24. Austin

24

AUSTIN

I walk out of the bookstore on a high after meeting a favorite author and being able to chat with her because of the VIP pass.

"That was probably the highlight of my year," I say to Angelica's friend, Luna, who showed up at the signing at the last minute and sat near me when the author read a chapter of her book to the audience.

"Thanks for introducing me to her books," Luna replies. "Kael mentioned you'd be attending the signing, but I didn't imagine how crowded it would be. Glad I found you there."

"Me too." I wave as we part ways. "Catch you later."

I can't stop the grin splitting my lips, and I owe it all to Dex. I still can't believe he surprised me with a ticket that no doubt cost a pretty penny. Though I wish he'd been with me, I can't blame him that real life intruded, and Jodi needed him.

He was frustrated, that was obvious, but letting him off the hook about the date seemed to release his tension a little. Jodi's awful dating life has always been a sticking point between them, and he's been a shoulder to cry on one too many times. Suppose I'm lucky that my stepdad turned out to be amazing, or Mom might've found herself in a similar situation. Or maybe not. Regardless, dating and romance are tough out there, and I can relate.

When I get back to the dorm, Kael's bed is empty, which doesn't surprise me. He said he'd be going over to Angelica's tonight.

I'm about to get changed when there's a soft knock on my door.

I pull it open to see Dex standing there. "What…are you okay?"

He produces a vase of poppies from behind his back. Well, not really a vase, more like a tall plastic cup, but good enough.

"I forgot to give you these." He frowns. "Not that I had the opportunity."

"Thank you." I let him inside, my stomach all mushy at his thoughtfulness. "How's your mom?"

"Better, I think." He sighs. "She left a bit ago."

I set the flowers on my desk. "What was that all about?"

"Take a wild guess."

"Her latest ex?"

"Bingo." He sinks down on my bed. "Is it ever about anything else? I just wish she'd take a breather and learn how to be alone so she can see it's not so bad."

I sit beside him. "I know you do."

"I'm sorry the date was ruined." His eyes are soft and searching. "Tell me about it?"

We lie on my bed, which is a tight fit but feels like old times. I tell him how the VIPs had their own private Q and A session with her. Afterward, I waited in line so she could sign my books.

"She was so kind and down-to-earth." I sigh dreamily. "It was amazing. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. Just wish I could've been there for you." He makes a frustrated sound, his muscles wound tight. I rarely see him this out of sorts. He's good at letting shit go, but apparently tonight is really sticking with him.

I sit up. "Hey, how about we pretend this is the end of our date."

The corners of his mouth turn down. "But I missed the best parts."

"Maybe not," I reply, climbing on the bed and settling behind him.

"What are you—oh fucking God." Starting with his shoulders, I begin massaging the knots I feel in his muscles. "Why does that feel so good?"

"Because you're so damned tense." I keep my hands moving, trying to go down his back, but the material gets in the way. "Take this off so I can show you my skills."

He lifts his shirt over his head and deposits it on the floor. "Are these new skills? Why have we never done this before?"

"No clue, but just go with it."

I try to concentrate on working out his tension, ignoring how his skin pebbles everywhere I touch. He groans as my fingers rub a path along his waistband. "I'd ask you to take these off too, if you're up for it."

He casts his gaze toward the door. "What if Kael comes home and thinks?—"

"He normally stays at Angelica's."

His shoulders relax as he unbuttons his jeans and takes them off. "Maybe you missed your calling," he murmurs as I encourage him to lie on his back so I can work on the front of him.

"Maybe I did if you like this so much."

I'm working on his shoulders and biceps when I notice his nipples are hard and so is his dick. I'm turning him on, and there's something heady about that. Or maybe it's just a physical reaction to having someone's hands on you, but still.

His stomach trembles as I feather my hands down his smooth chest, then scoot to the edge of the mattress to more comfortably reach his thighs.

When he shuts his eyes and moans, my own cock fills with blood.

"God, thanks for this."

I swallow roughly. "We're still at the end of our date, right?"

"Uh-huh, sure." He opens an eye to look at me. "Why?"

"Because I want… Can I…" Unable to get the words out, I reach for the waistband of his boxer briefs instead. "Can I touch you again?"

He trembles. "Fucking hell, do you really think I'm gonna say no?"

My fingers are shaking as I tug his underwear down, but I keep going. When his full, flushed cock bounces against his stomach, I'm mesmerized by it. I wasn't able to get a close-up view before, and now…now, I just want to take it all in. Not just his dick. Everything.

"Are you okay?" Dex's fingers touch my wrist. "It's totally cool to change your mind."

"No! I'm just admiring you…your body."

Dex's pupils are wide and glassy, and I don't know why he seems speechless, but I suppose I am too. Touching my best friend freely like this is surreal.

Before I can overthink it, my hands get to work. I lift myself higher to reach the parts of Dex I didn't have an opportunity to, from his throat to his heels.

Dex breathes heavily and shivers when I impulsively lean over and lash my tongue against a nipple. "Holy shit."

"I've never… I always wanted to do that." My skin tingles. "Does it feel good?"

"Fuck yeah."

Gaining more confidence, I suck each nipple into my mouth, savoring his salty, spicy scent and loving his reaction. How his hands fist and he groans like he's about to crawl out of his skin. Moving lower, my tongue brushes over his stomach, and I watch in fascination as it quivers.

Resting on my heels, I carefully fist his cock, which is red-tipped and needing attention. I marvel at the silky and solid feel of him in my hand. He shudders when I start jerking him, sloppily at first, until I find a rhythm.

Having the urge to get closer, I keep pumping his cock while I lean forward, first kissing his thigh, then burying my nose in his wiry hair. "You have a nice smell too. It's not apricots…more like a rich, spicy scent."

"You're killing me, Austin."

I shiver at the sound of his husky voice.

When I kiss his hip bone and belly, I feel his shaft brush against my cheek. I turn my head and do what feels natural. I lick his glans. Just one swipe, and he completely melts into the sheets with a groan.

"Feel okay?"

"Amazing. But you don't have to?—"

"Shut it. Let me make you feel good."

"I should be making you feel good. I'm the one who canceled our date."

"It's obviously not canceled ‘cause here we are." I meet his gaze. "And I want this."

That settled, I lean over and lick the entire length of his dick, taste his musk, savor his silky skin and the noises I'm dragging out of him. It's enough to keep my fantasies alive for months.

I circle around the crown and then take the head into my mouth to test out how it feels between my lips. As it stretches my mouth and I use my tongue to lick and circle, it slowly dawns on me that I have Dex's cock in my mouth. My best friend, Dex. But somehow, it feels right. And if it's not, then it will be. It has to be.

"Fuck." Dex gasps, his fingers winding in my hair. "You're gonna make me lose my load."

"Good." I look at him sharply. "You need the release."

I take him back into my mouth, slowly, deliberately, savoring every single inch until his shaft reaches the back of my throat. It feels too big, too much. My eyes start watering and I gag, completely mortified.

His fingers find mine. "Take your time. Anything you do feels good."

My second go is a bit less sloppy, and soon enough, I'm getting the hang of it. And enjoying myself in the process, even if my jaw is beginning to ache. But I don't want to stop for anything. This is what I've been missing. This feeling of being with a guy who appreciates me and my effort. Even if it's amateurish.

Dex certainly doesn't seem to notice as his fingers grip the sheets and he screws his eyes shut, his hips gently rocking upward.

"Oh God, Aus …" My name surges from his throat in one long syllable as he shudders, his come spurting from his cock and coating the roof of my mouth. It tastes foreign and salty, but I desperately want to swallow it, so I try my best even if some leaks down my chin.

I'm breathing choppily through my nose as I get every last drop and his softened cock slips from my lips. That first burst of fresh air into my lungs makes me gasp, and I collapse onto the sheets beside him. Holy fucking Christ.

Dex appears comatose except for his chest heaving from the effort of catching his breath. "You… I… I can't move."

My grin is so wide my face hurts. I feel on top of the world.

"Good. Now shut your eyes and rest for a bit."