Page 16 of Worthy (Adrenalin #1)

Chapter fifteen

Maddox

M y eyes are still closed when I register the pleasant tingle running from my lower belly all the way to the tip of my cock, and while I can’t recall the dream that inspired this feeling, I’m content to lay here and enjoy the delightful sensation of sparks running along my shaft for as long as my body will let me.

A sense of weightlessness engulfs me, giving off the illusion that I’m floating. At the same time, the pressure on my cock increases, morphing from a faint line to a fat stripe traveling my length. It swirls around the crown, light and soft, before traveling back down to the base and starting all over again. It feels phenomenal, so much so that I’m pretty sure I let out a guttural sigh as I drift deeper in ecstasy, relishing the subtle heat.

I’m not sure how long I lay there, greedily enjoying the hedonistic pleasure, but without warning the teasing, lazy flame erupts, and I’m immersed in wet heat. This time I know I moan, the bliss too overwhelming for my mind to contain.

Warmth surrounds me, wave after wave crashing and pulling on my length, driving me closer and closer to the edge. But I don’t want to go over. I want to stay right here, in my euphoric stupor, for as long as my body will allow. Then I feel a tender pressure on my balls, and my eyes snap open.

The room is mostly dark, a tiny sliver of light between the curtains is the only sign morning is near. Since it’s too early to get up, I squeeze my eyes shut and try to re-enter my dream, only to realize the flame didn’t go out when I woke up. I still feel it, surrounding my cock in molten heat.

I look down the length of my body to see Cade, head bobbing rhythmically as he sucks me off.

A strangled groan escapes me, and his eyes find mine for a brief, intense instant. Then he closes them and sucks me, hard. Oh shit!

I’m panting now, chest heaving as I watch my cock disappear between his full, pink lips. I squirm beneath him, desperate for release but wanting to watch him work my shaft with his lips, his tongue, marveling at how perfectly he works me over despite his self-professed lack of experience.

The man is a natural.

He doesn’t just look content, he looks downright exhilarated, even when he takes me so far to the back of his throat I feel him fight back a gag. But he doesn’t slow down. If anything he redoubles his efforts, licking and sucking as if I’m a meal he’d like to consume.

I’ve never been so turned on in my life.

No sooner does that thought cross my mind, I feel my balls draw up tight. I tap Cade’s arm to warn him of my imminent release, but he bats my hand away as I lose control, hips straining upward of their own accord. Breathless shouts tumble from my throat as my cock pulses inside him, filling his mouth faster than he can swallow. But he makes a valiant attempt, gulping twice before he can’t keep up, and I spill from between his plush lips .

The second I’m empty, Cade rises to his knees and vigorously pumps his shaft with one hand while wiping the cum from his mouth with the other. It only takes a few strokes before he’s painting my stomach with a strangled groan, then collapsing on my chest.

I fold my arms around him and rub his back, since I don’t have any words left in my brain. It must end up putting us both to sleep since the room is bright the next time I open my eyes.

Cade’s managed to shift most of his weight off me while still using my chest as a pillow, but one of his legs is slung over mine and his stomach is pressed to my side. It’s an intimate position. One I actually like, except for the fact we didn’t clean up earlier, and we’re now somewhat stuck together.

Good thing neither of us has a lot of hair on our torsos.

I try to stay still so he can sleep, but dried cum is the worst, and soon my subtle attempts at scratching wake him up.

“Ugh, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to come all over you,” he mumbles against my neck as he tries to pry us apart without wincing.

“I thought it was pretty hot in the moment.”

“Yeah, I did too.” He sighs as he frees himself and flops to his back. “Just remind me to clean up next time.”

“Speaking of next times, I want to be awake when we do that again.”

“You didn’t like it?” I swear his voice wavers, though he’s too focused on the ceiling for me to see any worry in his eyes.

“I loved it. But I wanted to watch you give your first blow job.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t wake you up first.” Cade absently rubs at his chest. “I wanted to practice without any pressure.”

“Do you really think I’d judge you?” My hand finds his and I link our fingers together to give his a reassuring squeeze. Neither of us let go.

“No,” he draws, “but I wanted to impress you anyway. ”

“You did,” I half-rasp, half-chuckle.

“Good, because blow jobs are harder than they look.” I turn my head to see him rubbing his jaw and stifle a laugh. “Any idea what time it is?”

I glance at my watch. “Eight.”

“Shit, I better clean up and get out there before Deacon gives me hell about leaving him to do all the work. But maybe after I’m done for the day we can hang out?” He rolls his head to face me, an almost shy smile on his face, and my stomach does this unnerving little flip.

Coy, bashful, confident… It doesn’t matter the expression, this man can make me melt with a single look.

“I’d like that,” I give him a smile in return.

***

The following Saturday begins, bright and early, with Cade nuzzling my neck until I open my eyes.

“Morning.” I roll over and stretch, and he takes the opportunity to run his hands over my naked body, which he seems to do whenever he has the chance. On the multiple occasions he’s stayed over during the past few weeks, and while this would usually turn into something more, today we’re on a schedule.

″Morning.” He grins, planting a quick kiss on a puckered nipple. “We have to stop at my house to grab the bikes, so if you don’t want to be late you better put some clothes on.”

True to his word, Cade has had zero issues jumping into his new bisexual role. He doesn’t shy away from touching me, and his appetite for trying new things borders on voracious. The only thing we’ve yet to do is switch roles, which he’s anxious for, but I’m trying to ease him into that since I want his first time to be more pleasure than discomfort.

It’s taking more restraint than I expected since I’m just as ravenous for him as he is me.

″What happens if I don’t put clothes on?” I trace a finger over his firm pec.

″I’ll have to ravage you, which we’d both thoroughly enjoy, but then the whole town would know we were late because I was balls deep in my man.” He licks his lips and gives me a wicked grin, winking at me to seal the deal.

″ Your man?”

″Yeah. Mine ,” he says as he hugs me to him and affectionately bites my neck. I groan and roll out of Cade’s reach to head for the bathroom.

Even though I know he doesn’t mean anything by calling me his, it’d be way too easy to get swept up in the fantasy, so I default to finding amusement in his possessiveness.

Or trying to.

We haven’t really defined anything, and I don’t think either of us intends to since we know this is only for the summer, but it feels an awful lot like we’re dating. While it makes me smile to know Cade wants to be with only me, it’s also a heavy burden, and one I’m doing my best to navigate without anyone getting hurt.

Cade has never had anyone take an interest in him, for him. And though I find it difficult to keep my hands to myself now that I’ve finally touched him, I’m careful to make sure sex isn’t the only thing we do. I want him to know he’s worthy of more than a good time.

So, in the last few weeks, we’ve been on several hikes together, we usually cook together, I’ve watched him in his workshop, and I try to get him to talk about himself when we’re alone. All of which is so he knows I don’t view him as the tourist attraction he thinks he is. Yet, it also means I’ve gotten to know him on a deeper level, and I really, really, like what I see.

Cade is observant, almost wise— almost —in terms of how he sees and understands the world around him. He’s not afraid to admit what he doesn’t know or ask questions, like he does on the rare occasions we talk about my work. My first instincts about him being a flirt and a tease were correct, but not entirely. He’s playful, and has a mischievous side that he shows me when we’re alone, particularly in the bedroom. But he doesn’t use it as a defense mechanism to keep me at arm’s length anymore. Rather, he simply uses it to make me smile and laugh, or turn me on.

And damn, can that man turn me on.

I only have to look at Cade and I feel my body trying to react. That’s why I roll my eyes at his flirtatious antics. If I let my body be in charge, I’d be down for the count. And to give myself fewer opportunities for my body to claim control, I sometimes insist he do his own thing. Partly, so he isn’t ignoring Deacon, but also to keep myself in check. It feels so natural to be with him I could easily get hooked on that, and when it’s time for me to go home at the end of the summer I’d prefer not to leave a piece of myself behind.

After I clean up, we have a quick breakfast and throw our gear in the truck since we’ll be in town all day if not longer, then swing by Cade’s to load up the bikes. When we get to town we park behind The Underground, and as I round the front of the truck, Cade clasps my hand as we walk inside.

It’s a simple gesture, but it makes my heartbeat accelerate and my mind short circuit. This is boyfriend level stuff, and Cade doesn’t do boyfriends. We aren’t boyfriends. Right? So why is he making a statement like we are ?

Cade likes to touch me when we’re together, such as guiding my head to his chest when we lay on the couch or putting his own in my lap. It’s not the fact he’s touching me that’s strange. It’s the fact he’s touching me when others will see it. Deliberately.

Dex cocks an eyebrow when he notices our clasped hands but otherwise doesn’t say anything. Ally is less discreet. “I knew it,” she accuses with a perfectly arched brow.

Finn clears his throat, for our benefit or Ally’s I’m not sure, and Ryder slips a twenty to Deacon, who’s smirking knowingly. I swear Dex says something about a dumb bet under his breath.

″I thought he was messing with me,” Ryder protests as he flicks Deacon off. “I mean, Cade dating? That’s absurd, right?”

“Was the bet about Cade dating, or dating a guy?” I straighten my spine out of instinct.

“Dating, obviously,” Ryder huffs. “I knew he was into you since that first concert, I just didn’t expect him to still be into you since he doesn’t do repeats.”

“Dude, do you hear yourself? Show some respect,” Cade barks at him.

″Sorry,” Ryder grumbles as his eyes dart to the floor, and I find myself biting back a snort because he really does look guilty.

″It’s cool, he’s trying not to laugh.” Cade smirks at me. “He knows all about my sordid past and likes me anyway. Go figure.” He squeezes my hand affectionately, and I elbow his arm, only because he knows I hate it when he puts himself down.

″Ow. Save that for the bedroom.” He winks.

I know what he’s doing, resorting to his flirty, nonchalant manner in order to stave off serious questions about us, and while I normally hate when he does this as a defense mechanism, right now I’m on board with it. I’m not ready to explain this any more than he is, so for now I’ll hide behind this wall with him.

“So, are you really going to parade me around half naked for this race Al? My guy might not like showing me off like that.”

Okay, wow . I know the possessiveness is part of the act, but the more he says it, the harder it is for me to dismiss. I mean, I’m already taking a gamble on whether I’ll be able to walk away unscathed after our time runs out, and that’s without him trying to claim me.

I’m all sorts of mixed up right now. It’s barely been two weeks since we decided to explore this thing between us. And while I know it’s supposed to be temporary, the fact we’ve been virtually inseparable makes the temporary label hard to remember. Then there’s the hand-holding and him calling me his guy . Rationally, I know why he’s doing it, but emotionally…

I like having Cade hold my hand. I like hearing him refer to me as ‘his.’ And even if those gestures are for show, I find myself wondering if any part of him thinks this is real, the way a tiny part of me is starting to.

″Oh please,” Ally scoffs, bringing me back to the present. “He’ll be too busy fending off his own admirers to worry about you.”

″Wait.” Cade frowns. “I don’t like that idea any better. Give him a baggy pair of jeans or something so people can’t see his fine ass.”

He says it jokingly, but there almost seems to be a little panic in his eyes. I squeeze his hand, though when he turns to look at me whatever I thought I saw is gone.

Ally passes out costumes and we all get dressed. I’m still not overly familiar with the show, but it seems to me she’s done a great job with the costumes, right down to the wigs some of the guys are wearing. Out of all of us, I think I look the least like my character, because the black spray in hair dye makes my hair look sort of gray, but Ally seems satisfied and Cade swears that’s all that matters.

Ally makes us all pose for pictures, snapping the first one Cade and I have taken together, and when she’s satisfied with the results, we all head out to grab our bikes.

Cade lifts the bikes out of his truck, his lean muscles rippling under the thin fabric of his jersey, and I can’t help notice the passing stare of several women walking by. The way they’re ogling him has me on edge, possessive almost, which quickly fades when Ally screams in delight.

″Oh my gosh, Cade! It’s amazing. This is the perfect solution to keep my coat from getting tangled.” She launches herself into his arms and squeezes the life out of him before climbing on the bike. She fluffs her coat over the bustle frame and starts riding around the parking lot in circles, squealing as she goes. “It works!” Cade shakes his head and laughs, amused by her excitement, and I have to admit it is infectious.

Cade hands me a bike, one he was able to borrow from a neighbor, and then we all make our way to the starting gate a few blocks away. We collect our bibs and pin them to our clothes, then line up for the start.

Just as Cade warned me, this isn’t a typical race. Not only are we counting laps instead of time, virtually everyone is in costume, most bikes are decorated or re-engineered like Ally’s, and entire families including kids on training wheels are taking part. I’ve never seen anything like it, unless you count Halloween, but even that is mostly parents escorting costumed kids, not entire families dressed in a common theme.

There’s so much going on, I’m not sure where to look. One family is dressed like Raggedy Ann and Andy, their kids in matching outfits. A group of twelve or so are all dressed like Waldo, and another group is dressed like Mario Kart characters complete with bikes decorated to resemble the vehicles each of the characters use in the game. The creativity surrounding me is amazing, and I’m starting to see why these events are so much fun.

Once the race begins and we start weaving our way through town, people line the streets to cheer us on, clapping, shouting and ringing cowbells. We wave to the crowd as if we’re in a parade, which I guess in a way we are, as we do lap after lap.

It’s clear the entire town is involved one way or another, and that sense of community is almost overwhelming. Not in a bad way, just different. Where I come from, you might have a neighborhood or a school come together for a common goal, but you certainly never get the entire town, and while this feels sort of like a big party, it’s also a little emotional to see how supportive people are of each other.

I knew from the first moment I stepped into this town that the sense of unity outweighed anything I’d ever known, but I didn’t understand the sheer magnitude of that until today.

Katah Vista isn’t wealthy. Wealthy people come here, have second homes here, but the town itself doesn’t have money. It has blue-collar, hard-working people. Yet, every single one of them is digging deep for this charity event, whether by raising money, donating food or staffing the event. Everyone has a role and is doing their part.

Yes, it’s social and kind of like a giant street party given that most everyone is in costume, but at its core this is an event with a purpose. You might find events like this in bigger cities, though you won’t find the entire city participating, and the fact everyone here is involved calls to me in a way I wasn’t expecting. At the same time, it’s familiar since it’s reminiscent of how I got involved with environmental science.

It makes me feel more at home here than I do in my actual home .

Yes, the town is small, and that comes with typical small-town issues like a lack of amenities and an abundance of gossip. Yet looking around me, I don’t see a single disengenuous smile.

Throughout the race, we stop at different houses for snacks and drinks, chatting with other racers and spectators while we take a break. At each stop, we’re ushered inside as if we’ve been expected, although from what I can tell there is no schedule. There are hugs, toasts, picture taking, and smiles all around. Even for me, despite the fact I don’t know anyone. It makes me feel like I belong, and for a guy who’s always felt like a bit of an outsider, that’s huge.

Although we travel as the ′ Ted Lasso’ pack, I’m introduced to dozens of new people as Cade’s guy instead of Trent, which unfailingly results in looks of confusion and curiosity. Still, since everyone is so nice, I know that only reflects their surprise, not disapproval. In fact, I’d say most people are accepting, almost happy to see him with someone. And by with someone , I mean the way Cade is making it evident we’re together.

Each time we get off our bikes, he immediately reaches for my hand, brushing his thumb back and forth over my knuckles. Before we get on again, he gives me a lingering kiss, one that says he wishes we were alone.

Showing this much open affection should give us pause, because it suggests a closer connection than either of us want to admit. Instead, it’s starting to feel natural. Just as it’s starting to feel natural to be here.