21. Bennett

Bennett

I stepped out of the bathroom, a trail of steam curling around me. The scent of bacon and coffee wafted through the air, a sure sign that Xander was up and about in the kitchen. It was the first day of our mid-season break, and he was already making it special.

My phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling my attention away from the delicious smells. A video message icon flashed on the screen; it was from Xander. Curiosity piqued, I swiped to play the message.

My sunshine filled the screen, his face sincere. "Berry," he began, "my love for you goes beyond words." He paused for a moment before continuing with an earnestness that made my heart flutter. "Our life together... It"s an adventure, you know? And there"s no one else I"d rather share it with." I could hear his heart in every word he spoke.

Wow.

This man.

I paused the video to catch my breath. My sunshine loved to kid around and I loved that about him. But then there were the moments when he got serious, reflective. And I was never prepared for them.

From my vantage point near the entrance of our bedroom, I had a clear view into the kitchen where my sunshine stood watching me watch him. His eyes were soft and a tender smile graced his lips.

I hit the play button again.

"And for tonight," digital Xander added, an impish spark lighting up his eyes, "check your drawer – not where we keep... well, you know..."

I burst out in laughter at his vague reference to our secret stash. It was as if he was shy about openly admitting that"s where we kept our arsenal of lube, condoms, and an assortment of sex toys. His bashfulness about it was endearing. Heat suffused my cheeks as I recalled the times we"d delved into that drawer together.

I hit the stop button and glanced at him. "Are you playing shy, Sunshine?"

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile, even as he gestured for me to continue playing the message.

"... but the second drawer," digital Xander said.

His cryptic instruction left me puzzled but intrigued enough to follow through.

I yanked open said drawer, and my eyes caught something unexpected. Nestled amongst our belongings were two tickets for an Orion Skye concert that night.

A flood of memories came crashing back to me. It took me back to the day when we were gearing up for game seven in a series against the Giants – a repeat of last season"s match-up. Jester had been relentless with his taunts, telling Xander he should count himself lucky that he was on our side because the Grizzlies were going to thrash Xander's former team. Jester had even gone as far as wagering that I"d be the one to score the winning goal.

Xander"s eyes had twinkled with mischief as he looked at me and retorted, "We"ll see about that." Then he threw down a challenge, promising me a reward if, indeed, I scored the deciding goal. In jest, I'd suggested he ought to get me tickets to see Orion Skye – my favorite rock band.

I did score that winning goal and Xander... well, let"s just say he celebrated in his own passionate way. He'd fucked me so good that night, I'd seen stars. But I hadn"t expected him to take my offhand comment seriously.

My heart swelled with warmth at this thoughtful gesture from him; it was so quintessentially Xander. Tossing both my phone and the tickets onto our bed, I strode towards him – my personal ray of sunshine. His smile was a lighthouse guiding me home after a long journey at sea.

In the blink of an eye, I closed the gap between us. And crashed my lips to his. The taste of Xander"s lips, a heady combination of sweet and salty, hit me like a freight train. It was a searing kiss, fueled by love. I could hear my heart drumming in my chest, beating out a rhythm that echoed his name – Xander. His lips were warm and inviting, responding to mine with equal fervor. A silent exchange of love and gratitude passed between us in that intimate moment.

"Sunshine," I breathed out, the word a ghost against his lips before I withdrew for the briefest of moments. A much needed gasp of air filled my lungs before I eagerly returned to him. "Let me thank you properly." My words trailed off as I lost myself again in the intoxicating sensation of his mouth on mine.

I sank to my knees on the cool floor. My hands trembled slightly as they reached for the waistband of Xander"s gray sweats, pulling them down with an almost reverent slowness. He wasn"t wearing any underwear – a fact that sent a thrill of anticipation through me.

The sight that greeted me was nothing short of breathtaking – Xander in all his glory, hard and ready for me. My mouth watered at the prospect, and without further ado, I leaned in.

"You're beautiful, Sunshine." I breathed him in.

The first touch was exploratory – a tentative lick that had Xander shuddering above me. His taste exploded on my tongue – salty and uniquely him. It didn't cease to amaze me that every time I did this, it felt like I was doing it for the first time.

Encouraged by his reaction, I took him fully into my mouth.

His low groan echoed through the room as he threaded his fingers through my hair, guiding me. The sensation of him filling my mouth was overwhelming yet addictive – every ridge and vein imprinted on my memory as if it were Braille.

His scent filled my nostrils – musky and masculine with a hint of body wash still lingering from his shower. It was intoxicatingly raw and primal; it spurred me on.

I set up a rhythm then – slow but unyielding. His moans grew louder with each bob of my head until they became desperate pleas interspersed with guttural utterances of my name.

He let out a cry so loud it seemed to bounce off the walls. I could feel his release, hot and pulsating in my mouth. The taste of him, even more intense now, filled my senses.

Savoring the moment, I soaked in the sensations, allowing them to etch themselves into my memory. Eventually, I pulled myself away and rose to my feet. His eyes glazed over with satisfaction. Seeing that pure joy reflected on his face made me the happiest man alive. This was an intimacy we shared – raw and unfiltered – and it was something I wouldn"t trade for anything else in the world.

Xander's fingers weaved through my hair, gripping it tightly.

His mouth crashed against mine with an urgency that was both startling and thrilling. As our lips moved together, he murmured against them – his words were electric currents racing down my spine. "I love tasting myself on your lips," he confessed, his voice husky.

His hand moved lower then, reaching for me with an insistent grasp. But I caught his wrist gently, halting him. "Let"s save that for when we come back," I suggested softly. "I want to spend the whole day wanting you."