Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RIO

My palms are clammy as I knock on the door to Sasha's hotel room. I'm beyond nervous to be alone with Sasha, but that's bound to be expected. I'm not a virgin, but since it's harder for me to experience sexual desire than the average person, I feel like an amateur compared to Sasha. Not that we're planning on having sex tonight or anything.

All we've discussed is kissing, but I know that usually leads to more. Is he going to expect more? He said he would be okay with going slow, but is he going to change his mind if things start getting hot and heavy? Is he going to expect things to move at a pace he's more used to? Is he going to be disappointed if I stop things before they get too far?

I'm attracted to Sasha, he turns me on like no one ever has and eventually I might want to go all the way with him, but I know I won't be ready to do that tonight.

"Hey, handsome," Sasha greets me when he opens the door and holds it for me.

I check him out as I pass him, and he closes the door. I very much approve of how he looks. He's wearing a pair of jeans that cling to his legs in the most perfect way, and the black shirt he has on hugs his pectoral muscles. His hair is still wet, leaving wet spots on his shirt in a few places. His skin is flushed from the heat of his shower, and I have to admit it's a good look on him. It makes me want to find ways to keep that flush there.

"Like what you see," Sasha asks after I'm done my perusal of him.

I lick my lips and nod. "You know how hot you are."

He shrugs. "Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it."

I step toward him and place my hand on his waist. "You are so fucking sexy," I whisper. "And I'm dying to kiss those delectable lips."

"Then do it," he encourages me, and I close the distance between us, finally doing what I've been wanting to do for the past six days.

The kiss starts out tentative as I gently press my lips to his, savoring how soft they are. He lets me take the lead, exploring his mouth. I give him a few pecks before licking the seam of his lips. A throaty moan ripples past his lips as he opens them for me, allowing me to deepen the kiss.

My hands slowly start to roam up and down his back as we make out, and my cock pushes against my underwear every time he whimpers or moans. I swallow down all of his noises, digging how vocal he is.

When I thrust into Sasha's leg, he groans before slowly stepping back, breaking our kiss, leaving us both panting for air.

"I think maybe we should take a break and talk," Sasha suggests, grabbing my hand and guiding me to the bed.

"I think that's a good idea," I reply before sitting beside him on the queen size mattress.

I love that he's helping me keep things slow. As turned on as I am right now, there's a part of me that's wanting to throw caution out the window and jump his bones right here and now. But there is another part of me that will regret that in the morning. I want a relationship, not just a tumble in the sack.

"Tell me something almost no one knows about you," he says with an even smile.

"I have no idea what I'm going to do when I graduate," I tell him, and his brows crinkle together.

"I thought you were going to be a teacher," he responds, and I nod.

"I am, but that's all I know. I don't know where I'm going to live or anything else."

"You don't want to move home?" he inquires.

"I have nothing back there. I mean, my parents are there, but they couldn't care less about me. They weren't abusive, but they were neglectful, and I have no desire to go through that again."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. Did you have any other family that was better?" he asks.

"I had my grandpa, but he passed away. So now it's just me, and I'm kind of scared to have to make this decision on my own," I whisper.

Sasha rests his hand on my knee and gives it a squeeze. "But you're not alone. You have me, and you also have some amazing friends," he reminds me.

The corners of my lips turn upward, and I put my hand on top of his. "I really needed to hear that."

"Even if our romantic relationship doesn't work out, I'm always going to be your friend," he reassures me.

"I appreciate that. What are your plans after you graduate?"

"I think I'm going to stay in Green Spring," he tells me. "I also don't have any family around. And I will never move back to California. Since my friends are all here, it doesn't make sense for me to leave unless I can't find a job."

"You don't miss the warm weather?" I check, earning me a shrug.

"I guess so, but that place holds too many bad memories for me. I don't think I could even visit. I wouldn't feel safe there."

"Do you want to talk about why?" I ask him softly.

Sasha looks up at the ceiling and takes a deep inhale before slowly blowing it out and shaking his head. "Not tonight. I want to one day, but I also don't want to bring the mood down. My past sucks, and it's hard to talk about. Honestly, I haven't talked about it much because of how painful it is to remember."

I smile at him and nod, happy that he told me as much as he did. "I'm here when you're ready," I promise him.

"I appreciate that. How about you tell me how you got your nickname to brighten the mood?" he suggests, shooting me a toothy grin that makes me chuckle.

"Do you want to know why I don't tell the story?" I ask him, and he nods like an eager kid. "Because it's boring and stupid. By not telling it, people think it has to be something epic when in reality, it's lame."

"Well, now you have to tell me," Sasha says, and I sigh.

I'm about to spill the beans when the door flies open. "I'm so sorry," Hailey says while laughing, sprinting into the room completely naked.

"Where the hell are your clothes?" Sasha asks with wide eyes.

"BooBoo dared me to dart down the hall naked," she explains while grabbing her bag and disappearing into the bathroom. She keeps the door cracked open so we can hear her as she continues the story. "I was on my way back to his room when Coach opened his door, and we made eye contact. Thankfully, I was smart enough to grab my keycard for this room before racing down the hall, and I didn't have to run all the way back to BooBoo's room."

Sasha falls back on the bed, cackling. "Oh my god, you are too much."

A loud pounding on the door has me grimacing, but Sasha doesn't seem to be bothered as he walks over to open it.

Coach Rudder is standing there with a very pissed-off expression and a tick in his jaw. "Rio, I think it's time for you to go back to your room," he commands, and I nod slowly, standing. "And Hailey, I better not catch you outside of this room until morning," he shouts so she can hear him.

"Yes, Sir," she replies from the bathroom.

Coach sighs and shakes his head before leaving.

"Well, it looks like our night has been cut short," I reply and pull Sasha toward me for a goodbye kiss.

"Goodbye for now, handsome. I look forward to hearing the story behind your nickname the next time we get together," he tells me with a wink.

I land another peck on his lips before leaving his room and heading to mine.

BooBoo looks up with wide eyes when I enter our room. "Hailey's been grounded thanks to your dare," I tell him, which only makes him laugh.

"I really didn't think she was going to do it, but damn, do I respect the shit out of her now for following through," BooBoo says, and I chuckle along with him before sitting on my bed.

"We know now that she isn't one to turn down a dare."

BooBoo nods. "True story. Sorry about cutting your evening with Sasha short."

I wave him off. "It's all good. We still had a nice time."

"Niiiccee tiiimme, ehhh?" he says, drawing each word out and making me roll my eyes. "How nice are we talking?"

I throw a pillow at him this time but can't help but laugh along with him. "I'm not about to spill the details of my love life, but I will tell you that I got my congratulatory kiss," I tell him.

"Nice. Well, I'm glad one of us got a kiss."

"Are you actually into Hailey or just wanting to have a good time?" I question him and he lifts a shoulder.

"Honestly. I'm not sure. I mean, I wouldn't turn down a horizontal tango with her, but I also don't think I would turn down more. She's really cool, and I enjoyed hanging out with her tonight. I guess I'll just have to play it by ear," he says.

"That is if she forgives you for getting her in trouble with Coach."

BooBoo's eyes go wide. "Shit, you don't think that could have ruined my chances, do you?"

I shrug. "I have no idea, my guy, but she didn't seem upset about getting in shit, so you're probably okay. Just keep the stupid shit to a minimum if you actually want a chance at something with her."

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. But if she doesn't hate my guts after that, and we keep the same sleeping arrangements all season, I'd be happy to keep her company while you spend time with your man."

I chuckle and shake my head. "Thanks, I can hear how agonizing that's going to be for you," I tease.

"It will be, but I value our friendship so much that I'm willing to take one for the team."

"You're an idiot," I tell him as we both laugh.

Tonight was amazing, and as much as I enjoyed the kissing and the talking, I can't help but think that we need to go on an actual date. Our next game isn't until next Sunday, so we have lots of time to figure out a night that would work for the both of us. The wheels in my brain are beginning to spin as I think of the perfect date to take Sasha on. I want to show him how a partner should really treat him. Even though he hasn't told me much about his ex, I know that the guy was a fucking tool. He hurt a man who is so full of life and love, and I just don't understand how someone could do that.

I make a silent vow to myself to only ever show Sasha kindness and respect, something his ex should have done but clearly didn't.