Page 89 of Playing for Keeps

As I headed back to the bedroom my steps were tentative, my shoulder muscles tightening.

Would Ethan regret what we’d done? I didn’t think I could handle it if he did.

He turned over, and when I found the courage to raise my gaze to his, there was a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Happiness exploded inside me like a firecracker.

I got back into bed and Ethan reached for me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

* * *

I woke up with a warm body pressed against my back.

Ethan.

My eyes flew open.

Ethan had one arm draped around my middle, his hand dangling down, fingers resting lightly against my skin.

I lay perfectly still, feeling the warm puffs of his steady breath on the back of my neck, the slow movements of his rib cage in and out.

Fuck, if ever there was a moment I’d want to live in for the rest of my life, this was it—waking up with Ethan’s arms around me after winning the Supreme Rugby title.

I kept my own breathing shallow because I didn’t want to do anything to shatter this.

But no moment can last forever. I felt Ethan stir and suddenly doubts crept into my mind.

What had last night been exactly? Had it been Ethan and I just putting a full stop to this part of our friendship? The part that once could have been more, but would never be now because of all the complicating factors?

It was impossible to tell whether last night had been an ending or a beginning.

I had a sudden itch to leave rather than face the possibility of Ethan’s remorse. Sneak out of the room, out of the hotel, run away so I wouldn’t have to find out whether Ethan regretted what had been the best night of my life.

But as I started to pull away from him, his arm tightened around me.

“Luke.” No one had ever said my name quite like Ethan did. It was a soft murmur, the whisper of his breath causing the hair on the back of my neck to rise.

His hand drifted south, caressing my cock in a gentle, teasing touch.

My cock, which was already primed just from being near Ethan, hardened even more.

He leaned forward to kiss my neck and I could feel his smile against my skin. The tenderness nearly undid me.

I pulled away from him. Then, taking a deep breath, I rolled over, because I really needed to see his face right now.

Ethan’s green eyes stared back at me. For a second we regarded each other warily, then he reached up and touched the crease in my forehead. My skin tingled where his fingertips lingered.

“When you frown, you look like Oscar the Grouch,” he said.

“Gee, thanks,” I managed.

“You should use it on your business card.”

“‘Looks like a Sesame Street Character’. It’s bound to impress someone.”

“Oh, I think you’ll find you’re impressive in other ways.” His voice was husky and he reached down to touch my cock again.

My breath hitched and I blinked. “You want this?”

His eyes didn’t waver from my face. “If you think I’m not keen for a repeat of last night, you haven’t met Horny Ethan.”