Page 44 of Tough Call

We hadn’t made any declarations about being exclusive, but I didn’t see myself touching anyone between now and then. If he did, that was fine. If this week was anything to go by, there wasn’t a man alive who would interest me the way Madars did. I saw incredibly attractive athletes every night while I was doing my job, but the only one who’d turned my head was the one who’d drilled me into oblivion a few nights ago.

The one who was snoring softly beside me right now.

How the hell did I get so lucky?

Well, I wasn’t looking that gift horse in the mouth. The grown up, ridiculously hot, professional athlete version of Madars wanted me. I wasn’t going to ask questions and make him reconsider.

I didn’t want to wake him, but I carefully slid closer and draped my arm across his midsection. He mumbled in his sleep, tugged his arm out from between us, and wrapped it around my shoulders. Then he pulled me close against him, and a moment later, he was out cold again.

I closed my eyes and smiled to myself. As frustrating as it was that we couldn’t have sex right now, I couldn’t complain about this part. About being close to him, warm skin against warm skin while he slept peacefully beside me.

We’d get to all the feverish, acrobatic stuff later. For now, this was perfect.

I had no idea if this would ever evolve into anything beyond friends with benefits. I didn’t even know if I wanted it to; if Madars and I just stayed friends who may or may not occasionally hook up, that was fine by me.

What I did know was that he was back in my life, and I wasn’t neglecting this connection a second time.

And this summer, we’d steal off to Spain for a few weeks.

Where things would go after that, it was impossible to say, but one thing was for sure:

I couldn’t wait to see him again.

CHAPTER 16

MADARS & CONNOR

Madars

omfg my head is killing me

Connor

yeah? But you survived the after party?

I did. Never drank that much champagne in my life.

Got a headache now and my leg hurts like a motherfucker but no way was I missing that.

Of course you weren’t.

Does it feel real yet?

Kind of? Also kind of feels like I don’t deserve it.

What? Why not?

Of course you deserve it!

I didn’t play in the final game.

But you played your ass off in the other games.

Latvia wouldn’t have made it to the final at all without you.

Maybe

YOU EARNED IT.