Page 8 of Scoring in Cedarwood

“Yes, touch me.” Heat enveloped him. He stroked himself in time with the pinches. “Mark me.” Tanner panted. He needed more than just touches. He planted his feet and braced his shoulders on the bed. Despite the darkness in the room, he closed his eyes. He massaged his balls and continued to stroke his shaft. The pleasure overwhelmed him. He groaned again and writhed.

What if Dr. Dane were there watching him? He let his mind wander. He wanted the doctor to join him in masturbating. Shoulder to shoulder, tandem stroking.Fuck, that’s hot.He moaned. Would Dane hear him? He didn’t care. Part of him wished the doctor would and come investigating.

Tanner arched his back. He couldn’t catch his breath. Every nerve ending in his body was on fire. He slid his fingers between the crack of his ass. Jesus, he wanted to be fucked. No, he needed to be. He licked his lips and stroked faster. He toyed with his asshole. With each thrust, he flexed his hole.

“Dane,” he murmured. He’d only met the guy that day, but damn, Dane had made an impression. He wished he had more than two hands. Then he could touch himself everywhere—better yet, he wanted Dane to be there with him.

He allowed his mind to stray to fantasy. As he stroked his cock, Dane wandered into the room.

“Thought I heard you moving,”Dane said.“Damn.”He paused in the doorway.“That’s hot.”

“Join me.”Tanner kept his eyes closed as he embraced the fantasy.“Don’t want to be alone.” He imagined Dane opening his shirt, sending buttons flying across the room. The garment drooped and gave Tanner glimpses of his toned chest. He settled beside Tanner on the bed. A lock of Dane’s dark hair slid over his forehead. His eyes shimmered.

Dane rested his hand on top of Tanner’s, stroking in time with him. “Sexy.”

Although it was only a fantasy, Tanner loved what he saw. His blood heated and his thoughts blurred. He could almost feel the warmth of Dane’s breath on his skin and the weight of his hand on Tanner’s. “Fuck me,” Tanner murmured. A whimper escaped his throat.

He pumped his hips, pushing his dick into his curled fingers. He couldn’t stifle his groans. Tanner tensed, his nipples beading. He’d closed his eyes, but now squeezed them shut. His restraint snapped and his movements turned jerky. He moaned as he came. Cum spurted onto his hand and belly. Fuck, the orgasm had happened too fast. He’d wanted to draw out the act of masturbating, but he hadn’t played with himself in so long.Oh well.He’d craved the release.

Tanner continued to stroke, but slower. He panted. Within moments, he sagged on the bed. Too bad Dane hadn’t somehow joined him. The man would’ve gotten one hell of a show—a short one, but still. Next time he’d hold out longer. He’d savor the moments.

Another wave of calm washed over him.Shit, I needed that.He relaxed more than he had since he’d learned about being traded to Cedarwood. Sleep filled his brain now. He was in a safe place. Dr. Dane was gay and didn’t mind that Tanner was, too. He opened his eyes long enough to grab his shirt. He cleaned the cum from his chest and hand. For the first time since he’d arrived on the scene in Cedarwood, he wasn’t worried about his home or his job. He could be successful in this town, with this ball club and in this personal situation.

The Wildcats hadn’t seemed like the right fit for him, but the longer he stayed in Dr. Dane’s home and around the sexy man, the more he believed fate had made the right choice.

* * * *

Tanner woke the next morning happier and more refreshed than he had in ages. He left the bed and snorted. His shirt from the previous day lay crumpled in in the blankets. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept with a garment soiled from a hot night of masturbating. Probably because he hadn’t done it in quite a while.

He shuffled nude into the shower. Despite his misgivings, he appreciated Dane’s attention to detail. The doctor had left soap, shampoo, conditioner and a razor for him. Was the doctor trying to take care of him? Tanner hoped so. He’d packed his essentials, but he wasn’t in the mood to dig any of it out of his bag.

He turned on the water and listened for Dane in the house. The quiet both soothed and unnerved him. He liked the privacy but couldn’t shake the feeling he’d intruded on Dane’s private space. But Dane had agreed to sponsor him. If he’d had misgivings, he wasn’t voicing them. Maybe he had trodden on Dane’s life. He wasn’t sure.

Still, the spring had returned to Tanner’s step. He looked forward to practice today and meeting his new teammates.

He showered then dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans. Unlike some of the guys on his former teams, he preferred to stay low-key in his attire. Then again, he didn’t have space in his duffel bags for neckties and suits. The garments would’ve ended up rumpled by the time he got to his next destination.

Tanner padded barefoot across the house to the kitchen. A piece of paper had been propped up on the counter.

Interesting.Tanner unfolded the page.

Tanner,

I don’t cook much, but I’ve stocked the fridge and what I have you’re welcome to. Let me know what you’d like for meals so I can pick it up at the store. I’m still getting used to having a housemate and this sponsoring thing, so forgive me if I make mistakes. Let me know when you’re ready to do laundry and I’ll go through the instructions.

Have a great day at practice and with the new team. I’m sure you’re going to be fantastic. If you have problems or need to touch base with me, call my cell and if I don’t answer or you don’t want to leave a voicemail, call the office.

Dane

Tanner abandoned the note on the counter. Dane’s attention to detail and willingness to work with him scored points with him. He could rely on Dane—just like a teammate. He rounded the bar and opened the refrigerator. Despite Dane claiming there wasn’t much to eat in the house, he was wrong. Tanner had never seen so many varieties of bagels in his life—outside the selection at the store. He withdrew the bag of blueberry ones and cream cheese, plus a knife, then settled at the bar.

None of his boyfriends had ever left him a note. He spread the cream cheese on half the bagel. Dane had left the newspaper on the bar, so Tanner perused the sports section. Part of him wished he were mentioned. The trade from Gary had been big because the Wildcats had claimed they needed a centerfielder. He fit the bill. He scanned the stories for any mention of the Cedarwood team. Nothing. The baseball team wasn’t bad—they had a winning record. They’d even had a game two nights ago. Why wasn’t there any mention of them in the paper? He’d have to change that.

Tanner finished the bottom half of his bagel. He could see many mornings like this. With him at the bar, the paper there and Dane in his life. He’d rather be sharing the sweet moment with his housemate, but there’d be time for that sooner rather than later. He’d won Dane over enough to sponsor him. They’d had a decent start at being friends, too.

Was he prevalent in Dane’s mind? More than as a person sharing the house? He hoped so. His thoughts had been consumed with Dane from the first moment he’d seen the doctor. Wouldn’t Dane be shocked if he found out Tanner had masturbated to his image in his mind? His blood heated at the thought of seeing Dane again. He couldn’t wait for practice to conclude so he could return to the house and his doctor. He barely knew Dr. Dane Bloom, but he had a crush on him. Getting together was forbidden. Good thing Tanner enjoyed skirting the rules.

Chapter Three

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