Burn Zone (Hotshots 1)

“So fucking good,” Linc growled, tipping him back so they could kiss. He sped up, both his hand and thrusts, his moans joining Jacob’s.

“Please.” He’d never once needed permission to come, but somehow his body had decided on its own to wait for Linc, to need him that intensely.

“Yeah.” Linc made a pleased noise as if he’d been waiting for that final surrender, going harder and deeper now. “Come for me. Get there.”

Yup. That was exactly what he needed, body surging, fucking into Linc’s tight grip, taking everything he had to give. And then he was coming, hard spurts that almost hurt in their intensity, body hanging on to awareness, waiting for Linc’s shout, dishing out the last of its pleasure as Linc came too.

Holy fuck. He’d pretty much assumed that simultaneous orgasms from fucking were a trick of porn editing, but damn if they weren’t both breathing hard, collapsing into a sweaty heap. His muscles protested as Linc withdrew, too sensitive now, but Linc rubbed his arm, more of that unbearable tenderness from him.

“Damn,” he groaned, not pulling away even though he should. “I should have known you’d be too good at that.”

“You thought I’d be bad?” Yawning, Linc rolled away to discard the condom, then pulled Jacob back into his embrace.

“Hoped, maybe.” God, it would be so easy to leave this in the rearview had it been terrible.

“Ah. Well, sorry to disappoint.” Linc didn’t sound particularly apologetic as he yawned again. “Fuck. You wrung me out. Gimme five and I’ll shower with you. Promise.”

However, Linc’s soft snores soon called him a liar as he held Jacob tight in his sleep, far more content than Jacob with his racing mind. He’d made a promise of his own, told Linc that one night would be enough, that it was possible to get beyond this thing between them. He’d been dumb and naive, thinking like that, thinking he could have all this and let it go again. But he had to. He owed Linc.

He waited until Linc was deep asleep, slipping from the bed, covering Linc up and setting his alarm clock for him. Then he showered alone in the hall bathroom, not wanting to risk smashing into a weight machine in the dark in the master. Even the dogs were sleepy, barely rousing from the couches to investigate what he was up to as he penned a fast note on paper he found near the plants and left it in front of the coffee maker. There. He wasn’t being a dick and sneaking out. He was doing what needed to be done, heading out into the chilly darkness of the night, taking with him the memory of every touch, every moan. The memories weighed him down, so much worse than any crush because now he knew, deep in his soul, what he’d be missing for the rest of his life.

Chapter Nine

Linc found the note by the coffee maker. He hadn’t been surprised when he’d awoken alone. Holding on to Jacob wasn’t ever happening, not even in his dreams. He had, however, been startled by his alarm going off. Apparently, he’d slept straight through to the clock going off, someone having helpfully turned it on for him. The same helpful person had left the bathroom pristine, towel neatly on the rack, not even a fogged mirror to indicate Jacob had ever been there. And he didn’t blame Jacob for not having woken him up for what was sure to be an awkward conversation.

It wasn’t like he could expect morning cuddles, breakfast together, and then driving into work. Wasn’t ever happening no matter how cozy the image was. Likewise, neither of them needed to rehash all the reasons they couldn’t do that again. And chances were high that any shower would have simply led to a round three and not anything productive. But even knowing all that, he couldn’t stop the churning in his gut. More disappointment than regret if he was honest, much less guilt than he’d expected.

Maybe it was because the sex had been that damn good. And he could tell himself that it was only that he hadn’t had it in a very long time, but he knew that was a lie. It was Jacob, his scent and taste and reactions and sounds. It was the way he’d resisted slowing down, held back, right up until he didn’t, until he’d let go, like a caged bird finally allowed to soar, whole body transforming. It had been nothing short of a privilege to watch and experience, and damn, he wanted it again already. He jerked off to the memories in the shower, not bothering with any embarrassment, because he had a feeling it was going to be the only way he could get through the morning without being half-hard at every stray thought of the night before. And besides, he was entitled to a little self-pleasure after the way Jacob had snuck out like a thief.