Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Why did you decide…oh my God…that’s so cool!” He bumped my hip, and I bumped his back, reveling in the complete joy in his expression.
One by one, the others began trickling in, complimenting my art, and I felt a little too on display. “Nice fucking work,” Steve said, clapping me on the back.
“Language, please,” Bethany said from behind him. “Well, at least when the kids get here.”
Once the group dispersed and she could get a better look, I held my breath as her gaze panned the painting. “Wow, I love it.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, wary again.
“Very.” She squeezed my shoulder. “Thank you. For your contribution and for your incredible art.”
My entire face heated. “No problem. Thanks for the opportunity.”
Once the paint supplies were put away and we got cleaned up, the center fed us lunch, which consisted of sandwiches I ate with fervor, not having realized how much energy I’d expended. Afterward, kids began trickling in for what they called a drop-in session. Usually, I’d want to hightail it out of there, but this time I was curious, so I stuck around with everyone else, watching the kids who knew each other hug and catch up, maybe finally feeling like themselves here in this space created especially for them.
“Look at you being part of a group,” Alex whispered as we joined a few of the kids at the game table. There was also an art table set up, but I was pretty spent in that department.
“You’ve obviously corrupted me,” I said, and he laughed. “I don’t know why I’m normally opposed to it. Maybe because I’ve never found anything that meant enough to join.”
“I could tell that mural was important to you,” he said, studying me closely.
“It wasn’t at first, not really, but then…” I dipped my head. “Yeah, suppose the whole idea grew on me.”
“And to put my quote in there—sneaky.” When his breath huffed across my cheek, I wanted to turn and take his mouth right there. What the hell was he doing to me?
“Well…it’s a good one.”
We shared a long smile before Jordan interrupted us to get the activity started. Fuck, I hoped he didn’t catch on to anything between us, other than friendship, of course. Alex swore he hadn’t told Jordan anything, especially since he was also one of Bailey’s teammates. If Bailey ever found out anything, it should come from us.
As we began playing a board game with two boys who looked to be about fifteen and a younger girl, it occurred to me how good Alex was at making them laugh and feel comfortable. I held my own, but watching Alex interact with the kids was something else.
Without meaning to, my thigh pressed against his on the bench, but neither of us moved away, so I soaked up the warmth and solidness of him, which grounded me.
“At least there’s no wiry man hair this time,” he said against my ear, and I laughed. Fuck me. I was having a good time with him.
Before we knew it, the afternoon had practically flown by, and our time was up. I didn’t want the day to end, except I was tired and couldn’t wait to change out of my sweaty clothes.
“You’re not as bad as your brother makes you out to be,” Jordan said on the way back to Franklin U.
“Gee, thanks,” I replied with an eye roll.
Jordan arched a brow. “Maybe you’ll want to join us again?”
“Let’s not push it,” I replied, and Alex laughed.
Everyone went their separate ways as we neared campus, some of them talking about dinner or partying plans that night.
“You headed back to the dorm?” I asked Alex as we arrived at the crosswalk near my house.
He shrugged. “Guess I need to see what Bailey’s up to. There’s another party at the swim house tonight.”
“I’m sure Derek will show up,” I replied as an idea formed. “I actually have to work in a couple of hours, but I thought maybe—”
“Yes,” Alex said without hesitation.
I chuckled. “You don’t even know what I was gonna ask.”
“It doesn’t matter, and besides…” Our eyes connected, the same longing evident in his irises. “I think I have a decent enough idea.”
“Derek isn’t supposed to be home right now and—”
“Let’s hurry, so no one sees us,” he said, nudging me toward the row of houses. “And then feed me after.”
“Bossy,” I said as we fast-walked to my place.
As soon as I shut the door behind us and made sure we were alone, we were on each other in a flurry of hands, mouths, and tongues, both of us groaning in a desperate, needy way.
Alex urged me to the couch and sank to his knees to blow me. I came in record time, then repaid the favor, nuzzling his crotch, sucking his balls, and tweaking his nipples under his shirt before swallowing him down. Fuck, I loved the smell of him, even sweaty. The taste of his come too.