Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
We made out, lost in a sensual tangle of roving hands and hungry kisses, completely oblivious to our surroundings. And that alone was madness. We were in a fucking locker room. If anyone walked in on us, we’d have a hard time explaining ourselves.
Gabe set his hand on the locker behind me and broke for air. He bit his lower lip, casting his gaze from my mouth to my eyes before taking a cursory glance toward the door. The coast was clear. I huffed a half laugh when he adjusted his dick in his Speedo, then collapsed on the metal bench across from my locker. He braced his elbows on his knees and gestured at my crotch.
The skimpy fabric left nothing to the imagination. It hugged my shaft lovingly and forced the tip of my cock to the edge of the elastic. I reopened my locker and pulled out my towel again before turning back to him with an expectant look.
“We have to talk,” I said in a small voice, wrapping my towel around my waist.
He nodded. “Yeah, but not here.”
“I know.”
Gabe raked his fingers through his wet hair, then flashed an amused grin at me. “That was stupid. But…it was hot.”
“Would you classify that as a kiss, or is there another word for it?”
“It was a kiss, smartass,” he huffed.
“Hmm. And is that like a rage thing for you?”
“What’s a ‘rage thing’?”
“Something you do when you get mad to blow off steam. You know, like go for a run, lift weights, kiss people…”
Gabe snorted as he stood. “I’ve never done that before in my life.”
“You’ve never kissed a guy?”
“No, I’ve—I’ve done that, but…let’s talk later. I don’t want to do this here. I have another practice with the national team this afternoon. I can meet you after for dinner or something if you’re free,” he suggested.
“Like a date?” I asked sarcastically.
Gabe raised one brow. “If that’s what you want.”
I sensed a challenge there and I wanted to meet him toe-to-toe, but I was confused as hell. I had no idea what I’d walked into. “I don’t understand what’s happening here. Fuck, I’m not even sure I like you and—”
“You like me.” He gave me a lopsided smile that did funny things to my pulse, then added, “I like you too, Der. I’ll text you later.”
I watched Gabe walk away, in a daze. In less than a month, he’d turned my life inside out and upside down. He’d invaded my personal space in every possible way and left me feeling unsettled, unsure, and afraid. I had no idea what I’d do if the pieces of myself I’d hidden so well came tumbling out of the closet. I might lose everything. But the momentum had already shifted. There was no going back.
3
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I made my apologies after practice to my team and Gabe, then issued a warmish welcome to him before hightailing it home. I didn’t want another run-in with Coach, and I didn’t want to discuss my tirade with my friends. I wanted peace and quiet and an afternoon to myself. I cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and then mowed the lawn. I was about to go running when the text I’d been checking my phone for every fifteen minutes finally came through.
Hi Derek, can you meet at Habana at 7 tonight?
I stared at my cell and contemplated text etiquette with a guy I’d kissed. Twice. If Gabe were one of my friends, I’d respond immediately so I wouldn’t forget. But he wasn’t my friend. Not really. I had no previous experience to draw from when it came to striking the right balance of sexual interest with someone of the same sex. If I returned his message right away I might seem desperate, like I’d been sitting around waiting for him to call me all afternoon. Which was true, but still…I tried to think about what I’d do if he were a girl, but it didn’t work. The mind-set was all wrong.
I set my phone on the kitchen counter and headed to my bedroom to change my clothes and find my running shoes. That would kill roughly ten minutes. Perfect. I toed off my Vans, stepped out of my khaki shorts, and lifted my T-shirt over my head just as the front door opened. I shouted a quick greeting to Evan when he called my name and finished getting dressed.
“How’s it go—what are you doing?”
I frowned as I moved into the kitchen and found Evan bent over my cell, reading an incoming message.
He glanced up at me with a raised his brow. “You’re popular.”
I snapped my phone from the counter and shot an irritated glare at him. “Why are you reading my texts, asshole?”
Evan put his hands up in surrender and shook his head. “I’m innocent! I swear, I was just standing here and then kapow…your cell lit up. Don’t get excited, man. They’re all from Gabe. You guys are awfully chummy all of a sudden. I thought you hated him.”