Puckless (Hockey Heroes Book 1), page 20
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Ryan,” Ethan said, his voice barely audible above the din. The gratitude in his eyes was profound. His success wasn’t only a personal victory but a win for acceptance, courage, and teamwork.
THIRTY-THREE
ETHAN
“Unreal!” The exclamation ripped from Nate’s throat, sharp and joyous. We found ourselves still tangled together with our teammates in a heap on the ice. It was a writhing mass of sticks, skates, and padded bodies.
We were on our way to the playoffs. The sky was now officially the new limit for the Madison Mitts. As we separated from our teammates, I saw grins spreading wide across battle-weary faces and eyes damp with tears of triumph.
“Man, this feeling never gets old,” I said, my heart still racing with the adrenaline of victory. The sounds of enthusiastic cheering continued to echo throughout the arena as many of our fans were still hanging around.
Nate, grinning ear to ear, clapped me heartily on the shoulder, rousing me from my reverie. “Let’s go,” he called above the din. We skated toward the rink’s edge, the smooth glide of our blades on the ice a familiar comfort. Ryan was there waiting for me, green eyes glowing like twin emeralds under the harsh arena lights. Next to him stood a striking figure with flaming red hair teased into sharp spikes.
“That’s Arlo,” I said to Nate, puzzlement etching my brow. “He’s Ryan’s good friend, but he lives in Chicago. I wonder what he’s doing here.”
Nate hesitated, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he scratched the back of his head. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to share—“
I raised an eyebrow at him. “And that is?”
He didn’t have time to answer. We’d reached the men waiting for us.
“Hey,” I greeted Ryan, drawing him into a close embrace. His body resonated with happiness, the energy humming against my chest.
“Congrats, Ethan,” he whispered into my ear and nibbled on my earlobe, making me shiver despite the lingering heat of the game.
I thanked him, and we both turned our heads just in time to see Nate’s arms tighten around Arlo, their bodies molded into one silhouette. In the span of a heartbeat, their lips met in a kiss that seemed to light up the arena, a flash of unexpected intimacy that caught me off guard.
Ryan echoed my surprise, leaning closer to whisper, “Didn’t see that one coming—“
“Understatement of the year,” I muttered, watching the spectacle unfold before us.
“So many questions—“Ryan whispered.
“Okay, okay!” Nate finally pulled away, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling with mischief. “Time to come clean, isn’t it?”
“No kidding,” I said, crossing my arms in feigned disapproval. Arlo shot us a nervous look, took a deep breath, and started to explain.
“So, Nate and I—we’ve been seeing each other for a while now,” he confessed, a blush starting to creep up his neck. “After hearing so much about him from Ryan and seeing that photo—I couldn’t resist driving up here to check him out in person.”
“Who can resist my charm, right?” Nate joked, shooting Arlo a wink. “But honestly, we didn’t want to say anything until we were sure about us.”
“Sure about you? You mean, sure enough, to put on a show like this?” I teased, gesturing to where they’d just shared their kiss.
“Okay, maybe not that sure,” Nate conceded, laughter rumbling in his chest.
There was so much to mull over, but I couldn’t forget my manners. “Thank you for being here, Arlo,” I said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Your support means a lot.”
Ryan, however, looked puzzled. “But Arlo—you’re straight,” he said, pointing an accusing finger at his friend.
“And you are, too, Nate,” I added.
“Labels, right?” Nate replied, a cheeky grin playing on his lips. To prove his point, he pulled Arlo in for another passionate kiss.
“Guess we have a lot to catch up on here,” Ryan said, breaking the silence.
“Looks like it,” I agreed. We both extended our congratulations, genuinely happy for them. They both deserved joy as much as the next person and if they found it in each other, who were we to judge?
“Alright,” I announced, clapping my hands together. “Enough of this soap opera. We have a victory to celebrate and a hunger to quench.”
“Right,” Arlo replied, his infectious grin lighting up his face. “You guys should go celebrate. It was nice meeting you here, Ethan, Ryan.”
“Wait,” Nate interrupted, his voice taking on a tone of seriousness. “You should come with us, Arlo. Meet the rest of the guys.”
He hesitated, glancing between Nate and me. “You sure?”
“Definitely,” Nate affirmed, his gaze unwavering. “These guys are my family. It’s time you got to meet them up close and personal.”
As we headed for the locker room, a sense of pride surged within me. Nate had always been one to follow his heart, and it was clear he’d found something special in Arlo.
“Full of surprises,” Ryan muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Keeps life interesting,” Nate said as he slung an arm around Arlo’s shoulder.
“Can’t argue with that,” I agreed, chuckling. “It keeps us on our toes.”
THIRTY-FOUR
RYAN
“Arlo and Nate, huh?” I mused as Ethan and I settled into the plush couch in my apartment. The soft glow of the dimmed lights in my living room cast shadows across our faces, creating an intimate atmosphere between us.
“Who would’ve thought?” Ethan asked, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. Our limbs tangled together like a pair of love-struck octopuses on the couch. My fingers traced patterns on Ethan’s muscular thigh, feeling the smooth fabric of his worn jeans with my fingertips.
“Thinking back, I guess it makes some sense,” I said. “Arlo was ready to move beyond his fascination with antique typewriters. I guess Nate was his new one.” I chuckled, and Ethan laughed along with me.
“Was he unusually curious about Nate when you talked?” Ethan asked.
“Not that I remember, but I’ve focused on everything we’ve got going on. I could have missed something. Both of them have this—spark. They’re both always ready for a new adventure.”
Ethan chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, they’re definitely a pair of oddballs. But hey, who are we to judge if they’re happy?”
“Exactly.” A sly grin formed on my lips as I shifted my gaze to Ethan. “Speaking of happy, you must be feeling pretty good about tonight’s win, Mr. Hockey Hero.”
Ethan blushed, a hint of pride gleaming in his eyes. “You could say that, yeah.”
“Alright, let me take a closer look at this hero of mine,” I teased, sitting up slightly and pointing at his biceps. “These guns? They’re what shoot those pucks into the net, right?”
“Something like that,” he replied, laughing as I squeezed his bicep gently. His muscles flexed beneath my touch, sending a jolt of desire through me. I continued my playful examination, tracing my hand down his arm and along his chest, gradually unbuttoning his shirt while keeping my eyes locked on his.
My fingers lingered on the last button of his shirt for a moment, and then I pushed the fabric up and off his shoulders. The action revealed the magnificent body beneath.
I paused to take in the complete picture. Ethan’s well-toned muscles and the curves of his torso added up to be a sculpted masterpiece.
“Those abs? Responsible for all that core strength needed when you’re body-checking opponents left and right?” I asked, my voice taking on a sultry tone.
“Uh-huh,” he murmured, his breath hitching as I leaned in to press a light kiss against his newly exposed skin. My hands moved lower, working to undo his belt and slide it off, our conversation punctuated by stolen kisses and soft laughter.
“Your legs—” I paused, pulling back to look him in the eye, “—those powerful pillars that propel you across the ice with such grace and speed.” As I spoke, I tugged off his shoes and socks, then helped him out of his jeans, leaving him clad only in his boxer briefs.
“Stand—I want to see,” I suggested.
I leaned back to examine my work; the belt lay crumpled on the living room floor while Ethan stood before me like a freshly unwrapped gift. His eyes blazed with desire, and I felt a thrill as his gaze traveled over me hungrily.
“Very observant, Mr. Parker,” Ethan whispered, his voice husky as he leaned in to capture my lips in a searing kiss. We lost ourselves in each other’s embrace, the world around us fading away as we continued celebrating the victory from earlier in the night.
He stood before me, clad in only boxer shorts that rode low on his lean hips. The fabric strained to hold him back, revealing his arousal. His bare chest glowed golden in the soft light. Lust rose inside me like a wave rushing to shore.
“Okay, Mr. Parker,” Ethan grinned, his voice teasing as he reached for me. He scooped me off my seat and into his arms in one swift motion, eliciting a surprised yelp. “Let’s take this to the bedroom.”
“Hey!” I laughed, my heart racing at the sudden change in position. “You’re full of surprises, Puckless.”
Ethan laughed out loud. “I think that’s the first time you’ve used the nickname.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all—as long as you say it like this—“Ethan tossed me onto the bed. He pursed his lips and whispered in a deep husky tone. “Puckless—“He let the word trail off and then batted his eyelashes.
I reached out to him. “I’ll do my best, you sexy monster.”
Our gazes locked onto each other with a mixture of desire and playfulness. With slow deliberation, he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxer briefs and pushed them down. His cock sprung free as he worked them down below his knees and then stepped free. My man was entirely naked—a stunning vision to behold.
“Your turn, I believe,” he said.
“Actually,” I began hesitantly, unsure of how he’d react, “I was thinking maybe I could be the top tonight if that’s okay with you?”
“Of course,” Ethan smiled warmly. “As long as one of us ends up inside the other. I’m all yours, Ryan.”
Without missing a beat, Ethan climbed onto the bed, hands deftly unbuttoning my pants and sliding them down my legs, along with my boxer briefs. My breath hitched as he took me into his mouth, sending a wave of pleasure through my body.
I let out a low moan as his tongue caressed the head of my cock, my fingers tangling in his hair as I savored the sensation. He took the entire head into his mouth and proceeded to swallow me deeper and deeper. I felt a rush of desire course through me.
Ethan pulled away, looking up at me with hooded eyes. I felt my chest swell with appreciation as I saw the admiration in his gaze. A wide smile spread across my face as I looked down at him, feeling a sudden, intense love for the man and all he brought out in me.
“God, Ethan,” I gasped, my fingers tangling in his dark hair, the sensation almost overwhelming.
“Enjoying yourself?” he teased, looking up at me with those piercing blue eyes.
“Immensely,” I admitted, feeling a blush creep across my cheeks.
“Good,” he responded, satisfaction lacing his voice as he continued to explore my body.
“Ready? I’m so fucking ready for you,” Ethan said, the longing written across his face.
I gestured with a curled finger. “I’ll show you how ready I am.”
“Here, let me help,” he said, reaching for the condom on the nightstand. With practiced ease, he rolled it onto my cock; his touch was electrifying. His hands were warm and gentle. The sight captivated me—my powerful hockey player, so willing to surrender to our shared desire.
“Damn, you’re good at that,” I remarked, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Years of practice,” Ethan quipped with a playful wink, causing me to laugh.
“Your turn,” I reminded him gently, nodding towards the lube. Ethan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he squeezed a generous amount onto his fingers. He reached between his legs; his face contorted in pleasure and determination as he prepared himself.
I watched and could barely contain myself as he shoved two fingers up inside. He rolled his head back while his pecs flexed. “Aww, fuck—can’t wait for you.” He rocked slightly while the fingers moved forward and back.
“God, you’re sexy,” I breathed, unable to tear my gaze away. “And remember, I’m fucking you. It’s not just about your fingers.”
He smiled with a devilish glint in his eye and nodded. “Just getting ready. Aww, man, you know I can be a little tight.”
I chuckled, amused by his fearless openness with me. “Come here,” I urged, guiding him into position straddling me. I’d let gravity help us out in the beginning. I reached up to grab his hips, guiding him downwards.
“Ryan,” Ethan moaned as I entered him, his grip tightening on my shoulders.
“Are you okay?” I asked, concern flooding through me at the intensity of his reaction.
He nodded, his breathing heavy and labored. His eyes were closed tightly, focusing on the sensation of my body inside him. I raised my hands to caress his chest, and he leaned forward, arching his back in response. His moans grew louder as a massive wave of pleasure crested and threatened to overwhelm me.
“More than okay,” he assured me, his expression one of pure bliss. “Just—keep going.”
We moved together, our rhythm ebbing and flowing like the tide. At times slow and sensual, other moments raw and primal, each thrust seemed to bring us closer—not only physically but also emotionally. Our connection deepened with every gasp, word of encouragement, and shared look of unspoken understanding.
I gently pushed against Ethan’s right side, and he lowered himself to the bed, rolling onto his side. I took a deep breath, my tongue exploring his neck as my cock buried itself inside him. He groaned, turning his head and pushing his face into the pillow, muffling his moans.
One of my hands reached around, and my fingertips grazed gently across his nipples. He pulled his face out of the pillow and gasped for breath.
We shifted positions again until Ethan was flat on his back. He reached out to grip his thighs and pull them toward his chest, revealing his tight hole, ready again for me.
“So good,” Ethan groaned, his eyes half-closed, lips parted, as my cock slipped back inside him. I held still for a moment, reveling in the sight, sound, and sensuality of my impossibly handsome lover. My eyes welled up with emotion.
I began to thrust into him, moving faster with every motion, the fire of our passion growing. Ethan moaned loudly as I picked up speed.
I felt the familiar stirrings in my belly and focused on willing them away. The last thing I wanted to do was finish before Ethan. He was close—I could tell by the way his balls were taut against his body, by the erratic rhythm of his breath.
“Don’t hold back,” I whispered to him.
“So—fuck—so close—Ryan!” He yelled out my name.
I reveled in the sensation of his orgasm as it tore through him. It was everything I could do to keep up with him as the body that surrounded my cock grew impossibly tight—stretching around me until it felt as if an invisible fist were clenching around it rhythmically.
“God,” Ethan moaned softly, raising his back off the bed until his face was close to my head, and the sound of his voice escaped directly into my ear.
“Ethan—“I closed my eyes for a moment, and I felt his light touch at the base of my shaft as he started to stroke me in tandem with the movements of my hips.
I knew I couldn’t hold out with his fingers and tight pelvic muscles urging me toward the climax. “Don’t hold back. Ryan.” He echoed my earlier order.
I was there.
An orgasm expanded deep inside of me like a bomb of pleasure exploding—first in my core and radiating outwards through every inch of my body.
There was no way to contain it, no way to stop it. Everything in my universe became the sensation of Ethan’s body around me, and I pounded into him, seeking one more moment of the ecstasy that overwhelmed me.
“Ethan—holy fuck!” My voice sounded distant in my own ears as the sensation took over.
The pleasure swept through me in all-consuming waves, unending and indescribably intense. Just when I thought I might pass out from sensory overload, I felt my body contract repeatedly as my cock emptied itself inside the condom. Wave after wave of euphoria washed over me—through me.
I collapsed against him in a sweaty heap, clinging to Ethan for dear life while ecstasy consumed us both.
I ran a hand down the side of his face. “God, you’re amazing,” I observed, which was an understatement if there ever was one.
He wrapped his arms around me, stroking my back softly as we held each other tight, waiting for our breathing to return to normal. He let out a soft chuckle as he slid his hand up my spine—to caress the back of my neck and down again, massaging gently until he reached the small of my back.
After disposing of the condom, I rolled over to face Ethan, lying flat on his back. I reached out to touch his chest. Lying tangled in the sheets, I felt his heartbeat gradually slow beneath my hand. The room seemed to hum with our mingled breaths and the lingering heat of our passion. As we basked in the afterglow, I couldn’t help but turn my thoughts toward the future.
“You know,” I began hesitantly, tracing my fingers over the broad expanse of his chest, “I’ve been thinking about trying my hand at writing something other than sports journalism.”
“Really?” Ethan asked, a faint smile playing on his lips as he turned his head to face me. “What else are you interested in?”
“Maybe fiction or investigative reporting,” I answered, feeling a thrill run through me at the thought of exploring new territory. “It would allow me to stretch my wings creatively without conflicts of interest.”
