Chapter 71

Andy just gazed at him for a long moment, and for a second, Scooter was afraid Andy was going to point out that Cogan’s had been their first officialdate and the other two didn’t count. Or even turn him down entirely.

And then Andy laughed, light and amused. “I should accuse you of cheating,” he said. “Because the yogurt, really? But since I’ve been dying to get my hands on you for weeks, I’m going to let it slide. Just this once,” he added, mock-stern, and then he kissed Scooter gently, sliding his hand up Scooter’s side.

Scooter barely held back a groan of relief, and nuzzled at Andy’s mouth with soft, eager kisses. Letting his lips relearn the shapes of Andy’s mouth, the feel—

“Hold that thought,” Scooter said, grimacing. “I’ll be right back, promise.” He scrambled out of the bed for the bathroom. His skin was tacky with dried tears so he washed his face while he was in there. Rinsed out his mouth. Dug under the sink for the sample packets of lube he used to keep for barhopping, and a condom. Checked the dates. Okay, good. And then he was shaking so hard that he had to sit down on the lid of the toilet and breathe.

It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine, he told himself. He’s here, he’s staying. Everything’s fine. Now get back out there before you mess this up.

He ran a hand through his hair, then grabbed his supplies and went back into his bedroom. “Sorry, I wanted…I’ve had to make urgent runs for condoms before, didn’t want to…break off for that. We’ve had enough awkward interruptions, yeah?”

“Smart thinking,” Andy agreed. He was lounging across Scooter’s bed like something from one of Scooter’s wet dreams, Jesus Christ. “You found something, I guess, since you’re not already running for the nearest convenience store.”

Scooter tossed the two packets onto the bed and climbed back on. He slid under the sheets and pulled Andy into a close embrace, skin against skin, and said, very quiet and hot in Andy’s ear, “If I hadn’t found anything, I would’ve stroked you off, nice and slow, until you made a mess of my sheets, rather than leave you for one more minute. God, I want to touch and lick and tease you until you’re mad with it, and then let you find some relief. And then maybe, maybe, I’ll be willing to get out of this bed. But I’m not taking my hands off you for a while.”

Andy’s eyes went dark. “Good.” He ducked his head to lick along the hollow of Scooter’s throat, and dragged his teeth across the skin. “I want to learn every little thing that drives you wild, put my mouth on you and drag you right up to the edge and keepyou there. Want to feel your hands on every inch of me. I want…God, do you have any idea how much I’ve thought about this?”

“Nope,” Scooter said easily enough. “I only know how much I’ve been thinking about it.” Scooter slid one hand down Andy’s back, teased around the edge of the waistband until he found a spot on Andy’s hip that made Andy squirm and shiver. He claimed Andy’s mouth for a hot, long kiss, tasting Andy’s lips and sliding his tongue inside. He ended with a soft nip at Andy’s lower lip, tugging on it lightly. “Couldn’tstop thinkin’ about it. About you. My own personal angel, fallen from Heaven to lead me into temptation. You beautiful, gorgeous, perfect…oh, sweetheart.”

Andy outright giggled. “Did you just call me a demon? It’s a little soon to get into roleplay, don’t you think?” He slipped his hand around Scooter’s neck, thumb brushing along Scooter’s jaw. “Besides,” he said in a softer tone, “you’re the one who saved me. My own personal hero.”

“I did not call you a demon,” Scooter huffed, making a face. How was that fair? This was already everything he’d ever hoped for and better than he’d been able to imagine, and that little moment of teasing and laughter had rocked him right to the core, in the best way possible. He’d already known sex with Andy was going to be hot and intense; was it even remotely fair that it would be fun, too?

Scooter’s hand stroked down Andy’s back, over his hip, along his thigh. Andy’s skin was warm, supple, and smooth and little zings of nerves were radiating up Scooter’s arm from the point of contact, all the way into his neck and prickling along his scalp. Too much and not enough. He tugged Andy’s leg up, pressing in until the leg was hooked over Scooter’s hip. He continued his caress, dragging his nails down Andy’s calf in a long, teasing line. “God, you’re tempting.”

Andy rolled his body against Scooter’s and groaned. “Give in then,” he said, “give it to me.” He rocked into Scooter’s body again, the hard length of him pressing into Scooter’s abdomen, his heart pounding hard against Scooter’s chest.