Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Roman
“Oh, this is heavenly,” I remark, resting my head back against the side of the hot tub and looking up at the sky. There’s a retractable awning over the recreation space, which I’ve opened now that the rain has stopped, giving me a view of the setting sun.
The sky is streaked in purples, pinks and yellows, with a few grey clouds still scattered around.
There’s a sound system out here, and by that I mean, another one of those ancient looking CD players attached to a large black speaker. I’ve popped in another Christmas CD, this time a mix of hits from throughout the years.
The jets are on, the one directly behind me working the muscles of my lower back while setting off a ripple of bubbles across the surface. Chlorine scented steam billows up into the early evening air.
It’s perfect out here. Except for one thing.
Garrett.
In the three days since I’ve known him, I’ve grown very attached to his company.
Lying in front of the fire while he works and I read or play cards has become my favourite activity of the day.
His presence is soothing. I’ve been pushing away the thought that I’ll be leaving in the next day or so, choosing instead to focus on how good I feel when he’s around. Even the silence between us is nice.
Liam would like Garrett. He loves those police, murdery, drama books.
I bet he’s read all of Garrett's and is probably a big fan. There’s a little twinge of jealousy in my belly when I picture my best friend swooning over Garrett.
It doesn’t matter, really. It’s not like I’ll see him again once I leave.
“Still want some company?” a voice asks from behind me, and I smile, not moving to face him.
“You sure you want to get into this petri-dish?” I joke.
“Hmm, the temptation was too much to ignore,” he says, rounding the side of the hot tub and coming into view.
He’s wearing a pair of black boxer shorts and nothing else.
My eyes trace a shameless line from his plump lips, down over his well-kept beard and along his chest, which is covered in dark, coarse hair.
I mentally plead with my cock to behave, but it’s really hard when Garrett is so fucking sexy and right there.
“It’ll be worth it. The water is so warm and these jets are immensely pleasing,” I say, lifting my gaze.
Garrett eyes the water for a moment, then, seemingly happy with what he sees, flips one leg over the edge and sinks down into the tub. He lets out a groan – which I feel in my entire body – as he leans back, the water swooping around his upper chest.
“Good?” I ask, moving sideways to lessen the gap between us. He stretches his arms over the back of the tub, lolling his head back to look at the canopy above us. His fingers are mere centimetres from my neck.
“Very. I’m trying hard not to think of the bacteria.”
“Hmm, what can I do to take your mind off of it?”
His fingers make a swift slide across the back of my neck before he pulls his hand away, leaving a ghost of a shiver on my skin. The sexual tension in the air is thicker than the steam off the tub.
“Tell me more about you,” he says, angling his head to face me.
I slide lower in the water, letting it cover my head, then push back up and wipe my damp hair backwards and off my forehead.
“I’m an only child. Raised by my aunt. Lived in London my whole twenty-three years. Wanted to be a firefighter until I was fifteen. Then I wanted to be a doctor, but I’m squeamish about blood. Met my best friend, Liam, when I was thirteen. Always knew I was gay. I like hugs, soft fabrics and tea.”
He chuckles. “That’s an interesting summary.”
“You want to know more?”
“Yeah,” he says before asking, “Do you like what you do?”
I stretch out a leg, sliding my foot under his calf, leaving it there to brush against him.
“Mostly. It’s never dull. And the money’s good.”
“But?” he presses.
I shuffle to the side and tip my head, trying to get Garrett to touch me again. He must read my intentions because his fingers move until he’s tickling the nape of my neck.
“It’s lonely. All these people thinking they know me when in truth they don’t. Supernova, my internet persona and I are alike in many ways, but so different in others.”
Garrett makes an understanding noise under his breath, his fingers trailing upward and into my hair. I close my eyes, a moan escaping my lips when his fingernails dig lightly into my scalp.
“What about you, Gare Bear?” I open my eyes and tip my head to the side, his hand moving to rest on my cheek.
“Nothing more to me than what you already know.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Afraid so. I’m not exciting. I’m thirty-three.
A little set in my ways. I like staying home, writing, watching history documentaries and cooking.
I always wanted to be a writer, so it’s the only thing I’ve ever focused on.
My ex left me because he thinks I’m boring, and outside of my agent, I have no friends or family.
Unlike you, Supernova, I’m not very daring. ”
I tip my head more to brush my lips against his palm, his eyes darkening as he watches me. His skin tastes like salt and chlorine, and I press another kiss over the same spot.
Garrett shifts, one hand palming over his boxers as he moves closer. I sit up and his hand follows, cupping my cheek.
“I’m sure you’re more daring than you think,” I say, my voice thick with arousal. “What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?”
Garrett is quiet for a moment before he moves forward, his other hand coming up to the side of my neck.
“This,” he whispers, pulling me closer and pressing his lips to mine.
I scramble forward. Garrett’s hands falling to my hips as he hauls me completely onto his lap. My hands find his chest, my fingers twining in the hair there, circling and pinching at his nipples.
Garrett parts his lips, moaning into my mouth as his tongue challenges mine for dominance and I submit, letting him lead the kiss and my body.
“Is this okay?” Garrett breaks the kiss to whisper as his hands knead the naked flesh of my ass cheeks.
“Better than okay. But more kissing, please.”
He smiles, his eyes dark but warm, and then angles his head, taking my lips in a hungry kiss.
We stay like that for what feels like hours, my body writhing on top of his and both of us flushed and gasping for air when we break apart. Garrett’s lips are kiss-swollen and wet and his hard cock is pressed against my ass.
“Can you touch me?” I ask, bold amidst the current of want taking over.
I whine when I press myself flush against him, rubbing my jock covered cock against his stomach.
He’s soft around the edges, covered in coarse hair, and I have this unquenchable desire to rub my cock on him and watch my cum stick to the dark strands.
Garrett nods, then kisses my neck, nipping and sucking a line from my collarbone to beneath my ear. I tremble under his touch.
“Anything you want, sweet thing. I want nothing more than to touch you, and taste you,” he says, “but can we get out of the tub?”
I sit back and look him in the eye. A grin settles on my face.
“Had enough of the human soup?”
He chuckles, playfully swatting my ass. Then, in a show of strength I was not expecting, he tightens his hold on me and stands. My legs grip his waist, reluctant to let him put me down when he swings me over the side of the tub, setting me on my feet.
Holy shit, he could totally throw me around like a sack of potatoes!
I shiver, the cool air hitting my skin, missing the warmth of the water.
“Come here,” he says once he’s climbed out. He dries me with a towel, then slides my arms through the sleeves of his flannel shirt. It’s soft against my skin, comes down to my thighs, and smells just like him. I love it and have no intention of ever giving it back.