Page 40 of Dirty Pucker

Sophie grins at Alanna. “He’s been chatting with her off and on the whole day. I think he likes her.”

“Do you think he’ll ask her out?” Dakota asks.

Still smiling, Sophie shrugs. “I hope so. I don’t think he’s dated much since my mom passed away. He deserves to meet someone and be happy.”

The evening winds down and we all gather our things to leave. We thank Coach Porter for the delicious meal and head out. Everyone lingers on Coach Porter’s massive driveway as we tell each other goodnight. Soon just Xander, Sophie, Theo, Maya, Blomdahl, Del, and I are left.

Theo pats his stomach and groans. “I ate way too much.”

Blomdahl winces. “Me too.”

Maya chuckles as she gently pats Theo’s chest. “That’s the most I’ve seen you indulge in a while.”

Theo grins and shrugs. “Beer and brisket are my weaknesses.”

“Training tomorrow is gonna suck,” Xander groans.

“My entire body is just alcohol and salt at this point,” Theo says. “It’s oozing out of my pores.”

“I really need to sweat this all out,” Blomdahl says.

“Wouldn’t be the worst idea.” Theo shrugs. “We have a steam room at our place. You guys are welcome to join.”

Maya says she’s dying for a steam and asks me and Sophie to join. We both say yes.

I turn to Del. “What do you think, Del? Wanna join us?”

I try to keep my tone casual and laidback, but on the inside, I’m buzzing. Because the thought of getting all hot and sweaty with Del in a steam room has me giddy…and a little turned on.

I shouldn’t feel that way. I know I shouldn’t.

We’re friends. And coworkers. We shouldn’t cross those lines.

And I have no plans to…but I’m also human. Del is ridiculously hot and I won’t pass up the chance to see him half-naked, as long as he’s into it too.

He glances over at Theo, who’s talking to Xander and isn’t paying attention to us.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Del’s voice is low and soft, so no one else around us can hear.

God. Just the sound of his gravelly voice makes me hot.

“We’re friends. Friends hang out in steam rooms sometimes,” I say in a sweet voice.

He lets out a low, rough chuckle. “Do they?”

I bite my lip and nod. He looks me square in the eye. I don’t miss that flicker of excitement as he looks at me.

“I’m in.”

Chapter 14

Del

Iwon’t lie. When my teammates pitched the idea of going for a steam tonight, I wasn’t into it.

Spending time in the steam room is great for recovery as an athlete, but I’ve always hated it. Sitting in what feels like a stuffy closet while I sweat my balls off isn’t what I’d consider a fun time.

But then Ingrid said she was interested. And my mind changed instantly.

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