Page 101 of The Penalty

“And if Tobi sees us? I’ve been avoiding him.”

“You have to get your fancy clothes bag thing.” Obviously, he’s tired and not thinking clearly. Good thing he has me. I closethe door and buckle my seat belt again. “We’ll just go to your dorm. To the New York Gods campus, my good man,” I say to the driver.

“You have practice in the morning.” He tells me but interlaces our fingers.

“I’ve practiced on less sleep.”

We get to Rhys’ place and I’ve barely made it into the lobby when I start pulling my shoes off, moaning when my feet are free.

“Whoever invented foot torture devices is a horrible person.” I wiggle my toes and flex my feet.

“They’re dress shoes.” Rhys lifts a brow at me. “Really? In the hallway?”

“Torture. Devices. I’m not staying in those any longer than I have to.” I carry the stupid things to the elevator and start pulling on my tie. Who enjoys this? I feel like I’m slowly being murdered.

“You really don’t like to dress up, do you?” Rhys chuckles as I get it undone and open the top button of my shirt with a sigh.

“No. Who the hell does? This sucks. It’s so uncomfortable.”

When the doors open, I half expect Tobi to be standing there, ready to jump scare us. I peek my head out and look down the hallway, but he’s not there. Probably at my door waiting for me…

“It’s clear,” I say as I step out. “I’m so hungry. All that rich people food is ridiculous. No wonder everyone is so tiny. They don’t eat anything.”

Rhys chuckles as he gets his door open. Looks like his roommate is either out or asleep. Good.

“Just because you’re a giant?—”

“They prefer height inclined.” When we get into his room, I toss the horrible excuse for shoes to the side and turn to face Rhys.

My man looks tired.

Reaching for his jacket, I slide it off his shoulders, letting my fingers linger, before tossing it on the bed. He goes for the tie, but I slap his hand away.

“Let me do it.”

“You want to undress me? I thought I was supposed to undress you.”

“It’s like opening a present. I like presents.” Gripping both ends of the murder fabric, I pull his face to mine for a kiss. I think kisses are my favorite. There’s so many different kinds and ways. They don’t get boring.

“You sure you don’t just want to fuck again?”

“I wouldn’t say no, but maybe I just want to take care of you.”

He hums but lets me continue unbuttoning his shirt while touching every inch of skin as it’s exposed.

Rhys’ lips turn up a little in a smile as I play, but he stays relaxed, just watching me.

The shirt joins the jacket, and I unbuckle his belt. As I reach for his slacks, he stops me.

“I would do shoes first, if I were you.” There’s a little bit of a smile in his voice which warms my heart. He’s amused but not making fun of me.

I glance down at his feet and see his point. “Solid suggestion.”

Quickly, I kneel and purposefully don’t look at him. Not yet.

Pulling off his shoe, I get the sock too and set them aside, then do the other foot. From my place on the floor, I lift my gaze up Rhys’ body. Slowly dragging my gaze up his legs, lingering on his growing groin.

“Keep looking at me like you can already taste me, and I’ll make sure you do.”

---