Down and Dirty (Hot Jocks #5)(34)

As if on command, he steadies one hand on my hip and lets go, jetting across my stomach in wet, hot bursts.

It’s quiet for a moment as his breathing returns to normal, his eyes focused on the hand still pressed against the bed until he finally cuts through the silence with a soft exhale.

After pressing a thankful kiss into my forehead, he disappears into the bathroom, returning with toilet paper in excess to clean me up. “Sorry about this,” he mutters, wiping up his mess.

“Don’t be.”

Once we’re all cleaned up, I pull back my duvet, gesturing for him to crawl in with me. I don’t know if he wants to spend the night or not, but no way is he bolting out of here after that.

I sigh, nestling in under the covers. “I missed this.”

“What?” he asks, his voice harsh.

“Having a cuddle buddy.”

He tugs me closer. “Then get your hot ass over here, sweetheart.”

“You don’t mind cuddling? I thought most guys hated it.”

“That’s not true, is it?” He breathes against my hair.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a universally known fact. It’s one of those things that’s merely tolerated after sex.” I shift, bringing us closer. “And you don’t even get the benefit of that.”

“Well, maybe I’m not most guys.”

“Trust me, I figured that out.”

His arms feel so good and so solid around me.

“I like cuddling with you too,” he says after a moment of comfortable silence. “Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s in the husband job description somewhere, isn’t it?”

I think he’s kidding, but his words put a tiny knot of worry in my chest.

Is that all I am to him? An obligation? Something that he’s trying to do the right thing by?

It’s a thought that stings more than I thought it would.

? ? ?





Landon


Aubree seems to have let go of her insecurities about our age difference, and the last thing I want to do is set her off again, so I hope my question won’t do that.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask, stretching to bring one arm around her in the bed.

She nods, picking at a piece of lint on the duvet. “Go for it.”

“Why are you still single?”

She lifts her head from its resting spot on my chest and gives me an uncertain look. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “You’re obviously a catch. Smoking hot. Fun. Smart. Amazing at Skee-Ball.”

She smirks. “Go on . . .”

I smile. “Well, I’m not going to lie and tell you that you’re a good dancer. You’re not, babe.”

“Shush.” She swats my arm. “Just ask me what you wanted to ask me.”

“Well, I was just wondering why you haven’t settled down with someone yet?”

She licks her lips, weighing my question. “I’ve dated a lot, but I always kept things casual. I guess it’s just because I’ve always prioritized my job over my relationships. I love what I do, you know, and it’s important work.”

I nod. “That’s a good reason, I guess.”

She inhales, releasing the breath slowly as she lays her head back down against my chest. “Maybe. But I know you’re right. If I don’t want to end up old and alone, I’m going to need to learn to make room for a man in my life.”

That’s not what I asked, but I don’t point that out. And since I’m hoping to be that man in her future, at her side, I don’t want to press my luck. “Today was a good start.”

She nods. “It was fun.” There’s a long pause before Aubree continues. “I haven’t told you this before, but my parents divorced when I was young.”

“How old were you?”

“Little. First grade, I think. I hardly remember a time when they were together, so the divorce itself wasn’t difficult on me. But I watched my mom go from relationship to relationship, always looking for a man to fulfill her. I guess that left an impression.”

I’m pleased that Aubree’s finally letting me in, but I opt to stay quiet and just run my fingertips along her arm, hoping she’ll continue. And after a little while, she does.

“I vowed that I would never be like that—dependent on a man with nothing for myself. I didn’t want to repeat her mistakes. So I went to college, focusing on myself, my goals, my grades, applying for the best internships. I was driven, and I never really focused on dating. I liked that about myself, you know? I took pride in that.”

“And you should.”

I want to ask if she feels differently now. Even if I do respect the hell out of her for creating the future she wants for herself, I hope she’s starting to consider how I might fit into that future too. But am I brave enough to ask her?

Nope.

Instead, I just enjoyed the feel of her in my arms, and try to quiet the worry in my head.





12




* * *





Relationship Goals





Landon



It’s Saturday night, and we’re all at Justin and Elise’s penthouse apartment.

There’s pizza and beer, and the basketball playoffs are on TV, though no one’s really watching it because everyone is clustered into small groups engaged in low conversation. Aubree is outside on the balcony with the ladies, enjoying the early evening breeze, while I’m inside with the guys, camped out around the kitchen counter, or more importantly, around the food.