Unnecessary Roughness (2 page)

“Sure.” He dropped his book bag at his feet and crossed his arms over his chest. He had a feeling this would happen. Yes, he was sitting in the front row, but Professor Jacobs had stared at him through her entire lecture.

The room emptied quickly around them as the students rushed to grab food in the break between classes. Connor needed to be one of those rushing students.

She walked to the back wall and closed the door, waiting until the last student was gone, then leaned against a desk. “I know you’re very busy with all your studies, Connor.”

He had flashbacks to Professor Patrick’s chat. “Professor Jacobs, I don’t have time for extra work. I’m already fully loaded with credits and sports.”

“I know.” She ran her hand down his chest seductively.

He stared at her fire-cracker red nails and cringed. He’d been fighting to “come out” without it ruining his life. Acting straight was exhausting and killing him.

When he didn’t respond, she gazed into his eyes.

Oh crap.
Feeling the impending proposition as he studied her pink lipstick and long dark hair, Connor closed his eyes.
Why me
?

“Connor Worthington, whatever will I do with you?” She fingered his bangs.

“Look, Professor Jacobs, I appreciate the compliment. But—”

She wrapped her arms around him and went for his lips. He blinked in surprise and nudged her back. “Look, how can I put this politely? I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Instantly she appeared embarrassed and backed off. “I just thought—”

“It’s my fault. I must have given you the wrong idea.” Connor knew he had done nothing to encourage these advances but dreaded failing a class for deflecting a proposition.

“My mistake.” She stepped back and pretended to fix her hair.

“Sorry.” Moving slowly to escape from what felt like a snare, Connor raised his backpack to his shoulder and slipped out of the classroom. After he was outside in the fresh air, he shook his head in annoyance and walked to the Bruin café to get something to eat.
Mother-fucker! What the hell am I? A walking sex toy?

Kyle William Baker showed up for the first day of lacrosse practice a new transfer student from the University of Oregon. A Duck now wearing a Bruin uniform. Playing midfield, he ran across the intramural field as another teammate tossed the ball. He caught it in the webbing, passing it a few times as he looked over the choice of potential players.

It was cool and brilliantly sunny out. Not a cloud floated past in the clear blue sky. A few men were running wind-sprints up and down the length of the field. Some were sitting on the trimmed green sod, stretching their legs while a few more were throwing the ball back and forth, attackers in training, whipping it at the goalie.

Kyle smiled. He loved this sport. He was getting ready for his final year in undergraduate studies, deciding on whether to continue on to graduate school. Yes, he had a full credit load of classes, but there was always time for lacrosse as far as he was concerned.

He scanned the empty bleachers and field happily as he stretched out his back muscles using the crosse, holding it behind his head. One of the men running wind-sprints caught his eye. His brown mane flowed out from behind his lacrosse helmet. He was the only one of the guys practicing out the field with hair that long. Other than his hair, he was certainly all man. He was tall. Kyle assumed he was about his own height, six-foot-one or two, and slender, but very muscular.

Shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight, Kyle walked closer to him for a better look.

The man ran two more times with another team member, beating the other man every time. Finally both men stood to catch their breaths and stretch their leg muscles. It was the chance Kyle needed to get a better look at this long-haired man’s face through the face mask and chin pad.

He felt his mid-section go into a deep flutter. “Holy crap,” he mumbled under his breath.

The guy was so incredibly pretty at first glance he looked like a woman. Under closer inspection Kyle could see the man’s dark shadow of one day’s beard growth on his sharply angled jaw. His padded shoulders were broad and straight.

Instantly hard under his uniform pants, Kyle licked his lips hungrily and panned down to ogle the man’s narrow hips and long, solid legs. The cup bulge in his crotch was imposing. Kyle swallowed down a dry throat as he imagined fucking or sucking this creature.
Oh, he is too much!

The head coach called them all to gather around. Kyle deliberately positioned himself behind the handsome man to check out his ass and tanned legs. His butt was tight and perfectly rounded in his gold lacrosse uniform. The urge to run his palms over those gorgeous cheeks was almost impossible to fight. Scooting closer, Kyle allowed himself to brush against it with the back of his gloved hand.

At the touch, the man glanced over his shoulder at him. To Kyle’s surprise, he received a warm, affectionate smile and got a good look at shining sky blue eyes. Immediately Kyle returned the friendly smile, growing so excited he had to cross his hands over his crotch to hide his erection even though it was occurring under a cup. In the tight circle of men, Kyle overheard another teammate whisper into this man’s ear, “Connor, what’d the coach just say?”

Connor.
Kyle salivated, wanting to be the one comfortable enough to whisper in his ear.

Kyle couldn’t keep his eyes off of him. When he got the chance, Kyle managed to stand near Connor as they waited their turn on the field. Feeling slightly intimidated by this man, Kyle cleared his throat nervously. When it caught Connor’s attention, Kyle extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Kyle Baker.”

Connor took the mouthpiece he was gnawing out of his teeth. “Connor Worthington.” He reached for Kyle with his free hand.

Kyle removed his glove and shook it firmly.

The contact of their palms set Kyle’s body on fire. He couldn’t get over the raw sexuality oozing out of his man. “Look at this day. Isn’t it fantastic? Perfect for lacrosse.”

“Yes, perfect.”

“Are you a senior?” Kyle leaned close enough for a sniff at Connor’s scent.

“Yes, thank fuck. One more year of this torture.” Connor laughed shyly. “How about you?”

Kyle didn’t get the chance to reply.

“Shit! I’m up!” Connor stuffed his mouthpiece into his teeth and sprinted onto the field.

Trying to control the desire to hump him like a dog in heat, Kyle leaned against his stick, using it to prop him up, completely infatuated with Connor. He wondered if he...could possibly be...
Nah
.

Looking relaxed and confident, Connor, an attackman, quickly gained control of the ball and avoided an aggressive cross before whipping the ball into the net past the goalie to score.

With no boasting of any kind at the feat, Connor left the field as the coach waved him off.

Once Connor took his mouthpiece out, he nudged Kyle, “Coach is waving you in. Your turn.”

Lost in his awe of Connor, Kyle came back into focus and pushed his mouth guard in, racing out to the field.

Kyle searched for him through the chaotic mass of half-naked male bodies in the locker room while he quickly undressed at his locker A loud commotion caught his attention. He spotted Connor getting teased as he walked by a group of his teammates while he headed to the shower. Kyle was slightly shocked at the homophobic overtones of the taunting.

“Nice hair, Worthington!”

“You get your nails polished too?”

“You hang out in West Hollywood at night, Connor?”

Geez!
Kyle cringed. 

It appeared Connor was playing the good sport, a tiny white towel wrapped around his narrow hips, the blush hot in his cheeks. “All right. Leave me alone, you dumb jocks.”

Watching Connor walk, Kyle was in heat, his mouth actually watering at the sight. It was so fricken’ obvious that all those macho men needed an excuse to toy with Connor. Or at least Kyle hoped it was good-natured.

Kyle lost himself on the lovely bronze color of Connor’s skin, his round, smooth, solid completely hairless chest. The guy looked like a model.
Jesus, what, twenty years old? And absolutely perfect
.

Wanting to see this man in all his glory, Kyle stripped the pads and sweaty uniform off quickly and grabbed a towel.
So what if I have a hard on? It happens to guys all the time, right?

Connor hung the white terry cloth on a hook and tested the water as it burst out of a shower head coming from of a wall of spigots. Kyle hung his towel on the spot next to Connor and reached to do the same. While Connor was wetting down, Kyle thought he may spontaneously combust at the sight.

He kept trying to get a good look at Connor’s cock without being seen doing so. When he finally was granted a full frontal view he moaned before he could prevent it.

Running the soap over his arms, Connor smiled sweetly at Kyle. “Hey, Kyle. Looks like we have an excellent team this season.”

With his face on fire from his attraction, Kyle was trying to hide his erection. “Yeah, we look really good. Beats playing in high school.”

“What position do you like best?”

Kyle froze and his eyes widened in shock.

As if he were confused by the reaction, Connor stopped soaping up and stared at him curiously. “Hello?”

“What position do I like?” Kyle gaped at him in disbelief.
Could I be this lucky? This hunk is gay and propositioning me? Holy crap!

Tilting his head, Connor shouted over the echoing noise to clarify, “Yes. I assume you were a midfield-man in high school too. No? Defense? What?” Connor continued washing and shook his head. “What did you think I meant? Where did I lose you?”

Kyle exhaled when he realized his mistake. “Oh, I thought you meant…never mind. Yes. I played midfield.”

Connor nodded and continued washing.

Disappointed by the confused communication, Kyle rinsed the soap off quickly when he realized Connor was done. “You’re amazing out there, Connor,” Kyle complimented him. “You’re one of the best players on the team.”

Connor connected with his eyes instantly. “You think so?”

Kyle melted. Those irises were as blue as sapphires.
Just shoot me now
. “Yes.”

“I thought the same about you, Kyle.” Connor made sure he was soap free. They shut off the water simultaneously and reached for the towels.

Even though he was scared to death Connor would think he was hot for his bod, Kyle asked, “You wanna go out for a bite?”

Connor looked up at the large clock on the wall, as he rubbed the towel through his hair. “Sure. But it’ll have to be quick one. I have a ton of reading to do. I guess I gotta eat, don’t I?”

“Yes. A man can’t live on lacrosse and academics alone,” Kyle teased.

He received a nice smile in return.

They walked out to the parking lot silently. Kyle was deep in thought trying to decide if Connor could be gay or not. “Not” was winning his internal argument. 

Connor gestured to his black MG. “You want me to drive us? Or follow me there?”

“You can drive, if that’s okay. Sweet little car.”

As Connor unlocked it, he replied, “Yeah, my first set of wheels. Thank you, Mother.” 

Kyle couldn’t stop his heart from beating wildly as he sat next to this man.

Connor placed his sunglasses his face, then turned to Kyle and asked, “What’s your pleasure?”

Again thinking of something overtly sexual, Kyle paled. “What?”
My pleasure? Can I suck your big dick?

Connor lowered his glasses down his nose and peered over them. “Which restaurant? Bar? Why do I keep losing you?”

Chiding himself for behaving like an idiot, Kyle replied, “No. It’s not you. I’m just exhausted. Uh, how about the sport’s bar on Santa Monica Boulevard?”

“That’ll work.” Connor slid his Ray Bans back on his nose.

Kyle peeked at Connor’s legs; solid and muscular in his tight jeans. Next, he found Connor’s hand as it rested on the gear shift, finely boned, smooth skinned. His navy blue, sleeveless t-shirt was stretched taut across his broad rounded chest. Slowly Kyle raised his eyes to Connor’s profile. It was perfect. His mouth started watering again. Connor was incredible. Absolutely amazing. How was Kyle supposed to control himself around this man?

Clearing his throat as if Kyle felt his silent appraisal, Connor turned to him. “So, tell me about yourself. What’s your major?”

“I don’t know. I’m just taking math and science classes hoping an idea strikes me.”

“Ditto.” Connor cringed. “The only thing worse than math and science would be law or medicine. Fucking sucks.” After pulling out of traffic, Connor drove into the parking lot of the bar. “Are you in any of my classes?”

“I could be. Some of the lecture halls are so big, we probably are.”

“We’ll have to check our schedules. Now I’m curious why I’ve never seen you before.”

Me too, you gorgeous fucker.
“Well, I just transferred here from Oregon, but I’ve been here since the start of the semester.”

Connor glanced again at Kyle over the top of his sunglasses.

Trying to stop acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, Kyle noticed someone pulling out of a parking space. “Look, an open spot.”

Connor pulled in quickly. “Great. That was good luck.”

“Yes. Today is my lucky day.” Kyle grinned slyly to himself.

Once inside the dim interior of the bar, they found an unoccupied booth. Connor first slid his sunglasses to the top of his head, then as if reconsidering, he removed them and set them on the table. Kyle studied every move Connor made, watching him run his hands through that thick head of damp hair. Strangely enough, Kyle thought Connor’s actions appeared self-conscious, not confident as Kyle would have expected with a man as talented, intelligent, and charming as Connor was.

The waitress came over and handed them menus. “You want something to drink first?”

Connor smiled at her sweetly. “How about something from the tap?”

Kyle was under twenty-one and assumed Connor might be as well. He waited for the inevitable request for proof of age and the denial of the alcoholic beverage.