Chapter 20 #2
"Finally," he breathes, pulling me close. "I've been wanting to do this all night."
His mouth lands on mine, and I lose myself in the kiss, backing him against the desk. One hand slides under his shirt, the other down the back of his pants. I give his ass a firm squeeze, and he makes a noise that goes straight to my dick.
"God, you taste like cherry Coke," I lick along the seam of his lips.
"And you taste like that fancy sparkling water Emily keeps forcing on everyone."
I'm about to suggest we go back to my room when the door handle rattles.
"Occupied!" James calls against my neck, his voice slightly muffled.
The lock gives way; I guess James didn't click it fully, and Tyler pushes the door open, Ethan right behind him. They freeze when they see us; we jerk apart so fast that I get dizzy, and my face heats up.
Tyler's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. "Oh."
Ethan's eyes widen. "Sorry, we didn't, we were looking for somewhere quiet to—"
"Absolutely not." James steps forward, his expression one of horror. "You cannot use the computer room for that. These are expensive machines. Do you have any idea what kind of damage could—"
"Oh, like you two were doing?" Ethan interrupts, his voice sharper than I've ever heard it. His cheeks are pink, but his chin is up.
James's mouth opens. Closes. Opens again like a fish gasping for air.
"Why do you look so guilty anyway?" Ethan asks. "You two are acting like we caught you cheating or something."
"Nothing's going on." I manage to sound casual despite the heat creeping up my neck.
"Uh, guys?" Tyler looks back and forth between us. "You know you're allowed to make out with your boyfriend, right?"
James's face goes red. "We're not— I mean—"
"It's not really public—" I add, making it worse.
Tyler and Ethan exchange confused glances.
"Wait," Ethan steps forward with his nurse voice. "Are you two trying to keep this secret? From us?"
"The frat is full of gossips," James mutters, not making eye contact.
I glance at James, and I really want to laugh. His face is priceless, a mix of pure shock and embarrassment. Only Gavin and Drew knew for sure we are dating; getting caught with hands in pants is a lot for my quiet guy.
"We just wanted to keep it quiet," I manage, but it sounds weak even to me.
"We should go," James says.
"Yeah, definitely let's get going. How about we all find somewhere else to... continue our respective activities?"
Tyler's face breaks into a cheerful smile. "Deal. "We'll take the study room on the second floor, no one ever uses."
"Perfect," Ethan says, grabbing Tyler's hand.
As they turn to leave, Tyler glances back with a smirk. "Try not to damage any expensive equipment, yeah?"
James flips him off, which makes Tyler laugh harder as he and Ethan disappear down the hallway, and I grab James's hand and tug him out of the room too.
James's room is safe and quiet after all the craziness at the party. Plus, it has a working lock. The music still pulses through the walls, but it's muffled enough that we can hear each other without shouting.
"Not much of a party guy?" James closes the door behind us and turns the lock with a sharp click.
He shrugs. "Never have been. Spent too much time in foster homes where adults getting drunk meant bad news."
The casual way he says it makes my chest tight. The image forms before I can stop it; James, as a little kid, too smart for his own good, learning which nights to stay in his room.
My voice comes out rough. "I get that. I wish I didn't.” I have to clear my throat before continuing. “ I've seen too many country club idiots get wasted and do terrible things, knowing daddy's money would make it all disappear."
Something shifts in his expression. "Is that what happened with Christopher? Was he drunk like your dad said he was?"
My shoulders tense automatically at the name.
"No, he wasn't drunk, just... opportunistic.
He tried to get me drunk first, though. When that didn't work…
My shoulder lifts in what's supposed to be a casual shrug.
But my stomach still knots thinking about that night and everything that happened with my family after.
"Anyway, that's why I don't drink much."
James is quiet for a moment, then says, "Yeah…"
"It's not a big deal."
"It is," he says softly.
The warmth in his eyes makes the tension behind my ribs unravel. Without thinking, I close the distance between us, pulling him into a kiss that quickly becomes heated. His hands find my waist, tugging me in tight.
"Congratulations on becoming official," he murmurs against my lips.
Leaving his neck alone for a moment, pulling back to look at him. "Does this mean I get special member benefits?"
His eyebrows shoot up. "That might be the closest thing to a joke I've ever heard from you."
"I have layers," My words come out in a terrible attempt at a Scottish Ogre accent, then I kiss him again before he can respond.
We stumble toward the bed, shedding clothes as we go. I'm usually more careful with my things, but I couldn't care less where my shirt lands or if my jeans get creased. All I want is James's hands on me, his skin against mine.
We're both down to our underwear when we finally fall onto the mattress. James props himself up on one elbow, his eyes travelling over my body in a way that makes heat pool in my stomach.
"You're staring." I’m fighting the urge to cover myself. Why the hell do I feel nervous all of a sudden? It's not like he hasn't seen it all before.
"Can you blame me?" His hand traces down my chest, fingertips light against my skin. "You're gorgeous."
"Less talking, more action."
He grins, hooking his fingers in the waistband of my boxers. "So demanding."
In one smooth motion, he pulls them down and off. I reach for his, and now we're both naked, hands all over each other, getting more and more desperate.
James reaches toward his nightstand, giving me a questioning glance. I like that he always checks in with me. When I nod, he grabs the lube and a condom. He rolls the condom on first; the sight of him preparing makes my mouth go dry.
"I want to make sure I don't get carried away," he explains, noticing me looking. "Last time, I almost couldn't get it on."
"Yeah, putting on a condom isn't your strong suit when you're excited.”
"Very funny," he says, uncapping the lube. "I blame you. Everything is more complicated to do when you’re that turned on.”
He warms the lube between his fingers before bringing them to my entrance. I widen my legs, impatient for more.
"Come on, I don't need that much prep."
James raises an eyebrow, glancing meaningfully at his extra-large erection. "I'm not going to hurt you, Caleb."
"Maybe I don't mind a bit of pain."
Something darkens in his eyes. "Trust me, even if you like it rough, you'll want prep for this."
Can't exactly argue with what I'm seeing. And fuck, I want that inside me. "Fine. Just... don't take all night."
He laughs, then surprises me by pushing two fingers in at once. The sudden stretch makes me gasp, my back arching off the bed.
"Too much?" he asks, stilling his hand.
"God, no," I breathe. "More."
He works me open with methodical precision, finding that spot inside me that makes sparks shoot up my spine. Soon, I'm writhing against the sheets, dignity forgotten as I push back against his fingers.
"James," Air is panting in and out of my lungs. "I need you inside me. Right. Fucking. Now."
He withdraws his fingers slowly, then positions himself between my legs. The blunt head of his cock presses against my entrance, and my eyes flutter at the stretch as he begins to push in.
"Breathe," he murmurs, one hand stroking my thigh soothingly. "Push out for me."
Forcing myself to relax, I do what he says, and he slides in deeper, the feeling of fullness almost overwhelming. We both pause when he bottoms out his balls resting on my ass. It takes a moment to adjust to the fullness.
"Move," I take a second to find my voice and start to beg. Oh holy hell, he’s big. "Please."
He starts with slow, measured thrusts that quickly have me clawing at his back, urging him faster, harder. Every nerve ending in my body is electrified, especially when he shifts the angle to hit my bundle of nerves head-on.
"Right there," Fuck yes. "Don't stop!"
James picks up the pace, his rhythm becoming desperate. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust. His face above me shows pure pleasure, his eyes dark and intense as they meet mine.
Needy chills race across my skin as he pushes deeper, hitting that perfect spot again and again. I reach between us, trying to grab my cock so I can stroke it in time with his thrusts, but James gently moves my hand away, replacing it with his.
"Let me," he says, gripping me tight and pulling me perfectly.
The dual sensation is too much. Pleasure builds at the base of my spine, coiling tighter with every movement. I'm making sounds I'd be embarrassed about if I had any capacity for shame left, but all I can focus on is the mounting tension about to snap.
"James—" His name comes out strangled. “Right there… I'm going to—"
My orgasm crashes over me, making me shake and arch as I spill over his hand and my stomach. The intensity of it leaves me gasping, my body clenching around him involuntarily.
James groans when I tighten around him, his rhythm faltering. I wrap my arms and legs even tighter around him, pulling him as close as possible as he continues to thrust, chasing his own orgasm.
"Come deep inside me," I whisper against his ear, my teeth nipping at his lobe.
That's all it takes. His arms slide under me, pulling on my shoulders to bring me even closer as he groans and shudders. He gives a final, powerful thrust, pushing as deep as he can go. I can feel him pulse inside me, his whole body tensing before collapsing on top of me, spent.
For several minutes, we lie panting, neither willing to move. Finally, James stirs, carefully pulls out and trashes the condom before collapsing back beside me.
"That was..." he trails off.
"Yup," I'm too blissed out for complete sentences.
He reaches for tissues from the nightstand, gently cleaning us both up before pulling the blanket over us. The party is still going strong outside, but here, it's just us, cocooned in his blanket.
James pulls me against his chest, his arm draped over my waist. I should make some sarcastic comment about cuddling, but I can't bring myself to ruin the moment. Instead, I snuggle into his chest, letting my eyes drift closed.
His breathing evens out gradually, and I wait until I'm sure he's asleep before turning slightly to look at his face. In sleep, the perpetual tension around his eyes is gone, making him look younger. My chest tightens with a feeling I've been trying to ignore for weeks.
"I'm falling in love with you, Grump,” I whisper to the dark room.
He doesn't stir. Good. That would've been... yeah. Rolling back over, I wiggle until we fit together right. His arm tightens automatically, pulling me in tight even in sleep.
Exactly where I want to be.
The thought should be terrifying. Instead, my eyes are already closing, and for once, my brain shuts the fuck up and lets me have this.