Page 165 of Tangled up in You

“So, babe,” Cam said, “catch us up on everything. We have ten years to make up for.”

“As long as we can have pizza and beers tonight,” she said, “you’ve got yourself a deal.”

CHAPTER 5

Wyatt woke the next morning to a text from Jenny. The coordinators postponed the event until Monday at the latest. The resort was trying to clear the snow, but it was still snowing, so the committee might have to reschedule the event for the end of the month. That, too, would take approval by the Olympic Committee and the Figure Skating Federation. Was there a chance the team wouldn’t have ice dancers? Perhaps... Wouldn’t be the first time it’d happened.

So, instead of worrying Sasha with the smaller details, he got up to make them a pot of coffee—strong—and get the fire going again. Last night was interesting, to say the least. The hot tub was... Just a bunch of friends sitting together remembering old times. No one made a move and Wyatt liked to believe it was exactly what Sasha needed, especially with Trent roaming around the mini apartment, or whatever.

Big was an understatement.

When he climbed into bed beside her, like he’d done so many nights before, she turned to him and snuggled into his chest. In that moment, he realized he was her security blanket. Whether or not that was bad, he couldn’t say. Only that he’d seen the heat in Archer’s eyes, felt the anticipation building between her andBrody, and experienced the playfulness with her and Cam. Then there was him. Her stalwart companion. The strength she leaned into because not only was Wyatt her partner, but they’d trauma bonded.

In a few hours’ time, he learned everything he needed to know about Sasha. Even if he’d figured it out on his own years before. She was loyal. Dedicated. Fair. Unbreakable until she broke. The guys adored her in ways only friendship built over time and what trust could create. He wasn’t pitying himself or worried she’d leave him. Maybe he wished, in a way, he had the same friendships in his life. Perhaps then, he wouldn’t have allowed himself to be walked all over like he had.

Slipping out of bed, he stretched, groaning as his muscles pulled and his joints popped. He forwent a shirt as he stepped into the bathroom to take care of his morning routine, then exited their bedroom. All the while Sasha continued to sleep peacefully. He stared at her a few seconds longer, desperate to explain his true feelings for her, but also knowing she might not want that from him, especially with Archer, Cam, and Brody back in her life.

The room was quiet when he stepped out of their bubble and crossed to the kitchen. Already the snow drift was halfway up their windows and balcony door. Looked like the hot tub was out of commission unless one of the guys want to clean everything off.

At least they had last night.

After turning on the gas fireplace, he went to the kitchen and began the process of making coffee. He’d give his right nut for an espresso machine, because regular coffee while having to deal with everyone in their room, wouldn’t cut it. Today, he had a feeling would be a four cup, three shot each, kind of day.

As he stepped back into the kitchen a padding of footsteps descending the stairs caught his attention. Seemed the otherscouldn’t sleep either. He didn’t blame them. They had their set schedules, changing them mid-season threw everyone for a curve ball. “Making coffee now. Should be ready in five to ten minutes, if you want to shower or whatever.”

Strong, soft masculine hands gripped his hips before the scent of lemon and honey with a bite of alcohol wafted over him. Wyatt closed his eyes. Of all the people to disrupt his morning, it had to be Julian. Couldn’t have been Archer, Cam, or Brody. Julian scratched his blunt fingernails around Wyatt’s torso, stopping when the sides of his pinkies brushed the waist of his sweats.

“These pants are tempting me,” Julian murmured, his fresh breath fanning across the curve of his ear. “Makes me want to suck you off.”

Wyatt clenched his hands into fists. “You don’t get to touch me. You don’t get to act like nothing happened between us, and we can go back to being friends.”

“We were more than friends, Wyatt,” Julian said, dipping the tips of his finger beneath the band of his underwear. “Way more.”

He snatched at Julian’s wrist. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

“Or what, handsome?”

“Just leave me alone, Julian,” Wyatt grumbled, hating the way his body reacted whenever his ex-partner was around. Bad enough, Wyatt got so damn excited about him and Sasha having sex, he went to bed with a case of blue ball. Julian teasing him, made it worse.

“Can’t do that.” He traced the shape of Wyatt’s ear with the tip of his tongue. “I’m sorry I left, babe. I know that’s why you hate me right now. It was never about you.” Julian palmed Wyatt’s cock and balls and gave a little squeeze.

The uncouth sound that built in the back of his throat and the breath that lodged in his throat, pissed him off more. Rageburned a hot streaking path through his veins. He pivoted, pinning Julian to the counter by the neck. He hadn’t even realized he was squeezing his hand until Julian moaned his name.

“I think I came a little,” Julian murmured. “Please, Daddy. Play with me.”

Disgusted with himself and with Julian, he leaned in, baring his teeth. “Stay the fuck away from me. You don’t get to act like nothing happened.” The words came out in a hissed exhale. Yet, even as he stood there, not letting go or walking away, the heat burning in his gut became a raging inferno.

“You say stay away,” Julian said, palming Wyatt’s cock and balls once more, “but your juicy dick says, suck me.”

Wyatt glanced at the door to his and Sasha’s room.

“Don’t look at her. Look at me. She has three hunky hockey players to give her the best dicking she could ever want. Let me be the one you turn to while we’re stuck here.” Julian stroked and fondled Wyatt’s balls through the material of his sweats. His heart thrummed in his chest. His abs and ass clenched, yearning for the minute he’d slide down Julian’s throat.

Fuck, it would be so much easier if he threw caution to the wind. “No.”

“Come on, Wyatt,” Julian pouted. “Just a little taste. I know you’re dying to come down my throat.”

With Wyatt’s hand still wrapped around his neck, Julian went to his knees and stared up at Wyatt. The hypnotic glazed look in Julian’s russet-colored eyes, loosened Wyatt’s resolve. This was crazy. He should have walked away and jerked off in the shower. Better yet, climbed back into bed with Sasha, and woke her up by sliding deep inside of her then leaving his mark in her. The crazy possessiveness part of himself was at odds with his craving of Julian. “This isn’t a good idea.”

---