Kissing Micky (Washington Guardians Hockey Book 1)

by Ellen Devlin

  He elbowed Chris. “Were we ever that young and stupid, Becks?”

  Chris laughed and said, “You obviously killed all the brain cells that would allow you to remember just how young and stupid we used to be.” He looked over at his friend. “By the way, nice job today, Micky.” He took a drink of his beer and turned back to watching the younger players. “And I don’t just mean on the ice.”

  “Yeah, well. Apparently even I can learn to loosen up.”

  “Who would have thought it?”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  Chris slapped him on the back and walked over to get another beer, and Tom made his way over to where Zee was standing slightly apart from a group of other guys. “Hey, Zee.”

  “Mick.”

  “Thanks. You were right, and I needed to hear it.” He paused and then asked, “So are you one of those guys?”

  Zee looked at him questioningly. “One of what guys?”

  “One of the guys who would give his left nut.”

  Zee stiffened and took a half step away from him.

  Tom said, “What?”

  “You’ve got a wicked right hook, Micky. I’m trying to be ready if you’re planning to take a swing at me.”

  “I’m not.” He looked at Zee briefly and then turned to look at the room. “She loves you, you know. If it helps any, I’m pretty sure you’re on a short list of people she would die for.”

  Zee looked closely at Tom. “Are you?” His voice had an edge of bitterness.

  “I don’t think so. Not yet, at least.”

  Surprising himself, Zee said viciously, “Good. Earn it.” And then stalked off.

  “Shit.” That hadn’t gone terribly well. Although, to be fair, he probably should have left well enough alone and walked away after saying thank you.

  He walked out of the bar and toward his room, feeling less social. On the way, he called Liz. “Hey, did I wake you?”

  “Hey, handsome. No, I’m still up. Did the guys let you use the phone by yourself, or do you have an audience?”

  Tom smiled. “I’m alone. But Liz? Call Zee. I think he could use talking to a friend right now.” There was a long pause. “Are you there?”

  “I’m here.” Another pause. “You’re managing to surprise me quite a bit today, Tom.” She sighed. “Damn, I didn’t think it was possible to miss you more, but I just want to kiss you right now.”

  He laughed. “Don’t start. That’s how we ended up here in the first place.” He stopped walking and stood in the hallway for a moment. “I’m kidding about that. I definitely want to do that again. But not tonight. Give him a call, Liz.” His voice got low and deep and rumbled through the phone. “I love you. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

  “I love you too.” She paused and then said quietly, “I’m yours, Tom.”

  His heart contracted in his chest, and he smiled, putting the phone in his pocket.

  It’s been a helluva day, McCullin, he said to himself and started toward his room.

  ***

  Zee looked at the phone and wondered for a moment if he should answer it.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, sweetie. How’s things?”

  “Just great. We won, right? Great night.”

  Oh, something was definitely not right. “I call bullshit. What’s up?” No answer. “Normally I would tell you something funny that happened to me today, but you already know what that was.”

  Zee caught himself smiling in spite of himself.

  “So that’s not going to work. And when I sounded like shit but said I was fine, you just got in your car and came to my apartment with ice cream. Since you’re in Chicago and I’m in DC, that’s out too.” She sighed dramatically, and Zee smiled a little more. “So I’m afraid you’re going to have to use your words this time.”

  He closed his eyes, smile fading. They had been friends for a long time. Really good friends. He just needed to say it. “Why him?”

  “Why who?”

  “Mick. Why him, Liz?”

  She was surprised by the question and had no immediate response.

  “All this time I’ve known you, if you had been interested in dating a hockey player, you could have had your pick of a bunch of guys on the team.” If she had been surprised before, she was now approaching shocked. “So why now? And why the fuck did you pick the one guy in the locker room who has no sense of humor? A whole team full of fun guys, and you’re dating the one angry, humorless, fun-hating, soul-sucking…”

  Her eyebrows were climbing into her hairline.

  “…hot-tempered, cranky…” He was starting to run out of things to add, “…bug-eyed, worm-headed…” He had resorted to quoting their shared favorite movie Christmas Vacation, and she started laughing. “…snake-licking, dog-kissing, son of a bitch.”

  “Man, when I asked you to use your words, I wasn’t expecting you to actually do it.”

  “I’m serious, Liz. I don’t get it. Why him?”

  Liz took a breath and tried to think this through. “The simple answer is that we were set up by Chris and Paige. He’s Chris’s best friend and Paige is mine, but we had never met until he was traded here. Chris thought we’d get along; Paige jumped at the idea. We hit it off. Believe it or not, he does have a really great sense of humor. Apparently just not at work.” She paused. “Do you really think I would date someone who didn’t make me laugh on a very regular basis?”

  Zee was quiet for a moment before answering, “I find your logic irritating.”

  She smiled. “Beyond that it was chemistry. I know that sounds dumb,” she added as she heard Zee scoff, “but what can I say? I’m just a walking bundle of hormones.”

  “Oh, Jesus, Liz!” Zee started laughing, which was exactly what she had wanted.

  “I don’t know what to tell you. I was a mess when I met him. I kept blushing.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “I swear. Ask Chris.”

  He laughed harder.

  “When I went to say goodbye after the pool party, I noticed he had long eyelashes, almost tripped, and then shook his hand instead of giving him a hug. Chris thought I had completely lost my mind.”

  Now he was really laughing. “A handshake? You?”

  “I know, right? Nothing at all awkward about that. Especially when he had literally just watched me hug every single other person at the party.”

  Zee finished laughing. “I’m glad you called, Liz. Thanks.”

  She considered for a moment before saying, “Would you believe it if I told you that Tom asked me to?”

  He stiffened. “No. What did he tell you?”

  “That you needed to talk to a friend. That’s all, Zee. No details. You know I’d tell you.”

  She would. He knew that. What the fuck. Might as well go for broke here. “Why not me?”

  “Why not you what?”

  “Fuck, Liz, you don’t make this easy. Why not me? We’ve been friends for years. If you’re suddenly willing to date a hockey player, why not me?”

  She was so shocked she thought she would drop the phone. “Holy shit.”

  “That’s not really the kind of response that builds a guy’s ego.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I just…I mean…what the hell?” She laughed. “I’m going to treat this like you’re not just fucking with me—if you are, consider it your most brilliant prank ever—but honestly…” She let her breath out. “I’m six years older than you. That alone meant I automatically sorted you into the unavailable-to-me category when we met.

  “You’re one of my best friends, Zee. I love you like crazy, like you’re family. You know that. You mean as much to me as Paige and Chris, and that’s the highest praise I’ve got. But even if we were closer in age, there isn’t any chemistry between us, not really, and I think you know that too. If something were going to happen, it would have by now. Or at the very least you would have said something. I don’t think we would even be having this conversation if I were dating some
one you liked.”

  He didn’t answer for a moment and then said, “Your logic is really fucking annoying.” Another pause and then, “That doesn’t mean I never thought about it.”

  “I have boobs. You’re a guy. I think I might actually be offended if it didn’t cross your mind at least once in the years we’ve known each other,” she teased.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” What the hell, the conversation has gone this far. “Have you really never thought about it?”

  “Shit, Zee.” She took a deep breath. “Of course I have. I’m not going to pretend the thought never crossed my mind. But that doesn’t change all the other things I just said, and you know that.” He grunted. She tried to lighten the mood some. “And besides, I can’t control where my mind wanders off to when I’m sleeping.”

  “Wait, you’ve dreamed about me? Now things are getting interesting.” He started to take the bait.

  She knew he would. “Don’t get too excited. I’ve dreamed about other guys on the team too.”

  “Really. Now I do need to know more.”

  “Well,” she continued, “you’re quite a bit younger than I am, but older guys can be very sexy too. There’s a certain older gentleman on the coaching staff who is quite handsome…” She purposely trailed off.

  “No.”

  “Oh, yes. Grey hair…”

  “Stop talking.”

  “Van Dyke beard…”

  “For the love of God, stop talking.” Liz laughed, and Zee said, “I will never be able to remove that image from my brain. I hate you.”

  “I know. That’s why we’re such good friends.”

  “Holy shit. It’s like you put an evil time bomb in my head for the next time I see him at practice. Fuck. I don’t even know how to handle that.”

  Liz got serious again. “Do you know how much I want to see you happy with someone? Honestly, Zee, at the next fan event, you have to get your picture taken playing with the kids. And if you can get a picture of you holding a baby, even better. Ovaries will explode all over the DC metro area.” He laughed out loud. “You’re a really good-looking guy. And that is purely objective. You are exceptionally easy on the eyes.”

  “Well, now I might be blushing.”

  “Pics or it didn’t happen.” She paused. “So are we okay? Or are things going to be insanely weird between us? I don’t want that.”

  “We’re okay. I love you too, Liz.” He paused. “Hey, so, can I get you to say good night to me in a really sexy voice? Just once? I’m still feeling slightly bitter, and I like the idea it would probably piss Mick off. I won’t even tell him. It will be our little secret.”

  “Oh my God, you are so ridiculous.” She laughed. “Okay—I’m indulging you. But this is it, all right? Then you make a concerted effort to find a beautiful girlfriend who will embarrass you with fantastic phone sex on road trips, got it?”

  “Deal.”

  She cleared her throat and then said, in her most sultry, sexy, husky bedroom voice, “Good night, Jake. Sleep well.”

  “Damn.” He paused. “I suddenly understand why he didn’t let me talk to you last night.” Another pause. “I’m so tempted to tell him.”

  She laughed. “You are a pain in the ass, Zee. Good night.”

  “Good night. And thank you.”

  “Any time. You know that.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  She heard the key in the door and ran across the room, sliding on the tile in her socks so she careened into him sideways when he got through the door. Tom laughed with her—and at her—caught her before she fell over, and pulled her into his arms for a welcome home kiss that went from sweet to passionate in record time.

  “Hi.” She finally stepped back and looked up at him. “I have Chinese food. Are you hungry?”

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  That little smile. She might die.

  He pushed her hair behind her ear and just looked at her for a while. “Damn, I missed you.”

  “You know I missed you.” She smiled, looking a little sheepish. “Hence the phone call.”

  “Ah, yes.” Tom looked up toward the ceiling and then back at Liz. “The phone call.” His eyes were twinkling, and that damn smile. “We definitely need to discuss that.”

  “We do, huh?” Liz wasn’t sure where this was going, although he was clearly feeling playful.

  “We do.”

  His eyes were getting sexier by the minute.

  Bringing her hand up to his waist, he asked, “Do you like the new jeans?”

  “Oh, shit, are you serious?” She started undoing buttons…two down, and she slipped her right hand around to put it down inside his jeans and grab his ass. She started breathing faster and reached up to kiss him.

  He said, “You’re two buttons down with your right hand on my ass.” His voice was husky, and he was breathing hard. “Please do the rest.”

  “Do you want it just like the phone call?” She started slowly unbuttoning with her left hand while asking. “Or maybe slower, with more teasing?” She slid her left hand down inside and cupped him, leaning her head against his chest for a moment, breathing as hard as he was, and then started fondling him, rolling her fingers, and gently tugging.

  “Shit, that feels amazing.” He closed his eyes, humming softly in pleasure as she shifted up to grip the base of his shaft.

  “So, teasing?” she asked, stroking up with her pinky, “Or straight to business?” She ran her pinky back down again. She moved her right hand over to grip him and moved her left hand back down to continue fondling.

  Tom appeared to have forgotten she’d asked a question and was just standing with his eyes closed, breathing in measured breaths.

  Liz smiled and said, “I guess it’s dealer’s choice.”

  She played with him, using his lubrication to make his shaft slide in her hand, spending time focusing attention around the head, until he was moaning every time she moved her hand along his length.

  When she wasn’t sure he would last much longer, she pulled his jeans and boxer briefs down far enough that she could run her tongue along the underside of his hard shaft and then took him into her mouth. She circled the head of his cock with her tongue as she stroked and fondled him with her hands, moaning slightly in her own pleasure, as he rested his hands on her head and began moving his hips. She used her tongue to press him against the roof of her mouth and, very suddenly, began sucking hard.

  “Shit. Oh, shit. Liz, I’m gonna come,” and he roared, caught almost by surprise by the suddenness and intensity of his orgasm. He slid down the cabinets to the floor, saying, “Holy shit,” under his breath over and over, until his breathing came back to something that resembled normal.

  “That was…I don’t even know what that was.” Tom looked at Liz and laughed. He had his head back against the cabinets. “Fuck, Liz. You’re like every wet dream I ever had, wrapped up in a best friend.” He turned his head to look at her, the corner of his mouth quirked up in that devastating smile, his eyes still hazy with pleasure. “I don’t even know how to deal with you. You’re not supposed to exist.”

  Liz stood up and grabbed the Chinese food and beer off the counter and brought it down to them. “You already know you’re my personal fantasy. You’re definitely not supposed to exist.” She thought for a moment. “By the way, the best friend part is included in the fantasy. My fantasies are very thorough and specific.”

  He chuckled and started eating.

  “Eat up. You’re going to need your strength. You’ve got a long night ahead of you.”

  Tom looked confused for a moment. “What are you talking about?”

  Liz squinted over the bowl of Chinese food and spoke with her mouth full. “I told you I keep score. You’re gonna be busy.”

  Tom smiled as he took a drink of beer and grumbled quietly, “A real wet dream wouldn’t keep score.”

  Liz almost choked as she tried not to laugh. She tried to stifle the snorts. She looked over at
Tom and saw his eyes were bright with suppressed laughter. She waited as he took another drink from his beer and said, very seriously, “A real fantasy wouldn’t be eating bare-assed with his junk hanging out.”

  He lost it and spewed beer. Liz shouted in victory, and they both laughed until their sides hurt and they couldn’t breathe. It started up again when they tried to stand up, because Tom stopped, grabbed the counter, and said, “Shit, my ass is asleep.” They were both laughing so hard it was a minor miracle that Tom ended up wearing his jeans, and the kitchen floor ended up somewhat clean by the time they were done.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  They spent Thanksgiving with Chris and Paige, as usual, and later that day, after driving back to Liz’s apartment, Tom surprised her by saying, “I would love it if you would come to Minnesota with me for Christmas. My parents want to meet you.”

  Liz stared at him. “Really? Are you sure?”

  Tom laughed at her. “Am I sure my parents want to meet you? Yes. They’ve only asked me about fifty times.”

  “No, not that. Are you sure you want me to go?” She looked worried, and Tom got concerned.

  “Yes.” He held her face and looked in her eyes. “Yes, Liz. I want you to come with me to Minnesota to meet my family. Please.” He pulled her in for a hug.

  “Okay.” She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m a nervous flyer, though. I get very anxious. I’m just warning you well in advance.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded.

  “Huh. I’m surprised. You don’t seem to be intimidated by much of anything. I didn’t realize you weren’t completely fearless.”

  She smirked and gave him a playful slap on the arm.

  “Guess I’ll have to come up with some strategy to keep your mind otherwise occupied during the flight.”

  He stood over her, looking down, emphasizing how much taller he was, making her feel the magnitude of his presence, and she shivered. Tom brought his hand up to cup her jaw softly, gently, and stroked his thumb across her cheek. His sheer size and strength contrasted with the soft tenderness of his caresses in a way that had Liz breathing faster within heartbeats.