Page 47 of Matthias's Protective Embrace
“Good job, Firecracker.” He runs his hands over my wet skin, and I squirm a bit against him. “I’m proud of you. No matter what.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So what do you want to do this weekend to celebrate the end of the semester?”
Celebrate? I think last term, I went to a bar and bought myself a beer from Hoppy Friends, a local company. It was a big deal because, on the rare occasion I go out, I stick to the cheapest thing they have. That usually means some shitty light beer. “I don’t know.”
“Well…” He slides his hands up my thighs until they’re dangerously close to my growing erection. I’m not sure if he’s noticed what he’s doing to me. “Think about it. We can have a nice quiet time at home.” His hands dip between my thighs, causing me to slip a little further into the water. And, if I spread my legs a little to help balance myself, that’s an added benefit. “Or, we can go out somewhere.” He runs a finger over my balls. “Your choice.”
“Um…” Am I supposed to be thinking right now? Because I only want one thing at the moment.
“Do you want something?” When I don’t answer, he wraps his hand around my cock and gives it a tight squeeze. “Firecracker?”
“Ngh.” My hips buck, trying to get him to stroke me, but he holds firm. “Please.”
“Please, what?” He stokes me a few times, the water around us sloshing. As soon as I thrust up into his fist, he stops. “I’ll give you whatever you want, but you have to tell me.”
“Fuck.” My mind isn’t working right now. “I want to come.” Honestly, I don’t care how that happens at this point. Whatever he’s willing to give me.
“Good boy.” There’s a part of me that wants to push back against him calling me that. I get enough bullshit for being the youngest at work. Somehow, when Matthias says it, the word doesn’t make me angry. Instead, it makes me warm and fuzzy, the same way I feel when he calls me Firecracker. Though maybe that’s the warm water. Or the way he’s stroking me.
He’s unreasonably slow, speeding up enough to get me close, then backing off repeatedly. It’s pure torture, and I’m loving every minute of it. Though my body is starting to resist. “Please, Matthias.” I keep chantingpleaseas he speeds up his hand, hoping this time he won’t back off at the last second. “I’m so close.” I pant out through gritted teeth.
“Come for me, Firecracker.” Apparently, permission is all my body needs to let go. Before he’s even finished the sentence, I go over the edge, ropes of cum hitting my belly and washing into the water. “You look so good like this.” I look down to where he’s holding my softening cock. Eventhough most of the cum has washed off, my skin is still painted with the proof of my orgasm.
I snake my arm awkwardly between us, trying to get at Matthias’s cock. I can feel his erection pressing into my back. “No, Firecracker. I’m okay. That was just for you.”
I want to argue, but the post-orgasm tiredness is starting to catch up with me.
“Let’s get cleaned up and get you in bed.”
He pulls the drain and starts the shower, helping me stand and washing me carefully. A few minutes later, after getting us nice and dry with his warm, fluffy towels, he leads me into the bedroom and pulls the covers back. “In you go.”
Who am I to argue with something like that? I crawl between the sheets, finding the perfect position in the middle of the bed. Nope, not my side, the middle. I like it here. It forces Matthias to cuddle up behind me and pull me close so he can get enough room. I’m sure he’s onto my tricks, but I don’t care. They work.
“Go to sleep, Firecracker.” He curls up with me, arms around my midsection, stroking my skin as I start to doze off. I still don’t know what the future holds, but I hope it’s a lot more of this.
Chapter Nineteen
FRANK
“Are you sure about this?”I ask for probably the twentieth time in the last hour. Matthias has infinite patience to keep answering my question as though it’s the first time I’ve asked.
“What are you worrying about, Firecracker?”
The way he says my nickname turns me into a pile of goo. He’s completely aware of the effect and is currently using it against me. Not that I mind.
“I want them to like me.” It’s mostly the truth. These are Matthias’s best friends, the people he’s known for most of his life. They’re basically his family, and what they think about me is incredibly important. Worse than that, they’re all super accomplished. Like every single one of them somehow has their shit together. Which seems impossible. What are they going to say about Matthias being with a college dropout who’s a decade younger than him?
“Come here.” Matthias stops what he’s doing and sits down on the couch. I groan. Now we’re going to be late.That’s not the way to make a good impression. “Firecracker,” he warns, “don’t make me ask you again.”
I make my way over and sit down next to him. That’s not quite right because he scoops me up and puts me on his lap. I let out a completely unflattering squeak as he does it.
“Tell me what’s really worrying you.”
My head falls against his chest. Matthias does this a lot, holding me on his lap. At first, I wasn’t sure about it. I mean, I’m a full-grown adult. Not a tall one, but a full-grown one. Sitting on someone’s lap is a bit strange. It feels so good, though, safe and warm. I decide not to fight it. “It’s… what if they think I’m not good enough for you?”
“Can you look at me?” My head refuses to move. “Please, Firecracker.” Stupid nickname. I meet his dark green eyes. They’re full of nothing but warmth. “My friends are going to adore you—” I start to interrupt him, but he puts a finger up to my mouth. “They’re going to adore you because I do. They aren’t assholes.” He kisses the top of my head, and I sigh, some of my stress leaving my body. I’m only partially convinced. “Besides, even if they don’t immediately like you, it doesn’t change anything between us.”
