Chapter 9
ETHAN
I’m used to seeing guys naked in the locker room, and I’ve never paid much attention before. Except to, you know, compare the goods. What can I say, guys are competitive about everything, especially our dicks.
But seeing Jett in that skintight bodysuit, transparent with sweat, is making me sweat.
I’ve been hornier in the past week than I have been in months. Maybe years. My dirty fantasies have taken an unexpected turn, and Jett is the star in all of them. In fact, he’s the only thing I can think about.
It’s not like me. I rub one out, and I’m good. And I’ve never rubbed one out over a guy before.
Now I can’t stop fucking my fist, and every time I call out Jett’s name, I’m coming harder than I have in my life.
I’ve jacked off so many times in the past seven days that my hand is cramped and my dick is chafed.
I even called off my meetup with Willow last week because I had no desire to fuck her. At all. Or anyone else for that matter.
I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and worst of all, I can’t stay away from Jett. I’d texted him but got frustrated when he wouldn’t reply. Fuck that. I can’t be the only one feeling like this.
I saw the way he looked at me the other night. It wasn’t all me.
Do I even have a clue what I’m doing when it comes to him? No. Will it stop me from finding out? Also no.
Which is why I find myself at Lake Kinnear, at the ass crack of dawn, eager to snatch a glimpse of Jett, and why I call out when I should’ve left the Crew to finish their practice in peace.
The way the group of them moved together on the water was totally mesmerizing, but my eyes immediately locked on rower number eight.
Jett’s blond hair was damp and curling at his temples, and when he finally stepped out of the boat, I got the full view of his cut body in that sexy rowing outfit.
My brain short-circuited and my jeans were suddenly too damn tight.
Fuck, I was not prepared to see to him in that skintight getup.
His bodysuit is the biggest tease, and who knew I’d have a kink for lycra?
Somehow, someway, I managed to get words out and convince him to hang out with me. Okay, the volunteer thing is an excuse, but it’s still valid. Whatever gets me closer to Jett. I need to figure out what the fuck is happening to me, and why him.
“Are you coming or what?” he asks.
I move aside so he can walk past me, and I swear to fuck no one has ever smelled so good.
Is he bathing in pheromones or something?
Up close, I can clearly see the outline of his cock in those shorts but it’s such a tease.
There’s nothing I want more than to peel those sexy shorts off him.
No, more than that, I want to drop to my knees right here on the dock—who cares about the splinters—and worship that tight ass with my hands and my tongue.
Fuck, my filthy imagination is working overtime and there’s no stopping it.
Is Jett seriously going to walk back to campus dressed like that? He might as well be naked.
My tongue is unusually tied as I take in every inch of him. Every sweaty, gorgeous inch…
I finally follow him off the dock, shoving my hands in my pockets so I don’t do something stupid like reach for him. Jett talks to his crew, and then heads for the first shed. I wait impatiently by the trail until he returns a minute later with his backpack.
“You want to borrow this?” I suggest as I point to my T-shirt.
What is coming out of my mouth right now? And yet, I really love the idea of him wearing my clothes.
He’d smell like me, and everyone would know that he’s mine.
“Then what would you wear?”
I shrug, and Jett looks at me like I’ve lost it.
“Are you alright?” he asks me.
“Yeah. Of course.”
I nod quickly.
No, no I am not alright. I’m completely out of my depth.
“You looked awesome out there. I mean, I don’t know much about rowing, but what I saw today was impressive.”
“Even though we were slow?”
“You know I like to tease.”
Jett’s green eyes darken, and I swallow hard.
“Ever try it?” he asks.
What are we talking about?
“No,” I squeak and clear my throat. “No, but I’d really like to. How about a private lesson?”
I do not mean rowing.
Jett pauses and cocks his head. “With some of your teammates?”
I shake my head.
“Only me.”
“I don’t think so—”
“Come on. And then I’ll give you a hockey lesson. Quid pro quo.”
Jett lets out a sigh, and I want to pump my fist in the air. He didn’t say no.
We start to walk, and I can’t help but sidle up to him as close as I can get. Jett doesn’t seem to notice or he doesn’t care. What’s more shocking is that I have the urge to reach for his hand. Instead, I place mine over my forehead and wonder where these ideas are coming from.
“Alright, but one lesson and that’s it,” Jett replies. “And only because if I say no, you’ll hound me for ages.”
“Sugar, you know me so well already.”
“Will you knock it off?”
I laugh at his put-out tone and nudge his shoulder with mine. It’s as close as I can get for now, and I’ll take it.
“Why rowing?” I ask, changing the subject.
Jett stops short, and I turn to face him. His darkened expression that tells me I’ve hit a sore point.
“Jett?”
“I guess you could say it was one of my favorite forms of therapy.”
The statement weighs heavy between us, all my joking set aside.
“I understand,” I reply quietly. “That’s what hockey was to me when my parents divorced.”
“That bad?”
I nod. Normally I hate talking about this stuff, even with my friends. But oddly enough, I don’t mind sharing it with Jett.
“Their relationship was always volatile, so the divorce was for the best. But still, when you’re going through that kind of change as a kid, there’s a lot of uncertainty. A lot of fear. I desperately needed an outlet. My brother Harry had school, my sister Cate had ballet. Hockey was it for me.”
“Same. After my mom was—” Jett pauses. “I was eleven when my mom passed away. I’d always been an introverted kid, but after she died, I was so depressed and anxious, and I started acting out, getting into trouble.
My grandparents were the only family I had left, and they were beside themselves because no one could tell me anything at that point. ”
“Fuck, I’m so sorry.”
Jett nods and looks away, scuffing his running shoe on the grass.
“My favorite escape was visiting Angel Lake. I’d ride out there and go swimming, and just, you know…
be by myself. Anyway, the summer I turned fourteen, I spotted a group of rowers practicing, and watching them on the water, it was the first time in years I’d felt any peace.
And it was clear that they weren’t only teammates but good friends.
Somehow, I knew I wanted that. I needed it. ”
Jett stops talking and I notice the flush on his face.
“Shit. I don’t know why I told you all that,” he whispers.
“Yes you do.”
Jett’s head snaps up and his gaze locks with mine.
“No, I really don’t.”
Fucking hell, I want to kiss him. Now. Until his lips are red and swollen and my taste is on his tongue. I can’t believe the thoughts rolling through my mind and echoing in my body, but I can’t deny the truth.
It’s sex. That’s all. Hormones, chemistry, curiosity, nothing more.
“You like me. Admit it.”
I get a dramatic eye roll for my flippant comment, and I know I’ve fucked up. Acting silly is the only way I know how to deal when things get too serious, but for once I regret letting my mouth run ahead of my brain.
“Let’s get going.”
Jett starts walking again, and I’m only too eager to follow him, bouncing on my heels like a fucking puppy.
“You didn’t deny it.”
“You are so freaking annoying,” he grumbles, but I don’t miss the smile he’s trying hard to contain.
“Then why are you grinning?”
Jett pauses for a split second, and then keeps walking.
“Zip it, Ethan.”
“You’re hot when you’re bossy.”
“It’s not going to work.”
“What?”
“Stop goading me,” he insists. “Jesus, your mouth really should come with a warning label.”
“Like your shorts.”
“Will you knock it off?”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“You’re winding me up.”
“That too.”
I love teasing people, but pushing Jett’s buttons is highly addictive. A total rush. Like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
We make our way across campus, and since it’s a gorgeous fall day, tons of students are outside enjoying the weather.
I take it all in, but mostly I notice the appreciative stares Jett’s receiving, and I don’t like it.
In fact, it makes me downright irritable.
I want to wrap my arm around his shoulders—or better yet, shield him with my body—and tell people to look elsewhere.
But since when am I ever possessive about another person?
Try never….
Jett doesn’t seem to be aware of the heads turning in his direction; in fact, all his focus is on me as we talk.
Which only adds fuel to the overwhelming feelings that I can’t get a handle on.
I’m an attention whore and proud of it, but having Jett’s?
It’s heady, and I want all of it. As much as I can get and more.
When we reach the dorm, I take off like a sprinter and race up the stairs to open the door for him. Jett slowly follows me inside, looking at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind.
“I thought you were going to wait for me outside?” he comments.
“Nah. We’re friends now. Come on, show me your room.”
Jett lets out a frustrated growl as he stalks to the elevator and slams the button.
“Maybe I don’t want to invite you in.”
“Why, are you a total slob?”
“Of course not.”
“Then show me,” I insist. “It can’t be any worse than living in a house with fifteen guys.”
“Why?”
“Again with that question?” I nudge his shoulder. “I’m a curious person, and now that we’re friends—”
“Not friends—” Jett replies.
“Now that we’re friends, I want to meet your roommate.”
I’m already jealous of the guy who gets to share his space even though it makes absolutely no sense.
“I don’t have one.”
“You’ve got a private room?” I whistle as we enter the elevator. “Nice.”
“I shared with Iggy my first year, but I like my own space.”
“No kidding. Especially when you want to have sex, right?”
“Ethan—”
“Unless, of course, you’re into other people listening or watching. That can be hot too.”
“Stop talking.”
“Impossible.”
How come I never noticed that the elevator in this building is the size of a closet? Jett’s leg accidentally brushes mine, and when our skin makes contact, it’s so electric that I startle and nearly hit the ceiling.
“Sorry,” Jett whispers.
“For what?”
Please, fuck, touch me again.
“Um, nothing.”
There’s an awkward silence as we stare at each other. He’s so close I can count every golden freckle on his cheeks. But I’m not close enough, because I want to fucking own those sexy lips of his.
Do it. Kiss him.
“Jett, I want to—”
Ping.
The elevator doors open, and Jett moves so fast that I blink and he’s gone. What the hell?
“Wait!” I call out as I follow him into the hallway. “What’s the hurry?”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Jett snaps.
“What?”
Jett pauses and glances over his shoulder. “I want you to go. Call me later about Welcome Day, alright?”
“But—”
“I said I want you to go.”
I stand there and stare as Jett walks away.
When I’m on the ice, there’s a time to push forward and a time to back off.
With Jett? I’m playing a whole new game.