OSCAR AND I STEPPEDinto our living room and shared a smile at the sight before us. Reed, Tate, and Zach were passed out on the couch, wrapped in one of the big blankets we kept on the back of it. It was cute, the way they were all sort of cuddled up with one another, but I didn’t hesitate to pick up my boyfriend and carry him to my room. He smelled like coffee and dreams I had long forgotten. Reed didn’t even stir or make a peep as I walked up the stairs or placed him on the bed. It was only when I stripped off my clothes, dropped them on the floor, and climbed in next to him that he stirred.
“Cole?” he muttered, his voice thick with sleep. “I tried to stay awake for you.”
I pushed my nose into his soft hair. “I know, baby. It’s late. Go back to sleep.”
“Kiss me.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled himself closer.
I smiled, tilted his head back and brushed my lips against his. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.” Reed drifted off to sleep again, and I felt like I would never find it. I was exhausted, more than I had ever been, but my brain was going a mile a minute.
I must have drifted off at some point because the next thing I remembered was Reed pressing open mouth kisses against my face and neck.
“You’re here,” he whispered when I opened my eyes. “You’re here, and we’re in your bed. Did you carry me?”
“Mm.” I gripped the back of his neck and pulled his mouth back to mine. Morning breath didn’t bother me. Some of the guys on the team had the weirdest rituals, including not bathing or changing their socks. This was nothing compared to that.
Reed sighed into my embrace, his hands finding their way into my hair. “I missed you so much.”
“You’re wearing my jersey.” I tugged on the fabric against his body. It was way too big for him, but I liked it.
He moved back to my mouth; his tongue curled around mine, and we lost ourselves. Before I realized what was happening, Reed was rubbing against me, his erection hot against my thigh through his bottoms.
“Want you so bad,” he murmured.
“Yeah?” I licked the shell of his ear. “Will you let me fuck you while you’re in my shirt? With my name plastered on your back, reminding me that you’re mine.”
Reed whimpered. “Yes.”
I tugged his shorts down when there was a knock at my door. “It’s not a good time, Oscar.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but uh, Jackson texted. We have an emergency meeting at the arena in thirty minutes.” Oscar’s voice carried through the paneling of the door.
I stumbled off the bed. “Shit.”
I was going to be late. Jackson hated when people were late. Even family members. I once watched him force Tom to stay for drills because he was late for practice once, and that was his brother.
“Baby, I have to go.”
I yanked on a pair of jeans as I rushed to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth as fast as possible, splashed some water on my face, and glanced in the mirror to find Reed watching me. Damn, he was stunning in my jersey.
“Here.” He held out a baseball hat. I grabbed it and shoved it on my head.
I scooped him into my arms. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I love you, and I promise we will pick up right where we left off as soon as I get back.” I kissed him again, then hurried to the door. “Maybe put those panties back on?”
“Anything for you, Casanova.” Reed winked.
And then I rushed out of the bedroom to meet Oscar, who was already waiting outside in the car.
Chapter Forty-One
Reed
Itook a shower, ignored my aching cock, and then dressed in a casual pair of shorts along with a NYC Ballet shirt. I wanted to wear Cole’s jersey again; I loved the way Whitaker was splashed across the back with the number ninety-one in stark white. I sadly left it folded up on the bed as I left the room. Of course, the panties were on, and I had to admit I really liked the way they felt against my skin. I went down to the kitchen to find something to eat and maybe some coffee, only to come face to face with my best friend sucking face with Tate.
“Don’t mind me,” I teased them.
I moved around them to get to the fancy coffee maker. I glanced over my shoulder to find Tate adjusting his shirt, his cheeks crimson. He flashed me a shy smile, then looked up at Zach.