Page 37 of Scoring in Cedarwood

Tanner panted. His brow furrowed. “Dane.”

“Stroke yourself,” Dane shouted. He hadn’t intended to be so loud, but his own heartbeat thundered in his ears. “Come with me.”

Tanner nodded and used both hands to masturbate himself. He caught Dane’s rhythm. Once again, they were like one body.

The heat overwhelmed Dane. His skin sizzled and he couldn’t breathe. He moved faster and his actions turned feral. He collided with Tanner. Despite his attempts to be gentle, he dug his fingers into Tanner’s hips. He gritted his teeth.

Tanner’s skin reddened from his forehead to his chest. His nipples beaded and the cords stuck out in his neck. He arched his back. “God damn it.” A shiver wracked his body as he came. Cum shot across Dane’s chest. He tensed. “Dane.”

Dane smothered the grin. He liked Tanner being reduced to one-word sentences. He pistoned into Tanner. The orgasm overwhelmed him. He moaned and slammed into his lover. Within seconds, he filled the condom. He slumped forward. Tanner offered a lazy smile. The heat in Tanner’s touch and longing in his eyes were too much for Dane. “You’re dangerous.”

“I am?” Tanner batted his lashes. “Not me.”

“You’re addictive, too.”

Tanner kept his hands around Dane’s wrists. “I try.”

“You succeed.” He basked in the post-sex glow and kept his dick in Tanner a bit longer.

“So we’re doing this?” Tanner asked.

Dane nodded. He had no doubts. Plus, he was still in Tanner’s ass.

“Good. I hate sleeping alone and you’re too sexy not to touch.” Tanner writhed beneath Dane. “I’m so staying here tonight.”

Dane pulled out of Tanner and removed the condom. He was at ease with his decision to pursue Tanner. He’d found his heart. Tanner was the best thing to happen to him. Yes, things were new, but he trusted Tanner and, most of all, his gut. “You’d better stay with me.”

“I kind of have to… You’re my sponsor.” Tanner raked his nails down Dane’s chest. “And I’d like you to fuck me again.”

“I will.” He tossed the used rubber in the waste bin then stretched out beside Tanner. He liked the newfound confidence but worried he’d overstep. “You don’t have to move into my room—if you don’t want to.”

Tanner rolled onto his side and placed his finger over Dane’s mouth. “I’m staying tonight and won’t go until I have to get to the stadium for the game tomorrow. As for my room, you’re making a mess of what you want to say, but I understand. I’m welcome here, but you’re giving me space, too.”

“Yes.” Good thing someone understood him. He breathed in the scent of Tanner. Sleepiness hit him hard, despite the desire to shower. Instead, he relaxed with his boyfriend.

“’Night, Doctor.”

He kissed Tanner’s shoulder then wrapped his arms around him. “Good night.” Now that he had a good person in his life and bed, he looked forward to the future.

* * * *

Throughout the next day, Tanner mused over Dane’s decision to be a couple and the way Dane spoke to him. The Foxy persona didn’t matter. Dane accepted him on his own merits. Dane had insisted on driving him to the stadium that morning. Being protected and cherished worked for Tanner. He finally felt insulated. Let the coalition attack. He was ready.

He changed into his jersey. Early afternoon games were his favorite and the ones he hated the most. He had the rest of the day to ice his muscles and be with family—if the game went well. If the score wasn’t in their favor, then he had the rest of the day to mull over what he might have done better or done instead. Mistakes could last a long time when replayed over and over in his mind.

“Ready?” Paul strode past him. “I’ve got a good feeling about today.”

“Do you?” He closed his locker. “Me too. My gut says we’re going to win. It’ll be close, but a win.”

“Awesome.” Paul grinned then walked away.

How could the day not be a positive one? Tanner had Dane in his life, a solid team and his confidence had come back. What could go wrong?

He trotted out to the field for stretches and warm-ups. The sunshine heated his shoulders. He breathed in the scent of hot dogs and burgers cooking.

“Get off the field,” someone shouted.

Tanner frowned. He didn’t see who’d offered the demand, but no one on the team or opponent seemed to be talking to him. Paul tossed the baseball in his direction. Tanner caught it then lobbed the ball at Andy. “Catch.”

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