Chapter Four

His abs and arms burned. Dash's cheeks were frozen. He jammed the pick end of his stick into the ice, propelling his sled forward as he fought for the puck. Dash's mind was completely focused on the game. Nothing mattered but winning. When he finally sent the puck blasting into the net, triumph surged through him as the buzzer sounded. With his arms raised in victory, Dash's gaze went straight to the team bench. He had to know Booker had seen that. Each and every time, Booker was all smiles and open pride. That was always the moment Dash felt like a true winner. Since that first dinner together over six months ago, he hadn't stopped looking for Booker. It was a habit he didn't care to break. He couldn't recall ever being this happy.

Even with the taste of victory on his tongue, a hint of sadness sneaked in and dampened the mood. It was the final game of the season. They were champions again. He should be elated. Dash didn't know what he would do with himself now. Those two months between championship games and training season were always the longest of his life. Letters of acceptance for the Paralympics should come sometime this month, but no one knew when. When Dash had received his letter of interest a year ago, he had been flattered and proud, but not hopeful. Unfortunately, he'd had an entire year to let that hope build. Soon, he would know if he should be thrilled or prepping his acting skills, so no one would know how disappointed he'd be. Plus, if he didn't make the U.S. team, Dash had no clue what he would do with himself for the next couple of months. He could keep training, but it would be pointless without the team. Dash would simply have to take his two-month break in stride. He would love to take Booker on a trip. Unfortunately, Booker couldn't afford to be unemployed two months out of the year. Assistant coaches weren't contracted team members. He had to work during off season to get paid. Which, according to Booker, meant working as a mechanic at his dad's automotive business for his time off during the year.

The closing ceremonies of the season meant Dash could only exchange glances with Booker for much longer than he liked. By the time he made it to the locker room, Dash was ready to burst from his skin. Still, he couldn't drag Booker into his arms and celebrate the way he wanted. The locker room was an explosion of excitement and adrenaline. Everyone made plans to throw together some type of celebration as they changed. Booker kept biting his bottom lip and shifting from foot to foot, as if he too couldn't wait to be alone. If anyone bothered to look, Dash was certain they would see their affection and impatience.

"Dash. I need to see you in my office." Coach Murphy's demand had Dash grinding his back teeth. As the team's captain, sometimes he had an extra load that chafed. Tonight, it made him want to scream. He wheeled his way into Murphy's office. Murphy closed the door behind him and moved to sit behind his desk. His dark expression, after such a huge win, had a cavern opening in Dash's gut. Did he know about Booker? Again, Booker wasn't contracted. There were no legalities barring their relationship, but still. Legalities weren't always the only issue. Dash couldn't cost Booker his job.

For a moment, Murphy's dark blue eyes stayed focused on Dash to the point Dash wanted to squirm. He refused to babble and give away a thing in case Murphy only had suspicions but no real proof.

Finally, he lifted a paper from his desk and read, "On behalf of the Paralympics Board, we're pleased to invite you to this year's Sledge Hockey event, representing the U.S. in Paris."

"What?"

A huge grin split Murphy's face. He held up two pieces of paper. "Welcome to the U.S. team. Guess who was chosen to be the team's coach."

Stunned didn't begin to cover Dash's feelings. He didn't know what to say or how to react. Dash couldn't focus on himself. "They picked you to coach the team? That's amazing. I didn't even know you were also waiting to hear."

Murphy shrugged. "I didn't figure I had a shot in hell, so I didn't say anything. Get ready to pack your bags. We'll spend six weeks in Colorado at Olympic City, practicing with the rest of the U.S. team, before heading to Paris for two weeks for the event."

"Holy shit." Even as ecstatic as he felt, something else tried barreling in and ruining things. He hadn't expected to be gone for two solid months. Dash fought the urge to massage his chest. Booker and he had been dating for just over six months. No I love yous had been exchanged even though Dash loved Booker with every fiber of his being. Now he questioned everything. Why hadn't Booker said the words? Maybe he didn't feel them. Maybe Booker wouldn't want to waste two months waiting for Dash.

A knock sounded on the office door.

Murphy glanced that way. "Come."

Booker burst in, looking more excited than anyone. "Did you tell him?"

Murphy wore a huge grin. "Yep. We were just discussing the time commitment."

Booker bounced in place. "You two are going to the Paralympics. That's so fucking amazing."

Relief washed through Dash. Booker wanted this for him. They would be okay.

Darkness engulfed them. Their fingers linked and then twisted, playing an unconscious game. Silence surrounded them as they simply held each other. The knowledge this would be their last weekend together for a while weighed heavily in the air. They didn't speak about it. It was two months. They would likely fly for Dash and his exhaustive training. For Booker, the next two months would be hell. This time of year was always the worst, working with his dad, but without Dash, he couldn't even imagine.

"Damn. I'll miss you like crazy."

Dash's admission had a smile snapping to Booker's lips. The words shouldn't make him happy, but he needed to know he wasn't alone in his feelings. "I'm always a FaceTime call away." His smile fell. "Unless I'm working. Dad hates me talking to anyone at work."

Dash was silent for a moment. "I'm not rich, but I have a huge championship bonus coming. I could cover you this summer so you don't have to work with him. You could just hang out and maybe visit me in Colorado."

Damn. Dash was amazing. "That's the nicest offer anyone has ever given me, but no. You earned that bonus, and I don't want to be that guy. I'm here because I love you. It would kill me if you ever thought differently."

Dash rolled, covering Booker's body with his. "What did you just say?"

Booker felt the intensity rolling off Dash in waves. Confusion had him stammering. "Um. I don't know. That I don't want to be that guy."

"The other part."

Booker racked his brain. "It would kill me if you thought I was here for any reason other than I love you."

"You love me?"

Booker had never been more confused. "I thought that was obvious."

Dash's eyes still burned with intensity. "You've never said anything."

"Because you haven't," Booker said, wondering where this was going. "I just assumed you didn't really feel the same and probably didn't want to hear it."

Dash's expression softened.

Booker's heart melted. Damn. He really loved this beautiful man who shouldn't be his.

Dash brushed a light kiss across Booker's lips. "How can you not see that I'm sickeningly in love with you? Nothing happens in my life where I don't look for you first." He swiped another kiss across Booker's lips, teasing him and making him chase Dash for a deeper kiss.

With a growl, he grabbed the back of Dash's head and claimed his mouth. Their tongues clashed. Things turned heated in an instant. If they had nothing else, they burned for each other. Booker had gone from not caring if he slept with anyone ever again to craving Dash nonstop.

Booker's hands found Dash's ass. He squeezed, drawing him closer. The firm globes in his hands made his mouth water. He loved everything about Dash.

Dash pulled away and kissed the tip of Booker's nose and then his cheek. "I want to ask you something. You can absolutely tell me no. I'll always respect any choices you make."

Dash's serious tone had dread rising in Booker's gut. "Okay."

"I'm not going anywhere. Being with you is all I want, and I hope you feel the same way."

Booker was on the edge of holding his breath. His heart rate kicked up. He had no idea what was coming. "I do."

He heard Dash swallow. That was how hard and loud it was. The sound kicked Booker's nervousness up to the tenth degree. "Would you be willing to try sex with me without a condom?" Dash immediately fell into rambling, as if he expected the worst at his question. "Like I know that's a shitty thing to ask, but I love you and I only want to be with you. You know we have to test every couple of months for the team, since we could bleed on each other. They wouldn't let me play if anything came back positive. I know you're the same, since you might take a hit during practices. I've thought about this a lot and—"

"Yes."

"You don't have to spare my feelings."

"I said yes."

Dash froze. "Are you sure?"

He had never been surer in his life. Booker saw himself spending the rest of his life with Dash. He wanted this. "Positive. You're mine. I want everything with you."

Dash slowly lowered his head. Heat built between them as his lips skimmed Booker's. He didn't know if things would go okay this time around, but he wanted to try. Booker had no issues with their sex life as it stood, but he always wanted to give Dash everything. If Dash needed this, he would get it from Booker.

As always with them, there was no rush. They kissed and touched. Dash finally moved to the bedside table and found lube. "I bought this with high hopes. After my accident, I threw everything out, thinking no one would want me like this."

That broke Booker's heart. "I wish you really knew how badly I wished for you before you finally noticed me. No one is more wanted than you." Booker didn't care if he sounded desperate. Dash deserved to know how obsessed Booker was with him.

For a moment, Dash simply stared at him. The soft light from the lamp in the corner that never got turned off in Dash's bedroom highlighted Dash's features. "I noticed. I just didn't know you were gay until you showed me your rainbow tattoo. Someday, I want to hear why you got ‘sinner' tattooed on your side. Right now, though, I need to make love to the man who means everything to me."

Booker had never been this happy. Sometimes it came out in the most ridiculous ways. "Would you like me to leave so you can be alone with him?"

Dash goosed his side. "Stop."

Booker pulled him down for a kiss. "No." He claimed Dash's mouth, and the mood shifted. Their patience slipped away as Dash toyed with Booker's asshole. It was nowhere near the first time Dash's fingers had been inside his ass, but this was different. Booker knew Dash would soon be inside him, with nothing between them. He had never had sex without a condom. Even though he knew they were forever, he was still worried. More than anything, he feared what might happen if things went the same as they had that first night in Phoenix. Dash was about to head to Colorado for two months. They couldn't be apart that long, with Dash's head in a bad space. This had to work.

Dash rolled to his back, giving Booker all the control. Booker didn't waste time. He straddled Dash. With the covers tossed aside, he made a show of stroking himself while Dash watched. He didn't want Dash to have a second to lose interest. Booker held Dash's cock in place and sank onto it.

A shaky-sounding breath escaped Dash. It was sexy. Booker felt wanted. He played with himself while he bounced on Dash's cock. Booker tested different angles until he found the perfect one, and then he went to work. He never stopped making all the noises and giving Dash a show. Booker didn't need to fake it. Dash felt damn good inside him.

As the pressure built, Booker forgot to care if Dash enjoyed the show. He just needed to come. Dash felt too good inside him. It had been too long since he'd bounced on a dick, and everything overwhelmed him.

"Goddamn, Booker. You look so horny right now. You're killing me. Take it. I want to watch you come."

Dash sounded ready to blow. The desperate edge to his voice fed Booker's desire. A whine escaped Dash. "That's it. Take what you want. Fuck. I could watch you all night. You fuck with my head. I didn't expect to feel so much. You've got me ready to blow."

Booker bounced faster. He needed to come. It was all he cared about. The pressure was right there. He ached for release. Booker whimpered. He was so close. Dash cried out beneath him and the sound sent Booker flying. Loud gasps burst from him as he ground himself down on Dash's cock, riding out every wave. His gaze found Dash's as the orgasm rocked his soul. A flush rode Dash's cheeks. His lips were swollen from their kisses and parted on every desperate breath. Booker had done that. Him. It hit him hard for the first time. Dash loved him. His eyes burned. He had won the man he had hopelessly craved for years. Dash was his miracle. He would love him forever.