9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"We could've uh . . .gone somewhere nicer?"

Jon could tell that Kieran was nervous.

The only thing he couldn't figure out was why.

They'd been on dates before. More late-night breakfasts for dinner at the diner by Kieran's place. Lots more phone sex. Even more actual sex.

Jon had discovered that he really loved blowjobs—and not just receiving them.

It had been the most eye-opening and wonderful few weeks of his life.

"This is plenty fine," Jon said, glancing around the little room with its bare wood walls and floorboards, the wiped tables, rolls of paper towels sitting on the surfaces, a substitute for napkins. "I don't need fancy."

"They have the best shrimp in Charleston." Kieran still sounded apologetic.

Dating wasn't so easy with their two schedules—especially with training camp starting for Jon and the bar growing busier than ever. But they were making it work. Still, this was the first night they'd managed to have what anyone else would recognize as a real date. Dinner out at a normal hour, followed, Jon hoped, by sex at one of their places.

Maybe tonight would be the night Kieran finally asked him for what he'd mentioned all those weeks ago—his cock buried in his ass. Jon had no complaints about the sex they'd had so far. Even a simple handjob felt better, more satisfying, than anything he'd ever experienced before. He couldn't get enough, and he'd be happy if they never did it. But Kieran had said he'd wanted it, and then Jon realized that he did, too.

"For the best shrimp I'd go just about anywhere," Jon joked. "Honestly I didn't even know I was so mad for seafood before I moved here."

"We've got the best in the world, that's why." Kieran's boast was cute, his gaze glowing with fervor. Jon wanted to reach across the table and hold his hand. Switch over to the same side and put his arm around his shoulders. But they were out in public, and Jon wasn't out yet.

"Not just the best shrimp," Jon said affectionately.

Even if they weren't touching, he had a feeling it was pretty obvious that this wasn't just a platonic outing just by the way they kept gazing at each other.

But he wasn't willing to stop looking at Kieran like that—and he certainly wasn't going to ask Kieran to stop, either.

"Aw, you like me," Kieran teased, and for the first time, he did seem more relaxed.

"A lot," Jon agreed.

Kieran's answering smile told him everything that he needed to know. That it was mutual. That he wasn't going anywhere. And that was what made him hope that Kieran had meant it when he'd said he was willing to follow Jon's lead.

You're a public figure and it's complicated for you, I get that , he'd said, a few days after they'd kissed for the first time. This is on your timetable.

There was so much going on with the upcoming season Jon had asked, hesitantly, if it was okay if that meant waiting months, and Kieran had just shrugged. If you're happy, I'm happy , he'd insisted.

Of course, Jon wanted people to know. He'd discovered that desire deep inside himself, already. But he also knew that it was best to be strategic about these things.

He could wait, if Kieran was willing to wait.

"Let me tell you," Kieran said, "the bar was rocking when you guys won that first preseason game. You've got the town behind you, for sure."

Kieran didn't need to say, unlike last year , because that was just a given. Charleston had hated the old Condors' ownership, and Jon was fairly certain that the feeling had been mutual.

"Yeah?" Jon smiled. "The plane ride home was pretty rockin' too. I don't think anyone expected us to win any games."

"You guys are gonna be better than anyone predicts," Kieran promised, even though that wasn't something he could promise.

Jon couldn't even promise that. But he could sure as hell put the work in to make it a possibility.

"I hope so," Jon said. The team—specifically the players that had survived Mr. G's purge—had been through the wringer. They deserved some success. And it wouldn't exactly be terrible for him, either.

"Where you guys at next?" Kieran asked, tucking a swoop of honey blond hair behind his ear.

"We're going to Dallas, then Washington. The Commanders. Nelson's finally getting his legs under him. He threw some gorgeous passes to Carter this week in practice."

"Not focusing on the short game as much?" Kieran asked, taking a sip of his beer.

"We are, but why have a receiver like Carter Maxwell and not use him? And that isn't him talking," Jon said dryly. It was nice to be able to sit here like this, across from someone he cared about, as a friend and more, and just have a normal conversation.

"Yeah, I can't imagine he liked that game plan much," Kieran pointed out.

"I can handle Carter." He hoped he could handle Carter. Carter was notoriously difficult to handle. He'd been on four teams in five years and he'd finally landed on the Condors because they'd hoped his incredible talent would supersede his inability to keep his temper in check or his dick in his pants.

"I know you can," Kieran said soothingly, reaching out and grasping his hand briefly. Too briefly. There were definitely moments he regretted drawing this line.

Moments he wanted to obliterate it entirely.

You will. When it's right. When it's time.

"But at least the defense is solid. I thank God every day that we've got Deacon and Jem, holding down the fort."

"You're not still concerned about that corner?"

"Rex is gonna be okay," Jon said, and it was more of a hope than a certainty—but that was this business for you. Sometimes you could only set things up and hope they worked the way they were supposed to.

"I haven't seen many of them come in yet," Kieran pointed out. "Deac and Jem a few times, grabbing a quiet drink."

"Bless their uncomplicated friendship," Jon said and Kieran laughed.

"Being a head coach isn't necessarily being the best at schemes or game plans or motivation, it's freaking keeping all these different personalities from destroying one another," Jon continued wryly.

"And," Kieran said, leaning forward, a knowing smile emerging, "I bet you're really fucking good at that. In fact, I know you're really fucking good at that."

Jon felt the impact of the compliment.

It meant more coming from Kieran because it felt sometimes like he was the only person in the world anymore who really knew him, inside and out.

And still liked him.

"Come on, here's the shrimp," Kieran said, lightening the mood as the waitress set piles of peel and eat shrimp onto their table. "Eat up." His eyes twinkled. "You're gonna need the energy for later."

"God," Jon groaned as Kieran pinned him to the wall just inside his front door and kissed his neck. "I was thinking about this the whole fucking dinner. Ever since you said, you're gonna need the energy for later ."

He was already hard and aching in his jeans, so eager for even a touch. Had been that way for what felt like hours now. Days .

"Like it when you're like this. All desperate," Kieran teased, lips dipping lower, under the collar of his T-shirt, hands already underneath it, tracing patterns along his chest, his stomach, his abs.

"I like it when you make me all desperate." But still, Jon reached up, stilled Kieran's wandering hands. "Let me suck you."

Kieran half-laughed, half-moaned. "I never imagined you'd love sucking cock this much."

"Me neither." Jon could admit that much, at least, but Kieran didn't stop him as he dropped to his knees, enjoying the view of Kieran's long, muscular legs, dusted with blond hair, and his cock, hard and pressing against the zipper of his shorts.

Jon made quick work of the shorts and then Kieran's boxer briefs, not wasting any time before he leaned in and licked a stripe up the back of his cock. Maybe if he could push Kieran to the edge, to where he was currently living, he'd take pity on him, not drive him absolutely crazy with desire.

"Yeah, ugh, just like that." Kieran's hands settled into Jon's hair, and he didn't pull, but gave a gentle tug. They'd both learned that Jon loved the encouragement to take him harder and deeper, not ever choking him on Kieran's cock, but pushing him right to the edge of his comfort zone.

And Jon not only enjoyed it, he loved it.

His own cock throbbed in his jeans as he let Kieran's length slide along his tongue, then farther still, the tip of it sinking into the back of his throat.

He went slow, but deep, and let Kieran feel every inch of it being buried in his mouth. Sucked hard, enjoying the precome that slicked his tongue, eased his way.

There was nothing hotter than this, than making the man he was so crazy about moan and even one memorable time, scream.

This wouldn't be one of those times—they were both too close to the edge already, too long since they last time they'd gotten to do this—but Jon was okay with that.

But before the point of no return, to Jon's surprise, Kieran tugged his hair. Encouraging him to pull back.

"What?" Jon loved the way his voice got rough and desperate when he was doing this.

"Not like this," Kieran said and pulled him, then dragged him towards the bedroom.

There was lube now, in Jon's bedside table, because he'd learned he liked a finger pressing right up against his prostate when Kieran was blowing him. Something, he realized, he could've lived without learning his whole life if he hadn't met this man and he hadn't opened up a whole new world of pleasure to him.

"What do you want?" Jon asked as Kieran pulled his shirt off and finally unzipped his jeans, letting them fall to the floor.

"You, inside me," Kieran said, his own voice equally rough, even though he hadn't been sucking cock.

"God, yes, that, please." Jon grabbed the lube, fingers lingering over the box of condoms he'd picked up a few weeks back in an attempt to be proactive.

"We'll need those for now," Kieran said, shooting him a smile full of promise.

Jon's fingers were trembling as he tried to open the bottle. He'd done his research, of course. He had some idea of how to do this, but the reality was daunting.

"It's alright," Kieran said, comprehension dawning in his eyes. He plucked the bottle from Jon. "We'll do it together."

Jon squeezed his eyes shut, desire rising him in in a hard, inescapable wave. "God, that's hot."

"Even hotter to do it," Kieran said. He slid a finger back, resting right along his hole. Then he slipped it inside and Jon let out a sharp breath.

"Come on," Kieran coaxed, his voice cracking as his finger disappeared farther in.

"Are you sure?" Jon asked and Kieran just laughed.

"Promise I can take it," he said.

So Jon did as he said, slicking up a finger and letting it slide right up against Kieran's.

He was so hot and tight inside Jon swallowed hard. How was he going to actually do this without losing all his control?

"Yeah, yeah , just like that," Kieran said with a groan as they fucked him, two fingers going deeper and deeper. "Give me another."

"Are you—"

But Jon swallowed his question when Kieran shot him a hot look.

A look that promised retribution if he didn't give him exactly what he wanted.

And while the retribution would one hundred percent be of the sexy variety, Jon still wanted to give his lover everything he wanted.

Carefully, he tucked a second finger alongside Kieran's and as Kieran groaned, slid them in and out.

Too soon, Kieran shuddered and said, "That's good. That's enough. I'm gonna fucking come that's too hot."

Jon gave another thrust and then another, enjoying the faces Kieran made, before pulling out and grabbing the condom.

His fingers weren't just trembling but shaking as he slid the condom on.

"Swear I'm not a virgin," Jon joked under his breath as he positioned himself over Kieran, one of his knees bent back. Kieran's gray eyes were full of love and encouragement.

And heat.

So much fucking heat.

Jon could burn up in all that heat.

"Just like that," Kieran encouraged as he gave one little thrust and then another, sinking into his tight, white-hot ass.

"That feels . . ." Jon felt his eyes roll back in his head. His fingers digging into Kieran's flesh.

"Yeah." Kieran's voice had gone deep and gravelly. "Me too."

"You want more?" Jon panted. He'd gone as slow as he could, but he was definitely reaching the end of his self-control as he bottomed out.

Kieran reached down and gave his half-hard cock a few strokes, and it perked right up. "Yeah." He was breathless. "You're . . .uh . . .big. And it's been awhile for me."

If Jon reminded himself of how tight he was around him, he'd lose it and so he didn't. Just gave Kieran the time he needed and then began to thrust unsteadily. But the more he did, the righter it felt, the better it felt.

Half a dozen thrusts later, he was lost to the feel of it, Kieran a vise around him as he moved his own body in tandem with Jon's.

So much of this relationship had been shockingly easy, and so it shouldn't have surprised Jon that this was, too. Felt like they'd been doing it forever, once he'd gotten over his nerves.

Felt like he wanted to do it for the next forever, too.

"Shit," Kieran exclaimed and that was all the warning Jon got before he was clamping down hard on his cock, come shooting up his chest as he lost himself in pleasure.

It only took another half-hearted thrust and he was coming, too, yelping as it felt like he emptied out everything inside him into the condom.

He wasn't a virgin, knew his way around the bedroom, even if this was his first time fucking a guy, and he carefully pulled out before collapsing next to Kieran.

Pushed a hand through the sweaty hair falling across Kieran's forehead. "Good?" he asked.

That was the only word in his brain, so it made sense to ask it as a question.

"Really fucking good." Kieran's eyes glowed with happiness. "You?"

"Sure that we're gonna have to try that the other way, eventually," Jon said.

Kieran laughed and pulled him even closer, tucking him underneath his arm.