Page 66 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

Bellamy skates up next, followed closely by Bishop. “He called Atlas too. The ice is going to be packed soon.”

“Wait!” Jake shouts. “Are we going to have even numbers? Could we have a pickup game or something?”

“We don’t need to run the risk of getting hurt between games.” That comes from Leon as he skates over, dragging a frowning Maddox.

Jake moves to stand between them, his hands immediately going to the pouting man’s face. “What’s wrong Daddy Maddy?”

I blush at the affectionate name. Not because I’m uncomfortable. More like it’s still odd to be surrounded by others in this lifestyle.

“The photographer was being rude to me,” he grunts.

“He was telling you he was here to get pictures of everyone, and that Jake gets final say in them since it’s for the team. You’re just mad because you wanted to surprise our boy with some of the shots.” Leon tugs Jake out of Maddox’s hold.

I’m not an expert, but I’m pretty sure this is foreplay for these guys. The way Jake bites his lips and pushes back into Leon tells me he’s quite enjoying the moment.

Andry skates over at the exact moment, thankfully breaking the tension. “Is everyone ready?”

We all give the affirmative, then we go about playing a halfway game of hockey. Really, it’s more a game of keep away.

The photographer and his team skate around as well, taking photos and the occasional video. I’m not the best skater of the group, obviously, but I manage to hold my own. Even so, Andry remains at my side the whole time to make sure I don’t fall.

I soak up his attention, thankful he’s got this opportunity to be around these guys. Aries might annoy me sometimes; however, he’s really gone all out to help us. I’m thankful he has my back.

A few hours and several shots later, I’m sweating and breathing so hard I feel damn near asthmatic. No wonder all these guys are in such good shape! This is not for the faint of heart.

We’ve been playing a pickup game of sorts with Leon and Bellamy playing as the goalies. They were only chosen because of their size. Well, that and Bishop refuses to stand in the goal because of some superstitious belief it will affect his game.

I don’t argue with the man. First of all, he’s scary big. And secondly, who am I to judge him for his beliefs? I have things I’m particular about in my academic career as well.

The men who do this for a living cut across the ice as if it’s nothing, their bodies turning on a dime with each change. Meanwhile, I focus on not running into anyone else.

I hate to think of how these photos will look. Can they see the terror in my eyes? Will they know all I thought of the whole time we were on the ice was how soon I could get off it?

Hopefully not.

This needs to be believable. The people seeing these images need to think we do this for fun all the time.

It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. It’s about the image we provide the people.

That’s what Aries told me anyway. And I trust him, considering he’s been good about keeping himself out of the news since meeting Raymond.

Looking over at my future brother-in-law, I smile when I notice him struggling as well. I feel vindicated in my scrambling.

When the game finishes, the score is tied. It makes the professional athletes shout in protest, each declaring the next goal should win. I beg off, moving to the side as they duke it out.

It only takes a few minutes for there to be a winner. No surprise, it’s the team with two of the professional hockey players on it. Bishop and Leon gloat as Maddox and Andry huff out their frustrations.

It’s only when my boyfriend turns to find me that his frown vanishes. In its place, he throws me a blinding smile.

Next thing I know, he’s cutting across the ice at lightning speed. He’s all grace as he skates up to me, his blades turning at the last second and spraying my lower half. I give him a mock glare as he laughs.

“What’s wrong, little genius? Don’t tell me you’re tired.”

I shake my head, then stop and nod. No point in lying.

“This was intense. I can’t believe you guys do this for fun. Or that you choose to subject yourself to this all the time. It’s kind of masochistic.”

Bishop pops up then. “Are we discussing kinks again? I don’t want my boy hear about your sex lives. He’s an innocent angel.”

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