19. caleb
19
caleb
I can’t shake the feeling that his eyes are all over me.
Between the lights, the energy pulsating in the room, and the way the music booms throughout my body, I feel like I’m going to combust.
Either the drink is hitting me more than usual, or being here with Nathaniel is putting me on another level.
We’ve been walking around the club for what feels like an hour. Losing hope, it’s becoming clear that finding Sarah is going to be nearly impossible.
Are we missing her, or are we just not trying hard enough?
All I know is, after that phone call with my dad, something deep inside me is resisting the urge to keep looking.
I stop in my tracks and turn to speak directly into Nathaniel’s ear. “Dude, I don’t think she’s here,” I say loud enough to cut through the music. I place a hand on his shoulder to steady myself, though honestly, I wouldn’t mind if I bumped into him. Something about that backward hat he’s wearing tonight is driving me crazy.
I’ve got serious arm candy tonight. The number of people watching us is wild. Maybe it’s our height and how much we tower over the crowd—or maybe it’s just him. I’m betting on the latter.
“We should grab another drink and do another round,” he shouts to me.
“I like the way you think,” I answer, following him through the crowd. It's impossible not to sway to the beat with everyone else dancing around us. The energy in here is contagious.
We finally make it to the bar, and it’s like coming up for air. It’s scorching hot, and I’m wearing way less material than Nathaniel. I can only imagine how he feels in that long-sleeve shirt.
Maybe I should tell him to take it off…
“I was hoping I’d see you tonight.”
I glance to the right and immediately recognize the guy from the stand earlier today—the one who gave us the pins. He’s got his oogly eyes all over Nathaniel.
I roll my eyes and refocus on ordering our drinks.
“Oh… right. Yeah. How’s it going?” Nathaniel stammers.
I bite my lip to stop from laughing. He has no idea how hot he is, and watching him get flustered when someone hits on him is pure entertainment.
“I’ve been here over an hour and haven’t seen anyone as good-looking as you,” he says in Nathaniels ear, loud enough for me to hear him.
Nathaniel’s face turns beet red, as he looks at me panicked. He clearly has no clue what to do or how to answer that.
The bartender hands me our drinks, and I pay. Nathaniel's too caught up to remember he offered to cover this round—but that’s okay. Like I told him, I like taking care of him.
I really like it.
Weird. That fact still surprises me.
“How about you come dance with me? Show me some of those moves,” the guy offers, doing a little shimmy. Is this guy for real?
“I’m sorry. I’m… I’m not—” Nathaniel stammers.
“Single. He’s not single,” I cut in smoothly, handing Nathaniel his drink. I decide to oversell it, wrapping my hand around Nathaniel's waist and pulling him into my side. Typically we’ve only touched during rough housing…but this? This feels nice.
The guy’s eyes widen, flicking between us. “Oh! Sorry—I didn’t realize... but hey, you’re hot too. If you’re both open to a third…”
I nearly choke on my drink. This guy has balls.
“We’re good, Champ. Thanks, though,” I chuckle, only releasing Nathaniel to pat the guy on his shoulder, before putting it back to where it belongs. Around him.
The guy looks disappointed but finally takes the hint and dances away.
I turn to Nathaniel, not being able to hold back my laugh any longer.
“Oh, holy shit,” I wheeze, leaning into his chest as he starts laughing too, gripping my waist for balance.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” he laughs harder.
“These are the moments you’re never going to forget,” I say, shaking my head and taking another swig. He follows suit, slamming back his drink.
My hand, resting on the small of his back, seems to have a mind of its own as it slowly trails up his spine, eventually cupping the nape of his neck and massaging it gently.
To my pleasant surprise, his hand moves up from my waist to my shirt, gently tugging and rocking me toward him.
“I like this on you,” he murmurs. I barely hear him over the music, but oh—I heard it.
I lick my lips. His eyes drop to the motion, and I bite my lower lip.
Without thinking, I say the only thing that makes sense in this moment. “Dance with me.”
He hesitates, his eyes darting between my eyes and back to my lips. Finally he nods, finishes his drink, and leads the way to the dance floor.
I watch him for a second, then down the rest of my drink before I follow.
The floor is packed. Bodies press together in every direction. It’s hot—in more ways than one. I close my eyes and move with the beat, my heart syncing with the rhythm.
It’s not long before the bodies around us have given us no choice but to get closer. Soon, we’re chest to chest, waist to waist. All my normal confidence fades away as nerves and curiosity take over. My eyes don’t lift up to his. I can’t. I’m scared that if I do, he’ll see the anxiousness written all over my face.
Is he wanting this as badly as I do right now?
As though he hears my thoughts, his hands creep to my waist, shocking me. Apparently that’s all the reassurance I need because my arms immediately wrap around his neck, bringing us even closer. Our foreheads rest against each other as I finally bring myself to sneak a glance at his eyes.
He’s staring at my lips while my hands roam down his arms, squeezing his defined muscles. His hands squeeze my hips gently—whether he realizes it or not.
Before I can get too comfortable, I see his eyebrows pinch together. Overthinking taking over his lovely features. Suddenly a wave of nervous energy jumps off his shoulders and right onto me.
He hesitates, taking a step back from me. "Stop messing around. This isn't funny—"
I'm not letting him get away that easily.
I catch his hand in mine, pulling him back into me. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I press him into me. Locking him in so he can't go anywhere.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" I ask, repositioning myself back to the way we were before he got all into his head. I take his hand and place it back on my waist, reassuring him to keep going.
Slowly, his thumbs slip under the hem of my shirt. My breath catches as his warm hands graze my stomach, hesitant but insistent at the same time. I bite my lip as I say a silent prayer he doesn’t stop again.
I tilt my head back, eyes closed, as a jolt of pleasure shoots through me.
His hands are fully under my shirt now, squeezing just under my ribcage. My eyes open and I meet his gaze.
He feels it too. It's written all over his face.
Holy shit. As we sway side to side to the beat, our hips grind together. Excitement rushes through me as I feel how hard he is against me. Does he feel what he’s doing to me too? It’s too much—and not enough.
“Caleb…” he breathes into my ear.
Him saying my name with my dick rubbing against his thigh makes my eyes nearly roll back.
“Yes?” I ask.
“I’m so… hot.”
I glance at him, taking in the heat in his expression. Whether he means temperature wise or how he’s feeling in this moment, all I know is—
I need to take care of him.
Without hesitation, I reach for the seam of his shirt and yank, sending buttons flying. It falls open to reveal his sculpted chest and V-lines that disappear into his pants.
Fuck.
I only saw a glimpse of his body after his shower but this… up close …is so much better.
He doesn’t look mad. He looks ready.
“Come with me. Now,” I demand, tugging his arm. I lead him toward the back of the club, where I saw people heading earlier.
Thankfully, my instincts are right. The hallway leads to a massive, multisex washroom.
People come and go from the stalls, and I spot an open one at the far end.
I shove Nathaniel inside and lock the door behind us. But when I turn around, I freeze.
His face is panicked. My stomach drops.
“Nathaniel,” I breathe, stepping closer. He closes his eyes and bows his head.
Shit. Maybe I read this wrong.
He raises his hands and places them on my waist like he did earlier. I lean my forehead on his, and place my hands on either side of his head against the door for balance. “We don’t have to do anything else,” I whisper, running my fingers through the hair on his temples.
He nods slowly, taking a clear second to recollect himself. He can take all the time in the world. All that matters is that he feels comfortable. After a moment, he slips his index fingers through the loops of my pants, and pulls me closer.
I don’t make any sudden movements. Instead, I wait to see what he does next. Taking in a breath, he leans in—his lips brushing the side of my neck. I inhale sharply as I feel his soft, warm, plush lips connect with my sensitive skin underneath my ear.
Then, all of a sudden, — he bites.
I gasp and shove him back against the door, just enough to look him in the eye.
He doesn’t say anything at all. Only, his mouth quirks into a small smirk.
That’s when I clue in. Biting me. He wants to…turn me on in the way I told him back at the gastropub. Fuck, I’m flattered.
“Oh, you’re so fucking in trouble,” I groan, pushing my waist into his and burying my face in his neck.
“Shit!” he moans as I go off in the way that I’ve been wanting to since…a long fucking time, apparently. My mouth is busy sucking, kissing, and licking his delicious, sweet sun-kissed skin. He tastes like summer.
My hands roam over his body, exploring every inch of his smooth skin.
I slide his ripped shirt farther off his shoulders and trail kisses down his chest. I need more of him in my mouth.
There’s no doubt. No hesitancy. No question about this. I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want this.
His fingers go straight to getting lost in my hair. It feels divine as he pants and squirms under me. When I reach his nipple and flick my tongue, he tugs sharply and lets out a soft whimper.
There it is. I found his sweet spot. How funny that it’s the same as mine.
I circle one nipple with my tongue while teasing the other with my fingers. He writhes between my legs, melting into my touch.
A moan escapes me as he grinds his thigh against my crotch.
He does it again. And again.
And fuck —again.
We’re breathing hard now, and I feel two seconds away from going past a line I never thought we’d cross. I had hoped…
I go back to sucking on his neck, burying my hands in his hair too.
“Caleb, I—”
“I know. Me too,” I pant.
“Oh, fuck! ” he moans.
He’s using my leg as much as I’m using his and it feels too fucking good the way we’re pressing against each other.
His hands roam to my waist, pulling me back and forth at a steady pace, his breath hot against my ear, and the pressure in my groin is becoming unbearable. I can’t hold on.
“I’m gonna—”
“Oh shit, shit, shit,” I groan.
I’m gone. I tip over the edge and crash hard. We stiffen together, holding each other, riding out the waves as we come down.
In our fucking pants.
“Oh no,” I laugh, looking down.
Nathaniel follows my gaze and straightens up. “Shit.” He smooths his hair back, then reaches around me to grab us a bundle of toilet paper.
I start wiping myself clean, dipping my hand inside the front of my pants. “Next time, let’s find a better place to—”
“Let’s go back to the hotel…” he rushes out.
All it takes is one look from those dark green eyes, and I’m hook, line, and sinker.
Don’t mind if I fucking do.