Page 44 of Glory Troll

“Full.” Bo released me with a grin. “The team asked if we wanted to meet them for lunch. That’s what we usually do on game day, but it’s okay if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, no. It’d be lovely to meet them again. Is it okay if I tag along?” I asked him as I got up and wrestled with my coat.

Strong green hands plucked the garment from my shoulders, shook it out, and held it up for me. Once he’d pulled it up to my shoulders, he turned me over, leaned down, and kissed me.

“You don’t ‘tag along’, Oliver. You belong with me.”

Twenty-two

Ollie

Lunch with the team was an amazing affair. They took me to their favourite place near the rink where they indulged in healthy, protein packed meals and entertained me with funny stories.

Decks, Bo, and I were the first ones to leave because Nate was going back home for a bit before the game, and my big boy seemed eager to spend some quality time with me.

In his apartment, he dragged me into his bed, wrapped me in a hug, and told me to pick a movie for us.

“I need to save my strength for the game, but cuddles with you are the next best thing,” he murmured into the crook of my neck before falling asleep.

I had never napped with anyone before, well, unless you counted my mum or baby brother, but never in the last twenty-five years. And for the first time, I realised what I might have missed out on.

I bloody love this.

But really, I only loved it because of him, and how beautiful he smelled, and how he cradled me in his bulk. As if I was breakable and he’d been charged with protecting me at all cost.

I would do the same for him. Protect this precious man with all I have.

For an hour or two I hovered between sleeping and waking, in the shelter of Bo’s warm body, until his alarm woke us.

“I wish I could stay here forever,” he said, his lips moving over the back of my neck. “With you in my arms.”

“Me, too, darling, but I’m also so excited to see you play. It was cute to see you with the kids, but I bet you’re going to absolutely blow my mind in an actual game.”

Bo pulled me over, bringing our faces together. “I can’t wait to play, knowing you are watching me. And I’ll gladly blow anything you want me to blow.” A cheeky grin sneaked over his face before he leaned in to kiss me. “Do you want to come with me now or hang out here?”

“I think I’ll stay here if that’s all right with you. I don’t want to distract you.”

“You’re never not distracting me, älskling. No matter where you are. In a good way,” he added at the look on my face. “Always in a good way.”

“I’ll leave your ticket at the door. You’ll be sitting behind the bench and I’ll see you after the game. Just follow the green chicken.”

“The what?” I snorted.

“Nate’s fiancé is a giant chicken guy. Just tell him you are mine, and he will take you to meet us.”

Just tell him you’re mine.

Bo’s eyes darkened, and I found myself pressed to the bed, staring up at him, his thick thigh wedged between my legs.

“You like it when I call you this?Mine?”

I exhaled a shaking breath. “I do. So fucking much.”

“Good. Get used to it because you are.Mine. My mate.And I would love to show you exactly how much you own me, Ollie.” With a little sigh, he gave me a soft kiss. “Later. And every day for the rest of my life.”

Bo pecked me on the forehead and smoothly got up off the bed. “Quarter to seven is the best time to leave here. I’ll see you after the game.”

To my surprise, I found everything on the first attempt, and Bo had arranged for a young German guy to come and pick me up from the box office.