Chapter Fourteen
Nico
“I’m stealing this,” I say, lifting up a black Diamonds sweatshirt that is well-worn and way too big for me.
Roman laughs. “Whatever you want.”
I watch him as he gathers his things, preparing for the day. There’s such a serious look on his face, and some may think he’s mad, but I know him well enough now to know that he isn’t. It’s just the way he looks. And, if I’m being honest, his brooding look is kind of hot.
I throw on my coat over his sweatshirt and zip it up, so no one sees it. Who knows what kind of scandal that would cause?
“I’d leave this for you, but there’s no way it’d fit,” I say, holding up my Team Canada sweatshirt.
“I could cuddle with it,” he says.
I grin and toss it at him. “Fine. You convinced me.”
He brings it to his face, breathing it in, which does something to my insides, before he tucks it under his pillow.
“You ready to go?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
I don’t have practice for a little while, but I’m going to head back to my room to relax before I have to leave. Roman is going to grab food with his teammates. I’ll see him later, at my performance, which, I’ll admit, I am starting to get a little nervous about.
Team events are one thing. This is different. This is all me. If I mess up, I mess up. There is no one to help my score, it’s just me. I have to do my absolute best, and after having a rough skate yesterday, I’m feeling a little off.
On the other hand, after having such an amazing night with Roman, I’m feeling better than ever.
I’ll get out of my head once I’m on the ice and my music is playing. It’s easy to get into the zone and forget about everything going on when I’m in my skates and the cool air of the arena kisses my skin.
Once I’m in my room, I take a better, longer shower, and put on my sweats and Roman’s Diamonds hoodie, and crawl into bed. I need to leave in enough time to grab a quick bite of food, catch the bus, and walk to the arena. So, like… an hour? I can lie here for a bit.
It’s not that I’m tired; I’m relaxed. Content. Happy. I’m sore in all the best places, my skin buzzing with excitement at the reminder of last night. Of Roman, who was more than what I could have imagined he would be.
I smile to myself, hugging my pillow and reliving every moment from last night.
The hot kiss on the counter. Him carrying me to his bed.
The way he put his mouth on me. The way he kissed me and stretched me for him.
He’s so attentive and thoughtful, which is no surprise to me.
Roman is careful and does things with intent.
He isn’t impulsive or rash like me. He takes his time, and that makes him an amazing lover, clearly.
My dick starts to harden when I think of the way we came together, the sounds he made, the way he kissed me after, the way it wasn’t weird.
Sleeping together felt normal and easy. He didn’t rush me out like I was a secret, but I didn’t feel that if I stayed I’d be stuck.
I’m comfortable with him. I feel free while also feeling grounded.
I pick up my phone and snap a picture of the outline of my dick in my sweats and add it to a text to send to Roman.
Me: Thinking of you
I huff a laugh as I put my phone down and get comfortable. There’s a knock on my door, so I go get it.
étienne is standing there, looking awful.
“Whoa,” I say with a chuckle. “Did you sleep?”
“Hardly,” he groans, shoving me aside to come in.
“And why not? You’re the one who’s always yelling at me to sleep enough and eat enough—”
“Well, you’re the Olympian. I’m just the cousin-slash-fake-PA.”
I hold his gaze, grinning while he looks like he’s about to fall asleep on his feet.
“Where were you?” I ask. “Hooking up with your secret Olympian?”
He rolls his eyes. “It wasn’t just a hook-up.” He shuffles into my room. I follow him and laugh when he face-plants on my bed. I sit beside him, patting his back.
“Not just a hook-up?”
He shakes his head. “It was a night-long marathon and I am tired.”
“Damn. Even I didn’t get an all-nighter.”
He pushes himself up, whirling to face me. “Then what did you get?”
I laugh again, holding his gaze.
“You didn’t!” he says with a smile.
I bite my bottom lip and nod.
“Nico!” he scolds playfully, giving me a little shove. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“And when would I have done that? You’ve been complaining since you walked in.”
He lies back down, rolling over so he’s on his back and facing the ceiling. “Tell me all about it. Is his cock as big as you’d think?”
“Oh yeah.”
He squeals, grabbing onto my arm in excitement.
“I think big dick goes hand-in-hand with hockey players.”
I gasp, my eyes going wide. “étienne! So, it is a hockey player!”
“Merde.” He runs his hand down his face. “I was sworn to secrecy.”
“There are plenty of players here. I couldn’t begin to guess which one. Though…” I eye him carefully. “You better tell me at some point.”
“I will. When we’re home.”
He grins, and I give him a shove. “So, all night, huh?”
“All night! I mean… all night. I lost track of how many times we came.”
“Wow. That’s serious. You were in his room?”
“Uh, not quite…”
I narrow my eyes. “I know you weren’t in your room. You have three roommates.”
“No…”
“So, were you outside with the bears? What the hell, étienne? Where were you?”
He sighs. “Okay, so… this is going to sound weird, and I guess it is, but it’s not bad.”
“Oy vey,” I mutter. “You’re always getting yourself into something.”
“I am not!”
“You are too! What about that time you went home with that guy from the club and ended up at a sex party?”
“Hey, that was one time! And this is not that… mostly.”
I whistle. “Out with it.”
“Fine. This… person is not out to anyone except one of his teammates. When they travel, they go to gay bars to find someone to hook up with. They always stay together, so there is less likely a chance for others to find out.”
“How does that tell me where you were?”
“We were in his friend’s room. They wanted to room together, but there was a last-minute adjustment, and so they didn’t, but he was invited over for… you know. That.”
“So, you were in his friend’s room? You couldn’t have just said that?”
“I don’t know!” he says, throwing his arms up. “You confused me.”
“You need sleep.”
“No shit,” he groans.
I pick up my phone to look at the time. “I have to go. Are you coming with me?”
“Kind of have to.”
“I mean… I could tell them you’re sick.”
He shoves himself up and gets to his feet, putting on a fake smile. “I’ll totally be fine. Just have to change quickly.”
“It better be quick,” I say as I follow him out of my room. “Actually, I’m going with you. You need to be babysat today.”
We make our way to his room, and I wait in the main area while he changes. My phone dings. I check it. It’s a text from Roman—a shirtless mirror selfie.
“What are you looking at?” étienne asks as he comes out of the room. I hold the phone out to show him. He dramatically swoons. “Hockey men were sent from the gods.”
“I will agree with that.”
I hook my arm in his and we head out.