Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
NICO
I was standing at the base of an indoor ski slope. Yes, I said indoor ski slope. Apparently, while I was in prison, the American Dream Mall had opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and they’d gone all out. In addition to the usual shops and restaurants, they also had an amusement park, a water park, and a ski slope. All inside a massive building next to MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and New York Giants football teams. Go figure. Don’t ask me to make it make sense.
When I’d predicted dating Gabe would be an adventure, I was one hundred percent correct. On that first date, he’d taken me to a really nice steakhouse in Asbury. Afterward, we’d gone back to the house and cuddled on the couch watching an Avengers movie. It had been nice, and I hadn’t panicked.
When I’d talked to Teresa about it, she’d reminded me to trust my body and not to go beyond what I was comfortable with. When I’d objected that I would never get past cuddling at that rate, she’d explained that the more I got used to being touched in a tender, respectful way, the less reactive I would become over time.
The next weekend, we’d had another security job in the City, so we’d gone up early and went to the top of the World Trade Center building. We had lunch on the observation deck, and he kissed me as we stood looking out over Manhattan. The feel of Gabe’s arms around me had been a comfort I hadn’t known I needed.
Gabe had also insisted on helping me study for the electrician’s union test. On the day I took the test, I’d come home freaked out, sure I had somehow failed despite all my studying. To help distract me, Gabe had bundled me into my coat and taken me to an indoor skydiving place where we spent hours riding the currents inside a tube. He’d even shown me some tricks he’d learned while skydiving for real—because, of course, he had.
That night, we’d gone out for drinks with Zach and Miguel while Cody spent the night with Miguel’s niece and nephew. Afterward, I’d asked if he would mind letting me sleep in his bed with him. It was a big ask because I still hadn’t been ready for anything sexual. He hadn’t batted an eye. He’d just smiled and lifted the covers to welcome me in.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around me from behind, and the warmth of Gabe’s big body enveloped me. “All good?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. Although, I haven’t been on skis since high school. I just hope I don’t bust my ass.”
His chest rumbled with a chuckle. “I’ll keep you safe.”
“I know,” I replied.
I was nervous when we got on the ski lift that would take us to the top of the slope, but by the time we were waiting our turn to ski down, I was excited. I had enjoyed the little bit of skiing I’d done in high school with my best friend Brandon. His parents took the family skiing a couple of times a year and always invited me to come with them. They were the ones who’d taken me in when my parents had thrown me out my senior year of high school.
Once we graduated from high school, Brandon had gone to college in Indiana and I’d gone to work at a construction company. I’d moved out of his parents’ house as soon as I was making enough money to rent a room in a house with a bunch of other guys. Brandon and I got together when he’d come home during breaks, but with every passing year, we drifted apart. He’d gotten his bachelor’s degree and decided to go for his master’s at a university in California, and I never heard from him again.
Shaking off those sad memories, I allowed the buzz of anticipation to fill me as we got to the head of the line and got ready to ski down. I dutifully listened to the instructions from the attendant, pulled down my goggles, and pushed off the edge. I let out a whoop of excitement as I picked up speed and raced down the short slope to the bottom.
Gabe came down right behind me and swept me into his arms. “Did you have fun?”
I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt. “Let’s do it again.”
We spent the next two hours racing down the slope and talking about anything and everything. By the time we were done, we were both ravenous. We had lunch at one of the mall restaurants and then walked around looking at the various shops. The hour-long drive home was filled with laughter and silly arguments over which bands were better. Gabe liked Queen, and I preferred Coheed and Cambria. We ended up listening to both.
Just as we walked in the door to the house, my email notification went off on my phone. Since I was waiting to hear back about my union test, I checked immediately. Joy and relief surged through me. “I did it! I passed!”
Gabe pulled me into a tight hug. “Congratulations, baby.”
I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. His lips were soft and warm, his tongue tangling with mine when I opened for him. I growled in frustration when our bulky winter jackets got in the way. I stepped back to unzip my coat, and Gabe did the same. I was even nice and hung mine up instead of throwing it on the floor like I wanted.
I turned back to Gabe and held out my hand. “Upstairs?”
He searched my face and must have liked what he saw because he nodded and took my hand. I led us to his room because he had a bigger bed. When the bedroom door was shut, I plastered myself against him and brought his head down for another searing kiss. I couldn’t get enough of him, and I wanted more.
When I finally pulled away we were both breathing heavily. “I want to try something.”
“Okay,” Gabe replied cautiously.
I pulled off my sweater and toed off my shoes. I loved the way Gabe’s eyes devoured me as I undressed. I kept going, stripping out of my pants and briefs. Gabe continued to stare at me. “Are you going to join me?” I asked.
He blinked as if coming out of a trance. “Hell yeah.” He hastily pulled off his clothes and shoes until he was, finally, beautifully naked. It was the first time I’d seen him completely nude, and he was glorious. “You are gorgeous,” I breathed. “May I touch you?”
“Yes, please,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
I ran my hands over his muscled chest, tracing the Navy SEAL eagle tattoo. I stopped to circle his nipples, gently tugging on them before moving my hands down to caress his taut abs. His very proportional cock was fully erect, and my mouth watered at the thought of wrapping my lips around his length. But I knew I wasn’t ready for that yet, as much as my libido tried to persuade me.
I took his hand in mine and walked us to his bed. “Would you sit with your back to the headboard?”
“Sure.” He climbed onto the bed and situated himself against the headboard with the pillows behind his back. “This okay?”
I looked at him spread out like a feast for me. “Definitely.” I got on the bed and crawled over to him. God, he was beautiful. His long, thick cock rose proudly from a nest of sandy-brown curls. I really wanted to taste him, but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t push it. Instead, I straddled his legs, moving close enough that our chests were touching and our hard dicks slotted together.
Gabe groaned. “Nico. Please let me touch you.”
I cupped his cheek and kissed him. “Yes. Touch me.”
His strong arms surrounded me and his big hands caressed my back, chest, and face. Sparks of pleasure shot through my body, making my cock impossibly harder. Gabe kept his hands just above my hips, and my heart warmed at the care he was taking with me.
I deepened our kiss, pressing myself as close to his body as I possibly could. When we finally came up for air, Gabe pulled away slightly and asked, “You still good?”
I nodded vigorously. “Yes. So good.” When he searched my face, I smiled. “I promise. I’m listening to my body. Right now, it’s telling me I need to come.”
He grinned. “I can help with that.”
He wrapped his big hand around both our cocks and my eyes just about rolled out of my head. “God, that’s good.”
“There’s lube in the nightstand drawer,” he rasped. “That’ll make it even better.”
He had to let me go so I could lean over to open the drawer, and I groaned in protest. Luckily, the lube bottle was right in front. I poured a generous amount into his palm and threw the bottle to the side.
Gabe wrapped his hand around our cocks again, and I grabbed hold of his shoulders so I could thrust into his grip. He pulled me closer with his other arm around my waist. I tucked my face into the side of his neck and thrust. Heat pooled in my groin and spread to the base of my spine. “I’m so close,” I moaned.
He increased his pace. “That’s it, baby,” he growled. “Come for me.”
His command was enough to send me over the edge. Pleasure like I’d never felt before spread throughout my body as my orgasm slammed into me. My back arched, and I cried out, “Gabe!” Ropes of cum shot from my dick, coating both our hands, my stomach, and my chest.
Gabe’s rhythm faltered, and I felt his cock harden and pulse against me. A low groan rose from his chest, and my name slipped from his mouth in a whisper.
I leaned my full weight against him, my body lax in post-orgasmic bliss. Without warning, tears came to my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. I buried my face deeper into the crook of his neck, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
But Gabe was nothing if not observant. He leaned back and gently lifted my face with his clean hand. “Nico? Are you okay?”
I nodded, momentarily unable to speak. Finally, I said, “Thank you. You have no idea what a gift you’ve given me.”
His gaze softened and he kissed my forehead tenderly. “You are an amazing man. I’m so glad I’m the one making this journey with you.”
That just made the tears come faster. I rested my head against his broad chest, and he held me until they finally stopped.
I knew without a doubt I was falling for this man.