“Why are you doing this?” He slumped on the couch, his spent dick lying across his thigh.
“Because I’m a nice guy? Because I…like you?” I picked up his polo and shimmied it down his body as he leaned forward. He clearly liked me too. Dante’s call had threatened him. I was no psychologist, but I wasn’t stupid.
He stood for a moment and lifted his briefs and shorts up his legs, then dropped back onto the couch with a huff. “I lost control.”
What was his issue with control? “Yeah? But it was hot as hell.” I threaded my fingers into the side of his hair, resting my palm against his cheek. “Colton, look at me.”
His gaze meandered to mine. “What?”
“You enjoyed what we did just now as much as me, right?” What if he said no? My heart stuttered.
He nodded, and then his forehead wrinkled. With his voicecracking, he said, “I don’t know what it is about you. I can’t help it.”
“Then don’t. Let it be. I’m not complaining here.” Malik’s words rumbled through my head. “We can take this slow. We can be friends with benefits if it makes you feel better.” All I knew was that I’d take him any way I could have him. Fucking hell, wasn’t this what Malik and Grey were doing? No, it was different.
With a ragged exhale, he scrubbed his face.
“Hey, come here.” Hooking my arm around his neck, I pulled him against my chest. I wouldn’t let him feel bad about this. “It’s okay to let go with me. I won’t judge you, I promise.”
“I know. I think that’s one reason I do it.” He melted against me, burying his face in my neck. In a soft voice, he said, “Plus, it’s because I like you too.”
My heart about jumped out of my chest. Had I heard him right? “Yeah? Good.” I kissed his head. “Would you do me a favor, though?”
Lifting his head, his stunning green gaze met mine. “Sure.”
“Check out the services at the LGBTQ help center. See what they offer. It might surprise you how much it helps to talk to the right person.” I swallowed hard. Was I saying this gently enough? “I mean, you can always talk to me, but I’m not a professional, you know?”
He nodded slowly. “I’ll take that into consideration.” As he straightened, he said, “Please don’t tell anyone about this. I’m still your tutor and the academic support director would fire me at best.” He toyed with the hem of his polo shirt. “I enjoy tutoring students, and I don’t want to lose that.”
“I won’t tell a soul, Colton. I promise.” Squeezing his forearm, I said, “But I mean it. I’m here for whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” With a sniffle, he fell back onto the couch. “Damn, I haven’t come that hard in a long time.”
EIGHT
COLTON
He was right. I might need counseling, especially if I kept losing control around him. I snuck a glance at him, his blond hair on the messy side, his cheeks still flushed from our encounter.
“You gave me one hell of an orgasm too.” With a soft grin, he brushed his knuckles down my cheek. “I can’t believe you came twice.”
“Me neither.” I choked out a chuckle. I should just own my lust for him. Or was there more to it? “You said you’d be okay taking things slow. I…” Shit, was I really doing this? My pulse sped up, rushing into my temples. “I’d like to, to take things slow.”
“Are you serious?” His grin widened into a full-on smile that met his eyes, and he angled toward me. “So, friends with benefits or would you consider us dating?” He scraped his teeth across his lower lip.
“We can’t date, Travis. Not yet. I can’t tutor you and date.” Though what was the difference? I supposed being together in public like a couple would be it. Grabbing his hand, I said, “We can’t let anyone know about us outside of this apartment. Do you understand?”
With a shrug, he said, “Yeah, I get it. Set aside some extra time for a hookup when I come over for tutoring, and then when we hang out in public, we’re strictly friends.” He rubbed his thumb across the top of my hand. “I might find another tutor.” He arched a brow.
My chest clenched. I didn’t want him to get help from someone else. “You’d need to start all over with someone new. Do you think you have time with your football schedule and the midterm coming up for this class?”
He huffed a sigh and dipped his head. “No, I don’t. You get me. You know exactly how to explain this shit to me, so I understand it.”
“It’s almost November…” Shit, Halloween was tomorrow. I’d barely thought about it since Sara had mentioned it. “You only have maybe six weeks before the final.” I glanced at our still entwined hands. I might have considered donning a costume and going out with him if it were possible. He made me consider crazy things.
“Yeah, when I get back from this game, I’ll hit the books.” He sighed and squeezed my hand. “If you…if you go to the Varsity Tavern with Evan on Saturday night, don’t let anyone hit on you. Okay?” His gaze crawled to mine.
Scoffing a laugh, I said, “You don’t have to worry about that. People don’t hit on me.” Did he want to be exclusive? But it was too soon. We were only hooking up right now.