Page 51 of Hard Check

My elbow swung wide and clipped the side of Carver's face. It wasn't painful, but it was enough to make him grunt and roll off me.

"Damn, I thought you were the coordinated one." He sprawled like roadkill across the bed.

"I am! It's your fault. You were in the way."

"Uh-huh."

He reached for me again, kissing the corner of my mouth and jaw like he was mapping new territory.

I explored him with my fingers, tracing the curve of his spine.

At one point, he caught my wrist and guided it between us. For the first time in my life, I wrapped my fingers around another guy's cock. It was soft, silky, and veiny.

Carver grabbed a small bottle of lube he'd placed on the side table and squirted some into my hand. My heart fluttered in my chest.

We shifted until our hips aligned. He stroked me, and then he stroked us together. I nearly leaped out of my skin.

I closed my eyes, reveling in the intense pleasure. Suddenly, Carver froze.

"Ohgod,"hehissed.

"What?"Iwhispered,halfwaytopanic. "What'swrong?"

"Cramp.Thigh.Shit—"

He flopped backward like he'd taken a sniper shot, clutching his leg, groaning, and rolling off the bed.

I blinked and then cracked up. "You literally injured yourself in bed?"

"Don'tmakemelaugh,IsweartoGod—"

It was too late. I laughed so hard I had to bury my face in the pillow while Carver cursed and pounded his foot on the carpet.

When he finally climbed back into bed, all the tension was gone. He looked younger, happier, and perfect.

"Youokaynow?"

"Gimmeasecond, andI'llbeMVPagain."

"YouwereneverMVP."

"Please.You'rejustmadIbeatyoutothethighcramp."

I rolled my eyes and kissed him before he could get another jab in. It was softer, slower—our bodies moved together like we'd kicked the awkwardness to the curb.

There was nothing fancy. No script or plan. Just two guys in a cheap motel bed, figuring each other out with hands, mouths, laughter, and heat.

And damn, it was good.

Real. Like we'd both pulled off our armor and said, "This is how I really am. Still want me anyway?"

Andtheanswer,frombothofus,wasyes.

Therewasn'tpenetration.Justenough.Justus.

Somewhereinthemiddleofit,Iwhispered, "Isitsupposedtofeellikethis?"

Hepulledbackjustenoughtolookmeintheeye. "Likewhat?"

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