Page 46 of Offsides

That was so embarrassing.

But I guess it’s worth it given the results of our time in Eli’s bedroom.

Who knew my best friend could kiss like that? His full lips and the little bit of stubble from shaving so long ago, the way he kisses my neck like it gives him life …

I can’t wait to find out what he’ll do without an audience.

Before I know it, he’s parked in front of my house and undoing his seatbelt. I hurry to catch up, pulling my keys out of my coat pocket as we approach the front door.

Once we’re inside, he backs me against the door, his mouth covering mine. His hands slide under the open halves of my coat and push it off my shoulders. I have to shimmy to get it off since it’s trapped between my body and the door, and the action makes him groan.

“Christ, Dani. I’ve waited so long for this. Hoped. Ached. Wished. I’m almost afraid it’s a dream, and I’ll wake up disappointed.”

“Well, if it’s a dream then we’ll both wake up disappointed.” He nips my earlobe again, just hard enough to cause a tiny burst of pain. “It’s not a dream,” I gasp.

“Thank god.” His arms wrap tightly around me, pulling me against him as his lips part mine so his tongue can dive into my mouth.

I meet his enthusiasm with my own, the short hair on the back of his head soft and velvety against my palm.

But he still has his coat on, and as much as I’m enjoying kissing him, I want to do it with far fewer layers between us. And maybe not against the hard, cold door.

Sliding my hands down to his chest, I push enough that he reluctantly breaks off our kiss, though not without stealing another peck or two. “Take off your coat,” I demand, my voice low and husky.

He grins, his eyes gleaming in the low light leaking through the blinds on the big bay window next to our front door. “Yes, ma’am.”

Stepping back, he shucks off his coat and tosses it on the end of the couch. I take advantage of the brief moment of no contact to pick up my own and do the same.

“Now what?” he asks, his chest heaving with his rapid breaths.

“Let’s go to my room.”

His grin grows wider, and he reaches for me, his hands on my hips as he backs up to the hallway, then turns me in front of him, groping my ass as he propels me forward.

Giggling, I open my door and tumble inside, turning in time to watch him kick the door closed and yank his shirt up and off, dropping it on the floor next to him.

“Hang on,” I murmur, moving to the lamp on my bedside table and switching it on before heading to the other side of the bed to close the curtains. No need to give the neighborhood a show, after all.

When I turn to face him again, he has his hands resting on his belt, one eye quirked in question. Biting my lip, I toe off my shoes and climb onto the bed, sitting on it cross-legged and letting my eyes travel over his bare torso.

He’s been bulking in the off season so he’s not as defined as I know he can get, but he hasn’t gained enough fat to completely cover his muscle definition. Especially when he’s flexing, like he obviously is now.

“Oooh, is this my seat at the gun show?” I ask, propping my elbow on my knee and my chin on my hand.

Eli chuckles, but lifts his arms to flex his biceps, his pecs popping as well. And damn if that isn’t delicious. Yeah, we’re both joking around, but also we aren’t.

I like seeing him flex, and he enjoys my appreciative gaze on him.

Soon, though, he’s ready to be done putting on a show, and he crosses to me, plants his hands on the bed on either side of me, and kisses me again. My hands go to his face, cradling his cheeks as he kisses me, then clinging to his neck as he guides me so I’m lying down, my head on the pillows.

He climbs on with me, his knees nudging my legs apart so he can settle between my thighs, and I feel him hard behind the denim of his jeans.

His hand cradles the back of my head, holding me like I’m something precious while he devours my mouth, then kisses his way down my neck to my chest. He tugs the low scoop neck of my sweater down a little, giving him access to the top of my breasts, his stubble scraping deliciously against my skin.

He adjusts and lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. “This okay?”

At my nod, my lower lip caught between my teeth, he pulls the neck of my shirt even lower until he’s revealed one of my breasts, still safely encased in my light blue heather T-shirt bra.

If I’d known anyone else would see my lingerie choices, I might’ve chosen something else. But Eli doesn’t seem put off by the utilitarian cotton.

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