I try to think of a witty response, but Erik cuts my thoughts off. “I’m cold. Help me.”
Before I can fully process what he said, he slips his frigid hands under my shirt and presses them against my stomach.
“Ahh! Don’t fucking do that!” I yelp and point a threatening finger at Erik, struggling to contain myself. “Wear some gloves or something, Jesus.”
“Well if you want to put your hands on me later, you’ll have to let me put my hands on you now,” he says, walking up to me and reaching for my body.
I dodge him. “That’s not fair.”
“It sounds fair to me.”
And that’s when I book it, dashing down the sidewalk to the safety of my apartment building. I scan myself in and stand back, but Erik is too fast. He slips through the doors right before they close.
“Huh, you’re fast even when you aren’t on the ice,” I say.
“Damn right I am. It’s my job.”
I can’t argue with that.
Once we’re at my door, I fumble with my keys and manage to let us into the apartment, and my arms are around Erik as soon as we’re inside. He moves to deepen the hug, but his phone beeps. He checks it and then grins back at me.
“I have some good news,” he says, putting his phone away. “Apparently, I’ve been excused from morning practice tomorrow.”
“Tonight keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?”
“It sure does. Honestly, I’m surprised. I’veneverbeen excused from a mandatory practice before.” He takes his sweater off, hanging it on the back of a chair. His white t-shirt fits like a glove, arching over his chest and tapering in the waist, rendering me incapable of proper thought.
“I kinda need a shower after today,” he says, sinking into a chair at the dining table. “This is your house, so you can go first.”
While everything in me wants to invite him into my shower again, I’m supposed to take things slow. “You can use the hallway bathroom to rinse off. That’ll save time.”
Erik raises his eyebrows. “That’s so convenient, thanks. I forgot it's a full bathroom.”
“Yeah, you can grab a towel from the sink cabinet. I’ll meet you in bed.” I stand still for a few seconds, and something compels me to walk over and kiss Erik on the forehead.
Holy fuck.Why the hell did I do that?
“Alright, see you in a bit!” I spin around and race into my room before Erik can say anything.
It’s easy enough to hold my own around attractive guys, but when they’re sweet as well? That’s when the crazy comes out. I wrap up my shower, brush my teeth, and slide into bed right as Erik walks in. He’s in sweatpants, and he’s covering his torso with a towel.
“Do you mind if I borrow a sleep shirt again?” he asks. “I usually sleep without one, so I didn’t pack any?—”
“That’s fine, I don’t mind,” I say, far too quickly.
“You sure?”
I make sure to take a breath before replying this time. “Yup. You can do whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
He shoots me a look that wakes me right up. “Even if I want to sleep naked?”
“Especiallyif you want to sleep naked.”
He lets out a laugh, hanging the towel on the rack behind my bedroom door, and climbs into bed.
He doesn’t lose the sweatpants, but I’m way too tired to complain.
