Chapter 34
Connor
It’s a bitter kind of cold tonight, but I’m outside trying to get my grill to heat up. Feeding Vox is a job I take seriously, not only because his health is my priority as his coach, but as his…boyfriend…his happiness brings me pleasure.
God, can I truly claim him as mine? It’s just so fucking surreal.
I’m trying hard not to think about what comes next, but it’s more than a little nerve-wracking, considering all my eggs are in one basket, and I seem hellbent on smashing every single one of them.
If things continue between Vox and me, I’ll have to give up this job, and I certainly won’t be able to join a competitor’s team.
And if things between Vox and me come to an end, I don’t think I’d be able to stick around and watch him find happiness with someone else.
After lighting the grill, I go back inside, bourbon in hand, and find Vox letting himself into my cabin right at seven-thirty.
He gives me the sexiest smirk as he removes his jacket. “I figured you didn’t want me to spend longer than necessary on your front porch, so I didn’t bother knocking.”
My eyes hungrily take him in. His hair is dotted with snow; his dark jeans strangle his boarder’s thighs even though he has to wear a belt to keep them around his trim waist. He’s in a black hoodie, and I’m dying to touch what’s underneath.
Overcome with lust and other feelings, I set my drink down to wrap a hand around the back of his neck.
“You never have to knock, hotshot. Wherever I am, you have an invitation to be there as well.”
The corner of Vox’s sexy-as-sin mouth turns up in a cocky half-grin as he wraps his arms around my back.
“So, what you’re saying is I can come inside anytime I want to?” I snort in laughter and shake my head, but I grow serious when he places his lips against my ear and adds, “Because there’s nothing I want more than to come inside you tonight.”
A shaky exhale leaves my lips.
“Before dinner? Or after?” I ask, not bothering to play games and pretend like I don’t want it as much as he does. He’s only fucked me that one time at the hotel, and this time, I want to feel everything. No condom, his cum dripping out of me for days.
“Right. Fucking. Now,” he says, pushing me toward the living room.
“I’m tired of waiting.” His hands dive under my T-shirt.
They’re freezing from his walk over here, but they feel good on my heated flesh.
“Tired of having to keep my hands to myself when we’re around the others.
” He runs them up my chest, pinching my nipples between his fingers, as he continues driving me toward the couch.
“Tired of pretending you’re just my coach, the same as Fuller and Montoya.
” He spins me around and pushes me so hard I land on the leather couch on my knees, my hands gripping the back.
Vox is reaching around me, unbuttoning my pants when there’s a knock at the door.
“You have got to be shitting me,” I grumble, letting my head fall forward. “Maybe they’ll go away.”
No luck. A few seconds later, a louder, harder knock comes.
Righting my pants, I point down the hallway. “Bedroom’s the only door on the right. Wait for me in there,” I tell Vox.
“Make it quick,” he grumbles, adjusting his stiff erection as he goes.
I swipe my bourbon from the counter on my way to the door just to give my nervous hands something to do. There’s no peephole and no fancy glass panels on the sides, so the only way to find out who’s on the other side is to open the damn thing.
My heart drops out of my ass.
“Grey!” I shriek. Quickly trying to recover, I add, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Sorry for the late hour and unannounced visit, Connor. I saw the lights on. Do you have time for a quick chat?”
Not even a little is what I want to say, but in reality, I’m totally disheveled, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, holding a glass of liquor. I’ve succeeded in making it clear that I don’t have plans to go out tonight.
“Uh, yeah, sure. Come on in. Can I get you something to drink?” I offer, wondering if he can smell Vox like I can.
“No, no, I won’t stay long. Just wanted your thoughts on where our star stands.”
I mull it over to give him an honest answer, knowing the boarder in question can hear every word I say. “As long as he keeps his focus, he’ll be unbeatable.”
“Could he beat you?” Grey asks.
I think about the day we raced before the team made it back from break and smirk, knowing Vox is still listening.
“I let him have it.” I swear I hear Vox snort before I add, “but it was close. No one’s beaten my downhill racing time since I set the record, so if he can ride me that hard, he doesn’t have anything to worry about. ”
Grey nods. “Glad to hear it. His focus is what I’m concerned about. Word is his old man is sniffing around, trying to gain access.”
“His dad?” I ask, totally caught off guard. “He hasn’t spoken to either of his parents in years. Why would his dad choose to show up now?” I ask angrily. Grey arches a brow at me, like why do you know that? Or maybe it’s a why are you suddenly so upset?
“I don’t know,” he answers evenly. “Best guess is the prize purse for this event is the highest Vox will have ever won. I’ve asked that security be on the lookout for him, and I’ve placed Vox’s condo under surveillance until we’re certain his dad’s gone.”
“Have you talked to Vox about this? And keeping tabs on his condo and where he’s going all the time is a huge invasion of privacy, Grey. He’s an athlete, and an adult, not a prisoner.”
Not to mention, with security milling around, Vox and I will have even less time to ourselves, and I’m not so sure I can survive that.
“He’s the prize of this team. I’ve invested a lot in him over the years.
The kid’s the whole package. He’s a phenomenal boarder, and he’s got one helluva face on him, too.
He’s a marketing wet dream.” No shit, I think to myself, growing madder with every word that leaves Grey’s mouth.
“But I don’t want him distracted before the Games.
I promise to tell him everything once the Winter Classic is over. Right now, it’s a safety issue, right?”
Eyeing him skeptically, I reply with more bite than I probably should. “You will tell him once the event is over. If you don’t, I’ll do it for you.”
“Watch it, Lang. You’re here as a consolation prize for Vox. He can’t afford to split his focus, and his attention needs to be on his events and reaching that podium.”
A thought occurs to me, and it spills from my lips. “Have you been putting this much pressure on your other riders?” I ask.
Grey gives me a condescending look. “You and I both know this competition belongs to Vox. He’s the only one we have who can win.”
“Then why force him onto a team that can’t help him carry the burden?”
“Look, this is projected to be the most-watched winter sporting event of the year. Scouts from the Olympic committee will be present, and this is a chance to give five other incredible athletes a shot at greatness,” he says, not answering my question.
“Yeah!” I yell. “They get their chance by riding Vox’s coattails, but counting on him to win for all of them isn’t fair.
You want to use him to propel the team forward, but he never wanted to be on a team in the first place.
Not to mention, you have him locked into a contract that says he can’t accept sponsorships from anyone else.
You’ve trapped him, making him totally dependent on you. ”
Grey jerks his head back and crosses his arms over his chest. The guy is massive.
“Take a deep breath, there, Connor,” he says condescendingly.
“For starters, Vox isn’t supposed to discuss his contract with anyone, of which I’ll be reminding him.
And I brought you out here to ease the burden I knew I’d be putting on Vox, and while I appreciate your passion for his wellbeing, you’re about to cross a line.
” Oh, I crossed every line a while ago, fuck you very much.
“Vox and I are family. I put that stipulation in his contract because I knew the wolves would circle him eventually, and I didn’t want him selling out for more money to a sponsor that doesn’t give a shit about him as a person. ”
“Oh, like you do?” Jesus, fuck, Connor. Rein it in.
Grey arches a brow. I know I’m tipping my hand, but the nerve of this guy.
“You have no idea what his life’s been like.
Abandoned by everyone he loved. Learned to rely on himself at an early age.
All he wants to do is ride a board and win first place.
I can give him that. Vox looks up to you, which is why I’m counting on you to help him stay in the zone.
The Winter Classic is less than a week away.
I just need him to do what he does best. Until then, if you see or hear anything about his father, please report it to me immediately. ”
The way he says it makes me think maybe this isn’t the first time Vox’s dad has come sniffing around. Jesus, everyone wants a piece of my man.
“What if Vox stays here?” Me and my stupid fucking mouth. “I have plenty of room and can keep an eye on him without the need for security lurking around.”
Grey chuckles and shakes his head. “That’s a nice offer, Lang, but I don’t want to field questions about why one of our boarders is shacking up with one of our coaches. Not to mention, I doubt I need to remind you of the no-fraternization rules in this company?”
“I don’t like what you’re insinuating,” I fire at my boss. Even if it’s true, I don’t like the way he makes it sound. Dirty and shallow. Like I, too, just want Vox for his money, fame, or looks.
Grey just shrugs. “Who you sleep with is your business. Unless it’s one of my boarders…especially that boarder…then it’s my business, and a huge fucking problem, not to mention a violation of your contract.”