Tough Guy (Game Changers, #3)

by Rachel Reid

“There’s no chance you’re not going to make a big deal about this, is there?” Ryan grumbled. “What? About the fact that you suddenly look like bearded Captain America instead of, like, the dad in How to Train Your Dragon?”

“There are so many things I want to do to you.” “You don’t have to—” Fabian held up a hand. “Ryan. I am talking to my new friend. Shush.” Ryan laughed, which made Fabian feel a little bit proud. “Sorry. Continue.”

Dirty talk was extremely far outside of Ryan’s comfort zone, but he wanted to be able to do it for Fabian. It was such a small, simple thing, putting the desires that were filling his head into words. He could try. He was safe here.

“Holy hell,” Ryan said. Fabian was like one of those presents that you just keep unwrapping. What would Ryan find under the cock ring? A tattoo of his own name?

Ryan smiled at that. “I can’t believe you’re going to Ottawa.” “I know. The enemy, right?” “You’ll get to play with Rozanov. You still have a crush on him?” Wyatt laughed. “Maybe I can get to the bottom of this mystery friendship he has with Shane Hollander.”

“You are a private person. I understand that.” He had to smile. “Do you?” There was a funny little twist to Ilya’s lips. “We all have secrets.” Ryan nodded. Of course Ilya had secrets. He wondered if Ilya was possibly as lonely as he was.

“I don’t want to teach kids how to fight,” Ryan said, just to make it clear. Rozanov looked at him like he was stupid. “No. You are a defenseman. You will teach them how to stand still and not score goals. Defenseman things.”

“Ryan,” Fabian murmured later, when they were tangled up in bed together, sleepy and sated, “I have a very important question about your thighs.” “What’s that?” “What happens to them after you stop playing hockey?” Ryan paused a moment from stroking Fabian’s hair. “They’ll probably turn into regular thighs.” “That’s what I was afraid of.” “Quitting hockey doesn’t sound so great now, does it?” Ryan teased.

Ilya rolled his eyes and took the paper from Ryan. “He’s not going to tell anyone, Shane. Fucking relax.” He shot Ryan a questioning look that said you’re not going to tell anyone, are you? “No. I won’t tell anyone. That you’re, um...” “Making out at work? Yes. That would be bad,” Ilya said with an amused grin. Shane looked like he would never smile again. “I don’t know what I see in you,” Shane grumbled. “Yes. You say that every day.” Ryan couldn’t help but smile at them. Suddenly things made a lot more sense.