Page 104 of Game Misconduct

Leif shot him a look like he knew what Tanner had done but he also had Tanner’s overnight bag in his hand. He opened it, made a noise, then started rooting around in it. He disappeared into the bathroom with Tanner’s toiletry kit, then reappeareda few moments later, carrying his toothbrush. It already had toothpaste on it.

He handed it to Tanner along with a wad of tissue paper. “There. Brush for two minutes. You can spit in the trash can.”

Tanner scowled. “I swallow. Not spit.”

But Leif stood there with his arms crossed until Tanner stuck the brush in his mouth. While Tanner brushed, Leif organized his bag. He’d already hung up Tanner’s suit from earlier but now he took Tanner’s clothes for tomorrow out of the bag and neatly folded them on the dresser.

Tanner scrubbed at his teeth while he watched Leif move around the room. Oh my God, two whole minutes? What kind of nonsense was that? Whodidthat?

Okay, so maybe his dentist lectured him about plaque sometimes, but he’d only had afewcavities. Not, like … an excessive amount. And he was a pro hockey player. He already had a chip in one tooth and the chances of him making it through his entire career without losing a few more teeth was practically zero.

When Leif finally disappeared into the bathroom, Tanner glanced at the clock and realized he’d actually brushed for the whole time, so he spat into the tissue and tossed it in the trash can.

A moment later, Leif appeared with one of those disposable facewipes. “For your face,” he said.

Tanner groaned but he wiped thoroughly and tossed that away too.

“Can I go to sleep now?” he begged.

“Yes.”

With a grateful sigh, Tanner burrowed under the covers, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

He half woke a while later when Leif turned out the light and climbed into bed with him.

“There you are,” Tanner muttered. “Missed you.”

He scooted closer, flung his arm over Leif’s waist, mashed his face against his shoulder, and passed out again.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It was dark still when Tanner opened his eyes again. Not morning yet but like it was on its way. He glanced at the clock. They were supposed to leave in an hour and a half.

Leif needed to be back at the hotel in time to catch the bus to the airport and Tanner had practice a little later. Thankfully, the Rockets didn’t do curfews or anything or Tanner and Leif wouldn’t have even gotten to spend the night together at all.

Tanner frowned because the bed was empty and he could hear the shower running. He rolled onto his back, debating if he should get up and join Leif or fall back asleep.

He was tired but he also really wanted more time with Leif. And, like, he’d said he wanted Tanner to fuck him. So why was Tanner wasting time thinking about it? He could sleep this afternoon after practice.

Leif would be on his way to D.C. by then.

But as Tanner stared up at the ceiling, he felt almost frozen. Like he couldn’t quite make himself move. He heard the waterturn off and his brain screamed that he wanted to get up. But he wasn’t getting up.

Tanner sighed. He hated when this happened. Sometimes it even made him late for practice or hookups, which was really annoying.

A minute or two later, Leif appeared. He was naked and his hair was damp.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” he said with a smile.

“Are you gonna make me get up?” Tanner asked and he kinda wished Leifwouldbecause it was always easier to make himself move when someone else told him.

“Just your cock.”

Tanner gaped at Leif as he sat beside him on the bed and pulled back the covers. “Oh, you’re already up.” Leif wrapped a hand around his dick and stroked a little.

Tanner scratched his forehead because what was even happening here? Was Leif making jokes about his hard-on? “I, uh, had a nice dream,” Tanner said.

“Yeah? About last night?” Leif looked pleased.