Chapter 20
Keaton
It was unbearably hot when I woke up. Not just from the blankets or the fact that I slept like a furnace, but from the weight pressed against my back and the slow, steady breath ghosting over my shoulder.
It still felt a little unreal waking up with Rowan in my bed. Sure, I’d snuck into his room hundreds of times growing up, but this was different.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t that different. We were still sneaking around and not telling anyone we were together, but what we had now felt stronger than anything before. And I truly believed we could make a relationship work.
I rolled a little to try to crawl out of bed without him noticing, but he immediately pulled me back against him as if he wasn’t ready to let go yet.
“You’re awake,” he mumbled, his voice rough from sleep.
“Unfortunately.” I turned onto my back, and his arm slid with me, draping across my stomach. He blinked down at me, his hair a mess and eyes still heavy.
I took him in for a second. God, I liked this version of him. No walls. No tension. No history sitting between us like a loaded gun.
“Do you realize we’ve spent exactly zero time in your bed since you moved in?”
He smirked. “That’s because yours is better.”
I snorted. “You’ve been here a couple of weeks and have practically taken over my bedroom.”
“Can you blame me?” he asked, shifting closer, his knee sliding between mine. “It’s comfortable.”
“Or you’re just obsessed with me,” I teased.
“That too.” He didn’t even attempt to argue.
I let out a laugh, but it quickly faded as I looked at him again.
Because the truth was, I didn’t mind him being in my space. There was a time when sleeping in the same room as him was the only thing that made the rest of my life feel manageable. Back then, my parents didn’t give me a home where I felt safe, so I had to find it elsewhere.
Rowan had been that place for me.
My life wasn’t like that anymore. It wasn’t perfect, but it was free of constant fighting and toxicity. That didn’t mean I didn’t still appreciate the comfort I found in the man next to me.
I shook my head, trying to stop my brain from spiraling too far down that road. I squeezed his leg. “You keep this up, and I’m gonna start thinking you actually like me.”
His hand brushed along my side. “Haven’t I made that pretty damn clear by now?”
My breath hitched. “I might need a reminder.”
He leaned in, leaving just enough space for us to meet halfway before his lips brushed mine.
It lasted about a second before I deepened the kiss, my hand slipping into his hair and pulling him closer.
He responded immediately, one hand cupping my face while the other pressed into my hip, holding me in place. “Is this jogging your memory?”
“I don’t know.” My hands moved down his back as he trailed kisses across my jaw. “I think I need a little more.”
He chuckled but kept kissing and sucking on my neck.
My leg hooked around his, and I pulled him closer until our erections rubbed together.
His hand slid from my hip to just above my cock, and I sucked in a breath. “Rowan?”
“Yeah?”
“That thing about my bed being more comfortable …”
“What about it?”
I tugged him even closer. “You’re about to prove that’s not the only reason you’re here.”
He laughed against my neck, the vibration sending shivers down my spine. “Oh, I’ll prove it all right.”
His mouth returned to mine, hungry and demanding. Gripping his shoulders, I kissed him back just as fiercely. The friction of our bodies sliding together, even with our boxers still on, was driving me insane. I wanted more. I wanted all of him.
My hands roamed down his back, tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling how they tensed under my touch. I loved his body. I loved how it felt, how it moved, how it responded to mine. I’d spent years wanting this, wanting him, and now that I had him, I couldn’t get enough.
I rolled us over, pinning him beneath me, and he peered up at me with eyes full of desire. “Better view from here,” I said, a smirk playing on my lips.
I kissed him again, this time slower and deeper. I wanted to savor the moment, to memorize the taste of him and the feel of his tongue against mine.
“Keaton,” he whispered, his hands clutching my arms as I pulled back some. “Please.”
I knew what he wanted. I wanted it too. But I wasn’t ready to rush things. I wanted to drive him crazy first.
I lowered my head, and my lips found his nipple. I sucked gently, swirling my tongue around the hardened peak, and he cried out, his back arching off the bed. I immediately covered his mouth with my hand.
“Shh,” I warned. “You want the whole house to hear?”
I could feel his hot breath against my palm, and it was heightening my arousal. I kept my hand in place as I continued pressing on his chest, my mouth and other hand exploring every inch of him. He was writhing beneath me, and his muffled moans were driving me wild.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed him inside me.
I slowly withdrew my hand, and he took a deep, shuddering breath.
I hooked my fingers into the waistband of his boxers and pulled them down, never taking my eyes off him.
He was already hard, his cock lying against his stomach, and I felt a surge of pride knowing I was the one who made him this way.
I quickly shed my own boxers, and then I was straddling him, our naked bodies pressed together. The feeling of skin-on-skin was incredible. As I kissed him again, I wrapped my hand around his dick and stroked him slowly.
He moaned into my mouth as his hips bucked upward to meet my strokes. I could feel him getting closer, his breathing growing more erratic. I didn’t want him to come yet. Not like this.
I pulled back to reach for the lube in my nightstand. He took it from me and poured some onto his fingers. I tensed slightly as he traced my entrance but forced myself to relax while he slowly pushed inside me.
He watched my face for any sign of discomfort before adding another finger to stretch me open.
I gripped his shoulders. “I need you now.”
He applied more lube to his shaft as I got into position then slowly lowered myself. The initial burn was almost painful, but I loved it.
I started to move my hips, adjusting the angle to hit that perfect spot inside me. I was in control, setting the pace, but he was the one undoing me. The room filled with the sounds of sex, and I tried to stay quiet—I really did—but the pleasure was overwhelming.
Rowan tried to stay quiet too, but he couldn’t stop his whimpers and moans. I probably needed to cover his mouth again, but I couldn’t make myself do it. I loved knowing I was the one making him feel so good.
I froze when I heard a floorboard creak in the hallway. “Shit,” I whispered, my heart pounding. “Did you hear that?”
“It’s probably Enzo heading to the kitchen,” he reasoned.
I kept listening for a moment, but the house was silent again.
I exhaled sharply. “Okay, we really need to keep quiet now.”
He nodded, and I pressed my lips to his.
I started to move again, picking up the pace a little. I wanted to make it last, but I couldn’t help myself. I needed to come.
I wrapped my hand around my dick, stroking myself in time with the rocking of my hips.
“Come for me, baby,” he pleaded. “I’m right there with you.”
I buried my face in his neck, as my release shot out all over his chest. Within seconds, his body arched off the bed as he filled me with his hot cum.
“That was …” he trailed off.
“Yeah,” I agreed, knowing exactly what he meant. It was hot, risky, and perfect.
By the time we got to the gym, I was fueled by caffeine, protein bars, and the excitement of getting off first thing in the morning.
Nothing to complain about there.
We were doing drills—partner rotations, light grappling transitions, and a conditioning session—with Coach Carson.
I ended up switching between Mason and Enzo, while Rowan moved back and forth between Derek and one of the newer guys.
At one point, I realized I was staring at Rowan as he got Derek into a rear-naked choke.
Who the fuck names these moves?
“Earth to Keaton.” Mason snapped his fingers in front of my face.
I blinked. “What?”
“You planning on actually finishing the drill, or are you just gonna stand there and stare at Rowan kicking Derek’s ass?”
I shoved him lightly. “I’m not staring.”
He grinned. “Yeah, you are.”
Enzo chuckled. “Maybe he can help me work on that move. LA will be here before we know it.”
Enzo had secured a fight along with Rowan and me.
“LA’s gonna be stacked. We’re making a whole thing out of it,” Mason stated.
“You’re going?” I asked.
I knew he and Derek didn’t have a fight set up, but anyone could go as a spectator.
He looked at me like I was stupid. “Of course. Did you really think Derek and I wouldn’t take the chance to hit up SoCal?”
“That’ll be … interesting,” I said, then refocused on our drills.
After we finished training for the day, we were all in the locker room.
Derek leaned against the wall, towel slung over his shoulder. “I’m grilling tonight.”
“Are you sure?” Enzo asked. “Last time, you almost burned the place down.”
“It was a tiny flare-up,” he argued. “You guys want some or what?”
I pulled my shirt over my head. “What are you making?”
“Chicken and some burgers.”
“Sounds good,” I replied. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Enzo added.
Mason nodded. “Same. Free food? I’m there.”
Derek turned to Rowan. “What about you?”
Rowan picked up his bag from the bench. “I’m out tonight.”
Enzo frowned. “What? Why?”
“Dinner with my parents.” I didn’t say anything, but I caught the quick glance he threw my way. “I’ll catch you guys on the next one.”
Once dinner was ready, the four of us sat around the table and started filling our plates. I glanced at the empty seat, feeling bummed that Rowan wasn’t with us. Even if we couldn’t act like a couple in front of the guys, it would’ve been nice to have him here.
“Dude, leave some sweet potato fries for the rest of us.” Enzo smacked Mason’s hand away from the plate.
Mason didn’t even flinch. “I made extra.”
Derek laughed. “And somehow there still doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“Hey, I’m a growing boy.” Mason grabbed another fry and shoved it into his mouth.
“Keep it up, and you’ll be fighting in another weight class,” Enzo stated.
We continued giving each other shit while we ate, then the conversation switched to Derek’s plans for later that night.
“So what’s her name?” Mason asked, leaning forward as if this were the highlight of his day.
Derek didn’t bother to look up. “I’m not telling you.”
“That’s suspicious.”
“I just don’t want you bothering her in case we end up here later.”
“Like not knowing her name is going to make Mason any less annoying,” I teased.
“Maybe he won’t tell me because I have a better shot of remembering it than he does,” Mason shot back, and we all laughed.
Conversation kept rolling until Mason’s attention shifted yet again, and his gaze landed on me.
“What?” I lifted a brow, already wary.
“You know what’s weird?” He tilted his head a little. “You and Rowan.”
My grip tightened on my fork, but I kept my expression neutral. “What about us?”
Mason sat back in his chair, studying me as if he had all the time in the world. “You guys don’t look like you want to kill each other anymore.”
Enzo snorted. “Good point.”
Derek showed some interest now. “Yeah, you two were pretty intense there for a bit.”
I shrugged, forcing a casual tone. “We got over it.”
“Just like that?” Mason asked, clearly not buying it.
“Yeah,” I said. “Just like that.”
He glared at me playfully. “Bullshit.”
I huffed out a laugh. “You always this invested in other people’s crap?”
“When it’s entertaining? Hell yes I am.”
“Rowan and I aren’t entertaining.”
“You were,” he argued. “Now you’re confusing.”
Enzo shook his head, amused. “Mason wants the drama back.”
“I do,” he agreed without pause. “It was way more interesting when you two were one word away from throwing hands in the living room.”
“That still could happen,” I muttered.
“Mm,” Mason hummed. “Don’t think so.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know enough,” he continued. “You had a thing—”
“We didn’t have a thing.”
“Okay. You had history,” he corrected.
I didn’t like how much he was prodding, especially when he was close to the truth. I didn’t let myself react, but I could feel Enzo’s focus shift. Same with Derek's.
Mason pointed between me and the empty space where Rowan usually sat. “He moves in, you’re both tense as hell. Nobody knows why. Now you’re … fine?”
“Define fine,” I deadpanned.
“You’re not biting each other’s heads off,” he replied. “That’s progress.”
I dragged my hand over my jaw, buying myself a second.
The truth wasn’t something I was ready to share yet. Not when none of them knew what really went down between us, and I wasn’t prepared to tell them I was gay.
“We had history. Didn’t end great. Now we’re just chill.”
It was the same answer I’d given Devon.
Mason watched me for a second longer, as if he was deciding whether to push harder. Then he leaned back with a small nod. “All right.”
That was it, at least for now, but I knew Mason had a habit of pushing further, so I doubted that was the last he’d have to say on the topic.
“Glad you worked it out, though,” Enzo said. “I know I wasn’t a fan of the tension in the house.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Sorry about that. It’s done now.”
My gaze dropped to my plate, but my mind had already drifted to how things had changed between Rowan and me in such a short time.
We’d spent years apart, and now one night without him here felt strange.
Even as Mason started arguing with Enzo over something silly, I found myself glancing toward the hallway, wondering how much longer it would be until Rowan was home.
Because once he returned, that would be the best part of my night.