Starting from Zero (Starting from 1)

“Deal,” I agreed with a half laugh. “I’m a terrible date. I don’t like going anywhere. I’m perfectly happy to stay home and play music and video games all night.”

“Is that an adorkable way to ask me to play Assassin’s Creed with you?”

I chuckled. “No, it wasn’t, but let’s do it.”

“You sure you can handle me?” he taunted.

“No, but I’m willing to try.”

Justin kicked my ass. I could make excuses about being distracted by his contagious enthusiasm and childlike sense of fun. That was all true. But I also liked the sound of his laughter and the feel of his body next to mine. I’d lost track of time a while ago. The house was quiet, and as the night stretched on with nothing and no one to interrupt us, we seemed to drift closer on the sofa. Knees touching, then thighs and arms. When he annihilated my last man, he tossed the control onto the coffee table and let out a victory cry. Then he draped his leg between my thighs and crashed his mouth over mine.

Maybe the maneuver was meant to be playful. I knew a lot of people who were capable of meaningless kisses and offhanded flirting. I wasn’t one of them, but maybe it was a generational quirk. However, when he licked my lips in a wordless request for entry, I figured we’d moved past “casual.” We made out with slow kisses and roving hands. There was a sweetness in the unhurried give and take of twisting tongues and soft sighs…until he pulled my shirt from my jeans and raked his fingers along my sides.

“Fuck, I want you,” he whispered.

I pulled back slightly and shivered at the glint of desire in his eyes. He wasn’t kidding. He wanted me. Maybe as much as I wanted him. I willed myself to reset the balance before either of us got swept away, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My dick hardened as my gaze followed the tip of his tongue across his bottom lip. Nope. I wasn’t going anywhere.

I pulled him to his feet, then sealed my mouth over his. His breath hitched in surprise. For a half second, I thought he might push me away, but he cupped my face with both hands instead and bit my lip. I was immediately consumed. The heat and electricity we’d been dancing around exploded in a fiery fusion that was all about getting as close as possible in record time.

Justin grabbed my ass and rocked his pelvis. The feel of his denim-clad cock against mine felt incredible. Justin was a full-body sensory experience. He was everywhere. His hands in my hair, fingers raking my back, then fumbling with my belt. He tried to do everything without breaking the kiss. Although it was more of a tongue fuck than a kiss now. An erotic push and pull that mirrored our frenzied humping.

I yanked my shirt over my head before pulling Justin’s off and molding my bare chest against his. His skin felt warm and damn, he tasted amazing. Like winter and peppermint and something uniquely Justin. Whatever it was, I wanted more. I grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back to lick the column of his throat. He growled and reached for my belt.

I stilled his hand, panting for air as I tried to read his expression. “Wait. Are you sure you—”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Yeah, I’m sure.” He yanked my wrist and roughly set my palm over his erection. “Do something about this before I come in my jeans.”

I heard the challenge in his tone and wanted to laugh at his arrogance, but I fucking loved it. My nostrils flared appreciatively.

“We can’t have that,” I purred.

I pulled him toward the bed and pushed him onto the mattress. Then I kicked off my shoes, straddled his thighs, and immediately reached for his belt. I unbuckled and unzipped him before slipping my hand into the opening and flattening my palm over his length. I held his gaze as I curled my fingers and stroked him through his boxer briefs. The thin barrier should have been annoying, but the flimsy cotton accentuated his impressive cock. I tightened my grip, loving the feel of his girth. He was thick and long and very responsive. He whimpered when I rubbed my thumb over the tip in a lazy circle, making a mess of his precum-soaked briefs.

“Fuck. That feels good.” Justin licked his lips.

I watched his Adam’s apple slide in his throat lustily. He was hot and horny as hell. He wanted whatever I was willing to give. And just knowing he was in the same state was a major turn on.

“Take them off,” I commanded in a deeper than normal voice.

I rolled sideways to give him room to remove his shoes and undress as I unzipped my jeans. I thought about folding the comforter back, but then I glanced over at Justin and all my good ideas abandoned me. God, he was beautiful. Long, lean, and naturally toned. And the colorful ink on his arms and torso seemed to highlight his sexy physique. The rope of thorns around his biceps, the flames along his lower left hip, and the tiny script on his V line that seemed to point to his gorgeous cock.