CHAPTER EIGHT #2
Tanner couldn’t breathe, so he turned his head and let out a long, contented sigh.
“Did you just come untouched?” Leif whispered.
“Un-huh,” Tanner managed because holy fuck.
“Did you just come on the coverlet?”
“Mmm,” Tanner said because he was pretty sure cum had shot on the coverlet, the pillowcase, his abs, his chest … it was pretty much everywhere, to be honest.
“Disgusting.”
“You’re disgusting,” Tanner shot back weakly.
Leif groaned and straightened, then got out of bed. Tanner’s eyes were still closed but he heard Leif go into the bathroom. He came out a moment later and a hot washcloth landed on Tanner’s back.
“The fuck?” he mumbled.
“Don’t you want to clean up?”
“Well yeah, eventually,” Tanner said, lifting his head. “But you didn’t have to be rude about it.”
Leif rolled his eyes. “Like you aren’t the single rudest human being on the planet.”
Tanner groaned and reached behind him to grab the cloth. “You should meet my D-partner.”
“I’ve met Matty Carlson.”
“Not him,” Tanner said, getting up on his hands and knees and halfheartedly swiping the cloth between his cheeks. “Back in Boston. Crawford.”
“I’ve met Luke Crawford too,” Leif said drily. “Unfortunately.”
“He’s not so bad.” Tanner heaved himself up to his knees and swiped at his stomach and chest.
“Gross. I can’t believe you clean up in that order.” Leif sounded disgusted. “And of course you think he’s not that bad. You’re not playing against him.”
“What’s wrong with the order?” Tanner protested, confused.
“You’re wiping your ass germs all over your stomach.”
Tanner wrinkled his nose, considered the idea, then shrugged. “Dude, you had your fingers in my ass a few minutes ago.”
“And I washed my hands!”
“Whatever. I’m gonna shower soon anyway. Probably.” He tossed the cloth on the floor, then flopped onto his stomach. Right onto the wet spot.
“Now they’re all over my bed!” Leif snapped. “What is wrong with you?”
“Would you shut up and get over here and cuddle?” Tanner demanded.
“You can wait three minutes,” Leif shot back.
He got out of bed and picked up the cloth off the floor. Out of the corner of Tanner’s eye he could see the disgusted wrinkle of Leif’s nose. Leif carried the cloth between two pinched finger and disappeared into the bathroom. Tanner heard the sound of running water again.
“Duuuuude, stop cleaning and come and cuddle me!” Tanner demanded.
A moment later, Leif stalked back into the room. “Would you keep your damn voice down?”
“No,” Tanner said, but he did speak a little more quietly. “C’mere.”
He made a grabby motion with his hand and Leif huffed but came over.
He slid onto the bed beside Tanner and Tanner shuffled over, throwing an arm across Leif’s ribs.
“Better?” Leif asked.
“Better,” Tanner agreed, mashing his face against Leif’s shoulder.
“Why do you like this so much?”
“What? Cuddling?”
Leif didn’t answer but his body moved a little and Tanner took that to mean he’d nodded.
“I dunno. Makes me feel good. I like sex and cuddles.”
“You don’t even like me.”
“Do you want me to?” Tanner asked, amused.
“No. I’m just saying … it’s weird.”
“I dunno. Sex makes my brain go quiet and cuddles make me feel relaxed.”
“You should learn to take care of your own needs and not rely on someone else for them,” Leif pointed out. But a moment later he settled a hand against the center of Tanner’s back. His palm was warm and Tanner closed his eyes.
Yes, perfect.
They lay there for a few moments while Tanner sucked down Leif’s scent and let his brain just float happily in a sea of good feelings.
It wasn’t long before he felt that weird itch to move and he rolled onto his side. “How’d practice go for you today?”
Leif squinted at him. “Fine. Why?”
“I dunno. Just curious.”
“It was good. I stayed after a little. Did some shooting practice. Talked to Lindholm a bit.”
“Erik?” Tanner sounded confused.
“No, Anders.”
“Oh, right. Too many Lindholms on your team.”
“It’s a common name!”
“I’m just sayin’ … Wait! Anders Lindholm is playing?”
“No, he’s working as a skills coach.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Tanner deflated. “I heard his wedding was the bomb.”
“Whose?”
“Anders to Kelly!” Tanner poked Leif in the ribs. “Keep up, dude. That’s where O’Shea—uh, the other one—my captain, Connor—met Jesse.”
“Didn’t they play each other in the playoffs the season before?” Leif sounded confused.
“Well yeah,” Tanner said. “But I mean, like, when they hooked up the first time.”
“Oh. I still think it’s weird that your captain and franchise goaltender are in a relationship.”
Tanner shrugged. “I think it’s weird that your captain hasn’t been on the ice in three or four years or whatever.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” Leif protested.
“Well, Nicky Calhoun hasn’t exactly been playing much.”
“It’s not his fault he has persistent post-concussion symptoms.”
“I’m not saying it is!” Tanner argued.
“Actually, that would be your D-partner’s fault.”
“That’s hockey.” Tanner shrugged. “And he wasn’t my D-partner then. Isn’t it weird to not have your captain in the locker room for so long?”
“Kind of,” Leif said. “But he comes in whenever he feels up to it. And besides, that’s why we have alternates.”
“Yeah but … what if he doesn’t come back?”
“He’s coming back!” Leif protested.
“Even though you stole his spot.”
“Well someone has to play on our top line.”
“No, I know that. It’s just weird.”
“You’re weird.”
Tanner snorted. “I mean, I guess. But you’re the one fucking me, dude, so I think that says more about you than me.”
Leif sighed, sounding annoyed. “Have you had your fill of cuddling yet?”
“No,” Tanner said because honestly, he never really hit that point.
“Too bad. I need to shower and get ready for bed.”
“Ooh.” Tanner sat up. “Shower sex.”
“I wasn’t inviting you.”
“Too bad. I’m into the idea already. C’mon.” He held out a hand, smiling.
Leif stared at him blankly for a moment before he took Tanner’s hand. “It’ll be a quick shower, no sex, and then you’re going to your room.”
“Meh, we’ll see,” Tanner said, dragging him off the bed.
Leif followed with an annoyed sigh.