Four

four

Dulcet: pleasing and soothing in nature

SPENCER

It’s my till shift today. Fiona added so many Christmas decorations that I feel like the café’s windows and walls will soon implode. Everywhere I turn is green and red. Maybe I should buy a small tree for my apartment. As soon as the thought crosses my mind, I push it away with a huff. Christmas is all about family and sharing, two things I’ve never had.

The day is slow. More and more students are leaving for winter break, and so, I have more time to clean the shelves and wash the espresso machine’s portafilters. I unfortunately also have a front-row seat to the football table and TJ. He hasn’t looked at me once since he took a step inside the café. He went straight to sit at a table while one of his pals made the order.

Being ignored stings, but with closeted jerks, it is pretty much the same old story. I didn’t expect much if anything, but fuck, it had been hot. I don’t usually let hookups get a go at my face unless I’m truly turned on. Looking at him let go like that, all wild and predatory, did it for me. And that fucking massive cock. My ass clenches at the thought of being filled with that thing. I guess it will remain that, a mental image.

At least his homophobic teammates are keeping their heads down. I know that fucking them up a little didn’t do the trick. Rich kids are arrogant and feel entitled. I need to stay alert for their next move.

I grab my bottle of Seven Up and refresh my throat. It still aches from the hottest face-fuck of my life. Pity it’ll remain a solitary one.

Two posh girls come in and order two skinny lattes. While I grab their change, I hear one excitedly saying, “Did you hear about TJ? The NFL is sniffing around him. Can you imagine? I could say I fucked an NFL star.”

Me and you both. Even though, technically, he fucked my mouth and then just left without a second look. I’m not a snuggle bunny, I’m usually a wham-bam-thank-you- sir kind of a guy, but I never treat my hookups like they are invisible after the deed is done.

I knew he was bad news from the first moment I saw him—gloriously naked on the shower floor like a fucking demigod. It’s all those fucking brown puppy eyes’ fault, and the taste of cinnamon on his lips. I just have to file it in my mind as a hot encounter and move on with my life.

My eyes fall on the yellow bike parked outside. The one TJ bought for me as an apology—pretty sure he forced the rest of the dicks to pay for it. It’s one of the latest, most expensive models, lightweight carbon construction, aerodynamic design, EPS electronic groups, leather saddle, and more. A decent person would give it back, but I’ve never pretended to be anything but me. And after what his teammates did to me, I fucking deserve it.

The girls grab their lattes and then move to the football table, stopping right near TJ. He smiles at them, and when I see one sit on his lap, I turn my eyes toward the door.

He’s going to be an NFL star, which I know is a big fucking deal, even though I don’t care about football. One quick hookup is all we could ever have, and I’m fine with it.

My phone vibrates inside my pocket. No new customers come in, so I slide it out of my pants and tap on the new text.

Lori:

Tonight, hide all your crazy, act like the lady you are not…but show the merchandise like the slut you are. Have fuuuuuuuun.

Fuck! I forgot about the hookup Lori arranged for me. I have an appointment to get some ink done tonight. I’ll meet Lori’s guy at six, so I have three hours before the tattoo. That should be enough.

I don’t really feel like going out to a club, but maybe it’s exactly what I need. I’ve been studying and working too hard—not including yesterday’s hot occurrence.

I can’t stop myself from glancing at TJ again. The girl is still on his lap, but his dark brown eyes are locked on me.

Ralph is talking my ears off as we round my building. It’s cold as fuck, so I hurry my steps toward the stairs. He insisted on taking me to my apartment, probably hoping for a make-out session, which I’m not so eager to give him. He’s cute and funny and has a tongue piercing I wouldn’t mind feeling around my cock. Maybe I should rethink this. Lori hooked me up with him, which means that this guy is great if not phenomenal in bed.

I frown when I see a black jeep that looks just like TJ’s parked in front of my complex. There’s someone inside, but the tinted window hides their face. I decide to ignore it, just like TJ did with me this morning. I keep smiling at Ralph as we climb the flight of stairs.

When I reach my door, I hear footsteps coming up. Overwhelmed by a sudden urge, I turn around, and grabbing the guy’s jacket, I pull him toward me until my lips lower on his. He tastes like the cranberry juice and vodka cocktail he drank at the club. His tongue is hot against mine when he pushes it inside my mouth, while the piercing feels cold but nice. I feel his small hand grabbing my ass while he moans too loudly.

This feels wrong , I think just before pulling my head away. I catch someone in the corner of my eye, and when I turn my head, I see TJ. Gray cap, pink cheeks, hands balled up at his sides, and a grave expression on his face.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him, pushing Ralph gently off me. A sense of regret squeezes my throat for a moment.

He doesn’t answer. His gaze has moved to Ralph, all intense and aloof.

“I think this is my cue to go. You have my number,” Ralph tells me with a rasp in his voice before leaving, being very careful not to walk too close to the stiff giant standing on the landing.

“Why are you here again?” I ask TJ, grabbing my phone to check the time. I have thirty minutes to get to the tattoo parlor.

“Who was that?” His growly voice sounds pleasingly smooth to my ears, mellifluous—love that word. Still, it’s none of his business who I was with.

“He was inconsequential.” I sound a little stilted now.

“Can we talk?”

“I have somewhere to be.” I unlock my apartment door just to grab my messenger bag from the entrance and then lock it again. When I turn, he’s still here.

“I’m sorry about last night. I… What we did got me by surprise.” His puppy eyes are back, but the tension in his body is still evident.

I believe what he said. Most guys freak out after their first man-to-man experience. But he seemed fine all smiley and kissy until he checked his phone.

“Your apologies are starting to be a frequent recurrence,” I state with a flat tone. Not caring about his excuses, I add, “We’re cool. It was fun. It’s done.”

“I’d like to do that again, if you want,” he has the gall to say.

“Are you going to ignore me every time we meet outside my apartment? Clandestine relationships are not my style. Well, relationships in general. ”

“I wasn’t ignoring you. It was the opposite.” He blushes so fucking adorably. He’s big and handsome, showing embarrassment looks odd on him. So damn cute.

I frown. “So, you acknowledged me by not talking to me?”

“No. I didn't know how… I… Fuck! I didn’t know if you wanted me to approach you.”

“Approach me?”

“After what my teammates did to you—which I assure you they’ll never do again—and the way I left, I thought you had enough of stupid…jocks.” He shrugs.

This guy is a mystery to me. Every time I think I comprehend his actions, he proves me wrong. I can’t fucking pin him down.

“But you’re here now,” I remind him.

“Couldn’t stop myself. I felt like shit for the way I left, especially after…” His gaze falls on my mouth, and I can’t resist teasing him with my tongue slicking my lower lip.

“Maybe you should go back to girls, looks like you treat them well. I mean, they even sit on your lap.” I use a carefree tone, but that tramp wants him only because he could be an NFL player one day. And why do I feel irritated by it? Who the hell knows? This guy is fucking with my head, and I don’t like it.

“That was Tracy. Our parents are friends. I’ve known her a long time.” He slides his hands inside his jeans pockets.

“And Ralph, the guy I sucked face with a moment ago, was a friend as well.” I pronounce the word “friend” very slowly, witnessing the way his jaw ticks. I’ve had enough of this.

“I need to go now.”

“I can take you,” he offers, all awkward looking.

Both my eyebrows rise in surprise. “Why?”

“Hoping to change your mind?”

Well fuck! Persistence is one of my favorite character traits—which I’ll never tell Lori. Plus, it’s icy cold, going by car sounds better than getting frozen fingers riding my bike.

“Let’s go,” I say. The beaming smile he gives me lightens up his entire face, his eyes gleaming with contentment. I forget to breathe for the duration of two heartbeats.

The drive to the parlor is fairly short by car. TJ’s jeep is fucking fantastic, and it surprised me to learn that he paid for it himself. He worked part-time jobs all through high school and the first two years of college. He’s a junior, while I should be a freshman, but I got enough credits transferred to be a sophomore. I like to study, and I’m good at it.

“The car belonged to a friend of my mother, so he gave me a good price,” he finishes. Still, he must have saved every single penny.

“You can park there,” I tell him, pointing at the spot in front of the tattoo shop. When he stops the car, I open the door and turn to him before getting out. “You coming?”

“Really?” he asks, looking as excited as a small puppy. Another glowing grin appears on his face, and I roll my eyes at him, hiding my stupid smile when I walk to the parlor.

The rainbow shimmering sign on the door says Trice & Vice Tattoos. A guy from my psychology class recommended it, so I decided to check out the artists here.

There’s nobody at the reception desk when we enter. I tap on the little bell while admiring the amazing designs framed on the walls. Maybe I found the right place.

“Fucking coming!” a voice yells from somewhere inside. And I frown at it. Not for the crass delivery, but because I know that voice.

“Ash?” I call before he appears from around the corner.

“Who else, man? What the fuck are you doing here?” He comes over and gives me a bro hug.

“Getting inked. So, this is where you work. Lori told me it was doing great.”

“Of course. I co-own it.” He spreads his arms around and raises a duh eyebrow.

“Oh, this is TJ,” I introduce him.

“What’s up?” Ash tilts his pointed chin at him. I met him through Lori. He and his triplet brothers run a pet shelter I volunteer at when I can.

“Hey, man,” TJ greets him back.

Ash checks the computer behind the counter. “Well, you’re in luck. Leela is sick, so I’m gonna ink you tonight. Follow me.”

“Are the designs on the wall yours?” TJ asks him.

“Most of them.” Ash nods.

“Then fuck yes, you are in luck,” TJ states, making Ash chuckle, which is a fucking small miracle. Ash is as tight as a virgin butthole. And thinking about virgin holes, I can’t stop my eyes from falling on TJ’s plump ass, perfectly wrapped in those gray sweats.

We enter Ash’s room. It has a long tattoo bed, a table covered with all the essentials, a small sink, two comfy armchairs, and a small round stool. More incredible designs cover the walls. If I knew Ash was this talented, I’d have come to see him much sooner.

He taps on his tablet and shows me the drawing I already approved with his colleague.

“Where do you want the fucker?” Ash asks.

I smirk. “My shoulder.”

“Bare yourself to me then,” he jokes as he turns to wash his hands and put gloves on.

I take off the various layers of clothes and then sit on the bed, still wearing my black jeans. TJ is is standing near the armchairs, his heated eyes are zeroed in on my body. I used to train in a boxing gym almost everyday, but since I moved to college I’ve been focusing more on studying than anything else. Despite that I’m still fucking well-built and damn good-looking.

“Nice cave,” he tells Ash after a minute. “Got some cool music?”

“Of fucking course!”

TJ smiles at Ash’s rude reply.

Ash puts the stencil on my shoulder, and after checking the position in the mirror, we are good to go. I sit again on the bed as Ash starts prepping.

“ Ad astra per aspera .” TJ is suddenly looming over me from behind as he reads the letters on my shoulder. That smoky voice timbre of his is sexy as fuck. I can feel the ghost of his breath on my skin as he asks, “What does it mean?”

I swallow the embarrassing squawk in my throat and reply, “It’s Latin. It means to the stars through hardships.”

His raspy, low hum wafts softly through the hair on my temple. I close my eyes against the tingling sensation that assaults me at his nearness. Then I feel a light finger trailing the length of my shoulder. Slowly, disappearing too soon. I only realize I’m holding my breath when TJ pulls away. I can see his reflection in the long mirror on the wall, his gray cap is backward and he adjusts the slightly tented front of his sweats before sitting in the armchair. I feel an absurd pinch in my chest at the sight of him.

Fuck, I was wrong, he’s extremely good at this. And excessively hot and dangerous, seeing how strongly my body reacts to his.

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” starts playing in the room while the buzzing tattoo gun works on my shoulder. Ash sends me a knowing smirk, the fucker is screwing with me. Still, my eyes keep going back to TJ. He’s chatting with Ash. I’m barely feeling the sting from the tattoo gun since his low chuckles continue unleashing a delicious melty sensation inside my guts that I’m unable to stop.

Ten minutes later, we are done, but it felt like it took forever. After the cream and bandage, I rapidly put my clothes back on and give Ash a pat on the shoulder as a thank-you.

“Call me when you decide what ink you want to get,” he tells TJ.

“You bet, man.” They exchange a macho handshake before we leave the room.

How the fuck they became homies in ten minutes is a mystery I’ll never comprehend. I’m still wondering about it as I exit the shop and bump against someone.

“Sorry,” I utter when I see Raj’s smiling face looking back at me. We have a couple of classes together, and I got an interested vibe from him on more than one occasion.

“Hey!” he greets me. “Got inked?”

“Yep,” I reply.

“Ash is the man,” he declares and I nod. “Oh, you coming to Carl’s party Saturday?”

“Probably.” I was thinking of going. “Who’s DJing?”

“Stuart,” Raj informs me. Stuart is not bad. “You have to come!”

“It’s the last party before winter break,” TJ adds. Is he going?

“Exactly. I’ll see you there.” Raj squeezes my arm before walking away.

“Carl’s parties are always fun,” TJ says, as we get in his car.

“So maybe I’ll see you there,” I reply with a shrug.