Page 9 of Temptation On Ice

I take a half step back, laughing in surprise. That was something Eliana would have done when she won an argument. She was smug as hell and loved to rub it in my face when she was right. I swallow against the peculiar feeling the comparison brings on.

“Okay, fine. I get it. You have a foundation of training, and you practice daily to keep it sharp.” I lick my lips, trying to put my world back on its axis after that smile knocked me over.

He nods slowly, like he’s encouraging me to think deeper, and there’s more I should be saying. I rub a palm across my face as I stare at him.

“And I’m sure every dog is different, so no two are trained the same,” I say slowly.

“See, my job’s easy. Looks like you understand it just fine, Sebastian.” He says my name with deep approval and a warm smile.

My stomach contracts and my chest expands with a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time, and it confuses the hell out of me. Does his approval make me what—giddy or something? Is it how he said my name? What is this exactly that’s giving me a rush of nerves and anticipation, like I’m picking up a date for the first time? I shake my head slowly to clear it of the confusion.

Enjoy it.

The thought is so loud and insistent in my brain, I could have sworn Eliana yelled it in my ear herself. It was something she was always trying to drive home for me. She wanted me to enjoy the little moments.

Is this her way of telling me I need to enjoy this puppy she would have loved?

Something hits the back of my legs, throwing me off balance and pitching me forward. I attempt to counterbalance, taking a step forward just as Tucker experiences the phenomenon, and also corrects. We end up falling into each other, hands grappling and arms tangling in the next breath as our chests collide and our cheeks brush. Tucker’s sudden inhale is sharp and shaky against my ear, and it has my breath catching as awareness lights up my entire body with his proximity. The sound of his breathing manages to slow my racing mind unlike anything has before. The constant stream of thoughts fades away, and all I know is our closeness, the warm rush of air against my skin as he breathes, and his solid, unyielding form I’m pressed against.

Enzo laughs, bringing me back to the moment acutely, and the puppy chases him, winding the leash once more around our legs and trapping us together. My oblivious kid falls to the ground giggling and rolls out of sight with the puppy when the leash runs out of slack, keeping Tucker and me locked together. I sigh, listening to my son having the time of his life while I’m pressed against a stranger closer than I’ve been to anyone in years, without intentionally making it so. Tucker shifts against me, reminding me that I’m not alone in this predicament.

And now I need to say something to ease the awkwardness, or he’ll think I’m a freak.

“Oh, hell, I’m so sorry he did that,” I mumble, trying to pull away and reach for the leash wrapped around our calves. In doing so, it just pushes our lower bodies together, given our close heights, and that feels a little too intimate as our dicks graze. Tucker makes an uncomfortable noise and grabs my arms to pull me back up quickly. I catch his shocked blue eyes and furiously red cheeks as he holds my biceps to keep me still. We stare at each other with wide eyes, not sure what to do, knowing that moving is going to make for an awkward situation neither of us is prepared for.

“I dropped the leash, sorry, man. This is, uh, not ideal,” he says, one hand letting go of my arm to try to bend sideways and catch the rolling puppy that’s now behind him with Enzo. He can’t reach without us rubbing dicks again. He sighs in resignation as he straightens up without fulfilling the task.

“Oh my God, do not move. This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

My head snaps up, eyes wide, as the blonde woman Tucker arrived with holds up her phone, clearly taking photos, while McKenna rushes over to do the same.

“Cami, don't you dare,” Tucker growls, the sound vibrating through my chest as he puts a protective arm up to shield me from her photos. He’s doing this for me? I look at his hand, then back at his face, and start laughing at the absurdity of this whole situation.

“Come on, Tuck, you guys look so cute. How often does a real-life meet-cute happen, and I get to capture it?” She continues to ignore him and moves around us as she snorts with glee at our situation. “This is for sure going up on our socials. Our followers will eat this up. They love it when a puppy brings people together.”

I pat his chest and smooth my hand over to lower his arm. “Might as well give in. They’re going to take the photos regardless, and this is funny as hell,” I say, shaking my head. He looks at me with confusion before I finally see the perturbed set of his mouth soften and a slight smile lift the corner. He’s not giving in, but I can tell my acceptance of the situation has made him feel better about it.

The women take photos while I try not to rub anything too private on Tucker, a near-impossible task when I can feel every part of the front of his body pressed against mine. He’s surprisingly firm. Not that I expected him to be flabby, only that he’s built solidly and seems more of the thick dad-bod type, rather than a lean athlete. I probably have three inches on his height, but he’s the one supporting me. I can feel definition in his chest and arms as he easily holds me up. On the flip side, it’s kind of nice to be held, even if this is awkward as hell.

Wait.

What the hell am I even thinking? Why am I noticing his definition or body and enjoying being held by a man?

Just enjoy it.

Fuck, again? Seriously, Eliana, why now?

Tucker grabs my attention again with his deep voice and slight drawl, forcing my eyes to snap up to his like he knows there’s a phantom voice telling me to enjoy him.

“I’m so sorry about my sister. She’s a total menace.”

I smile crookedly to cover any lingering weirdness, grateful for his attempt to normalize this conversation despite the predicament we’re currently in and the incredibly fucked up headspace I seem to have lapsed into.

“No worries, man. I have a mom just like her, always hovering and inserting herself into my life. I totally get it.”

Tucker tugs his lower lip with his teeth as he digests my words. My eyes track the movement, clocking the slight sheen of moisture when he releases it. He has nice lips. They fit his face. Set under a short beard that shapes his jaw and highlights his deep-set blue eyes. He’s a good-looking dude, and I’m man enough to admit it. If I had to be wrapped up with anyone, it could have been worse. He smells good, too. Clean and like some kind of product. Maybe soap or cologne? I like it, maybe more than I should, but it’s probably just because I want to try it for myself.

His attention is stolen by his sister taking a step toward us and putting her phone close to our faces. His gaze drops from mine as he grows impatient and pushes her phone away from us.