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“I have no doubt that’s true,” Bennett said, shaking his head. “And for god’s sake, please don’t elaborate.”

Before Nico could respond, Bennett bumped him out of the way to get closer to the water, where the hockey player took a long time rinsing everything. Even parts of his body that hadn’t been soaped. He flexed his muscles and angled his limbs, obviously showing off to draw attention.

As a result, Nico could feel blood gathering between his legs, his groin growing heavy, so he leaned against the tile and frowned. “You are doing this on purpose.”

Bennett glanced innocently over his shoulder, but his eyes were shining too brightly for it to be believable. “Doing what?”

“Trying to get me to fuck you again.”

“I’m too sore to fuck again. I wouldn’t turn down a blowjob, though.”

The sore part rearranged something in Nico’s brain. Had he not been careful enough? Had he hurt Bennett? A tightness coiled in his chest—a feeling he didn’t understand but left alone for the moment. Moving closer, he ran his palms over the wet landscape of Bennett’s back, smoothing his fingertips over the slippery bone and muscle, before digging in with his thumbs, massaging. They were about the same height, with the hockey player slightly taller, but Nico was still able to get enough leverage to provide good pressure. Bennett moaned—loudly. He braced his hands on the tile and hung his head. “Fuck, Nico. That feels incredible.”

“Doesn’t the team have people who do this for you?”

“Yes, but—shit! Right there.”

Nico worked on the knot he found behind Bennett’s right trap. “So why don’t you let them?”

“I do. But the physios can only do so much when you’re stressing me out all the time.”

Nico didn’t pretend to misunderstand. He leaned in and pressed his lips to the nape of Bennett’s neck. “I won’t have my cousin waiting for justice. I handle the justice in my family.”

“God.” He exhaled heavily, his athletic body rising and falling under Nico’s hands. “If you weren’t talking about murdering one of my teammates, that sentence would be so hot.”

“It can still be hot.” Nico dropped kisses along Bennett’s shoulder. “This teammate does not deserve your loyalty or your protection.”

“I know. Honestly, I do. And I want him caught. Your cousin should have justice and I don’t want to see any women hurt. I’m not a monster.”

“I never said you were.” Nico sank his teeth into the hefty muscle of Bennett’s shoulder, enjoying the full body tremble Bennett gave. “I am the monster men fear, bello.”

Bennett was panting now, his breath coming faster, and Nico bit him again. He wanted to mark this man, devour him, take his time for more than just a quick encounter. The things Nico could do if he had a whole night . . .

Bennett’s skin was crimson from the heat, his lids hooded as he turned around. His cock wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t soft either. His stare fixed on Nico—hungry, intense, like Nico was Bennett’s last meal—and it made him feel fifty meters tall. He wasn’t ready to give this up yet. What would once more hurt?

Cosa mi stai facendo?

What are you doing to me?

That was a question for later. For now, he turned off the water. “We should get out of the shower.”

“In a hurry to get rid of me?”

“No, I am in a hurry to suck your dick.” Nico pushed open the heavy glass door, stepped out, and grabbed their towels. Tossing one to Bennett, he ordered, “Get moving before I change my mind.”

Bennett wrapped the cloth around his waist. “What if I want to suck your dick instead?”

“I will not stop you. Don’t worry. There are enough dicks to go around.”

CHAPTER 20

The hotel eerily silent, Bennett crept down the hall to his room. After exchanging blowjobs, he and Nico had been too exhausted to do anything but say goodnight. Sleeping in the penthouse wasn’t an option—not that he’d been invited—so Bennett was returning to his assigned room on the team’s floor, hoping to Christ that no one saw him.

Once at his door, he carefully placed the key card against the lock and heard it ping. He gingerly turned the latch and pushed open the door⁠—

The door of the room next to his flew open and Bennett froze. Noah appeared, his face haggard, his gaze dragging over Bennett from head to toe in the dim hallway lighting. “What the fuck?” his friend hissed. “Where have you been?”

Bennett rubbed his face tiredly. He definitely didn’t want to answer that, so he gestured to Noah’s room. “Go to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow.”