Chapter 15 - Kinsley
KINSLEY
“Let’s go to bed,” Royce says after the third time I fail to hide my yawn.
“This,”—I gesture down my body—“is closed, and as sweet as you’ve been, I’m not putting out.”
“You’re obnoxious sometimes. You know that, right?” he grumbles as he lifts me off the couch and carries me to my room.
“It’s part of my charm.”
“Not right now, it isn’t.”
“And look at you, carrying me twice in one day. Sure you’re not gonna throw your back out?”
“Seriously, you need to quit it, Coach.” He chuckles as he sets me down gently on the mattress.
“That was me giving you a compliment. Have you been lifting weights without me?”
“Not a chance.” He pulls the blanket and sheets down then motions for me to get in. “Take your shirt off.”
“You’re not touching my boobs either,” I growl, “because, dude, they hurt.”
“I’m not going to touch your boobs. I—”
“Is it because you don’t like them anymore?” I pout because I can and it makes me feel better watching his nostrils flare as he tries not to lose his shit.
Stepping forward, Royce cups my face in his hands, kissing the hell out of me, diving his tongue between my lips and into my mouth, plundering every nook and cranny. When he pulls back, his eyes are wild and his glasses are askew.
“You didn’t have these on earlier,” I say, gently righting them on his face.
“Sometimes I like to pretend I can wear contacts.”
“You look good either way.”
The tips of his ears heat; it’s fucking adorable and I hate how much I like him.
That’s what hurt the most.
I let myself like the unassuming computer geek that has trouble being seen.
“Take your shirt off and lie face down so I can massage your back, Kins.”
The command sends a shiver racing down my spine.
“I like when you’re bossy.”
“Really? Because you literally never do what I ask,” he says, rolling his eyes when I hold my arms up so he can pull my shirt over my head.
He drops it to the floor and then kneels in front of me, his lips pressing the softest kiss to each breast before looking up at me. “They’re perfect.”
My eyes water and I have to blink back the tears because stupid fucking hormones.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I whisper, and he smiles as he nods toward the bed.
“Lie down, Kins.”
This time, I don’t fight him, rolling onto my belly and letting out a sigh, snuggling against the soft fabric. I feel him climb onto the bed, and I don’t have to wait long till his hands are on me, his fingers working into the knots in my muscles.
He’s not shy as he touches me. He listens, using more or less pressure until I’ve practically melted into the sheets.
“Doin’ okay?”
“Mm-hmm,” I manage when all I want is for him to wrap me in his arms and hold me. I hate that I’m like this—hate that he brings this out in me.
“Stop it,” he murmurs.
“What?”
“Whatever is making you furrow your eyebrows, stop it.”
I chuckle, opening my eyes and looking over my shoulder at him. “Will you stay?”
“You’re upset because you want me to stay?” he asks, apparently not surprised.
“Yeah.”
“You know, men get a bad rap for not being able to figure out what women want but—”
“I’d tread lightly, Roy.”
He grins, leaning forward and placing a kiss on my bare shoulder.
“You called me Roy,” he says, his eyes a little brighter as he climbs off the bed and pulls his shirt off.
“I always call you Roy.”
“Not when you’re mad at me,” he says pointedly as he climbs under the sheets and turns off the light. “I’ve honestly never been so relieved to hear anyone call me Roy.”
“Anyone?” I tease as he pulls me against him, his naked chest against my back.
“You.” He presses another kiss to my shoulder, his palm splayed out against my stomach. “But don’t think I don’t know you’re fishing for compliments.”
“I’m not sorry,” I say, yawning and snuggling back against him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his breath hot on my skin.
“It’s done. You’ve more than made up for it tonight.”
“Kins,” he says, pushing up on his elbow and rolling me onto my back, “I need the words.”
I can’t sleep without them.
He doesn’t say it but I can feel it hanging in the air between us.
“I forgive you, Roy.”
Pressing a soft kiss to my lips, he exhales, the weight of everything washing over both of us in that breath as he settles back into bed and relaxes with me in his arms.
“Goodnight, Coach.”
“Night, Roy.”