Page 68

“What will you do for me if I say yes?”

“What do you want?”

Oh, the hundreds of ways Nico could answer that question. There were so many things he wanted from this man that it was hard to choose just one. But there was something he’d been thinking about since Bennett walked out of his office. It wasn’t the safest thing he could choose, for either of them, but maybe the danger and risk made the idea even more appealing.

He pressed his lips together and made a quick decision. Yes, this was what he wanted. “You, bent over my office desk. Letting me fuck you with the blinds open.”

Bennett’s face paled significantly. “You know we can’t do that.”

“It is your fault for suggesting it in the first place.”

“I didn’t actually mean it though. People would see.”

Bennett looked so worried that Nico hurried to reassure him. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes, but⁠—”

“Then stop arguing. I want to fuck you on my desk. If you agree, I’ll get out and skate with you.”

Bennett dragged his hand through his hair, studied the length of the ice, eyes unfocused. “Okay. But I’m trusting that you have a way to do this without either of us getting outed.”

Of course he did. And Nico’s dick twitched just thinking about it. “You better hurry, bello. We don’t have all night.”

Bennett couldn’t believe this was happening. Nico, on skates. At the Reign’s practice facility. It was surreal, but also, was this a date? Maybe? It sort of felt like one, which was mind-blowing. And overwhelming, so Bennett focused on lacing up Nico’s skates as tight as he could manage. He’d found them back in the team’s equipment room. “How do they feel?” he asked as he tucked the laces.

“Like my feet are crying out for genuine Italian leather.”

“God, you’re such a snob. Come on.” He stood and held out his hand. “Don’t be scared.”

Nico snorted, but took Bennett’s hand. “I have never been scared a day in my life,” he said, sounding more like a mafia boss and less like the man who moaned whenever Bennett bit his earlobe.

“Okay, then prove it,” he challenged, leading Nico off the bench, out the half door, and onto the ice. “Step carefully. Find your balance.”

Nico put one foot onto the slick surface and paused, his fingers tightening on Bennett’s almost painfully as he said, “If you laugh at me, I will edge you until you cry.”

A now-familiar threat, one that didn’t scare Bennett in the least. “I wouldn’t dare, sweetheart.” The endearment fell easily from his lips—too easily. He’d think about that later. For now, Bennett had to focus on Nico. “Come on. The other foot now.”

Nico stepped out, his feet sliding a bit underneath him, but he managed to find his balance. He had a death grip on Bennett’s hands as they faced each other. “There. We are done, no? We can fuck on my desk now.”

It took all of Bennett’s willpower not to kiss Nico’s surly mouth. “Humor me, please. First, bend your knees a little.” Nico mimicked Bennett’s position, and Bennett said, “Good. Now, you want your feet shoulder-width apart. Okay, we’re going to march, get you used to the feel of the blades under your feet.”

“Marching? You are making this up.”

Bennett hid a grin. Nico might think Bennett was laughing at him, which he sort of was, but only because Nico was so adorable. “This is how they teach little kids to skate. I promise, every three-year-old in Canada can do this.” Bennett started marching and Nico matched the movements. “See? Easy. Now we march and move forward on the ice. Just like this.”

He started to move backward, but Nico gripped him harder. “Do not let go, Verreault.”

“I won’t, I promise. I’m staying right here. You’re safe.” He marched slowly, letting Nico go at his own pace. “Good. March toward me.”

“Cazzo, this is stupid.” Nico marched a few centimeters at a time, his blades staying close to the ice, but each step grew more confident.

“That’s it. Perfect.” When they had marched across half the width of the ice, Bennett said, “Now you’re going to add a glide. March, march, glide.” He demonstrated backward. “Now, you.”

Nico frowned and stared down at his feet. Bennett shook their hands to get his attention. “No, eyes up. Stay looking at me. Keep your chest upright, too. March, march, glide.”

It took a few tries, but then Nico got the hang of it. Bennett kept praising him as they moved around the ice. “Are you ready to glide?”

“On my own?”