by Crow, Baylin
Pressing his lips to mine one last time, he reached back and shut off the water. "I'm going to pass out the second my head hits that pillow."
Rook got out first, snagged a towel and passed another to me. After we dried off, the top blanket was tossed in a heap next to the bed, and we slipped beneath the thin cream-colored sheets. Lifting his arm, Rook tugged me with the other until I got the hint and scooted forward until my naked skin pressed flush with his heated body.
He flipped off the lamp and darkness fell over the room.
"I love you," he whispered. "And you're stuck with me."
I had zero problems with that. "I love you too. Always have. Always will."
His breathing slowed and the sound of the AC hummed as I struggled to wrap my mind around everything that had changed.
Rook loved me. Claimed me. But what happened when we left this place? What would happen when we got home? I chewed on my lip, hating the doubt that crept up on the heels of something more amazing than I'd thought possible. I told myself not to worry. But the reality was I had no idea what to expect.
Sleep finally found me, and it was only hours later when I was woken up with a warm wet mouth wrapped around my cock. Rook sucked while watching me blink down at him as awareness finally took hold.
The second time he took me, he settled between my spread legs propped on his shoulders. Staring into my eyes, his thrusts were slow. So slow as he wrung every last ounce of pleasure from my body.
He hadn't fucked me. Rook had loved me.
Fifteen
Noah
"Hey, you almost ready?" I asked Rook as I stood by the door to our room with my luggage in one hand.
Our flight was set to leave soon and we needed to get moving. My fault really. I hadn't wanted to get out of bed. Waking up next to Rook was something I'd wanted for so long. Now that I had it, I was afraid I'd lose it, so I was hanging on to every second with both hands.
Rook came out of the bathroom with his essentials gathered in his arms and carelessly shoved them inside his open suitcase on the bed. After zipping the suitcase, he picked it up, strolled over and popped a kiss on my lips. "I am now. Unless you want to…" He waggled his brows.
I knocked my shoulder into his. "We'll miss our flight. The shower blowjob wasn't enough? Maybe I need to up my game."
He scoffed as he opened the door. "Like hell you do. Your tongue is the reason I'm in this situation." He gestured to the semi in his jeans.
While I loved that I affected him that way, we really were going to miss our flight if we didn't leave. "Stop trying to make us late. I need to go find my mom."
“Boner killer,” he complained, and I laughed as we rolled our luggage to the elevator. While we stood together in the mirrored car on the way down, I watched our reflection. Side by side. My best friend. My boyfriend? We hadn't really had that discussion. He loved me, but how did that translate once we were back home?
Before I could sink into that worrying train of thought, the doors slid open. My mom stood in the lobby next to James.
"About time, you two." She grinned, and I dropped my luggage to fold my arms around her. My mom held me tight. When she released me and pulled back, tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. "Trevor said to tell you bye and he’ll call you soon. He and Kendra left before sunrise for their honeymoon. Do you have everything you need?"
"We do, but we'll be late if we don't get on the road."
"Okay, I won't hold you up." She gave Rook the same hug. "I'm going to miss you two tomorrow."
"A week wasn't enough?" My brow rose.
She propped her hands on her hips. "It was nice having this time with you. Since you went off to college and James and I moved…I just miss you and look forward to Christmas. But I understand. You need to get back, and next year there won't be so much going on, so I expect you both to be at our house."
"We will,” I promised and grabbed the handle to my suitcase.
"All right, drive safe and Merry Christmas." She said that like she wouldn't tell me at least three more times tomorrow when it was actually Christmas.
"You too." I grinned when James wrapped an arm around her and she huddled against his side. I could see myself growing to really appreciate him as her face flushed with genuine happiness.
Mentally calculating how long it would take us to get to the airport, I led the way outside.
The cold morning wind was brutal. We hurried our steps as we charged toward the rental and tossed our things in the trunk, climbed in and cranked the heat on high. The new car smell and the seats that were getting warmer by the second made me thankful for Kendra’s parents’ generosity.
"I'm so ready to be back home." Rook shivered and rubbed his hands together.
"It'll be a longer wait if you don't put this car on the highway." I reached for the radio and turned up some rock music. "Chop. Chop."
Rook shifted into reverse, muttering, "So damn bossy."
I chuckled as Rook slowly drove away onto the road that had a thin glaze of ice. Powdery snowflakes melted on the windshield, and a yawn crept up my throat.
Even though I was feeling the early hour and wished I could sleep through the drive, my mind wouldn't quiet. I worried my lip as I watched the scenery, fit for a damn postcard, go by.
A warm hand landed on my thigh and squeezed. "Everything okay?"
That was a good question, but for now it was so I looked at Rook and nodded. "Yeah. I'm just tired."
"Want me to stop for coffee when we pass something?" he offered, briefly flicking a glance my way before watching the road.
Eyeing the time on the dash, I shook my head. "We're already pushing it. I'll get something at the airport."
His hand tightened on my leg. "You sure everything's okay?"
No. Yes. No. My mind warred with itself. I trusted Rook, but I wished we'd had a conversation about what to expect once we landed in Texas. Was he my boyfriend? Was what we had a secret? The thought made my stomach roll. I didn't think I could do that with Rook.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I’m good."
Once we reached the airport, we passed quickly through security and after a brief wait, boarded our plane. It was crammed full of Christmas travelers, and I was grateful for the noise. The more they talked, the less I had to.
“Coffee?” asked the perky, brunette stewardess.
“Yes, please,” Rook answered before looking at me with one brow raised.
“Nah. I’m good.” I forced a yawn this time. Caffeine coupled with the building anxiety over our relationship wasn’t a good idea. "I think I'm going to catch some sleep."
Rook didn't appear to buy the excuse, brows dipping as he studied my face, but he didn't comment on it. The flight was uncomfortable, our long legs cramped even in the upgraded seats, also courtesy of Kendra's parents. But also because I was counting down the minutes until we landed. When I'd know for sure where we stood.
When the plane landed and we disembarked, we quickly claimed our baggage and headed for the entrance. Knight’s head was visible a foot or more above most of the crowd. His gleaming white smile split his face, and he started toward us.
Rook’s palm brushed mine. Right before he grabbed my hand, I instinctively pulled away. I wasn’t completely sure what prompted the reaction other than I had no idea what Knight’s response would be and how Rook might react to it. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it if he was the one who pulled away.
Rook’s gaze burned the side of my face. I knew he was looking at me. I felt it. When I chanced a glance at him, I found him frowning and immediately felt like shit for what I’d done.
Knight stopped in front of us, gaze flicking back and forth between Rook and me. He winked at me and held his arms open for a hug that would never come. “Welcome home, babe.”
Rook sighed and gripped my elbow while addressing Knight. “Give us a minute.”
Knight gave us a quizzical look, but before he could ask questions, I was hauled away.
&nbs
p; Rook steered me around a corner, out of sight. “Okay, that's enough. What’s wrong?”
I stared at the blue, carpeted floor. “Nothing’s wrong. We’re back home now. Stuff can go back to normal.”
“What does that mean?” Rooks eyes widened and his mouth fell open.
Shrugging, I deflated. “What do you want, Rook? To actually date me?"
“That’s exactly what I intend to do.” Rook's voice rose in pitch and volume.
Sweeping my gaze behind Rook, I noted no one was paying us any attention but still motioned for him to lower his voice. “And your team? Friends? Family? What are you going to tell them?”
Rook sighed. "Is that what's been bugging you? You think I'm going to date you in secret like that shit head did? Because fuck that. You're mine. You've always been mine. Since you were twelve. You told me."
"I did not say that," I protested halfheartedly.
Rook's lips twitched. "Close enough."
I rolled my eyes, but I felt the weight begin to lift from my shoulders.
Leaning forward, Rook brushed my lips with his. "The thing is. I was yours too. It just took me longer—"
"A decade, Rook." I raised both hands and glared at him. "It took you a decade."
Rook grinned. "Fine. It took me a lot longer to realize it. But I'm here now. I get it. I'm in love with you. I meant what I said. Did you?"
I frowned. "Of course I did."
"Then give me your fucking hand and be mine. You're worried about what happens when we go public? Let's find out right now." He held out his hand to me.
Wary, I took it, weaving our fingers together. Rook rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb as his gaze held mine. I felt myself relax a little, and he led me back to where Knight was propped casually against the wall. His gaze snapped from our clasped hands before meeting my gaze. He smirked. "So… Do I need to ask what I'm seeing here?"
"Only if you're dumber than you look," Rook responded.
"This should surprise me, right?" Knight raised his eyebrows. "Because it totally doesn't."
Rook turned to me with a self-satisfied grin.
"Don't look so smug. Knight doesn't count." I rolled my eyes.
"Why the fuck don't I count? I thought you loved me." Knight flashed a crooked grin.
Rook smacked the back of his head. "Now you really have to stop with the flirting shit."
"Whatever you say." Knight laughed and winked at me as we headed out to his truck.
I shook my head. Somehow, I knew this would only encourage him to up his game, just to be a pain in the ass.
* * *
Our mattresses might have not been as comfortable as the one back at the resort, but I was glad to be home, unpacked and lounging on Rook's bed after the long day of traveling. The worn comforter was soft and familiar, but we definitely had to get a bigger bed.
The TV was playing, but since it was basketball, I wasn't paying much attention. I turned my head to look at my boyfriend—a label I was still trying to wrap my head around—who lay on his back with one hand under his head.
"We're really doing this?" I murmured mostly to myself.
He rolled on his side to face me and crooked a finger. "Come here."
I matched his position, facing him.
His lips kicked up on one side. "Closer. Your ass is too heavy to drag across the bed."
Snorting, I scooted closer until only mere inches separated us. "Close enough?"
Rook shook his head. "Never. I'd walk around with you glued to my side if you had any basketball skills to speak of."
"Dick." I laughed and smacked him in the head with a black throw pillow.
He grinned, wide and perfect, even with the slightly overlapping tooth. Slowly, his smile faded and his gaze grew intense, locking with mine. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. Which of course I didn't. Ever.
"Noah, we are doing this. I'm a hundred percent in. I'm just sorry it didn't happen sooner. I should have realized what I felt for you went much deeper than friendship. You were my best friend. Still are. But that's not enough for me. Not anymore. You are literally everything to me." He took a deep breath, while I held mine. "You're my biggest supporter, and I want to watch you succeed at everything you've ever wanted. I want to be by your side when you take the indie film industry by storm. I want to be there when things go wrong and do everything in my power to make them right."
"You already do that," I argued.
"Yeah, but not as your boyfriend. Now I get to kiss the pains away. Celebrate the victories with you by kissing your face off. I want the world to know I'm yours, and you can bet your ass they'll know you're mine."
My throat ached as I held back the emotion building to something deeper than I'd ever experienced. He was saying all the things I'd ever wanted to hear.
Rook was mine. Holy shit. My inner twelve-year-old was dying from disbelief. "I want everyone to know we belong to each other too."
"Damn right." Rook smiled. "So, yes, sugar lips. We are doing this."
I punched his arm. "That nickname is still never going to happen."
"You'll come around." His eyes sparkled with amusement.
I scoffed while running a finger over his smooth bare chest. "Never."
Rook leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. "I can think of a lot of ways to make you say yes, you know."
My heart thumped wildly in my chest. "Yeah?"
Rook propped up, resting on his elbow and pushed on my shoulder until I was on my back. He wasted no time crawling over me and straddling my thighs with his long, toned legs.
Whiskey colored eyes stared down at me as his heavy weight pinned me down. "Yep, but first we need some rules."
"Rules?" Curious, I watched as he leaned over and slid open the nightstand drawer. Bright red flashed in my peripheral vision before he settled back on his knees, still straddling me. I eyed the notebook and pen in his hand and frowned. "You stole it again? Seriously?"
His grin grew wide as he folded back the cover. "Your rules were dumb, but I figured it might come in handy one day. Turns out it's already that day."
Laughing, I shook my head. "Let's see what you got then."
Rook tugged the pen’s cap off with his teeth and brought it to the page. With slashing motions, he went down the page.
My brows dipped. "What are you doing?"
He spoke around the lid. "Marking them out. I mean this notebook is official, right?"
"Uh, no, considering you didn't follow them," I pointed out.
"Exactly why I'm getting rid of them.” He glanced at me before looking down and scribbling something down.
"What are you writing?"
His brows furrowed in concentration. "The only rule I plan on following."
My hands found his thighs, rubbing the smooth skin dusted with dark hair. "Well, what does it say?"
Recapping the pen, he tossed it back in the open drawer. "Before I show you, you should know that I'll never break this one. I don't care what anyone says about promises and worrying that it's too early in our relationship. This isn't new. It's not early in our relationship. In fact, this rule is long overdue."
I sighed as he rambled. "Are you done? Can I see it yet?"
"Don't kill the mood, dick head. I'm trying to be romantic and shit."
I bit my lip to hold back a grin. "I don't need sappy shit. I just need you."
"Well, maybe I do. Stop interrupting, unless it's to tell me how much you love me or want me to bury myself inside of you."
I could do that. "Okay. Rook, I love you, and I want—"
His hand clapped over my mouth, and my muffled laughter broke from between his fingers. "Not right now. You have to agree to my rule first."
He eyed me with mistrust as he pulled his hand away.
"Fine." I stifled another laugh. "Let's see it already."
He flipped my notebook around, and I read over what he'd written.
Rule #22 Stay by my side. For-fucking-ever
"What?" I flicked my gaze up to his, wondering if he'd lost his mind and briefly entertained the thought of mentioning that what he’d written wasn’t technically a rule he could plan on following, considering it was addressing me
He shrugged. "Wipe that crazed look off your face. It's not a proposal."
"Rook—" I laughed. "I'm more worried I've just committed myself to a psychopath."
He flipped the notebook back around, gaze skimming what he'd written and shrugged. "Calm down. We have one semester left until we leave college. With any luck, I'll go pro. I have no idea where that will take me, but I want you to promise me you'll come with me. It's all I've been thinking about since we got off the plane. What happens if I get signed? Will you be there? I mean, as my best friend, it might have been a little weird asking you to do that. But as my boyfriend…"
I nodded as if it made sense. "I see. So, you’re only dating me so that I'll follow you around the world?"
"Just the United States." He laughed which made it easier to throw him off me.
His back bounced on the mattress, and I popped up over him. "Vetoed."
Rook scowled. "Veto not accepted."
I grinned and dipped down, kissing his jaw. "I think it's hilarious you think there was an alternative to that in the first place. No veto. Rule fully accepted."
"Fuckin' right." He grunted.
I cut off anything he had to say with my lips and tongue, tasting the promise and sincerity, and binding it with my own. "Rook, I love you, and I'd really like it if you were buried deep inside of me. Right now."
His eyelids lowered to half-mast. "Fuckin' gladly."
I was tossed on my back again, and Rook’s finger grazed over the outline of my rigid cock through my boxers. "It's officially Christmas, and I'm about to unwrap my present."
I glanced at the alarm clock with glowing blue numbers. It read a minute past midnight. "That was the cheesiest bullsh—"
"Merry Christmas," Rook whispered as he took hold of the elastic band of my boxer briefs, shutting me up and causing me to suck in a sharp breath. "You know, at some point I think I'd like to try bottoming."
