Offside (44 page)

Scott grabbed the remote and unpaused the movie. He pillowed his head on his arm, eyes drifting shut as he focused on how good it felt to have Zach touching him. Different, because he didn’t
do
nice and tender. Or simple affection. But it relaxed him. Made him forget about the rush to get the job done. This wasn’t about getting his rocks off. Hell, he didn’t think being with Zach in any way could ever be something quick and cheap. There was so much more to it. Emotions and all that crap.

It was fucking scary when he let himself think about it.

They stayed like that during the first movie, leaning up just a bit to take sips of beer. Which was different too, because Scott usually just guzzled beer down—the whole point of drinking was getting numb, right? But it wasn’t like that now. He got to enjoy the crisp flavor of the German lager. Zach drank beer the same way he smoked cigars—or cigarettes. To appreciate the flavor. He appreciated the few vices he allowed himself, and rarely overindulged. Scott couldn’t help but wonder if he was like those vices. Something to savor on occasion.

Is that a bad thing?

He couldn’t say. Drinking or smoking too much could be a bad thing. Ranking on the same level as Zach’s clove cigarettes meant they wouldn’t be spending tons of time like this. Zach would be the one to pull back, wary of the damage Scott could cause.

I could be good for him.

Scott groaned as Zach’s hand wrapped around the front of his neck and his lips slid along the corded muscles of Scott’s throat. Zach’s other hand was low on his stomach, slipping into his shorts, his boxers.

I
will
be good for him.

“Fuck, I love having you here like this.” Zach let out a low growl as he stroked Scott’s dick. “You’ve dropped the front. You’re all mine.”

“Fuck!” Scott jutted his ass back against Zach, not sure what was getting to him more. The pleasure of Zach’s firm grim on his cock, or the fact that it
was
Zach. Kissing his neck and saying shit that smashed all the walls Scot usually put up when he got with someone. Sex was physical. Just a thing he did when he had the urge. But with Zach, it meant more. And he
needed
to show Zach just how much more it meant. “
Please
. I messed up, man. I’m sorry; I’m so fucking sorry that I—”

“It’s over, Scott.” Zach’s teeth scraped the curve of Scott’s shoulder. “I forgive you.”

“
I
don’t forgive me.” Scott rolled over, off the sofa and on to his knees. “I
owe
you.”

“You don’t. Just stay with me and we’ll call it even.” Zach lurched to his feet, pressing the heels of his palms to his forehead. “I know that sounds pathetic, but—”

“It doesn’t. I get it. That’s how I felt when I came to move Becky’s stuff. She set me straight, but all I wanted . . . all I wanted was for you both to
let
me stay.” Scott held up his hands when Zach gave him a pained look. “I earned it, Zach. She loves you, and she didn’t want me to hurt you again. I know I did. And I hate myself for that.” He latched on to the back of Zach’s legs, then pressed his forehead against Zach’s thigh. “Never again. I’ve never had anything I cared about losing, but I don’t want to lose you. Either of you. And I’m trying to prove it.”

“You’re doing a damn good job, Scott.” Zach petted Scott’s hair, his tone gruff with passion. “If it was just me, I’d risk it. But with Becky . . .”

“I know. She’s got a lot more to lose. And if she’s not sure of you—fuck, what chance have I got?” Scott gritted his teeth. “I need . . . I need to know I’m getting somewhere. Don’t give up on me, Zach.”

“Not happening.” Zach framed Scott’s jaw with his hand. “I’ve got you, Scott. I’m not letting you go.”

“Good.” Scott gave Zach a feral grin. “So is you fucking my mouth going to ruin all this?”

“You are too much. I won’t use you. You’ve got some shit to tell me before I’m comfortable with this.”

“What shit? Like how much I want your cock slamming into the back of my throat? Like how it makes my mouth water just to feel how hot and hard your dick is through these jogging pants?” Scott rolled the jogging pants over Zach’s hips, exposing his flushed, throbbing cock. “How about how good it feels that you’re letting
me
do this to you? Because I know you’re fucking picky. You don’t do this with someone you don’t care about. And you care about me, don’t you?”

“More than I can say, Scott.” Zach thrust his hips forward as Scott wrapped a hand around his dick. “But I know you. I could be anyone. And I can’t deal with that.”

“Not anyone, Zach. Not anymore.” Scott wanted to suck Zach’s dick, make him come hard, but he had to be sure Zach really understood that he wasn’t just saying what Zach needed to hear. That he meant it. He stood, still holding Zach’s dick, and faced the man. He held Zach’s gaze as Zach opened his eyes, staring at him. “When you jerked me off, you asked me to look at you. To remember who was touching me. I see you, Zach. I could have a dozen different men any day of the week. But I’ve shot every fucking offer down because none of them are you.”

“Do you mean that, Scott?” Zach grunted as Scott dropped back onto his knees, his hands clasped at the back of Scott’s head. “You’ll give all that shit up?”

“For you?” Scott dipped his head down, taking Zach’s dick in deep. He made a low, hungry sound in the back of his throat before he lifted his head. “You’re fucking right, I will.”

At first, Zach just stood there, letting Scott bob his head and slide his lips up and down his dick at a steady pace. But as Scott reached the limits of Zach’s control, Zach pushed harder on the back of his head, holding Scott still to fuck his mouth, leaving Scott with no choice but to take him in. Rough, just what Scott liked best, but it was the penetrating look Zach gave him that brought his own arousal up a few dozen notches. As though Zach was being rough not just because it felt good, but because he knew what it was doing to Scott.

Scott used his tongue and the suction of his mouth to stimulate Zach as the man rammed deep into his throat. He held tight to the back of Zach’s thighs, breathing through his nose as Zach held him close, coming hard.

The pulse under his tongue, the salty spurt he swallowed, gave him a sense of power. He finally had something to give, even if it was nothing but pleasure. Zach had said a lot of things
Scott
needed to hear, but the man was probably still feeling pretty low. He loved Becky, and Scott might be nothing but the next best thing.

Still, it was something. Scott licked the last of Zach’s cum off the tip off his dick and stayed on his knees as Zach dropped heavily on to the sofa. They were even as far as the bet went.

But Scott owed Zach so much more.

* * * *

Rain splattered on the window in Zach’s bedroom window, the slight part in the curtains showing the grey morning sky. Zach rolled over to the cold side of the bed and let out a bitter laugh. Things had been good between him and Scott the night before—hell, the man hadn’t even pushed for sex. But Scott’s promise to stay was like most of his good intentions. Not worth much in the long run.

You giving up on him already, Pearce?

Zach rubbed his scruffy cheek, sighed, and shook his head. He wouldn’t give up on the man, but it was hard not to be disappointed.

Maybe his “keeper” called him again. Maybe he was being considerate, not waking me up.

Yeah, and maybe they really would get their hands on the Cup this year.

There was no point in dwelling on what he couldn’t change. He was feeling a lot better than he had after waking up to find Becky gone. Between the two of them, he should probably get used to spending his mornings alone.

And being left in the dark.

At around 2:00 a.m., he’d gotten a short message from Becky. Not much to go on, but something at least:
I’m sorry for leaving like that. This is for my daughter. Please understand.

He understood—not why she’d gone about it that way, but they would discuss that when she called. He checked his phone. If she called. The text he’d sent seconds later had a read time stamp on it. No reply yet.

After fetching a change of clothes, he left his room, ready to shower and start his day. He had to call his agent, let her know that he’d gone off the deep end because there could be repercussions. And then he should get in touch with his personal trainer. Time to up his training to get ready for camp. He never really slacked off, but he liked spending the last few weeks before hitting the ice getting in top shape. Which meant no more smoking. Or drinking. His diet could use some fine-tuning—

The warm scent of cinnamon drifted down the hall, and he glanced toward the kitchen when Scott cursed. Seeing Scott, standing there with a tray of food, had Zach rubbing his eyes to make sure he was actually awake.

“Couldn’t stay in bed just a few more minutes?” Scott walked past Zach, back into the bedroom. “Get in here.”

Zach laughed, following Scott and climbing onto the bed, legs stretched out so Scott could set the tray on his lap. “What’s all this?”

“Food, dumbass.” Scott grinned. “You got French toast last time we roomed together on the road. I make ‘em pretty decent.”

Actually, the French toast was delicious. Zach chewed on the first mouthful, making an appreciative sound in the back of his throat. The hotel had made it a little soggy and bland. Scott’s had a nice texture and a fresh zesty taste that Zach couldn’t quite pin down, along with just the right amount of spices. He swallowed and cut another piece with his fork. “This is really good. I didn’t know you could cook.”

Scott shrugged. “Can’t do much, just a few of my favorites. Had to learn to feed myself if I didn’t want to eat out all the time. After being on the road, it’s nice to come home and have a few meals in my own kitchen.”

Zach could relate to that. His own cooking skills were little more than functional, but he’d had Sue who enjoyed making elaborate meals when they were together, and his two boyfriends after had been domestic types. He had a feeling Scott had never had anyone who’d taken pleasure in serving him. Whatever people thought of him, he’d learned how to take care of himself.

But had anyone ever taken care of him?

Bringing another bite to his mouth, Zach eyed Scott.

“What?” Scott shuffled his feet. “Is everything okay? I put cream in your coffee. No sugar. I know you drink it black sometimes, but usually when you’re in a rush, and you ain’t so—”

“Everything’s perfect, Scott. I’m just . . .” Zach shook his head. “I’m still processing. I thought you’d left, but instead you were doing this. It’s unexpected.”

“In a good way?”

“Definitely,” Zach said, smiling. He finished the French toast, then sipped at the coffee. “Did you eat?”

“Yeah. I’ve got that women’s self-defense thing today, so I made sure I ate and showered early. Gives me some time to chill with you before I have to take off.”

“How much time do you have?” Zach let his gaze travel slowly over Scott, from his bare chest to a pair of loose-fitting jeans that Zach recognized as his.

Scott’s throat worked. He followed Zach’s gaze to the jeans. “Hope you don’t mind that I—”

“I don’t.” Zach relaxed back against the headboard as Scott took the tray off his lap. “Are you going to answer the question?”

“Ah . . . guess I’ve got some.” Scott’s eyes shifted away from Zach. “Want to finish that movie?”

Zach cocked his head. Now this was interesting. If Scott was a sub, Zach might think he wasn’t ready for the level of intimacy that came with making love, but didn’t know how to come right out and say so. Maybe that wasn’t so far from the truth since sex usually meant so little to Scott. Zach nodded. “I’d like that. The movie was just starting to get good.”

“Okay.” Scott turned, then cursed softly before putting the tray on the night table. He moved toward Zach, speaking through his teeth, “You fucking scare me. I know it will be more than . . . it will be more. I want it, but it kinda freaks me out.”

Jerking Scott down onto the bed, Zach quickly rolled over him, grazing his teeth down Scott’s smooth jaw. He gave Scott a bruising kiss while undoing the jeans. Smiled against Scott’s lips at his groan. “You know what scared me? I thought you would run again. I thought you had. But you stayed.” He slid his hands between Scott’s thighs, gently massaging his heavy sac. “You had the balls to stay.”

“
Shit
. I want you.” Scott’s hips jutted up as Zach palmed his fully erect dick. “I told you I’d stay. Wasn’t for this.”

Zach sucked at the side of Scott’s neck, running his hand up and down Scott’s cock, his own balls swelling and pulsing with lust, his blood pounding along his hard length. “This” wasn’t why he’d wanted Scott to be here when he woke up, but it was impossible to let Scott go now that he had the man in his bed. “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to hold you at arm’s length all this time? Sometimes I wished I could be like you. Fuck without caring.”

“I don’t want you to be like that. If you were, I wouldn’t love you so damn much.” Scott wrestled Zach onto his back, teeth bared, tone gruff, not giving Zach a second to react to the impact of his words. “It was worth the wait, but I can’t hold back anymore. Take me or I’m gonna take you.”

Sweat broke out on Zach’s flesh as he shoved Scott off him, pushing him face down on the mattress. He bit the back of Scott’s shoulder hard enough to leave a mark, then let out a harsh laugh. “Not this time.”

Fetching the lube and condoms from the night table drawer, Zach took a few deep inhales to calm himself enough to make this good for them both. Last time they’d had sex, they’d both been drinking. He wasn’t sure if Scott had ever been with anyone, man or woman, completely sober. Fast and hard would be no different than what he’d experienced so many times before.

He covered himself and climbed over Scott, sliding his lips along Scott’s spine. He rose up to squirt some lube into one hand, then pressed one finger between Scott’s ass cheeks, sliding it into him slowly. Scott shivered, letting out a muffled sound as he pressed his face into the pillows.