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God, the hottest man in the world is standing in front of me and I am wearing an apron and a strawberry baseball cap.
The man laughed. Kip nearly fell over.
Scott’s eyes were blue. They were so blue.
Scott was looking directly at him as he took his first sip. His lips curved up a bit when he noticed Kip’s staring.
Scott Hunter was one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. He had never been linked to a woman for any significant amount of time (interesting), and he tended to dodge any questions about his private life (more interesting).
Like I said, he’s nuts.” “Nuts about you, maybe.”
“—we don’t know that Hunter is…on my team.” “Don’t we?” “No! I mean… I get hints that maybe…” “Like how we’re sitting in his personal seats because he personally gave you his personal tickets when he visited you at work for the third time this week?”
Kip’s eyes were stunning, set against all of the black of his uniform. He was more beautiful than Scott remembered, even.
Their eyes met a couple of times. The first time, Scott quickly looked away, embarrassed. The second time, though, he let his gaze linger, and he was rewarded with an adorable grin from Kip that caused Scott’s stomach to flip.
Scott smiled at Kip as the warm air hit them. Kip could not believe how beautiful he was.
The way Scott looked at him then, Kip would never forget it. If they were alone, and if he were someone else and Scott were someone else, he would have expected Scott to lunge across the table and haul him into a hungry kiss.
“It’s just nice. Doing this.” “Hanging out with someone?” “With you.”
Kip was speechless. And Scott looked absolutely tortured. His eyes were pleading with Kip to understand him. To not make him spell it out.
Scott placed his own hand over Kip’s and tangled their fingers. He pressed his lips together, like he was trying to suppress a smile. Like he was giddy about this. About Kip. Fucking incredible.
“Hey,” Kip said, shaking off the cold. His cheeks were pink. He was adorable. “Hey.” Scott grinned at him stupidly. He was rewarded with a smile that showed Kip’s dimples.
Scott kissed him and an instant calm settled throughout his body.
He was so beautiful. Kip. Scott decided to tell him so. “You’re gorgeous.” Scott gazed down at him with what must have been a look of pure adoration.
Scott stroked the backs of his fingers over Kip’s face. “It’s completely selfish, actually. I want to see you in a tux that was tailored to your gorgeous body. I might not be able to dance with you that night, but you’ll know I’ll be wishing I was.”
Scott leaned in. “I have a feeling I’m going to be thinking about you a lot anyway.” He looked so happy, gazing at Kip and stroking his hair. And Kip knew he looked the same way.
I just…like telling you things about me.” “I want to know everything about you,” Kip said quietly. Scott thought his heart might burst. He was so touched by Kip’s words that he didn’t notice that he hadn’t replied, until Kip said, “Oh god. That was a bit intense. Sorry.”
“Yes,” Kip said. “I do. He’s worth it.”
He was smitten. That was the only word for it.
Finally the door unlocked and they slipped inside. When the door clicked shut, they stood facing each other for a moment, nervous and grinning. After a ridiculous few seconds, Scott huffed out a laugh and, with a gentle hand on Kip’s face, guided them together.
Kip smiled back at him, that easy, sexy smile that always completely disarmed Scott.
“You called me sweetheart,” he said, his voice soft and dopey. “Did I?” “Yeah…when you were—” “Aw, I say lots of dumb things when I’m that far gone. Sorry.” “No, I liked it.” Kip smiled at him. “Well, all right, sweetheart,” he said, and then kissed him again.
“I’ve never wanted anyone like this before. I’ve had, I don’t know, crushes. I’ve been attracted to men, of course. Hooked up with men. But you… I’m breaking all my rules with you.”
“Goodnight,” Scott murmured, wrapping a giant arm around him. Kip couldn’t remember ever being so comfortable. He kissed Scott’s hand. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
He stood and moved toward the door, then looked back at Kip. “Why do you have to be so goddamn tempting?” he asked, smiling sadly.
“Because he just lit up like the goddamn sun. Jesus. You guys are doomed.”
Kip finally turned and made eye contact with him, and Scott’s heart stopped. God, he looked handsome. Like a classic Hollywood movie star. Scott drifted toward him like a moth to a flame.
Kip was staring at the floor, and Scott desperately wanted to tuck a finger under his chin and tilt his head up. He wanted to kiss him.
Kip laughed a little. Then he sighed and gazed at Scott with so much affection and longing that Scott couldn’t do anything but stare back. He knew he had a goofy, love-struck grin on his face, but he couldn’t help it.
Scott entered the room. “Kip. Oh my god.” He strode over to him like he was the first glass of water Scott had had in days.
His voice was husky and he was gazing at Kip like he couldn’t believe he was real, his brow furrowed and his face almost pained.
“S’okay.” “It’s not. I wanted to show you off. The most gorgeous man in the room was with me and I couldn’t even tell anyone.”
Scott said, “I want to go everywhere with you.”
Kip smiled shyly at him, and Scott was momentarily paralyzed. “What is it?” Kip asked, barely above a whisper. Scott shook his head. “Sometimes I—” He exhaled, trying to slow the pounding of his heart. “I can’t believe you’re real.”
“Yeah.” Scott smiled. He looked up at Kip, and he knew. He knew for sure. Scott Hunter was in love.
Kip flushed a little. He fiddled with the strings on the hoodie, trying to distract himself from all these damn feelings. He was in love. There was no question. He was head over heels in love with Scott Hunter. It was absurd, but it was real.
“You’re so beautiful,” Scott said, his voice quiet and reverent.
“You’re perfect,” Kip breathed. He brushed his fingers across Scott’s cheek. “Unreal. All of you. Can’t believe how lucky I am.”
“I love you,” he said. “I just wanted to say that. Before I left.”
“I wanted to tell you,” Kip said. “Tell me now.” “I love you. Scott, I’m…completely in love with you.”
Damn, Scott had a way of turning everything inside Kip to mush with a few dopey words.
Kip’s gaze was soft and affectionate as he tilted his head and brought their lips together. The kiss was achingly slow and sweet, and Scott melted into it.
“Kip,” Maria said, “you didn’t tell me that all of your cute dude friends are gay. What is even the point of me being here?” “I did tell you and, if you want, later we can go to Olive Garden or wherever straight people go.”
“How many minutes would I get if I just killed him?” Scott grumbled as he watched Rozanov skate away. “I’d have to give you at least ten,” Hal said dryly. “Not worth it in the playoffs.”
If you think the world finding out how much I love you is scary to me, you’re dead wrong.”
“What’s wrong with the closet? It’s a wonderful place crammed full of professional athletes.”
“Hey,” Bennett said, after they separated, “what’s his name?” Scott grinned. “Kip.” Carter looked suddenly delighted. “Kip!” he said. “That is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever heard! Are you kidding me with that shit?” “Thank god,” Huff said. “I thought you were gonna say you were secretly dating Rozanov.” “Rozanov wishes,” Scott said.
