Now, it was his secret weapon.
“You right, Alex?” Michael called from the other side of the room, sliding on his scrum cap.
He nodded. “Better than ever. Let’s do this.”
COOPER
Alex was sitting in the stands. Athisgame. Across the country. They’d been together almost a month now, and it still came as a surprise every time Alex did something sweet, though it shouldn’t have. Not now that Cooper knew him better.
Twelve rows up, three seats in, Alex filled the compact seat like a sexy buffalo trying to fit into a soup can. He had his hat pulled low on his face and wore dark sunglasses, trying to conceal his identity. Laughter bubbled up in Cooper’s chest, and he shook his head with a smile. In no world did he ever expect Alex Bouchard to be a spectator at one of his games. Let alone a spectator silently cheering him on.
They’d talked about keeping their relationship quiet until the season was over. Cooper was fine with going public, but they both knew their teammates would be pissed that they werefraternizingwith their rivals. It seemed silly to anyone on the outside, but hatred ran deep between the Renegades and Coyotes. Decades of animosity were almost a proud tradition between the teams now. Couldn’t ruin that with two of their players fucking each other whenever the chance allowed. No way. He rolled his eyes.
Refocusing on the field in front of him, Cooper took a deep breath. Ninety seconds left in the game against theIslanders. They were on the twenty-two metre line, about to scrum.
Daniel emerged with possession and passed it to Jensen. The winger took off toward the goal line, and Cooper launched into action, rushing the other team as a decoy runner while Jensen carried the ball into contact.
Sixty seconds left. He dodged the other team, providing support for the winger while he made an incredible run to the goal. Jensen had always been like lightning. Breakneck and no stopping him. He flew over the goal line, diving toward the ground to score the winning try.
Fellow Coyotes burst into cheers around him, and they rushed Jensen, clapping him on the back and congratulating each other. What a close fuckin’ game. The conversion was the cherry on top of the ice cream. Unnecessary, but nice to have.
They ended 28 to 26. Alex got to see Cooper’s team win. And not only that, Alex got to see him play his heart out without glaring from the other end of the field. As his fan, as his lover—not his enemy. He’d flown all the way to Prince Edward Island to support him.
Okay. Notonlyto support him. They’d also paid for a room at a quaint bed and breakfast on the water in Charlottetown for the next two days. He’d explained to Coach that he was staying behind to take some personal time and would be back in time for training on Thursday. That’d earned him a weird look, but Coach didn’t push the subject. He rarely took time away.
Cooper waved to Alex in the stands, who blew him a kiss back. What a giant softy under that warrior exterior. Who would’ve thought?
He’d never wanted to celebrate with his team less than he did right now. All he wanted was to get back to the bed and breakfast and tackle his giant man. Show him who was boss.Fight him for it.
Debrief with the team. Take the quickest shower in the world. Meet Alex back at their place. Cooper practically ran to the locker room, mind reeling with all the things he was going to do to Alex.
He couldn’t wait to hear him scream his name.
Cooper threw his gear bag down by the front door, took off his shoes, and called out for Alex.
“Out here, Coop.” His voice came from beyond the patio doors, which were propped open, allowing a gentle breeze from the Atlantic to roll through the cozy B&B.
Alex leaned his forearms on the wooden railing and watched the waves roll over the red sand beach. Cooper tooka moment to study him as he was—calm, quiet, skin bathed in fading sunlight. A picture he didn’t want to forget.
“Hey,” Cooper purred.
Turning to him, Alex said with his signature cocky glare, “You played a hell of a game. Was it because I was watching?”
“Nah, couldn’t be. I’m that good all the time. Even before you started following me around the country, believe it or not.” He stuck out his tongue.
He crooked his finger. “You better bring that tongue over here, baby. I’ve been waiting over an hour to get a taste of it.”
Cooper rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, Coach wanted to celebrate, so it took longer than expected to sneak away.” He sauntered over to Alex and ran his hands up his bare chest. “But I’m here now.”
His palms traced a path to Alex’s strong jaw, cupping it gently, and he kissed him as if they had all the time in the world. No rush. Only pure enjoyment. He slid his tongue over Alex’s bottom lip, then top, before plunging back inside his mouth, exploring every inch.
“You’re teasing me,” Alex groaned.
Cooper snaked one hand down to Alex’s shorts, rubbing the firm erection he found there. “Does this feel like teasing?”
Another groan. “Yes,it fuckingdoes.”
He grinned and kept rubbing. “But it makes it so much better, right?”