Chapter 20
TWENTY
Grey
“Hey.” Felix looks up from whatever he’s writing in his journal. “Do you want to make a little fire outside? Sit on the grass?”
“Sit on the grass?” He smirks. “You sure you can handle it?”
“I’m confident I can sit on grass. Standing back up is where you come in.”
“Okay.” He closes his journal. I want to get him out of the house.
It’s been a week since the playoff game, and just like I thought, our kiss made all the social media rounds.
Our team’s social media manager called me and asked if she needed to take any action, but I declined.
I don’t care who knows or what conclusions everyone is running to.
Even the abusive asshole who hasn’t been back here.
I know that’s why Felix hasn’t left the house, but he’s safe here. When we get back from the wedding, Steven will be dealt with. He’ll be free from him, and I’ll help him in whatever way I can. “The gate is closed down the driveway, and only Alyssa and I have the codes.”
“What are the codes?”
I should probably tell him since he’ll be around more.
Or maybe permanently. Okay, I can’t get ahead of myself.
I know I need to slow down with him. I don’t want to scare him away.
I’ve never been one to hide how I feel when I like someone, and damn, I like him a lot.
“One one two one seven; it’s Lianna’s birthday. ”
“That’s cute.”
I hold my hand out to him, and his warm fingers entwine with mine. “Come on. Let me show you how to start a fire.”
Felix rubs his forearms as he walks out into the back yard. I have a thick blanket in hand. It’s a little chilly tonight, but both of us are wearing sweaters. It doesn’t help that we’re on top of this mountain where the brisk air settles.
I set out our blanket a safe distance from the fire and limp over to the wood. “Here, grab two split logs and set them down on either side. Then take two more and stack them the other way. Like a hashtag.”
Felix sets up the base inside my fire pit. “Like that?”
“Perfect. Now, take some paper and cardboard from the bucket inside the shed. He goes off to the side of the house to grab some. “That’s why I have that bin. I recycle any paper or cardboard I get.
“You must do this a lot.”
“I used to do it a lot more. I love being out on nights like this.” I look up at the jet-black sky sprinkled with stars.
“You don’t find it creepy with the woods?”
The trees are quite a distance away from my property, and I’ve never really had issues with wild animals. Maybe the occasional mother bear and cubs. Deer also. Most of the time they don’t want to come onto my property, more afraid of me than I am of them. “No. It’s peaceful.”
Felix sets the paper and cardboard between the wood, then he turns his head to me and smiles. Damn. It’s brilliant. “Now what?”
“Take that long lighter and stick it inside to light the paper.”
“Don’t we need lighter fluid?”
“No, we shouldn’t. That should be enough.
Go ahead.” Felix tentatively lights the paper and it begins to smoke.
Flames erupt around the kindling. “Perfect. Put the top on it before it gets too high.” Felix does that, and the area around us is beginning to glow.
“Watch the grace with which I’m about to do this.
” I slowly sink, putting my hands out and holding my weight up as I lower myself gently onto the ground. “Look at that.”
Felix is laughing. “Very graceful. Oh! One second. I have an idea.”
He disappears inside the house. I think about Felix’s question, about it being eerie out here.
There’s something now that’s raising the hair on my arms. I know it’s just me, though.
No one is out here. It’s just us. My gate is locked, and the other properties are far away on the other side of these woods.
After a couple of minutes Felix comes back out holding something in his hands. I smile, seeing two mugs steaming as he gets closer. “Hot chocolate.” He hands me both mugs as he sits beside me then grabs his back.
“Perfect idea.” He sits with his legs crossed, sipping his drink. “Warm enough?”
He nods. “Are you?”
“I’m great.” I tilt his chin then lean in for a soft kiss. “Perfect.”
A soft blush hits his cheeks in the firelight. He takes a small sip of the steaming liquid. “This is very peaceful.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve just lain out under the stars with someone.
” I used to do it all the time, but after my accident it was hard enough to move around inside the house.
I was afraid to start a fire and then not be able to move quickly enough if something happened.
We’ve talked a lot about Steven, but maybe I need to open up a bit with him.
“The last guy I dated loved to come here . . . in the beginning.” I think.
“It got old quick, though. He didn’t like how boring I am. ”
“You’re not boring.” Felix takes a sip of his hot chocolate. “What happened with him?”
“Honestly, I have no clue. I thought everything was great. Not the best, but . . . and I know my job was very demanding. Still. I don’t know.
I thought he felt the same for me. I’m not the flashiest guy around.
I like simple things. I love quiet nights like this.
Nights at home watching movies or whatever.
I don’t really travel much, maybe because of how much I had to for hockey. I just prefer being home.”
Felix settles more against me. “I have a lot of fun when we do things here.” He shocks me by cupping my jaw and pulling me in for a soft kiss.
My tongue gets greedy, swiping for entrance, and his quiet confidence makes my jeans tight.
“I’ve never liked kissing this much before. ” My eyes blink open as he pulls away.
I smooth the hair out of his eyes. “Just as good as sex if you ask me.”
“You’re lying.” He laughs.
“I’m not.” I pad my thumb down the center of his lips.
“Any scenario where I’m touching you is good enough for me.
” I lean in, kissing him again. I know sex is the be-all and end-all, but there’s something about the simplicity of this that warms me up.
“It feels like the greatest thing in the world.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt me, Grey.” Felix’s brown eyes hold mine.
The look in his eyes makes me hurt for him. How could anyone look at him and hurt him? “I will never hurt you, Felix. Ever. I don’t take that lightly. I’ll never break your trust or your heart.”
His fingers scratch into my beard and he smiles. “I promise too. I’ll never betray your trust or hurt you.” I’ve had men tell me this before, but for the first time, I truly believe it. “I was thinking about something.”
“Is it figuring out how I can get you to fuck me with this injury? Because same.” I laugh a little so he knows I’m joking. Sort of. I mean, I wouldn’t say no. Though the logistics would be tricky.
He snakes his arms around my waist, hugging me tight. “Actually, I was thinking about something else.”
“And what’s that?”
“I was thinking I could try and edge you.” His cheeks turn molten. “I was watching some videos on my phone.”
“Videos?” He nods. “Well, now I’m intrigued.”
“I have no clue what I’m doing.” With his arms around my waist and his lips inches from mine, I have no doubt whatever he does to me will kill me. His dark eyes watch me, no trace of the timid man that showed up to my house months ago. “Just go easy on me.”
“As long as you never go easy on me.”
After we’d put out the fire, we brought our things in, and I wanted to shower quickly. I’m nervous. I have no idea why. I’ve never been a shy guy when it comes to nudity, but there’s something that just feels like more this time.
Stepping into my room freshly showered, I find Felix sitting on my bed. A small stack of pillows is on the side for my knee to rest. “Jesus.” Crimson flames on his face. “Holy shit, Grey.” My fingers bunch in the terry fabric of the towel.
“What is it?” I blink innocently.
“You look ridiculous.” He looks up briefly. “I’ve never seen anyone with a body like yours.”
“Tell me to take it off.”
He blinks back at me, and his eyes dip south quickly before looking back up. “What?”
“Come on, Angel.” I tug at the edge of the towel that’s tucked in. “Boss me around.”
His eyes hood, crawling down my body until they rest on the fabric, my cock hard behind it just begging for attention. “Take it off, Greyson.” His eyes flick to mine. “Now.”
I tug the edge and feel cold air kiss my skin. The heat of his eyes warms over me as he takes me in. “Jesus. Like I said. Ridiculous.” He shakes his head. “Get on the bed.”
With a cocky smirk, I get into position with my bad knee resting on two pillows. My good knee falls back, letting his eyes wander over me, and I smooth my hand down my stomach, circling my fingers around my cock. Precum pearls at my slit. “Felix.”
“Huh?” He blinks, looking up. “Sorry, um. What things do you like? Things you don’t?”
My hand works my shaft in slow strokes. It’s cute how he’s trying to focus on my face and not what’s making me moan.
“I don’t like pain.” I roll my hips into my hand.
“Fuck—” I pinch the tip of my crown. “I need penetration to come most of the time. It’s normally very hard for me without.
” Which makes how fast he made me come the other day even more impressive.
“Do you like toys?”
While the thought of Felix using my dildo on me sounds like heaven, we need to start small. “Yes, but just for now, use your hands.”
“Okay.” He gets up. “I uh, I’m going to warn you now. Nothing under here—” He gestures to himself. “Will even come close to that.” He waves a hand up and down my body.
“Take your clothes off, Angel.” He hesitates for a moment before peeling his shirt off. The bruises faded fast but it’s like I can still see them. I don’t think I’ll ever forget them. He takes his pants off slowly. I know how big he is, how good he tastes. I want to see all of him.