Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Suddenly, Dex is embracing me in a tight hug that makes me feel safe and cocooned. He buries his face against my neck, and I swear I feel dampness from his eyelashes.
All I can think to do is hold on tight—to him, to us—and swallow down the aching realization that I’m in love with him. I can’t stop it or take it back. It just is.
But I meant what I said. No matter how broken my heart will be when our little arrangement ends, I went into this with my eyes wide open, and I will always be here for Dex as a friend.
“What did losing your virginity feel like?” he asks as he draws away. “And I’m not fishing for compliments. I truly want to know.”
“It felt surreal…but also incredible. Like connecting with someone on a deeper level.” That someone being Dex, but I keep the conversation general. “Having said that, I couldn’t do that casually, like you do. Not that I’m knocking it—”
“It’s okay that we’re different that way,” he replies, and I feel a pang in my chest, wishing that weren’t true, that we were more the same. “Are you sore?”
“Only a little,” I admit. “I actually like how it feels. It’s a good reminder of what happened.”
“Yeah? What exactly happened?” he teases.
“Let’s see. A hot guy invited himself over and had his way with me.”
He freezes. “That’s not—”
“I’m kidding. If anything, I’m the one who had his way with you.”
“Uh-huh, you horny little devil.”
I grin because I sort of like being seen that way.
“Well, now you’ve got me hard.” Dex grips his cock, and mine stiffens instantly. “Wanna jerk off?”
So we do, and it’s just as exciting as the first time we watched each other.
Afterward, my sheets are even messier, and the small space smells like sex and lube, so I kick Dex out so I can do laundry before Kael gets in.
I can hear him chuckling as he closes the door behind him.
33
DEX
“Gender-neutral restrooms signal to students that all genders are welcome. In fact, calling them all-gender wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Regardless, they would help trans and nonbinary students feel safer. All we want is to have a private place to relieve ourselves on campus. More than one option in key locations would help as well,” Kael says, and I’m grateful he decided to add his voice to the student government discussion. Hopefully, the university will be able to accommodate the request to add more locations.
After the meeting, we walk out together, and I’ll admit there’s been a spring in my step the past few days. A renewed sense of purpose and a quiet contentment I’ve felt dead center in my gut since the night spent with Austin.
Maybe Austin’s right. Maybe I can make room in my life for somebody I care about. If I give it a chance. Maybe it won’t be a disaster waiting to happen. What does it mean that I want it to be Austin?
Despite feeling on a high, there’s a gnawing in my stomach that Austin losing his virginity might’ve been our finale, but what a finale it was. Not something I’ll forget for a long time. It was more than just a casual hookup for me. It was intense and intimate and emotional too.
All the stuff I’ve wanted to avoid but couldn’t when it came to him.
As it stands now, we haven’t had any further discussions about our former or future dates. Just lots of smiles and, frankly, some heated looks.
There’s also an underlying tension between us that is likely all one-sided on my part. I have the urge to blurt out that I think I might be in love with him. No, I definitely am. But I keep thinking about our conversation the following morning when Austin said I have so much to offer somebody, without including himself.
“Thanks again for inviting me,” Kael says.
“So glad I did. You were great.”
“I can see why you like being involved in that stuff. Especially if it helps change perspective and policy.”
I smile. “Exactly. It makes it worthwhile.”
He nods. “So…everything else cool?”
My gaze snaps to his. “Why do you ask?”
He hitches a shoulder. “Something seems different about you.”
“Such as…?”
“You seem…lighter. Not that you aren’t a happy person—you are—and you’re always willing to lend a helping hand. You’re outgoing and charitable, but this seems deeper.” He waves a hand. “Not that I know you that well. Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Wait. You’re right,” I reply, a bit of that tension rolling off my shoulders. “Is…Austin acting different too?”
“Definitely, especially after…” He gives me a meaningful look.
“Austin told you about the other night? What happened between us?”
“Not exactly.” He glances away. “He said he lost his virginity to a hot guy, so I can only assume it’s you.”
I rub a hand down my face. “God, I’m a mess.”