Page 19 of One Touch

Another text came through, and I jumped back into focus. We’d played New York last night, so Lathan was spending the morning with his stepbrother before Landon had to return to New York. Landon had promised to text when they were done. I’d hung out with the guys last night, but Lathan had begged off.

That was when I decided to try a different tactic. I didn’t want Lathan to avoid his friends because of me. Hopefully, a sushi peace offering with a side of my sex appeal would be just the ticket to get him to show me that unhinged side of him again.

Good gravy, I wanted to see that side again. I craved it. My dreams were wrought with the images. My dick throbbed in remembrance, begging for another go.

Discarding the robe, I propped myself against the counter just as the door opened. Showtime.

CHAPTER8

LATHAN

The happinessI’d gained from hanging out with my brother vanished when I stepped into the kitchen. I blinked, confident I was hallucinating.

“What the fuck?”

“Oh, good. You’re home! I made dinner. Or, not really made, but I ordered it. I’ve never had sushi, so I’m not one hundred percent sure what I got, but this place was highly recommended,” Miller rambled. His chocolate curls bounced around his head in a perfect hockey flow. I had the oddest urge to run my fingers through it.

At that thought, I shifted my gaze to the rest of his face and took in his rosy cheeks and plump lips.Plump? Rosy? What the hell was going through my head?

His bare chest wasn’t any better, and I considered returning my gaze to his face, but my eyes continued their assessment of their own accord and traveled down the defined pectoral and abdominal muscles. The hard work he put into his body for hockey was impressive, and saliva pooled in my mouth as I admired it.

That was all this was. I understood the hard work and dedication it took to keep your body in shape, regardless of whether I’d ever looked at my other teammates’ bodies. They didn’t parade half-naked around me. That was why.

The dark hair on the lower half of his stomach pulled my eyes further, beckoning me to follow that trail. Except it didn’t lead to the waistband of his briefs as I expected, but a tiny apron he’d tied around his waist. One that said, “Once you put my meat in your mouth, you’re gonna want to swallow.”

I jerked my head up and shoved my hands into my pockets. I’d take his tempting curls over the confusing feelings his lower half brought.

“You like?” he asked. I blinked away the fog that had enveloped me and noticed the vulnerability in his question.

Living with Miller wasn’t as horrible as I expected. He talked nonstop, left a trail of debris everywhere he went, and refused to wear more than his boxers. Despite that, it was nice having someone else in the apartment. It didn’t feel as lonely or as cold, something I hadn’t realized until his overwhelming presence took up residence.

He constantly made me food and had a pot of fresh coffee waiting for me every morning. Granted, it had only been three days of us living together, but it was nice.

And that terrified me. I didn’t like depending on others and Miller’s presence was becoming something I could enjoy instead of tolerate.

So I’d ignored him unless it had to do with hockey. When he’d gone out with Landon and Cam after the game last night, I’d declined and returned home. It hadn’t been the reprieve I’d expected, and a hollowness had settled into my heart until I heard him return.

Even his blatant flirting, something I was sure he did only to rile me, hadn’t bothered me that much. But this… this was too far.

“Take it off,” I grunted.

“If you insist.” His eyes sparkled as he reached back to untie the strings. The instant he didn’t fight, I knew I’d stepped right into his trap. Underneath his apron was the sluttiest pair of briefs I’d ever seen. They were tight and short and barely covered the mounds of his ass.

My heart pounded at the sight and I clenched my fists. I was going to murder my teammate.

“So, did I do good? Do you like?” he asked.

I blinked, convinced he was playing with me. He wantedmeto likehim? I needed to up my asshole game if he thought that outcome was possible.

“Why the fuck would I like you?”

His smile fell, and I felt terrible for making him sad for a second. Then he recovered and ignored my question.

“The sushi,” he said, gesturing to the spread across my island.

My cheeks heated when I realized he hadn’t meant himself at all. I took in the impressive spread, and my mouth watered at the sight. I didn’t let myself have too many indulgences, but sushi was definitely one of them. According to Cam, my brother’s polycule member, it was one of my love languages. I hadn’t believed him at the time. But as some of my irritation at Miller dissolved, I had to concede that Cam might be onto something.

“It’s fine,” I said and sat at the island. Miller’s eyes dulled, and I had the sudden urge to change my answer. To make him feel better. What the fuck!

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