Page 53 of Unwritten Rules (The Sunburnt Hearts #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

TATUM

K hai isn’t home when we stumble through the apartment door. Sinnett said his roommate went out for celebratory drinks with some of the guys from the team, leaving us with the spacious apartment for a couple of hours.

I texted my dad on the way over here and told him I was staying the night with Raya.

His response came quick, telling me not to get into any trouble if we go out.

The guilt lingers in the back of my mind.

For not telling my father what I’m really doing, and for using Raya as a cover without asking.

Again . With how little friends I have in Sydney, and zero reason to be going out at night, she is my only scapegoat when I need it.

I should double check with her that it’s okay I use her as a cover, but I don’t think Dad would go out of his way to ask since he doesn’t interact with the cheer squad.

In fact, I don’t think they would have a reason to talk at all , not when the cheer squad is managed by Liz, who works for the club itself and not necessarily the team.

But still, I need to speak to Raya about it.

I wish I could tell Dad the truth about what I’m doing, and who I’m doing it with, so I no longer have to hide it from him, but I know the revelation wouldn’t go down well with him. He has his mind set on the stupid no dating rule.

When the front door closes behind Sinnett, locking in place, I don’t see much of the apartment before I’m flat on my back.

The black doona cover is soft against my skin and smells of lavender.

The colour scheme of Sinnett’s room is dark and cosy, making it difficult to leave every night I’ve been here, when all I want to do is stay wrapped in his embrace and hide away.

I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and push myself up onto my elbows.

Sinnett stalks across the room to the built in wardrobe with sliding glass mirrors.

I’ve caught myself in those mirrors far too many times with wild hair and swollen lips.

I would shy away at first, not wanting to see what I looked like after being thoroughly ravished by Sinnett, but I quickly realised that I felt power in that position.

Beautiful, even. And now I don’t look away when I catch my eye in the reflection, wanting to hold onto the moment for as long as I can.

Sinnett rifles through the dark clothes hanging in his wardrobe—not a single hoodie that isn’t black catches my eye—the plastic coat hangers smacking against each other. A moment later, he tugs free a black, red and white jersey. He steps toward the bed, holding it up for me to see.

“Is that an old jersey?” I question, taking note of the worn material and slight change in club sponsor logos.

“It’s last seasons jersey,” Sinnett tells me, a shit-eating grin turning up his mouth. “Try it on.”

My eyes round at his words, and I sit all the way up, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. “You want me to what ?”

“Put it on, strawberry.” Sinnett extends the jersey to me, eyes never leaving mine. “I wasn’t kidding when I said you’ll wear no other jersey but mine.”

I thought he meant just his number in general, not a jersey he wore from last season.

“I-I—seriously?” I swallow hard and accept the shirt, the material smooth in the palm of my hand.

“I’m dead serious. Now stand up.”

Doing as I’m told, I stand, my nose barely reaching his chest. Sinnett’s hands make quick work of discarding his leather jacket from my shoulders, followed by my polo shirt and pants. All I can do is stare at him, and he’s grinning like he’s just won the lottery.

Ocean eyes skim over the emerald-green lacy lingerie set I threw on when I was getting ready for work earlier.

I had no intention of showing it to Sinnett because we hadn’t planned to sneak away after the game.

In fact, all of my comfortable underwear was in the basket in the corner of the room, laughing at me when I realised I had forgotten to do my laundry.

Again . But judging by how Sinnett’s pupils dilate and his breath hitches, I know I made the right choice wearing it.

“It’s a damn shame I’m going to cover you up,” he grunts breathlessly. “But it’ll be worth it.”

He gestures for me to lift my arms, and when I do, he shimmies the smooth material down my arms. The jersey isn’t overly large given how tight-fitted it is to his body, but it’s roomy and falls mid-thigh.

Sinnett steps back, his eyes skimming down the length of my body.

The heated look in his irises sets my heart into overdrive and my palms grow clammy.

The material smells like him and I’m picturing all the times he wore it, running the length of the field, getting lost under bodies during tackles, and sliding over the try line.

Oh, my God.

Did it suddenly get hot in here?

Tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip, Sinnett steps forward, large hands finding my hips like they’ve done so many times before. It’s like muscle memory.

“I have pictured you in my jersey many times when trying to fall asleep at night, but never did I think you would look this good wearing my number.”

My hands find his shoulders, needing to feel his warmth and the confidence he gives me every time we’re together. I smile, feeling sexy and desired under his intense gaze. Electricity thrums in my veins, and anticipation pounds in my core, eyes dropping to his full lips.

“I only have space in my heart for number seven.” Leaning on my toes, my lips brush against his, sending a shiver across his lean and toned body. “And it’s yours for the taking.”

That is all the encouragement needed for Sinnett to claim my mouth, taking everything I have to offer him.

It’s not enough for me to lay my heart on a silver platter for him to take.

I want him to feel when it beats for him.

I want him to hear when it calls for him.

I want him to know that as long as he’s willing to protect it with his life and not trample all over it, my heart is his for the keeping.

Our lips move feverishly together, sending my mind into a delirious state as I fight to keep from melting under his touch.

My legs hit the edge of the mattress, and Sinnett’s body sinks with mine as we sprawl across the king-sized bed.

Sinnett slides his hands over my stomach as his body hovers over mine.

Every touch, every lick, every nibble fuels the fire raging in my core, making me more desperate to feel him.

“Sin,” I whimper against his lips, lungs begging for air.

“Tell me what you want, Tate,” Sinnett squeezes out, his minty breath fanning over my lips.

“All of you,” I whisper, getting lost in his eyes as they hold me captive. My fingers trace the curve of his jaw, needing to feel more of him. To somehow be closer than I already am.

The glow from the bedside tables cast a soft hue across his sharp features, brightening the slight stubble on his jawline and the scar in his eyebrow.

Even in dim lighting, he is the most handsome man I have ever seen.

I could get lost in his eyes for hours and never be bored.

I’ll never tire of tracing every line and curve of his tattoos, like I have done many times already when we’ve been lying in bed, embracing the moment where it’s just the two of us.

“You already have all of me, Tate,” Sinnett murmurs, his grip on my waist tightening. “Every last breath in my lungs is yours. So take it.”

Our lips meet and it’s like an explosion of fireworks has been set off in my chest. My hands thread through his hair as his hands roam over my body.

Lips moving in sync, we explore each other’s body, taking what we need and searching for what we don’t have.

A moan sounds in the back of my throat as Sinnett dips his hand beneath my panties and finds my soaked core.

My back arches when he presses into me, and all I can say is I’m grateful Khai isn’t home right now, because he would hear every moan that Sinnett effortlessly pulls from me.

His skilful fingers pump in and out of me, and I’m helpless to do anything but kiss him back with just as much fervour, and try not to come too soon.

Needing more, I slide my hands to his shoulders and shove at him until he’s on his back.

Dark ocean eyes track my movement as I crawl up the length of his body and straddle his waist with my bare thighs.

His hands clamp down my thighs at the same time my hands find his chest, leaning forward with a smirk.

“What are you doing, Tate?”

“Taking all of you,” I answer, voice even. Keeping my eyes locked on him, I reach down to where his cock strains against the material of his shorts, begging to be freed. I palm the bulge, relishing in the wide-eyed reaction from the man below me.

Sinnett groans and sits up, chest brushing against mine. He reaches for the hem of his hoodie and rips it over his head, leaving him bare and at my disposal. My eyes trail over the ridges of his muscles and the smooth skin only I get the pleasure of exploring.

“Can I colour in your tattoos?”

Sinnett bites back a smile. “Is that what you want?”

I nod, smiling.

“Then of course you can,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sure Khai has some coloured markers lying around in his pigsty of a room.”

I grin and trail my fingers down the side of his torso, watching as goosebumps follow in their wake.

Sinnett’s eyes burn into mine as I tease the waistband of his shorts.

I bite my lip to keep from smiling as I reach beneath the material and grip his cock.

Within seconds, it’s standing hot and thick between us with my hand wrapped around the base.

“Take the lead,” Sinnett squeezes out. “I’m at your mercy, strawberry.”

“I like the sound of that,” I muse with a smile.

“But at no point does the jersey come off,” he warns, voice low.

I grin. “Yes, Sin.”

Sinnett groans in response, hands finding my thighs as I pump my hand up and down his length, eyes never straying from his. My core is on fire and my panties are soaked through, but it doesn’t deter me from pleasuring Sinnett, hanging on every moan and grunt of my name.

When I can’t take it any longer, I push onto my knees and guide the head of his cock to my entrance.

My heart slams into my throat as I take all of him—slow and with a patience I’m barely holding on to.

We share a hiss at the connection, and I breathe through the intrusion of his size.

I don’t think I’ll ever get use to how big he is, but I’m not complaining.

Not when he’s looking at me the way he is—like he could devour me.

“Move, Tate,” Sinnett grunts, hands reaching for my hips.

Managing a nod, I find leverage on his chest and rock my hips forward.

My head tips back as heat simmers beneath my skin and pleasure floods my veins.

Sinnett uses his hold on my hips to guide me up and down, setting a pace that has my eyes rolling into the back of my head and my heart thundering in my chest.

“That’s it,” Sinnett squeezes out, voice tight like the muscles in his biceps as he guides me down his shaft. “ Fuck you look so good in my jersey. Wearing my number. Crying out my name.”

As if to prove his point, his name tumbles from my lips in a breathy moan, and he grins, the sight melting my already liquid insides.

Sinnett’s jaw clenches as he slams his hips up to meet mine. “I want to hear you. It’s just me and you, baby. Cry for me.”

My vision blurs at the edges, and the breath is knocked from my lungs. Taking him at this angle has him filling every inch of me. It feels like too much but not enough at the same time.

“Sin,” I moan breathlessly, struggling to find a word in the English language to say, and coming up short.

“Ride my cock, Tate,” Sinnett demands. His right hand comes up to fist the bottom of the jersey, balling the material in his hand. He uses it as leverage to keep my pace from faltering. “You wanted all of me, so take it .”

Doing as I’m told, I use his chest as support and rock my hips forward. A light sheen of sweat has broken out across my skin, but I don’t let it deter me. Sinnett slams his hips upward to meet my thrusts, and we fall into a flurry of breathless moans and fondling hands.

My core clenches as I rush toward the edge, eager to find a release.

If I don’t, I might just lose my damn mind.

Heat spreads through my chest, seeping into my veins and dipping to the edge of my core, and I’m fighting the urge to stop, to give myself a break in fear of my muscles cramping. But I’m so close. So damn close.

Sinnett surprises me by swiping his thumb over my clit, sending a bolt of electricity across my body. A moan rips through my chest, my pulse thumping at the base of my throat.

“Come on your cock, Tate,” Sinnett demands, voice raspy. His rhythm doesn’t falter as he continues to meet my thrust, the hair falling in his eyes not a bother to him. “Take all of me because it’s always been yours. I’m yours.”

That’s all it takes for me to freefall over the edge, muscles tensing and my back arching. Sinnett’s thumb traces my clit as my hips still, but it doesn’t stop him from falling with me. My limbs feel numb and my head light as the after-effects of the orgasm wash over me.

With a sigh, I slump against Sinnett’s chest, his cock still inside of me.

He smooths down the flyaway hairs around my face and presses a kiss to the top of my head. His smooth skin is slick with sweat, but I couldn’t care less. My focus is on the rhythm of his heartbeat returning to normal, falling in sync with mine, and the comfort his touch brings me.

“I meant what I said, Tate,” Sinnett murmurs above me, stroking my hair. “I’m all yours.”

I manage a smile, blinking through the haze obstructing my vision. My heart slams against my ribcage, realising the depths of his words. This is becoming more than just a casual hook-up to him. He wants more. And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m on the same page.

But our situation is far from normal. One wrong move and this could all blow up in our faces.

Is that something we’re willing to risk?

Despite these fears, it doesn’t deter me from lifting my head and locking eyes with icy blue ones that make me feel like I’m lost at sea. I smile, unable to hide the giddiness overcoming me. Sensing my excitement, Sinnett returns my smile and cups my cheeks, his palms warm and comforting.

“And I’m all yours, Sin.”