Page 35 of Crossed Sticks

“Nowyou’vegotten quiet,” Harper said.

“Enjoying the moment.” He squeezed my hand, and I marveled again at how soft it was. “You didn’t tell me how you keep your hands so velvety. Use a special lotion or something?”

“No lotion. I wear workout gloves.”

“For real?” I scoffed. “Only softies wear workout gloves, Blanton. Leave it to hockey players.”

He lifted my hand to his lips for a kiss. “There you go with thesoftthing again. You said you like my hands, so maybe…”

“What?”

“We’ll see what my soft hands can do to your dick.”

“Let’s go.”

“Patience, Luca. Anticipation makes everything better.” He placed my hand against his cheek. “Can we sit here just a few more minutes?”

“Whatever you want. I’m not the boss.”

He caught his lower lip with his teeth, and it wasn’t until a car drove by with its music too loud that he said, “I hope you will be when we get downstairs.”

My breath caught in my throat. It was hard to believe he wanted so many of the things I needed, too. Some guys were into getting manhandled by the goalie, but most paled at anything beyond lying on their backs and whining. I was ready to rip Harper’s clothes off right there on the rooftop, but since he wanted more time, I said the first thing that came to mind. “How do you feel about being traded to Buffalo? Coming from a powerhouse like the Barracudas, it’ll be a change.”

He lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t seem disappointed by the change of subject. “It’ll be different, but the Warriors are a good team. I should get to play a lot more than I did in D.C.”

“There’s no missing the hype about how much they need you. You didn’t get to play much in Bethesda?”

“Yes and no. With so many great players, there wasn’t much ice time to go around for us younger guys. At the beginning, I was always on the fourth line, which doesn’t get a lot of time. The coach eventually said he could use me more if I’d play right wing. I did it, but it never felt natural because I’ve always been a center. And even as a winger, I didn’t get that much more playing time.”

“Sounds like that won’t be the case here. A commentator on ESPN was talking about what a big hole Ewing left, even though he was past his prime. He said you were the best acquisition Buffalo has had in years.”

He held up crossed fingers. “I’m ready to work my ass off.”

“I bet you’ll be the biggest star on the team a year from now.”

“Thanks.” He shifted beside me. “That would be nice.”

“I’ll have to go to all the games when I’m in town so I can watch it happen.”

“I’d like that. I’ve never been to an indoor lacrosse game. Do you like playing indoor lax?”

“Box,” I said. “It’s called box lacrosse.”

He snickered. “Box lax. Sounds like a medicine for… well…”

“Don’t make fun of my sport. And it’s boxlacrosse.” I glanced over in time to catch his smirk.

“When’s your season?” he asked.

“It runs from December to April. Playoffs start in May.”

“Similar to us. Our season begins in October, and playoffs start in April.”

We grew quiet again until Harper dropped his arm from my back and kissed my cheek. “Tired of sitting out here?”

An adrenaline rush kicked my heart into high gear. “I’ve had enough of it for now. You?”

“Agreed.” He stood, then reached for my hand to help me up. “Still want to know my apartment number?”

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