The Quarterback (The Team, #2)

by Tal Bauer

Nick was hard. Hard for him.

He exhaled, whispered, “Colton.” Colton whimpered.

Colton nearly came in his pants at just the feel of Nick against him, reality set free from all his dreams.

He nuzzled Nick’s quivering belly and reached for Nick’s belt. “Oh my God…” Nick whispered. His hands fluttered over Colton’s head. Fingers slid through Colton’s hair. “Colton… Fuck…”

He’d thought the question a hundred times: how do I go down on a man? How do I make it good for Nick? He hoped enthusiasm would make up for his lack of skill.

Nick dug his fingers into Colton’s hair and screamed.

So hot

Like most men, Colton had tasted his own come.

Oh, I don't know-

Nick cursed and whispered his name, a litany of “Colton” and “Fuck” and “Oh, God.”

And, now that he’d done it, he wanted to do it again. And again. Before a few weeks ago, he’d never imagined he’d crave sucking another guy’s cock, but here he was. Already wanting more.

Every win he’d ever had, condensed into one perfect moment, the feel of Nick holding him and Nick’s lips kissing him back and him orgasming with Nick there this time.

It’s not a dream, it’s not a dream.

He’d kissed Nick, and Nick had kissed him back. He’d had sex with Nick. And he’d loved it.

“Colton…” He heard Nick whisper as Nick ran his hand down his left arm. He fell asleep to the soft stroking of Nick’s fingers and the wild beat of Nick’s heart beneath his cheek.

Hadn’t he stripped Colton, put his hands on Colton? Hadn’t he wanted Colton?

He’d thought, This is the beginning, but no. It was the end. There’s always an end.

This would be awkward when Justin and Wes got back. Why don’t you and my dad talk anymore? Didn’t you guys go to that winery together? Weren’t you playing PlayStation together all the time? Yeah, but then I sucked your dad’s dick and he freaked the fuck out.

Colton hadn’t looked this dejected, this downright heartbroken, even when he’d been in the hospital after his surgery.

He’d been prouder of Colton kicking ass than he had been of his own tech.

Everything that had been crawling through his veins all summer long, since he’d first started spending time with Colton. Possibility, potentiality. The what-if a future that lay just out of sight. Young ambition, young passion. He’d felt it like he’d shot twenty-two years old straight into his heart.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like Colton. Of course he liked Colton. He cherished their time together, had been hungry for more of it, so much that he’d invited Colton to live with him for the summer. He invited Colton to come with him on these trips not only because he wanted Colton to have the work experience, but because he’d been greedy and he wanted Colton around.

Colton… made him feel good. Being with Colton felt like being near a perpetual sunrise. And Colton understood him in a fundamental way. Who else would have taken him to that winery? Who else would have known that he needed something like that, something wonderful, exactly that day?

He’d opened up parts of himself to Colton that he hadn’t in years—decades, even. He wasn’t just Nick the businessman or Nick the father or Nick the football fan. When Colton was around, he was the Nick he was when he was alone, when no one was watching. The real Nick....

A part of him craved Colton’s presence. A part of him, clearly, thought Colton was pretty damn sexy and attractive, too. Had all these parts been inside him all along? He thought he was a pretty self-aware guy, but waking up n...

What did he feel for Colton? How could he answer that? What he felt was so tangled and deep it couldn’t be p...

He cared for Colton. Wanted him around all the time. Wanted to hear his laugh and listen to his thoughts and ...

He’d been excited, in a petty way, when Colton kept wanting to spend time with him instead of going out to pick up girls. Colton was a young, hot-blooded man. It made perfect sense for him to go out. It made far less sense when he stayed in with Nick every night, drinking wine and talking before play...

You rebuilt your married life with Colton...

He’d liked being married—ultimately, not to Cynthia, but he’d liked the completeness of being with another person. How his world was given to them, and their world was given over to him, and they made something new together. Sharing space, sharing time. Doubling love.

God, he had treated Colton like he was his spouse, in every way except the lovemaking. Which meant, on some level, he could see Colton as his partner. Hell, he was already living with Colton like he was his spouse. He’d already built a life that included Colton, a life that could spin on and on and on, one endless summer, the two of them in their own little world.

Friendship—even before last night—was too small a word. Relationship had too many connotations. Partnership was too dry.

He’d drawn Colton into his world, built a life and asked Colton to join him. And Colton had, with his PlayStation and his football and his ties that he left all over the place. Colton had become a presence in his condo, turning the sterile loft into their home. Their home together, Colton as much part of the place as he was.

He was already keeping too much from his son. What would Justin think about him asking Colton to move in with him, sleep in Justin’s bedroom? Or travel with him. Or give Colton responsibilities like he was a ten-year professional, his right-hand account executive. What would Justin say to any of that?

He had kissed Colton back. And… he’d liked it. A lot.

He wanted to rewind time, go back to that moment, tell Colton, “No, keep your sling on,” then kiss him, hold him, make love to him so nothing hurt in the morning—

He wasn’t gay, but he was attracted to Colton. As a person, as a human being, as a man. As a partner. As a potential lover, even.

Justin’s face in his heart. Colton’s smile in his mind.

Colton’s presence was evident everywhere in the condo. Their shoes were lined up by the front door, sneakers and sandals and oxfords, two by two by two. Colton’s hoodie hung on a hook in the entranceway next to his own pullover. Both PlayStation controllers were on the couch, spilled sideways from the last time they’d played.

Two wineglasses in the sink. A half-finished bottle of sweet summer red corked on the counter. Colton’s ball cap, Colton’s truck keys—unused, collecting dust. Colton’s ties, one from Tuesday, one from last Friday, thrown over the back of his barstools. We already have a life together. He’s already a part of my world.

“I’ll, uh,” Colton started. “I’ll pack my stuff. I never realized I was such a slob.” “You’re not a slob.” Colton shrugged. “I’ll be out of here in an hour.” Panic. Pain right through him, a knife to his chest. “Colton, wait. Don’t.”

Because last night, I kissed you, and when you kissed me back, I thought that meant you wanted it, too. And I’m scared to kiss you right now, or touch you, because I’m afraid I pushed you, and that I might push you again—” Nick closed the distance between them and took Colton’s face between his hands. Leaned in and closed his lips over Colton’s, hushed him with a kiss.

“Stop,” he croaked. “Stop. You don’t want this. Forget it, forget about last night.” “No,” Nick growled. He grabbed Colton’s cheek and pulled him back. “I don’t want to forget. And I don’t want to stop. I want you, Colton.”

Was I careful with you, at least?” “You’re always wonderful with me.” Colton kissed him. Kissed him again.

“I don’t want you to hurt because of me.” Colton’s cheeks flushed. He swallowed, and he brushed his nose along Nick’s, pushed his forehead into Nick’s. “I hurt myself falling for you.”

Nick pushed him gently to the mattress and straddled his lap. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered, then kissed him. Colton ran his hand up Nick’s back. “You’re pretty fucking hot, yourself.”

Colton’s palm dropped to his ass and squeezed. “I’ve had so many dreams about seeing your body, but you are way hotter in real life.”

His thoughts were reduced to Colton and Yes and More.

Colton was a big boy, in every sense of the word.

He nipped at Colton’s quivering lower lip. “I was thinking about sucking your dick for half the drive.” Another moan, and Colton dug his fingers into Nick’s ass.

“I’m not gonna last long.” “Then I’ll just make you hard again.”

HOT.

He could get used to that. He could easily get used to it. Especially the way Colton moaned his name.