Fair Catch (Leighton U, #3)

by C.E. Ricci

To anyone still trying to figure out who they are: It’s okay not to know just yet. You’ve got your whole life to find the missing pieces.

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” — Henry David Thoreau

Homicide is illegal, and the only person who’d help me hide the body now lives in New Jersey.

“So let’s call a fair catch.” My brows crash together as I frown. “A what?” “Fair catch,” Kason repeats, as if I’ll understand it any better the second time. “It’s a football term. Basically means that the player receiving a kick calls for no interference from the opposing team.”

“God, Kase, you’re about to go on a date. The last thing you should be doing is eyeing up your roommate like he’s some kind of sex kitten.”

He’d be surprised to know that his slightly neurotic, himbo ass has started to grow on me. A miniscule amount, but it’s growth regardless, and that’s a lot coming from me.

As it turns out, getting Kason to blush is a lot more fun than throwing sarcastic digs ever was.

“Because, despite our rocky start, you’re kinda growing on me.” Frowning, he adds, “Like a fungus or something.”

But a slow smirk pulls at his lips as he raises the beer the rest of the way to his mouth and finishes it off. Then he proceeds to floor me further by opening his mouth and saying the filthiest, most seductive thing I’ve ever heard. “And who says you’d be the one doing the fucking, there, Kase?”

“Are you gonna answer me, or just stand there like—” He doesn’t get to finish his thought before my lips land on his. The first brush is electric, sending bolts of lightning down my spine and through my extremities, and I’m instantly hooked.

“And apparently, my dick really fucking likes it when I’m kissing you.”

“I know what I want. I want you to delete that app and never see any of those fuckers again,” he utters, the words coming out like a harsh command. “Not a single one of them is good enough for you, Kase.” I smile, fingers gripping his waist. “And you think you are?” “I wanna try to be.” His forehead collides with mine. “For you, I wanna try. And that alone is…” “Insane?” He nods, nose brushing mine when he does. “Yeah. Absolutely insane.”

“Well, baby? You got what you wanted. Now, are you planning to stare or play with it?”

“That I have no idea what I’m doing, so why don’t you stop asking me questions and just fucking teach me?”

“You said you want this to mean something.” I nod, searching his eyes. “And with you, it will.”

“Fuck. Perfect, Kase. You’re doing great.” The words are strained and breathless when he releases my head, allowing me to back off his length again. “Keep going, baby. Do what it takes to make me come down your throat.” God, he’s one of those talk you through it guys, and I’m in fucking heaven over it.

“We don’t want everyone in here to know you’re letting me finger-fuck your ass with popcorn butter, do we? You gotta be quiet.” Lifting his fist to his mouth, he bites down on his flesh to muffle the sound of his moans.

“Tonight, when you took me out on the dance floor?” I murmur, my fingers skating over his jaw. “That’s when I knew I was completely gone. If I hadn’t realized I’d fallen in love with you before, I knew it then. Felt myself slipping past the point of no return every time you smiled at me.”

“I love you, Kason. There’s nothing I want more than you. To see you accomplish your dreams, and be at your side while you do it. So I’ll go wherever you go, if you’ll let me.”

“I love you so fucking much, Hayes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. It felt too selfish to say it and leave. But, I do. I love you.” His emerald eyes dark and pleading as they stare straight into my soul, his words barely more than a whisper. “And if I’m certain of anything, it’s that I’m a better person for having been loved by you.”