Page 95 of Rookie Attraction

This is why he’s the legend and I’m the rookie.

“Okay, I surrender. I’ve learned my lesson,” I whimper.

Sel removes his hands and steps back. I don’t miss that he’s trembling. So am I. While I want to protest the lack of contact, I know it’s for the best. I turn off the shower, step out, and grab two towels, passing one to him. We dry off in no time, and once again, hand in hand, we walk back to my bed. The blanket’s covered in cum, so I throw it on the floor and slide under the sheets. Sel joins me, but when I turn out the light, he faces away, and my stomach drops out.

Is he okay? Did I push him too far?

Instead of worrying, I shift and spoon him. He lets out a long sigh and snuggles into me.

“You good?” I whisper in the dark.

“More than. I just… I feel like—” He shakes his head. “Shit, now I’m the one who can’t speak.”

He grips my hand tightly and pulls it up over his chest, over his heart. I feel it pumping hard. The fact that he’s letting me hold him like this says everything. To me, at least. This is more than a hookup. I don’t do those and I’m hoping like hell Sel feels the same.

He does, doesn’t he?

“You don’t have to talk,” I reply as I kiss his jaw. “Plenty of time tomorrow.”

He nods and places his head back on the pillow.

“Don’t let go,” he whispers.

I smile against his skin and hold him tighter.

Chapter Eighteen

SELWIN

There’s a warm, hard body pressed against mine, spooning me possessively. I’m so blissfully content that I don’t want to move but reluctantly, I open my eyes. It’s not a dream, because when I blink and look around, I notice the details of the room.

It’s not mine.

I look down, spotting the freckled arm that’s clutching my waist—and that I’m clutching onto in return—and everything about last night comes rushing back.

Me showing up at Finn’s unannounced.

Kissing him, coming with him, sleeping in his bed... So much for taking it slow.

Last night was surreal in the best way.

Today is real in the worst way.

Guilt and anxiety washes over me. What happens now? I don’t want to leave Finn, or his bed, but we need to figure out what the hell we’re doing. It’s just sex, so I shouldn’t be panicking, but what if Finn wakes up and freaks out? What if he says we made a mistake? What if last night was the only night I get to spend with him?

My stomach clenches and I worry my lower lip. There’s so much at stake here.

Which is why you told Finn it wasn’t smart to do this, remember?

Not smart, but necessary. I didn’t lie when I said I couldn’t stay away from him. Christ, it was so hot when Finn and I came together. More than that. Most of my hookups are eager to fuck because of what I do, not who I am. But not Finn. He sees me, as me. And when he came undone, I couldn’t stop staring into his eyes. I was a goner too. Fuck, that hand job was the hottest, most intimate sex I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot.

Well, you did call him sweetheart.

That was just the heat of the moment. I think. Yes, that’s all it was.

Bullshit.

I’m afraid there’s more than lust going on here and I’m not sure I know what to do about it. About that, and the reality that I was Finn’s first. Accepting that he’s into guys is one thing, embracing his queerness is another. He’s going to need time to deal with this. Or maybe he’ll want to forget it ever happened. Then I remember that Finn doesn’t do casual. He wouldn’t have invited me in if he didn’t want this. Us. What are we anyway? Friends who fuck? Rationally, that works, even if my gut tells me I’m a liar.