Page 9 of The Fullback
“Yeah, you can.”
For a second I hesitated, then slowly pressed my lips to his.
He tasted like beer and strawberries and something smoky. Different to how I remembered. But that whole night had been different.
The feeling was the same, though. Like I could finally breathe again. Or like, the feeling after someone had worked a knot out of my spine or taken off my sports tape—not pain. Relief.
Hunter’s tongue caressed the seam of my lips, and he groaned as I opened them, inviting him to take more. Warmth spread through me as his hand came to rest on my waist, holding me firmly, like I was grounding him.
A sharp buzzing from Hunter’s pocket snapped reality back into focus around us and we broke apart.
“Aiden’s on his way,” Hunter said as he pulled his phone out and casually tapped the screen. “He managed to sneak out.”
I chuckled. “Let’s hope he wasn’t noticed.”
“Eh, doesn’t matter either way. We don’t have to see Jonny until July.”
“True. He’ll have forgotten about it by then.”
Thank fuck Aiden was on his way. He was exactly the distraction we needed to stop us from focusing on… whatever the hell that had been.
I felt a little bad for using him, but Aiden didn’t seem to care that this was only sex. We hadn’t spoken since we’d last seen him and I doubted we would again until the next time he came to visit.
None of us wanted anything more, so I didn’t even know where the vague stab of guilt came from. I’d never felt it before about any of the numerous casual hookups Hunter and I’d had over the years.
That kiss had made me get in my head and I needed to snap out of it.
“Did you see Aiden’s new tattoos?” Hunter asked as he reached into my bedside drawer and pulled out the bottle of lube we kept there, shaking it and holding it up to the light to see how much was left. “Can’t wait to follow those instructions.”
“They’re the only ones you follow.”
“And you wouldn’t?”
“I didn’t say that.” I grinned. “He tastes so good all I want to do is eat him out.”
“He’s so fucking hot. Like,fuck.”
“You’re really desperate today, aren’t you?”
Hunter shrugged casually, but there was a flush spreading across his cheeks that I’d rarely seen. “It’s the end of the season. We deserve this!”
“Hey,” I said softly. “I never said it was bad that you’re desperate. It’s hot.”
“Thanks.” He nodded but didn’t quite meet my gaze. There was definitely something more going on, but now wasn’t the time to ask.
“And, just so you know, I’m fucking desperate for it too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I need this today.”
“Me too.” He put the lube down, a little smile playing across his lips. “I’m gonna go grab a shower and maybe, er, clean up a bit.”
“Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything.”
I watched him go, trying not to let myself follow the rabbit down the warren of thoughts popping up in my head. I didn’t need to analyse anything. I needed to let go.
From down the hall, I heard the shower turn on and I shook my head, dislodging the last of my worries, before wandering through to the kitchen to fill a couple of water bottles. Hydration was always important. I put them down near my bed and then flicked the large tower fan on to rotate slowly. It wouldn’t do much in terms of keeping us cool, but it was better than nothing.
