Page 56 of Center of Gravity

He sleptalongside me that night, a slightly awkward endeavor, given how much of the bed I was taking up and the fact that Winslow wandered in later, trying to assert himself into his usual position along my side. But we made it work and I fell asleep nestled in a small cluster of warm bodies.

18

Alex

Ididn’t have a foot fetish. I had a Rob Macomb fetish. One that was threatening to spiral out of control in the aftermath of last night. I woke him by sinking my teeth into his shoulder, then kissed across his chest until he groaned. His eyes didn’t open until I slid my hand beneath the covers and gripped his cock, then they fell shut again as he took in a sharp breath.

“Be still,” I whispered, an echo of last night as I licked the warm skin just below the lobe of his ear. He shuddered, but obeyed as I stroked his shaft lightly, teasingly. Propping myself on my elbow, I bowed over him, brushing my lips across his until he opened to me, his tongue gliding languidly along mine. It was a lazy, slow burn of a kiss that deepened in intensity. His eyes opened and stared into mine as I broke the kiss, and we stayed like that, my mouth just barely touching his, our breath colliding, his fingers threaded through my hair and his hips rising to push him farther into my hand. I grinned against his lips and whispered, “Breakfast,” before untangling myself from him and slipping out of bed.

“You’re fucking kidding me,” he groaned, throwing a pillow at my back as I danced out of the room. Winslow followed me into the kitchen, so I let him out while I started the coffeemaker and scavenged the fridge. I’d used the last of the eggs and bacon yesterday, so it looked like cereal was it. I pulled out some bowls and poured some cereal into them, toeing the door open when Winslow started scratching at it to be let back in and then went after his food bowl like the Tasmanian Devil.

Sticking a coffee mug under the drip, I filled it halfway so I could get a caffeine fix while it finished perking, then I settled down at Rob’s computer again, pulling up the browser so I could check my email.

There was his account again, still wide open.

I pushed the coffee aside, drumming my fingers on the table, the internal debate revived. After last night, the parameters seemed slightly different somehow, the desire to snoop stronger.

This is creeper territory, I chided myself. Biting the inside of my cheek, I decided I’d limit my snooping to three emails. It turned out my limits were unnecessary, though. Everything in his inbox seemed work related, and I didn’t touch those. I was just about to close the browser, when an email at the very bottom of the page leapt out at me. The timestamp was months old, but I guess Rob had kept it for some reason.

The subject line read:Lunch?and was accompanied by some smiley faces. Inside was Sean, I guess, a shirtless selfie in front of a mirror, freshly showered with droplets of water dusting his shoulders and pecs, a towel wrapped low around his hips. He was attractive enough to send a pang of jealousy shooting through me as I imagined the two of them. He wasn’t pretty so much as handsome in a classic, Bogart-era way. Strong jaw, straight nose, a mouth that managed to be masculine and sensual at once.

I closed out the email. My own damn fault for snooping. After loading myself with the cereal bowls, spoons, a carton of milk, and coffee, I returned to the bedroom. Rob was sitting up in bed, twisting his shoulders side to side.

“That’s talent right there,” he said as I carefully unloaded the items.

“That’s hours of practice trying to avoid one last trip up three or four or five flights of stairs.” I smiled. “How’s the back?”

He picked up the coffee mug, took a small sip. “Not bad. Not bad at all. The ankle is still pretty bum, but I think my back has forgiven you.”

I made a face. “Don’t put that on me. If anything, you should be thanking me.”

“Oh?” He poured some milk into the bowl of Cheerios, glancing at me sidelong.

“That orgasm last night probably released about a year’s worth of tension collecting in your back.”

“Mm,” he murmured, but I caught his mouth curving up.

“I thought after we finished eating, we could see about a shower.”

“‘We’.” He deadpanned, but that hint of a smile widened until it was a full crescent, a little boyish, and so damn sexy I almost crawled in his lap right then.

Affecting a nonchalant shrug, I replied, “I could chaperone from a safe distance.”

“I suppose it’s possible I might need a little help.”

We showered together,which entailed more mind-blowing orgasms, and afterward sat on the edge of the bed, pulling our clothes on. He grumbled about the air cast, finally taking it off, sliding his boxers over his hips, then snapping it back in place.

“I have two jobs this afternoon,” I said, poking my head through my T-shirt.

“No problem. I’ll probably head back into the city. Get settled with Winslow.”

I chewed my lip, and frowned at my toes. I’d been hoping he’d stay another night. Would it really change anything, though? What was one more night in something that had a preset expiration date besides another opportunity for me to become more attached to him. “You sure you’re good to drive?”

“I think so. Doctor said not to stay down too long, remember?”

I nodded. “I’m not expecting anything, you know.”

Rob ran his fingers through his hair, looking me over. “Good.”