Page 80 of The Stud

Why does everything have to be more bloody complicated than it looks onYouTube?

And alsowhy on Hull’s green earthis this brush so tiny?

How am I expected not to break this?!

I mean I know I’ve got some of the steadiest hands in the league but even this might be pushing it.

I feel as though I’ve been tasked to playOperationear edition.

“Tanner…” Arden unsuspectedly calls out prior to opening the hotel bathroom door. “Have you seen my-” the abrupt entrance causes the bite-sized device to clumsily shoot towards the ceiling yet be effortlessly caught by the palm of the opposing hand, “…hearing aid.”

There’s no taming down the arrogant grin on display. “Tadah!”

“You do know that that’s not a toy, right?”

“Yes.”

“That I actuallyneedthat to hear the stupid shit you say in a day.”

Tossing her a playful glare is attached to the retort, “Yes.”

“Then why are you playing sink hockey with it?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Finecounterhockey.”

“Not that either, Ducky.”

Her nose scrunches at the nickname; however, she doesn’t object.

Meaning she likes it.

And that she most likely hates that she does.

“Then whatwereyou doing?” leaves her as she smoothly slides the device back into place.

“Cleaning it.”

“What? Why?”

“I thought that perhaps it might need it after last night…”

At that, Arden buries her face down in hopes of preventing me from seeing her blush.

It doesn’t.

And thankThe Great Onethat it doesn’t.

I love being the reason her face is red whether that’s from embarrassment or lack of oxygen.

“Did that…” my boxer brief covered ass leans against the edge of the countertop during my search for the correct phrasing, “bother you?”

Our eyes meet once more. “Didwhatbother me?”

“Having my mouth on your ear.” I gently put down the tiny cleaning tool on top of the fabric cloth. “Having me talk in it.”

She nervously tucks a loose strand behind the area we’re discussing on a mumbled, “I liked it.” A tiny bite of her bottom lip is taken. “A lot.”

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