Page 12 of Melting the Ice

“Maybe you should be a private chef or something. That smells amazing,” I said, hoping to clear the tension.

She huffed. “Stop. I just like cooking. Doing this as a career means training or shit. Work crazy hours in a restaurant. It’d take the fun out of it. No thanks.” Plating the rest of the food, she set the dishes on the empty side of the island.

It was fine. We could clean it off after dinner together.

“Come on. Eat, and then I promise to make this kitchen sparkle and look spanking new,” she teased, reading my mind.

Spanking.

I shoved aside all the thoughts warring in my head and dove into the delicious meal. Food like this was definitely a perk of having her here.

Now if only I could get her perky boobs out of my brain.

***

“Well, don’t you look rested and ready to go,” Dom said, slapping me on the shoulder when I walked into the team lounge the following afternoon. “Have a good pregame nap?”

“You did not just wink at me,” I muttered.

The man only had the decency to shrug. “Pregame naps are extra fun with roommates.”

“Oh, fuck off. Your roommate is your girlfriend and baby momma. Mine is neither of those things and never will be.” I moved toward the buffet table laid out for us across the room, and Dom unfortunately followed.

“There was a sound of longing in your tone,” he taunted.

I shot him a glare. “Maybe Livi’s been screaming so loud that you need to get your hearing checked.”

“Babies are loud as fuck,” Sin said, popping up next to me. “You ready to kick ass, Micahtron?”

I groaned. “Can we just go back to Micah or even Mics?”

Sin grinned. “Nope.”

I ignored him and grabbed a plate. Josie had made me lunch before she’d disappeared to walk a dog or something, but I was still hungry. Or maybe I just needed something to focus on, aside from my nosy teammates.

“So, how’s the roommate thing going? Bang her yet? She’s fucking hot as hell.”

Spinning on my heel, I leaned into Sin. “Fuck right off, and don’t talk about her like that.”

“Whoa.” He held up his hands. “Chill, dude.”

“Fuck, Micah. We do not need you tense tonight. You know Sin is just bullshitting,” Dom said, his eyes narrowed on me. I wasn’tthe type to lash out at a teammate I knew was constantly teasing, but I didn’t like Sin talking about her like that.

I rubbed my face.

“Sorry. I’m fine.”

Dom tilted his head at me. “You sure?”

“Yeah, just a bit on edge. Getting used to someone staying with me is just strange.” I shrugged, hoping they wouldn’t read into it anymore.

“I bet. But channel that edge at Chicago on the ice tonight, not at me,” Sin said, lightly punching my biceps.

“I will,” I mumbled as Sin gave me one last look and walked away.

“You sure you’re good?” Dom asked.

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m good. Josie moving in is an adjustment. It’ll be fine.”