Chapter Four
Archie
Fingers slide slowly through my hair. It feels good, warm and gentle; so, I hum softly and press my face closer into the firm pillow, chasing the comfort. My body is heavy, still half-lost in sleep.
A deep, low chuckle vibrates underneath me and my eyes snap open…
Those aren’t just fingers; they’re thick, strong, and way too familiar. And that’s definitely not a pillow under my cheek. It’s too firm, too muscular; a thigh… Colt’s thigh.
“Time to get up, baby.”
Baby. He doesn’t even call Mom that; oh my God.
I bolt upright so fast my head spins. “What the fuck…”
I run both hands down my face, trying to scrub the sleep and embarrassment away; my cheeks feel like they’re on fire.
I turn my head to look at Colt, he’s just sitting there watching me with that calm, knowing look.
“Shit… sorry… uh…”
I don’t wait for him to say anything; I’m already scrambling off the couch and heading for the kitchen. I grab a glass, fill it up, and down the water in almost one go, then run my hands roughly through my hair.
My track bag is by the front door. I head over, snatch it up, shove my feet into my sneakers, and walk straight out the front door without looking back. Then drop down onto the porch steps, bag between my feet, elbows on my knees. The morning air feels cool on my flushed skin.
Fuck. I don’t even remember falling asleep on him like that. One minute I was just resting my head for a second… the next I’m waking up cuddling his fucking leg like some clingy kid.
This is so embarrassing; I feel ashamed, like I’ve let myself slip. I liked it too much. The way he played with my hair, the way he called me baby… the way I just let him. This needs to stop; it has to.
I hear the front door open behind me a minute later, but I don’t turn around.
The second I hear it lock behind me, I stand up quickly, sling my bag over my shoulder, and head straight for Colt’s truck without waiting.
It really is a nice truck; lifted, matte black, all clean lines and subtle custom work.
Exactly what you’d expect from a guy who looks like that and spends his days restoring and customizing cars at the garage.
It would be so much easier if he were ugly. Instead, he looks like Jason Momoa had a baby with a fucking lumberjack. Broad shoulders, long hair, tattoos, that stupid beard… it’s annoying as hell.
Colt walks up behind me and lets out a deep grunt, clearly fighting a grin like he just read every single thought in my head. He hits the unlock button on his fob.
I sigh, already dreading the drive; traffic better not be bad today.
I’m seriously considering busing home later, even though the buses run every half hour and I’ve never actually had to use one before.
Right now, though? Anything feels better than being trapped in close quarters with him for twenty-five minutes.
I yank the passenger door open, climb up into the seat, and dump my bag between my legs. Slamming the door shut a little harder than necessary, then lean my head against the cool window, arms crossed tight over my chest.
My heart starts racing the second I hear Colt open the driver’s side door. He hauls himself in, the truck dipping slightly under his weight, and the cab suddenly feels way too small.
Nothing is going to be the same ever again.
I can still feel the marks he left on me; the bruise on my thigh rubbing against the inside of my shorts, the one on my wrist, the hickey on my nipple brushing against my vest with every breath.
And now I’m sitting here next to him like it’s just a normal morning drive to college.
…
My phone suddenly rings from inside my bag and I flinch hard, my whole body jerking at the sound.
I’m so tense right now it’s ridiculous. I dig it out quickly and let out a quiet sigh of relief when I see Jay’s name on the screen.
Thank God; anything to avoid sitting here stewing in Colt’s dominating presence.
I answer fast and turn my face toward the window. “Hey Jay, what’s up?”
“Hey, man!” Jay’s voice explodes down the line, way too much energy for this early in the morning. “You nearly here?”
I glance through the front windshield. “About ten minutes away, why?”
“Cool, so… did you ask your folks to come to the races tonight?”
Right, I’d completely forgotten about that. I press my fingers into my eyes and inhale slowly. This is really not the day to be running multiple heats. “Thanks for reminding me, Jay. And I don’t have folks… but no…”
“Right… sure, sorry, you know what I mean.”
I hate the words ‘parents’ or ‘folks.’ My dad died when I was fourteen; it still stings every single time someone says it like that. Jay knows how sensitive I can get; he’s been my best friend for years. I hate that I still react like this.
I clear my throat. “It’s alright, man. Anyway, no, I haven’t told them, Jay, they’re busy…”
Colt’s big hand suddenly lands on my thigh and squeezes. My breath catches sharply as I slowly turn my head to look at him.
“You haven’t told us about what?” he asks, voice calm.
Before I can answer, Jay shouts loud enough for him to hear, “HEY COLT!”
Colt grins, reaches over, and snatches the phone right out of my hand. “Jay, speak.”
I sigh and roll my eyes, slumping back against the headrest. I watch him as he listens, nodding and humming occasionally.
God, he looks good like this… one hand casually on the wheel, the other holding my phone to his ear, jaw sharp, long hair tucked behind one ear.
The tattoos on his forearm flex every time he moves his fingers.
He’s so fucking big in that seat, taking up space like he owns it.
That deep, raspy voice when he answers Jay…
it does things to me I don’t want to think about.
Jesus Christ, Archie, stop. That’s your mom’s fucking husband, what the hell is wrong with you? I blink rapidly and tear my eyes away, cursing myself hard for sitting here and admiring my stepdad’s fucking forearms.
“See you later, Jay,” Colt says, then hangs up and passes the phone back to me without a word.
The rest of the drive is dead silent. But I can feel something coming. The second he parks this truck, Colt’s going to say something; or do something. I swallow hard, nerves twisting in my stomach as we get closer to campus.
…
Ten minutes later we’re pulling onto campus, but Colt doesn’t slow down near the usual drop-off spot like he always does.
Instead, he keeps driving, taking the narrow road that curves around behind the track field.
He pulls into the small faculty parking area tucked away back here.
It’s dead quiet; barely anyone parks here this early unless they have to.
He swings the truck into a spot and kills the momentum.
My fingers start fiddling nervously in my lap. I’m holding my breath without meaning to, staring straight ahead, too scared to look at him.
A large, rough hand suddenly grabs my jaw and turns my face toward him sharply, pulling me halfway across the centre console. I swallow hard and squeeze my eyes shut.
He grunts, then shamelessly drags his hot tongue in a slow, wet stripe right across my lips.
I gasp in shock and my lips part instantly.
Colt takes full advantage, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth like he owns it.
A pathetic little whimper slips out of me before I can stop it.
I really need to have hard words with myself today, learn how to be firm and say no.
But the second he touches me it’s like my brain melts; one night with him and I’m under some weak-kneed spell.
Colt pulls back just enough to look me dead in the eyes. “So… you didn’t want to invite us to watch you run?”
I swallow thickly, my voice coming out quiet and unsure. “You and Mom are always busy… I didn’t want to be a bother…”
“That’s not your decision to make, Archie,” he cuts me off. “Your mother would love to watch her boy run.”
I nod as much as his grip allows. “Right… sorry.”
“We’ll be there.”
My eyes widen. “You will?”
Colt’s grin turns dark and filthy. “Mhmm. I want to see if my track star is as good at running as he is at taking Daddy’s cock.”
I let out another pathetic, broken noise at the obscene words. Colt clearly likes it; he groans through a heavy exhale, eyes darkening.
“Tongue.”
I frown, dazed. “What?”
“Stick your tongue out, boy.”
I hesitate for half a second before obeying, sliding my tongue out shyly. I have no idea what he’s about to…
Colt leans in and sucks on it; just like he sucked on my cock this morning.
A soft, needy moan escapes me as he turns it into a deep, filthy kiss, tongue curling around mine, claiming my mouth like he owns every part of me.
I know I should push him away; I know I should say something.
But I can’t… I just melt into it, whimpering quietly into his mouth.
One second, I’m trying to keep some dignity, the next I’m kissing him back like I’m starving. My hands fist in his shirt as I lean further across the console, chasing his mouth desperately. Colt growls into the kiss, clearly surprised but very pleased, and that sound just makes me worse.
I don’t even think; I just start trying to climb over the console like a man possessed.
My knee knocks into the gear shift as I swing a leg over, half-straddling him in the driver’s seat.
The truck is big, but it’s still awkward as hell.
I don’t care; I’m grinding down against him, tongues sliding messily, my hands in his long hair, tugging.
I’m breathing hard through my nose, whimpering every time he bites my lip or sucks on my tongue again.
Fuck, I need more.
I roll my hips like a desperate slut, already half-hard again and rubbing against his stomach. Colt’s big hands grip my ass hard, squeezing, encouraging me as he kisses me even deeper. He’s not complaining one bit; if anything, he’s groaning like he’s loving how crazy I’m getting.
I shift higher, trying to get closer, and that’s when my elbow slams into the steering wheel. The loud horn blasts through the quiet parking lot like a fucking alarm.
I jolt back like I’ve been electrocuted, eyes wide, panting. Reality crashes down on me instantly; I’m literally straddling my stepdad in his truck in broad daylight behind the track field.
“Oh my god…” I choke out, scrambling backwards off his lap and dropping back into the passenger seat. My face is burning, my dick is throbbing, and my hands are shaking.
Colt just sits there breathing hard, lips wet and swollen, looking way too satisfied. A low, amused chuckle rumbles out of his chest as he adjusts himself in his jeans.
“Fuck…” I whisper, dragging both hands down my face. “I-I didn’t mean to…”
Colt reaches over and squeezes my thigh again, voice rough and pleased. “Don’t apologize, baby. That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve seen in years.”
I can’t stay in this truck another second. I grab my bag with shaky hands and fumble for the door handle. God, what the fuck has gotten into me? I’ve never been like this before.
I’ve barely got one foot out the door when Colt’s hand shoots out and wraps around my wrist, stopping me. “See you later, Archie,” he says, voice rough with promise. “Can’t wait to watch you tonight.”
I don’t look at him; I just give a quick, jerky nod, heart hammering in my throat.
He finally lets go; I climb down, slam the truck door harder than I should, and start walking fast toward the track entrance without looking back. My cheeks are burning, my thighs still feel sore, and every step reminds me of the marks he left on me and the way I just climbed him.
The truck doesn’t move; I can feel his eyes on me the entire way… heavy, dark, and satisfied… watching until I disappear through the gates.
…
A couple hours later I’m flat on my back in the middle of the field, chest heaving, legs burning. The whole squad is scattered around, collapsed like casualties after one of Coach’s brutal sessions. Jay drops down on my left, Kim on my right, both of them just as sweaty and exhausted as I am.
“Fuck… that was a lot,” Jay groans.
Kim laughs breathlessly, still panting. “I cannot believe we have to do this all over again later… I’m ready to go home already.”
I close my eyes and just listen to them going back and forth, too exhausted to join in right away.
Jay complains about the heat. Kim teases him for being dramatic.
They talk about tonight’s event; it’s part exhibition, part fundraiser.
Coach likes showing us off to any scouts that might show up, but it’s also a ticketed thing for alumni and families to raise money for new equipment and track maintenance.
The stands will be full, lights on, music playing.
Exactly the kind of thing I usually enjoy… just not tonight.
Someone pats my stomach. “Arch, you with us dude?”
I turn my head toward Jay. “What? Sorry… totally zoned out.”
Jay laughs and sits up, reaching for a fresh bottle of water from the cooler Coach always brings. “I said, I bet your mom and Colt will leave a nice donation this term.”
I groan and push myself up onto my elbows. “Why did you invite them? I don’t want them here.”
Kim raises an eyebrow. “How come? Your mom is so cute. She proper loves you.”
I slap both hands over my face; that’s exactly the problem.
Mom will be my biggest cheerleader; clapping, shouting my name, probably embarrassing the hell out of me in the sweetest way possible.
And Colt… he’ll be right there beside her, arm around her shoulders, playing the perfect husband, while looking at me with completely different eyes.
The same eyes that watched me beg and leak for him this morning. I feel guilty as shit.
Jay nudges my side with his foot. “Coach is gonna ride us hard if we don’t at least pretend we’re excited about tonight.”
“Tell me about it,” Kim sighs. “He’s already talking about the weekend. Said something about optional hill sprints Saturday morning, if we’re not too dead after the event.”
Jay snorts. “Optional my ass. That man doesn’t know the meaning of the word.”
I manage a weak laugh, brushing grass off my arms. The conversation drifts into normal weekend shit…
who’s doing what on Saturday, whether Kim’s roommate is still hooking up with that soccer guy, how Jay swears he’s going to sleep for twelve hours straight after tonight.
I try to nod along, but my mind keeps drifting.