Still Jaded (Jaded #2)(4)

He chuckled as he helped remove the last piece of clothing. And then he was back, his eyes darkened with desire as his hands skimmed over every curve.

"Holy hell, Bryce," I gasped and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as I brought my body flush against his.

"Sheldon," he whispered. His hands slid down my back, took hold underneath my thighs, and lifted me further up on the couch.

I snapped a finger towards a small cupboard in the corner. Bryce understood and quickly crossed the room. A plea escaped my lips in protest at the sudden loss of contact, but Bryce was back in a flash, condom in hand. He paused above me and kissed me slowly. His lips fitted mine perfectly and his tongue swept in to rub against mine for a heart stopping moment.

"Now!" I snarled.

Bryce chuckled into my mouth and flicked his tongue against mine once more.

I groaned. He was playing with me.

My eyes snapped open and I found myself staring into his. Bryce swept his tongue around my mouth once more before he cupped my cheek in his hand and whispered, "You're not leaving me again."

It wasn't a question but a command.

I nodded, weak in that moment. There wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be.

And then Bryce had the condom on and slid inside. I arched my back and grasped onto his shoulders as Bryce started the rhythm. He moved in and out, slowly, and then picked up speed. I was helpless underneath the onslaught of pleasure. Time slid away until I felt the pinnacle nearing and then suddenly, I gasped as I shot over it.

Bryce trembled as he climaxed, and we held onto each other as we rode out the waves.

He rested on me, and I welcomed his heaviness as I skimmed a hand down his back. I swept it back up and continued in a soothing motion. Bryce rubbed his thumb down my arm and moved to caress my leg.

I grinned in contented fatigue and murmured, "And that's only the beginning for the night."

Bryce barked out a laugh and kissed me. He raised his head. "I meant what I said. You aren't going anywhere now."

My grin vanished, and I sobered. I knew what he meant and broke out, "I'm sorry that I left, I just couldn't…I wasn't me anymore, not at the end. I'm sorry."

He skimmed a hand in my hair, tucked a strand behind my ear, and bent down to kiss me again. Then he whispered, his breath teasing my lips, "Just don't do it again. I need you."

I closed my eyes as I heard those words. I heard the raw truth and wrapped my arms around him in a breathtaking hug.

I needed him too.

Bryce let out a shuddering breath, one that wracked his whole body, and seemed to collapse on top of me. We stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, until my eyelids became heavy and closed. I drifted asleep, underneath Bryce's much needed weight.

And then my eyes snapped open, sometime later, and I raised myself up. I was disoriented. "Bryce?"

He grunted from behind me.

That's when I heard whatever woke me up: a crashing sound, followed by laughter, and then splashing.

"What the hell?" I bit out and crossed to the door.

"Hey," Bryce called out. "Put your suit back on."

I frowned and looked around the room. "Where is it?"

He muffled his laughter and rolled to a stand. As Bryce looked in one corner, I glanced to the other.

"Got it." And he threw both pieces at me.

I caught them, but glared. "You're supposed to respect me afterwards. Not throw my clothes at me."

Bryce rolled his eyes and sat on the couch to pull his swimming trunks back on. "Half the time you get all pissy if I treat you with respect." He stood and pulled me into his arms. "And besides, you already know I love you." Then he pressed two quick kisses to my forehead, checked to make sure I was clothed, and swept open the door to call out, "Hey fellas!"

A cheer rang out, and I groaned because I recognized those voices.

Corrigan appeared in the doorway a moment later with a wolfish grin on his face. "Just like old times, right?"

"You almost walking in on us having sex? Yes, just like old times."

Corrigan threw his head back in laughter and then bounded over to wrap both arms around me. He lifted me in the air and bounced us both up and down as he chortled, "You love it! The gang is back together again! About effing time, Sheldon!"

I laughed and patted his arm. "Put me down, idiot. And why are you making it sound like I had anything to do with it?"

Corrigan placed me back on my feet and gave me an incredulous look. "Seriously, Sheldon. You know why."

"No, I don't." And I didn't.

"Bryce is back because of you. Admit it. He needs you just as much as you need him."

"Bryce came back because the California Suns offered him a better deal on their soccer team."

"Uh huh," he replied. Then he wrapped his arms around me again. "I don't care that you're in denial. I'm just happy that the crew's back together again."

I heard guffaws of 'hey dude' and 'did you get laid a lot?' and raised my eyebrows at Corrigan. "Did you have to bring them? All of them?"

Corrigan shrugged and ducked as I swatted at him. "They're my brothers. They wanted to meet Bryce."

"Whatever. Just get 'em out of here by tonight and not too late. I have class tomorrow, and I already know I'll be losing sleep as it is."