Page 120 of Cross Checking

“Whoa, slow down,” he says between breaths. “I don’t want to be sex-flushed and messy when we’re eating dinner with your parents.”

“Shut up and let me love you.” My mouth is back on him with even more intensity. From the way Luke reciprocates, he sure isn’t complaining. I keep my hands around his waist, cautious to not ramp things up too much, but my god, I need more. And not sex-more, just moreLuke.

“Fuck, I missed you so much,” he says, pulling back for air. I chuckle as I run a hand through his hair and sit down on the sofa, and Luke joins me.

“Oh yeah, the past month was pure torture.” I boop his nose, and then he snorts.

“God, we’re insufferable,” Luke says.

Smiling back, I put my hand on his. “We’re hot, though, so it’s kind of expected.”

Luke freezes. “Holy shit. Erik, you just admitted you’re hot! That only took you the better part of a whole year.”

My neck flushes and I turn away. “Oh, shush.”

“Nah. It’s true.” Luke stands up and unzips his luggage. “Now I need to unpack, and we have to get dressed for dinner. This insufferable couple needs to take on Stockholm in style.”

29

LUKE

“Wow, this is really remote.”

We’re driving to the Norberg cottage, and that’s my first thought when Erik turns the car off one dirt road onto another, smaller dirt road.

“Yeah, it’s super secluded. I love it here.”

It’s around noon, so the sun beats down on us as we bump along. The windows are open and a gentle breeze wafts in, filling Erik’s car with a rich, earthy smell.

I make a silent cheer for the fact that neither of us is allergic to pollen.

After another turn and a short trip down a gravel path, we pull up to a red wooden building with white windows and a slanted roof. If I searched “Sweden” on the internet, I’m pretty sure that this would be at the top of the image results.

“We’re here,” Erik says, shutting off the car. “Welcome to paradise.”

Grabbing our bags, we make our way inside, and I immediately recognize the surroundings. Erik gave me a tour over a call a while back, and that simultaneously feels like it was yesterday and years ago.

“Your cottage is so charming and rustic,” I remark.

Erik chuckles, tapping at his phone. “Well, we have utilities and an inside toilet, so that’s considered the peak of luxury.”

“There’s a toilet?” I let out a theatrical gasp. “This is too much, Erik. You’re spoiling me.”

“Anda shower.” He stiffens. “Don’t get any wild ideas. It’s even smaller than the one at my old place.”

“That’s okay,” I say. “Just another tight space to squeeze ourselves into.”

Groaning, Erik smacks my head. “Stop being so horny, you shithead.”

“Then stop being hot,” I fire back. Erik blinks, and then gathers his wits.

“Why don’t we go for a dip in the lake?” he suggests. “That might cool you down.”

I perk up. “That sounds awesome. Let me grab my trunks.”

Erik grabs my shoulder and stops me in my tracks. “Not so fast, Lukey. We’re in Sweden, so you have to stay naked for this.”

“Seriously?”

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