Page 11 of Temptation On Ice

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” I tell her as she rattles off the number and I type it into Tucker’s new contact that I definitely didn't save under his actual name. It’s not like I’ll be calling him regularly, so remembering he’s the guy with the Hydras’ puppy is enough information.

“You can find us on socials, too. Everything is under Combat Companions, and I run them, but I can get a message to Tucker if needed. He responds to emails, though, so if you hit the website and use the contact form or email directly, that would also get him.” She’s still talking, undeterred by Tucker grabbing her shoulders and physically pulling her away. Maybe he thinks she’s hitting on me and doesn’t like it?

“That’s enough, Cami. Good God, leave the man alone,” he says under his breath. “Nice to meet you, Sebastian.” He bends to scoop up the puppy, presses a hand to his sister’s back, and leaves the room like he can’t get out of there fast enough. I run a hand through my hair as I watch them go and let out a chuckle.

“Cool dude,” Ryder says, coming up beside me while hauling Knox along with him as Tucker’s flannel shirt disappears out the door.

“He was a hot country boy,” Knox adds appreciatively.

Ryder turns and pokes Knox in the chest. “You don’t get a pass to check out dudes in front of me, even the ones with cute dogs,” he growls. “Take it back or I’ll tear you up and show you who that ass belongs to.”

I choke on the spit in my mouth and slap my hands over Enzo’s ears. These two! “Seriously, guys. My kid,” I say, nodding down at Enzo.

Knox laughs. “You possessive monster. I’m allowed to look and make observations. I know who I’m going home with. And he’s probably straight anyway. Now, relax.” He kisses Ryder and smooths a hand over his bearded cheek. “Besides, if he’s gay, he’d probably have a thing for Monty after getting wrapped up in that leash with him. You can’t be pressed against all this muscle and not think about it.” He gestures at my chest and raises his eyebrows salaciously as my cheeks heat.

Holy shit, they don’t stop. I don't even know what to say about any of this. My face is so warm from being discussed like I’m not here, and thinking about being pressed against Tucker for longer than was comfortable, while feeling a bit too much of him. The country boy was packing in his Wranglers, and the fact that I’m thinking about it now that Knox has brought up that he might have found me attractive if he was gay is sort of throwing me for a loop. What the actual fuck is happening in my head right now?

“Knox, you’re just making it worse,” Ryder says. “I need to take you home and fix this sudden urge to comment on random guys in public by reintroducing you to my dick.”

“Dude, little ears,” I hiss, pressing my hands harder against Enzo’s head to muffle anything they say. “You know what, we’re leaving.”

I let Ryder and Knox argue about hot guys as I leave the event with Enzo, shaking my head and still thinking about Knox’s comment a little too much.

Five

Tucker

“Oh my God, that was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! You and that hockey player were so hot together. When you get married, I’ll have the photos of how you met to share at the wedding,” Cami gushes as she scrolls through the camera roll on her phone while I navigate through traffic in downtown Atlanta.

“I hate you so much.” I groan, running a palm across my face as I stare at the cars in front of me. “None of that is happening. One, there isn’t going to be a wedding because the hockey player is obviously straight. He has a kid, Cami. Just because his wife wasn’t at the event doesn’t mean there isn’t a woman in his life. Two, you’re getting way ahead of yourself, and I can’t believe you gave him my phone number and were so pushy. He probably thinks we’re both crazy, and even if he was cool with me after the whole leash incident, he’s never going to call now.”

I could have made a new friend at the very least, and now I don't even have a chance of that happening, thanks to my nosy sister, who decided to insert herself where she didn’t belong.

“See, I knew you liked him! You were blushing so hard when you were all wrapped up together. He’s exactly your type. Tall, dark, and huge. His muscles were beautiful, and despite being a dad, I didn’t catch even a hint of a dad bod. What did he feel like? Was he rock-hard like I imagined?” she asks, bouncing in her seat.

Oh, he was hard alright, but I won’t be telling her anything more. She doesn't need any encouragement. “Let it go, Cam. I told you I wasn’t looking for a date at that event, so it’s not like you need to read into every interaction I have. You can't try to set me up with everyone I talk to just because I’m gay. Especially the straight guys. You know how well that works.”

“He was super chatty and hung out with you more than his teammates. That says something,” she says cheerfully, undeterred by my arguments in the least.

“His kid was crazy about the puppy, so he was staying close by for that reason alone. He was nice enough to make small talk while he was standing there instead of being awkwardly silent. It had nothing to do with me.”

“God, you’re so frustrating. You’re like a damn straight guy sometimes with how you can’t read the signs. Pretty much as bad as Max and Hunter.”

“Take that back,” I warn, hurt that she would lump me in with our cousins and any man who doesn’t have a clue how to act civilly.

“Fine, you’re not that bad, just close. But really, he was at least a little into you, and that’s what matters. I know these things, trust me. I’m a natural matchmaker. Just look at Hayden and Ava. They’ve been together for two years since I set them up.”

I scoff at her bringing up two of our trainers. “You’re irrational and annoying is what you are. Hayden and Ava liked each other before you decided to interfere. You can't take credit for something that was inevitable.” I shake my head, not sure why we’re continuing this bullshit argument. “Regardless, you gotta drop this. Sebastian is straight and not into me, and if he ever does reach out, it’ll be because he’s a nice guy with a kid who wants to hang out with some dogs, not because he wants to end up in my bed. I won't be reading into anything, and you shouldn't either.”

“You’re no fun,” she mutters, going back to her phone. “I’m posting a photo of you wrapped up with him anyway, people will love it.”

I sigh as she finally leaves me alone despite doing everything in her power to make my life hell.

“Atlas, to me,” I call, instructing the dog to return. The Malinois rushes to my side and stays there while we walk through the woods as I chuck a stick down the well-trodden path. “Retrieve,” I say, and he charges after it, finding the stick and running happily through the trees as I follow. “Back to me,” I call, and he returns with the stick. I let him carry it, looking at me before I give him the command to run freely for a bit so he can get his energy out off-leash.

Rowan and Hayden are working with two other dogs along the same path, while Ava and Cami are back at the facility running a few more through the agility course. Still, that’s only half the adult dogs who need exercise, and we’ll be working on training the others this afternoon before I take in the private clients for the evening.

When I started this training business a few years ago, I never imagined it would be such a hustle. Everyone always says if you do the thing you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. What they should really say is that if you’re doing the thing you love, you’re working even harder because you care so much more about it and want to see your business succeed. Between the actual training, the admin work behind the scenes, and taking care of almost twenty dogs and puppies who live on site, I’m working longer hours than I did even as a police officer.