Page 83 of One Touch

“Whatever you say, Bambi. I like the idea of corrupting you.”

“Don’t forget who corrupted who here,” I retorted, rolling over and taking him to the bed.

“Hmm, I think I need to be reminded.”

Laughing, we wrestled in the sheets until we remembered we were both still messy. After another shower and change of bedding, we settled under the comforter and turned off the lights.

“So does this mean we’re boyfriends?”

“We’re whatever you want to be, baby. Linemates, roommates, friends… it doesn’t matter what label you put on it because you’re mine, and I’m yours.”

“I like that. I love you.”

“I love you.”

I fell asleep with the best smile.

CHAPTER30

LATHAN

APRIL

“Bambi,we’re going to be late!” I checked the time on my phone and cursed under my breath. Miller strolled out of the walk-in closet on the right, and I swallowed my tongue. No matter how often I saw him in a suit, I still lost my ability to speak at first glance.

“No, we won’t. You purposefully build in an hour to avoid any complications.” He smirked at me when he realized I’d lost my ability to speak.

“Yeah, well…” I lost the rest of the sentence when he stepped closer, and the smell of his cologne invaded my senses. He nuzzled my neck and nipped at the sensitive flesh. My hands instinctively reached out for him and pulled him closer. “Maybe…”

“Nope. You’ll have to wait for your dessert until after we beat my former team. It’s the last game in round one, baby. Remember?” he teased. “Someone has a one-track mind.”

Laughing, I shook off the lust stupor and grabbed our bags off the bed before taking his hand. “That someone being you.”

“Nonsense. I’m all about hockey.” We exited our new bedroom and walked down the hallway toward the front of our apartment. The construction had finished earlier this month on the renovations. We were now the proud owners of the entire top floor. We’d doubled the space of our bedroom, closets, and bathroom in the primary room. Then, there was the gear room, workout space, and Miller’s craft room.

I’d surprised him with a custom room to store his beads for all of his friendship-making bracelet dreams. He’d also taken up crocheting, so now there was a space for all the yarn so Alaska couldn’t get into it. Miller had insisted that we build Alaska his own cat domain, so now the spoiled thing had his own room, complete with cat towers, tunnels, and a cat litter robot that Miller was obsessed with. He spent most of our away games checking on the cat through the cameras and giving him extra treats. I pretended to hate it, but secretly, I loved how much he loved my cat.

“Any word from your mom?”

“She’s going to meet us after the game. Your family make it in okay?”

“Yep. The whole brood is here. Are you sure you’re up for meeting them?” he asked as we stepped into the elevator that now opened directly into our apartment.

My relationship with my mom wasn’t the only change in the familial department, Miller’s had as well. I turned toward him and pulled him close. “They’re your family. I can’t wait to meet them.”

His cheeks turned pink, and I leaned in and kissed him. Over the past four months, I’d become more comfortable displaying affection to him regardless of where we were. After the dinner with my mom, a weight had been lifted, and I was free to be myself without worrying about her disappointment. I thought I was past needing my mother’s approval in my mid-twenties, but I hadn’t been. Now I knew it wasn’t based on the things I did for her career, but who I was. That was a freeing lesson to learn.

The door opened and we broke apart as we stepped into the lobby. I took his hand and held it as we headed toward James. A few people waved at Miller, but no one cared that we were holding hands. It took me longer than I wanted to admit to get comfortable holding his hand in public. Miller had been patient with me, never demanding more than I could give, and allowing me not only to acclimate to not caring what others thought, but realizing people didn’t give a flying fuck what I did. It was an eye-opening experience that had shifted my worldview.

“Good luck tonight, gentlemen. Go Aces!” the doorman said.

“Thanks, George. We’ve got this in the bag.” Miller fist-bumped him, and I nodded. The amount of people who fell in love with Miller Fahn never ceased to amaze me. He was just too likable not to. And now all of these people knew he was mine. Caveman kink unlocked.

We both fell into our pregame routines as we drove to the arena. The meditation app lulled my mind into a place of peace, and I repeated my affirmations.

I am strong. I am capable. I will do my best.

By the time we pulled up to the arena, I was ready to win this game, beat Miller’s former team, and advance to the playoffs. I was confident we would do all three tonight.

---