Chapter Five

Matt looked intense as he skated at top speed across the ice. He kept up with the puck, sending it sailing several times for speed tests. Coach Levy rocked back on his heels each time. Slater didn't know if that was a good thing. Matt was sexy as fuck, though. Slater never realized how hot he would find Matt's determination. This game obviously mattered to him.

"He looks great. It doesn't seem as if he's lost any speed or accuracy in the past few years."

Tanner did his bit to hype up Matt. "Not only that, but he's been pro. Minors might feel slow as hell to him. He'll crush the competition."

Levy nodded without looking away from Matt. "That's true, but can we afford him?"

Slater and Tanner exchanged a look. Tanner smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't have wasted your time if the money wasn't behind him."

Levy nodded some more. "All right. I can make room for him." He blew his whistle and waved Matt to the wall.

Matt skated their way, staying expressionless. It hurt Slater's chest he obviously didn't believe he would get picked up again. Being released had shaken his confidence. Slater wanted to rebuild him. Matt slid to a stop. Slater practically felt Matt struggling not to look his way.

"We play in Phoenix this Saturday. Be here Thursday at noon for practice. Have your stuff ready to fly out by Friday night."

Matt gave him a sharp nod, staying professional. "Yes, Coach."

Levy walked away, having done his part.

Matt still kept himself on lockdown. His gaze moved to Tanner. "Thank you for believing in me."

Tanner nodded. "Call your damn brother." Without waiting for an agreement, Tanner shook Slater's hand and followed Levy.

As soon as they were alone, Matt finally focused on Slater. A huge smile exploded across his face. "Holy shit. They really want me."

"Of course they do. They'd be fools to pass on someone as smashing as you." Matt's happiness was contagious. Slater couldn't stop smiling. "We should celebrate. How can I help you mark the occasion?"

Matt's smile slipped. "We won't see each other often now."

Slater's forehead furrowed. "Why?"

"My schedule will be grueling. I'll have to travel a lot."

With his hands in his pockets, Slater leaned over the wall, getting closer. "Lucky thing you're dating someone who can afford to join you on your travels."

Matt's eyebrows rose. "Do you really intend to follow the team?"

Slater shrugged. "As much as my schedule allows. When I can't, I'll know you're coming home to me. It's my bed you'll be filling." As he said the words, Slater realized they hadn't set boundaries for their relationship. He wouldn't let Matt guess at his thoughts. Slater definitely possessed hard lines he couldn't handle if crossed. "You do realize it's only my bed you'll be warming from now on, right? I don't share. Speak now if you don't want this because I'm jealous as hell."

Matt had started smiling when Slater said he would follow the team. He hadn't stopped. "I'm aware, but I expect the same energy from you."

"You have it."

They held each other's stare. Heat built as the silence grew. Slater had to break the spell before they stood there all night. "How would you like to celebrate?"

Matt leaned over the wall, going nose to nose with Slater. "I know this guy who makes an amazing blanket fort. He has coloring books with naughty pictures."

"Interesting."

Matt stole a quick kiss. "I can't think of a better way to spend the rest of the day."

"Will you wear the pajamas?"

"Will you make the hot chocolate?"

Slater couldn't look away from Matt's sexy lips. "I'll do anything."

Matt's eyebrows rose. "Anything?"

"Absolutely."

Matt's eyes flashed with laughter. "Then I guess I'd better change."

Slater's gaze raked down Matt's body. He swore he could already feel Matt beneath him. "I'll be waiting."

For a moment, Matt's cocky expression slipped, showing the neediness beneath. "I'll hurry."

As Matt skated away, Slater blew out a steadying breath. For the past six months, he had worked toward owning Matt. He was so close to taking over his life, he could taste it. Now he just needed Matt to want the same.

Slater looked so relaxed. It was nice. In his pajama pants and no shirt, he looked at home. Obviously, he was at home, but he looked at peace. Matt hoped he got to see Slater like this more often. He brought his hot chocolate to his lips and watched Slater read. They were in their fort together. While Matt sat cross-legged and enjoyed the show that was Slater. Slater was on his back, holding a book over his face. Matt had his coloring book, but nothing held his attention like Slater.

"What are you reading?"

Slater looked his way and then turned the book where Matt could read the cover. "It's a horror story."

Matt nodded. "Is reading your only hobby?"

"No." He set the book aside, giving Matt his full attention. "I also stalk sexy hockey players."

"Sounds boring."

Slater laughed. "Not at all. I've found focusing on you to be extremely stimulating."

"Mhmm. Nice choice of words."

Slater's smile never dimmed. "I aim to please."

Matt enjoyed simply talking to Slater. His life was quieter than anyone realized. Even while employed and working nonstop, nothing was for only him. He came home to nothing. Matt guessed it would be like that again soon enough. "I promise I'll find a place of my own as quickly as possible."

Slater's expression snapped closed. Matt didn't like it. It was cold on the outside of Slater. Sometimes it was like he was two different people. "Why are you talking about finding a place? I thought we established you would come home to me."

That confused Matt. He didn't like guessing at riddles. "I—" Matt paused and rearranged his words. He didn't want to beat around the bush and play games. "Are you asking me to live with you permanently? I don't want to assume anything about us. I need you to say what you mean." Because no one ever did with him. He had spent his life dealing with his mom's head games.

Slater cocked his head to one side and eyed Matt as if he was the puzzle. "Apologies. When I said earlier you'd come home to me, I assume you understood. I should've been more straightforward. You'll live here."

He was such an odd and bossy man. Matt loved it. He wasn't good at making decisions. Slater took them out of his hands. Still, this was too big not to discuss. "You don't really know me. Maybe I forget to wear deodorant or pick my toes at the dinner table."

A huge smile exploded across Slater's face, nearly making Matt sigh. "Do you do those things?"

"No, but it's possible I do other things you'll hate."

"Every relationship is a risk, sexy. Perhaps I'm the biggest gambler you've ever met. I'm not afraid to bet everything on us." He paused and eyed Matt. When he spoke again, Slater's voice came out sounding soft and loving. "Don't you think the circumstances of our meeting were a bit odd? Doesn't this feel meant to be?"

God, he melted everything inside Matt. "Yes." Matt swore he saw Slater's soul at his response. Slater genuinely wanted them to be a them. The moment felt like the most important moment of his life—like something monumental occurred.

Matt set his cup aside and shifted to his knees. He crawled until he straddled Slater's body. With his palms braced on the floor on either side of Slater's head, Matt stared down at the face he couldn't get out of his head. "I want to know you."

Slater's hands stroked Matt's sides. "You do. I imagine you see me clearer than you're willing to admit, even to yourself. But I'm also right here and you can ask me whatever you want. I won't hide anything from you. No head games. I want this to be real."

Matt held Slater's stare. He needed Slater to see the truth in his eyes. "For the past six months, I haven't thought about anything but you. You're in my head. I want this to be real too. But good things don't happen to me and you feel way too good to be true. Please don't break me. Everyone wrecks me. Just this one time, I need someone to want me above everyone else. Don't pretend, okay? I don't know how much is left of me."

A wry smile touched Slater's lips. "If only you realized how much you just described me, you wouldn't worry about a thing. Except I know how much is left of me. Nothing. All I have is a hope that grows bigger every day because I honestly think you're the one for me. Everything horrible that's happened that drove me here was simply driving me toward you. I've never felt this at peace."

Matt believed. When they had met, Matt had seen something in Slater. It was as if they matched—like he stared at his reflection. He didn't think they had been at rock bottom for the same reasons, but they had definitely been there together. Their connection had been so immediate and strong. Matt couldn't deny this felt like the universe had put them in each other's path. Nothing else explained how strongly Matt felt.

He lowered his head. Matt didn't aim for Slater's mouth. He kissed Slater's shoulder. His eyelids slid closed as something powerful stirred in his chest. He had never felt this way before. Matt moved lower, kissing a path down Slater's body. He licked his collarbone. Matt savored Slater's flavor as he made his way to Slater's nipple. He tongued the hardened bud before moving lower. Matt counted each rib as went south. Slater breathed harder by the second, obviously anticipating Matt's every move.

Matt's fingers curled around the waistband of Slater's pajama pants. He slid them lower, exposing a hip bone he wanted to taste. Matt licked it while working Slater's pants down, exposing his erection. Matt's breath escaped in a loud pant as Slater's dick sprang free. He kissed slowly toward it, letting the fever build. Slater's cock jumped, as if begging. Matt smiled against his skin. He was in control for the moment. Slater wouldn't let that stand for long. Matt already couldn't wait to see him snap. He licked the spot directly above Slater's erection, letting his tongue only lightly flick the tip of his dick.

Slater made a sound that had Matt leaking in his underwear. Matt did it again, tormenting Slater. This time, he lightly licked Slater's length. As he hoped, Slater lost control. He jack-knifed upward. In a flash, Matt found himself on his back, staring at the makeshift roof of their fort. Before he had time to rally, Slater straddled his head backward and Matt's dick was in Slater's mouth. A moan vibrated from his soul. Slater had talent. Matt needed to taste the cock that waited for his attention. He wrapped his lips around Slater's dick and sucked. Matt didn't stop there. He used his hands and fingers to make Slater feel as good as he made Matt feel. With his eyes closed, Matt focused on the competing sensations. He sucked Slater as if he sucked himself. Every move Slater made, Matt mimicked. He let Slater lead. When Matt's cock hit the back of Slater's throat, his hips left the floor. He needed more. Matt barely noticed the way Slater fucked his face. He mindlessly pleasured Slater while his entire being focused on the pressure climbing his shaft. Matt massaged Slater's balls and gagged on his cock. He gave his all. When cum unexpectedly filled his mouth, Matt nearly choked in his surprise. He hadn't even felt Slater tense. Matt had been too preoccupied with his pleasure.

He swallowed, trying to breathe and recover. In his distraction, a wet finger slipped inside him and curled upward, hitting that sweet spot. Matt blew. He shook as he pumped upward. Slater accepted the abuse. He moaned around Matt's dick as he sucked down his cum, as if he loved it. That fucked with Matt's head. He didn't think he had ever come so hard in his life. The waves and twitches took forever to stop. Slater didn't stop suckling him until Matt had nothing left.

Matt was a panting mess when Slater gathered him in his arms. He was like gelatin. His muscles didn't want to work. But Slater felt warm and good, making Matt want to purr. His kisses soothed something deep inside Matt. He couldn't explain why he felt closer to Slater than anyone else in the world, but he did. Matt prayed he never woke up from this dream. He had found his forever home.