Reckless (Pier 70, 1)

by Nicole Edwards

  Slowing the machine, he coasted back to their starting point, smiling. This was what he’d been missing. A few hours out on the water, letting loose… It was just what he needed.

  As he turned back around to watch Gannon, thinking about what Gannon would be making him for dinner and when, Cam’s heart stopped beating in his chest. There, probably twenty yards in front of him, was the jet ski Gannon had been sitting on only seconds before, bouncing around on the waves.

  Without a rider.

  With his heart in his throat, Cam took off, scanning the lake for Gannon. The roaring of his blood in his ears finally stopped when he saw Gannon clinging to the life jacket near the jet ski, hair plastered to his head, a frown on his handsome face.

  “You okay?” Cam called out to him as he moved closer, looking Gannon over to ensure he wasn’t hurt.

  “Do I look okay?” Gannon retorted, and the grumpy expression made Cam laugh.

  As he sat there, preparing to help Gannon up onto his jet ski, Cam realized something: In the short span of nearly three weeks, he was pretty damn sure he’d fallen partially in love with Gannon.

  And he didn’t think it would take a whole hell of a lot more to get him in all the way.

  Gannon wasn’t sure how he’d let Cam talk him into this.

  He hated the fucking water.

  Granted, it hadn’t been too bad when he’d been on the jet ski. In fact, there for a few minutes, he’d even enjoyed himself, getting the hang of it when Cam had taken off.

  Perhaps he’d been a little overly confident when he’d agreed to race Cam, but he hadn’t been able to tell the man no when he’d been smiling like that.

  No, he hadn’t thought he would beat him, but he had expected to be able to keep up, at least. He’d realized right away that Cam had given him a head start, but still, when Cam had shot past him, Gannon had laughed, a giddy feeling racing through him. But the moment he was launched into the water after bouncing over a wave, he’d remembered once again that he still hated the water.

  Now, as he kept himself afloat—thankful for the life jacket—while Cam eased his jet ski closer, he was preparing to retaliate.

  “Give me your hand,” Cam hollered, reaching out to him.

  Gannon clasped Cam’s wrist with one hand, then the other, but instead of allowing Cam to pull him closer to the jet ski, he yanked as hard as he could, pulling Cam into the water with him. They both went under once, but when Gannon’s head popped up again, he saw Cam glaring at him.

  “Paybacks are a bitch,” Cam growled, a mischievous smirk forming on his lips.

  He was trying to think of a snappy comeback when Cam surprised him, going under the water and grabbing Gannon’s foot.

  “Shit!” Gannon held his breath when Cam pulled him under.

  He tried not to panic as he kicked his feet, but he had nothing to worry about because the life jacket propelled him to the surface once again. When he came up, he sucked air into his lungs, looking around for Cam. He found him directly behind him, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Hold on to me.” Cam instructed, chuckling as his arm banded around Gannon’s chest.

  Gannon threw his arm around Cam’s neck, not because he feared drowning, more because he wanted to touch him. Holding on tightly, he slowed his breathing, trying to relax.

  He wasn’t sure how or when it happened, but Cam had positioned them so that he was keeping them both above water, one hand on the jet ski, his other hand on Gannon’s hip while Gannon held fast to his neck.

  “See how it feels?” Gannon taunted, staring into Cam’s eyes, only a few inches separating their mouths.

  “See how what feels?” Cam taunted with a sexy smirk.

  “Ahh,” Gannon groaned when Cam’s hand snaked between them, sliding into Gannon’s shorts and finding his dick. “Cam.”

  Afraid to let go and sink, Gannon tightened his grip on Cam’s neck while Cam insistently jacked his dick, stroking firmly while they remained face-to-face out in the middle of the lake, the jet skis, still tethered to them, floating nearby.

  “You like what I do to you, don’t you?” Cam asked, voice rough.

  “Yes,” Gannon hissed, eyes locked with Cam’s. “God, yes.”

  “You wanna come while I jack you off?” Cam asked, his voice a low, seductive rumble against Gannon’s ear.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. No. Uh-uh. Don’t close your eyes,” Cam commanded. “Look at me. I want you to watch me while I make you come.”

  Gannon managed to relax his hold on Cam just enough to give Cam more room to work between them. He could hear the rumble of boats in the distance, knew there were people in the vicinity, possibly even some who could figure out what they were doing, but Gannon didn’t give a shit.

  The only thing that mattered was Cam’s firm, strong hand on Gannon’s dick.

  “Look at me,” Cam insisted, and Gannon realized he’d closed his eyes again, succumbing to the overwhelming pleasure. While he continued to jack Gannon off, Cam kept up an endless rumble of dirty talk that had Gannon nearing the boiling point.

  “I couldn’t wait to get my hands on you again,” Cam said. “I’ve dreamed about this. About making you come in my hand. Ever since that first night…”

  Gannon kept his eyes locked on Cam’s face.

  “Know what else I’ve dreamed about?” Cam asked.

  Gannon shook his head, unable to speak because his body was coiling tighter and tighter.

  Cam’s voice lowered. “I’ve dreamed about you fucking my ass. Just the way you said you would on the phone.”

  Yeah, well…

  “You wanna bury your dick in my ass, don’t you?”

  Gannon nodded.

  Cam’s grip tightened, his hand smoothly working Gannon’s cock beneath the water.

  “Come for me, Gannon.”

  The stroking continued, and Gannon fought the overwhelming urge, wanting to savor every sensation that flooded him until he couldn’t take much more.

  “Fuck!” Gannon cried out, his dick pulsing as he came in a rush so violent he thought for a minute he would sink to the bottom of the lake, life jacket be damned.

  “So fucking beautiful.” Cam leaned forward and kissed him, his lips skimming Gannon’s lightly.

  Gannon continued to stare back at Cam in wonder. In such a short time, he found he was completely addicted to this man, desperate to spend every waking moment with him and then some. It was getting more and more difficult to hold back, to keep from claiming him the way he wanted to, the way Cam clearly wanted him to.

  Then again, based on the heated glimmer in Cam’s eyes, Gannon wasn’t so sure that day was that far off anymore.

  Twenty-Two

  Two days later, Tuesday

  Cam pulled up to Gannon’s house at seven o’clock on the dot, just as he’d been instructed to do. This time, he didn’t linger in his truck and he also brought a bottle of scotch with him. He made the trek up to the house only to find Gannon standing on the walkway near the porch waiting for him.

  “Hi.”

  God, he loved the sound of Gannon’s voice, the way those dark eyes lit up when he looked at him. “Hi back,” Cam said, leaning in and offering Gannon a quick peck on the lips.

  Gannon nodded toward the driveway. “I see the truck’s over the separation anxiety.”

  Cam chuckled as they stepped into the house. “Yeah. Looks that way.”

  “Dinner’s ready, if you’re hungry.”

  “Starving.”

  He’d come straight from work after showering and changing clothes. He hadn’t wanted to be late, eager to see Gannon again. Now that he was there, he hoped the night went on forever, because he already didn’t want to leave.

  Cam followed Gannon through the house and into the kitchen, feeling more at ease this time around than the first time he’d been there three weeks ago. Hard to believe it had only been three weeks. It felt like an eternity had passed since that first kiss they’d shared that day in G
annon’s kitchen.

  Cam set the bottle of scotch on the counter. “Brought you something.”

  Gannon scanned the bottle, then looked up quickly.

  Cam offered a smile. “You said you liked it.”

  “It’s…” Gannon leaned in, clasped the back of Cam’s neck, and pulled him forward, their mouths touching. “Thank you.”

  Whether it was the light brush of Gannon’s mouth, the eagerness of his tone, or simply being there with him, Cam wasn’t sure. But he knew tonight was going to be the turning point for them. He wasn’t able to predict what was going to happen, but if things did escalate, he damn sure wasn’t going to be the one to put the brakes on.

  “Sit,” Gannon said, nodding toward the table.

  Cam sat.

  “What is this?” he asked when Gannon brought a glass dish over and set it on the table.

  Taking off the oven mitt and dropping it on the table, Gannon smiled. “Enchilada casserole. And no, it didn’t come from the freezer section.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “You should be. I usually stick to Italian food, but I know you like Mexican.”

  Cam watched while Gannon dished food onto his plate, then grabbed Cam’s and filled it. He disappeared into the kitchen once again, returning with two margarita glasses and a pitcher.

  “Are you plannin’ to get me drunk?” Cam teased.

  “Yes,” Gannon said, his frank tone making Cam laugh.

  “What if I told you that wouldn’t be necessary?”

  The heat that flamed in Gannon’s dark gaze made Cam squirm briefly. They’d be lucky to make it through dinner at this rate.

  “Eat,” Gannon instructed, sitting down across from him.

  Cam grabbed his fork, smiled at Gannon, then took a bite.

  “How is it?”

  Cam nodded. It was good. Really good. Rather than answer, he took another bite, which made Gannon laugh.

  They managed to make their way through dinner with small talk. Gannon explained how they’d figured out the glitch in their recent game and they were pushing it back out to the beta testers. He seemed relaxed, which helped Cam to, as well.

  It wasn’t that he was nervous…

  Okay, maybe he was a little nervous.

  Sure, he felt entirely at ease with Gannon at this point, but the sexual tension hung in the air around them, thick enough to suffocate. And they both seemed to be waiting for the moment that it did.

  “Want more of this?” Gannon asked, holding up the pitcher of margaritas after they’d finished dinner and cleaned up.

  “No. I’m good.” Truth was, he wanted to be stone-cold sober tonight. He knew what was coming as well as Gannon did, and he intended to remember every single second, every touch.

  “Let’s go outside.” Gannon nodded toward the back door after he poured himself two fingers of scotch.

  Cam led the way, shocked when he saw that there were kerosene lamps burning on the deck, giving it a soft, romantic glow.

  “Why didn’t we eat out here?” he asked, turning to look at Gannon.

  “Didn’t want to waste time bringing it out.” The sexy smirk on Gannon’s face told Cam they were on the same wavelength.

  Gannon took Cam’s hand, pulling him down to another level of the deck, where an outdoor cushion the size of a queen bed lay. Two pillows had been tossed down there as well.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna jump you,” Gannon told him when Cam hesitated.

  Smiling, Cam shook off the nerves and took a seat, lying back and resting his hands behind his head, staring up at the stars. “What if I’m worried that you’re not?”

  Sitting down beside him, Gannon seemed to study his face briefly before looking away.

  Cam knew exactly where this was headed, but he didn’t want to stop it, not even a little. It had been a little more than twenty-one painfully long days since they’d first met. And three weeks exactly since their first … date, since Cam had gone to bed with a hard-on to rival all, desperate and aching as he pushed back his desire for this man. And now, as they sat outside, beneath the stars, he was eager to take this to the next level, only he wasn’t sure Gannon was on the same page.

  Sure, he knew Gannon wanted him. It was damn hard to ignore the steady hum of electricity that arced between them, the sparks that ignited whenever their eyes met. And though Cam had said he wanted to take things slow, he hadn’t exactly meant turtle speed.

  “What’re you thinking about?” Gannon asked, his voice a throaty rumble.

  “You,” Cam admitted.

  “What about me?” The roughness of Gannon’s voice drew his attention up.

  Cam tilted his head and met Gannon’s eyes.

  Gannon was sitting up, reclining against the rough stone of the house, his arm resting on one upraised knee, his full attention focused on him. He’d seen that look before, seen the way Gannon studied him when he didn’t think Cam was watching. The intensity of it nearly stole his breath.

  Going with the truth, Cam said, “About how fucking bad I want you.”

  “Cam.”

  Before he could say another word, Gannon set the tumbler of scotch on the ground beside them. Never breaking eye contact, Cam inhaled deeply when Gannon turned onto his side, lowering himself down to where Cam was. He could practically feel the heated caress of Gannon’s gaze as it roamed over his face, smelled the rich scent of the alcohol on Gannon’s breath. He knew what Gannon was looking for, some sort of encouragement, something to tell him that the time for waiting was now over.

  He wanted to tell him, but he couldn’t find his voice.

  Cam swallowed hard when Gannon cupped his face with one warm hand, turning his head slightly so their eyes met, held. The smooth pad of Gannon’s thumb brushed over his lower lip, and Cam instinctively opened his mouth, sliding his tongue over it before sucking it into his mouth. The rough rumble that resonated in Gannon’s chest spurred him on.

  Reaching for him, Cam ran his hands over Gannon’s face, feeling the bristle of his jaw against his palms before moving higher to remove Gannon’s glasses, gently setting them on the deck behind him.

  “God, Cam,” Gannon whispered harshly. “Do you know how much I want you?”

  He could guess and the feeling was definitely mutual. But he didn’t say anything, didn’t urge Gannon to kiss him, because he was content simply to touch him.

  His heart was pounding against his ribs, his body hardening from the lengthy stare and the smoothness of Gannon’s thumb against his tongue. When Gannon pulled his thumb from between Cam’s lips, Cam turned and ran his lips across Gannon’s hand, closing his eyes as he kissed the center of his palm.

  A rush of heat whirled inside him combined with brilliant starbursts igniting behind his closed eyelids as Gannon’s mouth brushed his. The heat intensified when Gannon flattened himself down, resting atop Cam. Their bodies touched from knee to chest as Cam forced his eyes open to stare up at Gannon, willing him to see how eager he was, how much he wanted this.

  When Gannon’s gaze dropped to Cam’s mouth, he couldn’t wait any longer. Sliding his hand behind Gannon’s neck, he slowly pulled him down, never looking away until Gannon’s mouth hovered just above his. Gannon was breathing hard, and the knowledge that Cam could get him this worked up with nothing more than a look had something in his chest erupting, a feeling so strong he was desperate to see what it would feel like once he got his hands on him.

  “Tell me you want this,” Gannon whispered, his eyes closed.

  “I want this,” Cam whispered back, his voice, rough from arousal, sounding strange to his own ears.

  “Good,” Gannon said, closing the gap and nipping Cam’s lower lip. “’Cause I’ve waited a long damn time for this.”

  “Gannon?” When Cam said his name, Gannon put a few scant inches between them, releasing his lip and staring down at him.

  Gannon’s eyebrows quirked in question.

  Squeezing the back of Gannon’s neck, Cam lifte
d his head. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  “I can do that,” Gannon said, his dark gaze glittering with heat.

  And then—finally—Gannon’s mouth was on his in a kiss so sweet Cam worried he’d disintegrate from the flash fire that erupted in his veins. Sliding his other hand down Gannon’s back, Cam kneaded his ass, pulling him in so that their lower bodies ground against one another.

  Warm and soft, Gannon’s mouth melded with his. But beneath the gentle reverence, there was something powerful, something possessive in the way Gannon kissed him. It called to that place deep inside of him, the place he’d kept locked up for so long.

  Gannon’s hand trailed down Cam’s arm, finding his fingers and linking them together before he did the same with his other hand, lifting Cam’s arms above his head, holding him in place while he devastated him with a kiss fueled with weeks’ worth of pent up passion.

  “Cam,” Gannon groaned as his mouth trailed down Cam’s jaw, then his neck, his teeth nipping him gently as he went. “God, you smell good.”

  Gannon’s lips trailed over the sensitive skin on the underside of Cam’s arms, sending a tremor racing through him. He wasn’t sure he’d survive the sensual assault, but he was damn sure going to try.

  Helpless to do anything except succumb to the pleasure, Cam didn’t try to move when Gannon took both of Cam’s hands in one of his, then lifted the hem of his shirt, pushing it high up on his chest.

  His back arched when Gannon’s lips trailed over his right pec, then to his nipple.

  “Fuck,” he cried out, desperate for Gannon to ease the ache that was building inside him.

  Gannon said nothing as he sucked one hardened point into his mouth, his tongue working the barbell that pierced him, teasing the sensitive tip with his tongue before raking it with his teeth. Cam was still groaning when Gannon attended to his other nipple, toying with the metal bar, pulling it gently as a blaze of heat shot straight to his dick.

  He let out a disappointed grunt when Gannon lifted his head, meeting his gaze.