Page 95 of These Wicked Hearts

“First of all, I did not eat shit. Second, you’re worried about me. So cute.”

“Fuck off. I wanted to know if I had to find another fuck buddy.”

He chuckles low, sending heat through my stomach. Relief hits me just as fast, though. He’s fine, he’s talking and being as irritating as usual.

“You were so worried about me,” he teases.

“No I wasn’t!”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to go back to my own apartment, then.”

I get up out of bed fast and walk to my door, pulling it open. Atlas is standing there with a bruise cradling his face and a grin on his lips, with his phone tucked between his ear and shoulder.

“Wow. You opened your door pathetically fast.”

“You’re an asshole.” I hang up and tug him inside instead. Seeing him here and whole eases my mind. “Oh, shit.” I reach for the bruise curved around his eye. He winces when my fingers brush it. “Sorry.”

“Just sore as fuck. Makes me look kind of badass, though, right?”

I shake my head. “When did you get home?”

“Uh, right now.”

And he came right here. “What happened? Are you hungry?”

“Relax, okay. I’m alright.” I nod, looking around the living room, my lungs still gripped with fear. “I’m okay, Gage. This shit happens all the time.”

“I hate hockey,” I admit, looking at him. “I fucking hate it.”

“Uh—”

“It’s too much. The skates. The fights. It’s brutal. It’s like, you know what would be fun? If we put everyone on knives and let them fuck each other up with zero consequences.”

“There are consequences. That’s literally what the penalty box is for.”

“Well, your time-out corner isn’t working!”

He bites his bottom lip, blinking at me. “My god, you are so worried about me.”

“Shut up.”

“Did nurse Gage want to take care of my boo boos?” His blue eyes fill with heat. “Our team doctor is great, but if you need to do a thorough check, you’re welcome to.”

I can’t help myself, I don’t even know where it comes from. I grab his shirt, pulling him into a kiss. I hate how my soul settles and my lungs ease with his lips on mine. Kissing Atlas feels like a deep breath, centering in a way I’ve never felt, and I hate how I badly I needed it. He’s making light of this, but watching him barely able to stand scared the shit out of me.

“I didn’t know how to find out if you were okay,” I say against his mouth then pull back. “I kept checking websites, but all they said was ‘head injury.’”

“I’m just on concussion watch. I have about ten days to rest before they check to make sure I’m symptom free.”

I don’t like how I’m feeling. It’s tight and too warm. It’s making my palms sweat and my heart beat faster. I can’t control myself. I know he said he’s okay, but I can’t stop thinking about him struggling to stand.

“Hey.” He cups my face. “I’m okay.

I want it to stop. Whatever this is.

I curl my fingers in the front of his sweats, and while I can’t fuck out this frustration on him, I need to touch him. I crave it. I can’t get enough of this frustrating man.

“Can I suck your cock?”