No, I took her home after the game. Can you let me know what the doctor says on Monday?
As my heart fluttered, I smiled again. I had to talk frankly with him and ask him out. There was no question about it now.
Tex
I’ll let you know, maybe over a study session on Monday afternoon? Are you free?
I wasn’t sure I needed one, but this was a way for me to see him. Gnawing my lip, I waited for his answer. I’d like to see him tomorrow, but I should rest.
Colton
Yes, I’m free after four. Does that work?
Tex
Yes, see you then.
I’d spentSunday relaxing at home and cooking for Malik and Grey, and then on Monday, the team doc cleared me. He’d thought I hadn’t gotten a concussion after all, which was what I’d suspected. I’d gone to my classes and reviewed the material for my business analytics class through the rest of the semester. Maybe tonight I’d get my questions out of the way so I could stop seeing Colton as a tutor.
As I stepped up the stairs to his apartment, his door swung open. He stood on the entry in a blue polo, the top buttons undone, and his gray shorts hung low on his hips. “Travis? What’s the word from the doctor?” His brows creased.
Damn, he’d been worried. Warmth cradled my heart. I liked this. Grabbing his hand, I stopped him. He didn’t pull away. This was a good sign.
He squeezed my hand. “Well?” His gaze searched my face.
“I’m fine. No concussion.” Could I kiss him? I leaned in and stopped as his amazing green eyes grew wide. No, we had to talk first. I pulled him into his apartment and freed his hand as I dropped my backpack on the floor by the dinette.
“Good.” He rubbed his palms together. “Can I get you a Gatorade?” He hurried into his kitchen.
Shit, had I scared him off? Maybe I shouldn’t have held his hand? “Sure.” I tugged my athletic shirt over the top of my shorts and dropped onto the end of his couch.
He returned with my drink and a bottled water for himself. “Where’s your laptop?” He sank in beside me.
Unscrewing the cap on my drink, I inhaled deeply. “I thought we could catch up first.” I had to make sure he’d stopped dating Sara before I did anything.
“Okay.” He dipped his head as his brows furrowed. “What, uh, what did you do yesterday?” He sipped his water.
“Nothing. I was supposed to rest, and so that’s what I did.” I pursed my lips. “Except I studied some. I looked ahead on the coursework for this analytics class.” I peered at him as my chest grew tight. Why did it feel like I was about to fire him as a tutor? “I needed to clarify some points and then I might…uh…” I couldn’t say it.
“You might what?” He raised his brows, inching closer to me.
“Nothing.” Fuck… “How was your date with Sara?” I drank my Gatorade. I wanted to appear nonchalant about this.
“It was fine. She’s very…well, affectionate in public. I’m not like that.” He twisted his bottle between his thighs.
That wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. “Was it better than you expected?” My chest pinched, and I held my breath. Asking him on a date might not be a good idea today.
He tucked his lower lip under his teeth and then rocked once. “No, it wasn’t.”
“Will you be dating her again?” I tightened the grip on my Gatorade bottle as my heart about stopped. This was it.
Shaking his head and in a soft voice, he said, “No.” He winced. “I haven’t told her that yet.” His gaze rose to mine. “It’s hard. I think she really likes me.”
Jesus, fuck. I blew out a long breath. “Okay. But if you don’t like her…” I shifted closer to him, my gaze locking on his plump lips, my pulse hammering. This was crazy. He was queer, I knew he was. No straight guy looked at a gay man this way.
As his brows wrinkled, his breath quickened. “I think I like…” Licking his lips, he leaned in, his mouth brushing mine, tentative at first, questioning, and then with a deep groan, he pressed his mouth hard against mine.
I grabbed the back of his head with one hand and his chin with the other, holding him in place as I snuck my tongue between his lips, our mouths crushed together. Holy fuck,hekissedme. I figured I’d kiss him first. He tasted sweet and minty. Had he eaten mints before I came over? Had he planned this? As I savored him, slanting my mouth over his and kissing him again and again, my cock lengthened toward my hip and heat shivered across my skin. “Oh, fuck.” I nibbled his chin and the column of his neck.