Chapter 13: Kisses That Claim

Cody POV

I’m sprawled on my lumpy couch, Ryan under me, his hands warm on my hips. It’s late afternoon, sun dipping low, sneaking through my cracked blinds. We’re hiding here, safe from the paparazzi mess. Tara’s call still nags me, but I push it down. Right now, it’s us. My legs straddle his waist, knees sinking into the cushions. He’s half-naked, just boxers, chest bare and tan. I’m in shorts, shirt off, skin sticking to his from the heat. We’re kissing slow, lazy. His lips move soft against mine, tasting like the soda we shared. My heart’s steady, happy. His fingers dig into my sides, holding me close.

I pull back a little, grinning down at him. “You’re comfy,” I say, voice low. My hands rest on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. It’s fast, like mine.

“You’re heavy,” he teases, smirking. His eyes sparkle, dark and playful. I laugh, leaning in again. Our lips meet, deeper this time. My tongue brushes his, slow and warm. He groans quiet, hands sliding up my back. My skin tingles where he touches. I press closer, chest on his. Heat builds fast. My shorts feel tight. I feel him too, hard under me. I rock my hips a little, testing. He groans louder, gripping me harder. “Cody,” he says, breathless. My name sounds good like that.

We’re lost in it, mouths moving messy. My hands tangle in his hair, tugging soft. He likes that. His lips part more, letting me in. I taste him deeper, sweet and hot. My whole body buzzes. The couch creaks under us, old springs whining. I don’t care. It’s just us. The world’s locked out. My fingers trace his jaw, rough with stubble. He pulls me down, kissing harder. Our teeth bump a little. I giggle into his mouth. He smiles against me, happy and dumb.

Then the door bangs open. Loud. Hard. I jump, pulling back fast. My heart slams into my ribs. Ryan freezes under me. I turn quick, cheeks burning. Jake stands there, my scruffy brother, skateboard in hand. His hair’s a mess, shirt wrinkled. His eyes go wide, staring at us. Me straddling Ryan. Ryan half-naked, hands still on me. “What the fuck?” Jake snaps, voice sharp. He drops his board. It clatters loud on the floor.

My face gets hotter. I slide off Ryan, fumbling to sit up. My shorts ride up, awkward. “Jake,” I start, voice shaky. My stomach twists tight. He’s not supposed to be here. Not now.

“He using you?” Jake says, stepping closer. His eyes flick to Ryan, hard and suspicious. My chest tightens. I hate that look. “No, he’s—” I try, but my words stumble. My hands ball up, nervous.

Ryan cuts in. He sits up fast, pulling me close. His arm wraps around my waist, tight and sure. “He’s mine,” he growls, low and fierce. Then he kisses me. Deep. Possessive. Right in front of Jake. His lips crash into mine, hot and hard. His tongue slides in, claiming me. My breath catches. My hands grab his shoulders, holding on. He tastes like soda and him, strong and good. His hand cups my butt, squeezing firm. I melt into him, legs weak. My heart pounds, wild and loud.

Jake gapes. His mouth hangs open, eyes big. I barely see him. Ryan’s all I feel. His kiss softens, slow and deep now. My tongue moves with his, warm and wet. I moan soft, can’t stop it. He pulls back a little, lips brushing mine. “Mine,” he says again, quieter. His eyes lock on me, dark and steady. My chest bursts, full and hot. I nod, breathless. “Yours,” I whisper, fingers digging into his arms.

Jake snorts, loud and rough. “Whatever, man,” he says. He shrugs, grabbing his board. His sneakers stomp hard as he turns. “You’re nuts,” he mutters, heading out. The door slams shut behind him. My shoulders drop, air rushing out. Ryan laughs, low and shaky. “Your brother’s a trip,” he says, pulling me back down.

I laugh too, falling into him. “Yeah,” I say, grinning big. My head lands on his chest. His heart thumps under my ear, fast still. My legs tangle with his again. The couch groans, sagging more. His hands roam my back, warm and slow. I shiver, pressing closer. “He’s not wrong,” I say, teasing. “You’re nuts too.”

“Only for you,” he says, kissing my hair quick. My stomach flips, happy and dumb. I lift my head, catching his lips. Soft this time. Sweet. My hands slide down, resting on his hips. He sighs into me, relaxed. We’re solid now. Stronger. Jake saw us, and I picked Ryan. No doubt. My fingers trace his sides, feeling skin. He’s mine too. All mine.

We settle back, breathless and grinning. My head rests on his shoulder, nose in his neck. He smells like sweat and us. I love it. His arm flops over me, heavy and safe. “That was hot,” he says, voice low. His fingers play with my hair, tugging light. I giggle, nodding. “Yeah. Real hot.” My hand finds his chest again, rubbing slow. His heartbeat steadies, matching mine.

The room’s quiet now. Just us breathing. Sunlight fades through the blinds, turning orange. My legs ache from straddling him, but I don’t move. His hand slides down, cupping my butt again. Soft this time. I squirm, laughing. “Stop,” I say, not meaning it. He grins, squeezing once more. “Never,” he says, playful. I shove him light, rolling my eyes. He pulls me closer, kissing my cheek quick. My heart’s full, too big for me.

We lie there, hands roaming easy. My fingers trace his collarbone, smooth and warm. He hums soft, happy. “You’re stuck with me now,” he says, voice sleepy. I smile, big and goofy. “Good,” I say, kissing his jaw. My lips linger, feeling stubble. He turns his head, catching my mouth. Slow. Deep. My chest warms up more. We’re claiming each other, over and over. It’s real. Solid.

Then Jake’s voice cuts through. Not loud, but clear. From outside. “Better watch out, Cody!” he yells, muffled by the door. My eyes snap open. Ryan sits up fast, pulling me with him. My heart jumps, hard and quick. “What?” I call back, voice shaky. No answer. Just quiet. Too quiet.