Page 110 of Don't Look Down

It’s an all-out slaughter and the Bull Sharks beat St. Louis six to one.

40

Landon

When I get home, I smile as I park next to Sky in my garage. We end up here most days since it’s closest to the arena, training facility, and the hospital. A bunch of his clothes have found their way into my closet and dresser, and his toiletries into my bathroom. It’s more domestic than I’m used to, since Savannah never left anything here, but I love seeing his things mixed with mine.

Sky was getting home from work this morning around seven, just as I was leaving for the Frenzy. Today’s weight training session was light to prep for tomorrow night’s game against Buffalo.

We’re so close to the playoffs, I can almost taste it. It’s practically a given at this point, but I know better than to take things for granted. Every game is a fight, a battle bringing us one step closer. It helps that we played Winnipeg the day before yesterday and won.

The team has a practice skate a few hours before the game, but tonight? It looks like Sky and I have a free night.

I’m hoping to coax him out on a date. Thanks to an offhand comment made by Leigh, I realized we’ve never really had one. I intend to rectify that oversight immediately, even though, to me, it feels like we’ve been dating since day one.

Sky didn’t respond to my “otw” text, so I fully expect to find him asleep, but my bed is empty.

I make my way back downstairs, and find the living room and kitchen are also empty. Faint music reaches my ears, and I make my way over to the sliding doors. Sky’s swimming, his arms rhythmically breaking the surface of the water with his strokes. He reaches the far end, then turns and continues back across to the other end.

Sliding the door open, the volume of the music increases. The tempo is upbeat, but chill. I walk over to the lounge chairs where Sky left his towel, flip-flops, sunblock, and a bottle of my boujee water. My eyes land on a scrap of burgundy material on the deck. The brand name of his favorite boxer briefs is clearly visible along the black waistband.Fuck.

Suddenly, a swim seems like a fabulous idea.

I remove my shirt, athletic shorts, and underwear.

Sky pops up at the opposite end of the pool, shoulders heaving as he catches his breath, holding on to the side.

“Enjoying your skinny-dipping session?” I ask, while walking down the stairs in the shallow end and into the water.

He screeches and whirls around at the sound of my voice, water splashing with his movement. “Landon!Me asustaste!”

My shoulders shake.

“Fuck, it’s not funny. I didn’t hear you come out. I think you scared five years off my life.” I can see the moment he realizes I’m just as naked as he is. His hazel eyes seem to glow with hunger as he begins to swim toward me. “Oooh, my my my,” he sings softly with the music. “Mhm, paradise indeed.”

“What?”

“Paradise. That’s the name of the song. And it’s accurate. I’m in paradise right now.”

He wraps his arms around my neck, strong legs around my waist, and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. My hands instinctively grasp his perfect ass, and hold him close. Every inch of him presses firmly against me, and I gasp at the sensation. I’ll never get tired of feeling his skin on mine.

We’re both hard, but the kiss stays gentle, unhurried. When we break apart, he rests his head on my shoulder.

“Hi,” he says.

I smile and rest my cheek on his head. He’s so fucking cute. “Hey, Sky.”

He sighs happily and burrows closer.

“So, I have an idea.”

“Mhm?” he murmurs.

“I’d like to take you on a date. We’ve never really had one.”

He gasps. “A travesty!”

My chuckle causes him to bounce a little in my arms. “I thought so, too.”

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