Page 9 of Slam Dunk
Jathan shrugged at the question. “I went to his house every other weekend until I was fourteen and I begged to stop. Even when it was his weekend, my mom still had to come get me and take me to games and practices. He didn’t have time for me. He had his new wife’s two kids to worry about. I loathed going to their house. Anything that was mine at that house, they would just take and claim as theirs. Dad would just act like it was true—like he had bought whatever it was for them. I stayed enraged. So—like I said—when I turned fourteen, I begged Mom to notmake me go anymore, because it really was all her. She was the only one trying to get my dad to love me. I remember she cried for my loss, but she called him and made a deal. No more child support and I could walk away from him. When I look back on that now, I hate that I did that to her. I could’ve sucked it up for four more years. She was a single mom. I know she needed that child support money, but she loved me more. I got picked up at eighteen, and I promise you she’s never wanted for a thing since. She’s pretty fantastic. I think you’ll like her.”
Quince smiled. Jathan wanted to sigh at its sexiness. “I don’t doubt it, but will she like me is the question?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
“I’m thirteen years older than you, for one thing.”
A laugh burst from Jathan. “Do you intend to lead with that?”
Quince’s eyes swam with humor. “Nah. I think it’s pretty obvious when you take one look at me.”
Jathan’s gaze moved over Quince’s face. Now that he knew Quince liked him beyond friendship, he had zero qualms about flirting. “I think you’re sexy as fuck.”
Heat creeped into Quince’s expression. Jathan held his breath. He really hoped Quince planned to kiss him. “There’s so much I want to do right now, but I’m frozen.”
Jathan got it. He couldn’t imagine waking up tomorrow and finding himself attracted to a woman. He thought women were beautiful, but he had never felt a sexual attraction toward one. Hearing about Quince’s dad made everything clear. He had been raised in a small-minded, sexually repressed environment. Quince hadn’t stood much chance of finding himself.
Jathan moved to his knees. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. Close your eyes.”
Quince immediately closed his eyes.
Jathan gently pushed, urging Quince onto his back. “Don’t look. Just feel until you know what to do.” Jathan straddled Quince. He looked sexy as hell between Jathan’s thighs. As much as Jathan wanted to say that, he needed to cast a spell to find Quince’s breaking point.
He found the hem of Quince’s t-shirt and pushed. Jathan bared two inches of skin. His fingers slipped beneath the material. He slowly moved higher, taking Quince’s shirt with him.
Quince’s lips parted. His entire torso moved with each breath. He breathed hard—like a nervous man anticipating pleasure. Damn. He was gorgeous. Jathan had never wanted to kiss someone so badly. He didn’t know how Quince would react yet, so he kept doing his best to steal Quince’s shirt. Quince lifted slightly, letting him have the clothing he wanted so badly. Jathan’s hands slid beneath Quince’s armpits, urging his arms above his head. The game had him nearly nose to nose with Quince. He heard the way Quince fought to breathe. When hehad Quince’s hands trapped above his head by his shirt, Jathan bumped his lips against Quince’s, giving him the chance to say no.
Quince rolled, pinning Jathan beneath him. His mouth covered Jathan’s, and the world slipped away.
Quince had never been more aware of every inch of his body. He knew exactly each place they touched. Their kiss was the kiss he had waited his entire life to experience. Someone finally matched his hunger. There was a small part of his brain that still couldn’t believe this was happening. A tiny voice screamed he kissed Jathan Dexter. Not only another guy, but a famous one. He didn’t know what the hell he was doing, but his body obviously did. Quince wanted him bad.
“If you get uncomfortable at any point, you can stop.”
Jathan made the claim as Quince changed angles. He was almost incredulous. Everything inside him soared in a way he never had. He was on fire. His soul blazed. It was like he spent hisentire life starved and finally found his feast. He was almost scared of how he felt.
Quince pushed at Jathan’s shirt. He wanted to be skin to skin. Jathan flinched from his touch when he pushed past his ribs. Quince immediately sat back on his heels. He slowly lifted Jathan’s shirt and inspected his side. It was solid black with a nasty yellow tint in several places.
“Holy shit, Jathan. What happened?”
A wry smile touched his lips. “I don’t think people realize exactly how hard we’re getting elbowed out there. They are actively trying to take you out of the game. I’ve been taking hits all season. It’ll heal when I get a break.”
Quince couldn’t believe his ears. He kept taking hits on top of this? Jathan was tough as hell. “Are your ribs cracked? You could puncture a lung.”
Jathan rolled upward, proving how strong and in shape he was with that core move. He pulled his shirt up and over his head before tossing it aside. Then he licked Quince’s collarbone, obviously trying to distract him. It was working, but still.
“I’m serious, Jathan. Have they x-rayed your ribs?”
Jathan settled back down on the floor with a tired-sounding sigh. “Do you want me to sit out because I hurt a little? Do you have any idea how many people never get here? I can hurt when it’s over. One of these days, I’ll never get to step foot on thatcourt again. I’ll be damned if that day comes a moment before it has to. This is my dream.”
Quince heard the passion in Jathan’s voice. Guilt set in. “You’re right. I’m sorry. What would I know about it?” He had never reached for anything he really wanted in life. Quince didn’t know what it took.
Jathan’s hands slid up Quince’s thighs. “Don’t sound like that over caring about me. That matters to me too.”
Reality struck Quince. He currently straddled Jathan’s body. He was in a position people would literally kill to be in. Quince had reached for this. He would be damned if he stopped now. “You should show me your bedroom.”
“Help me off this floor.”
Quince pushed to his feet and did his best to ease Jathan upright. Maybe he had no right to tell Jathan to care about his injuries first, but he could care. He could baby Jathan. Someone needed to. Jathan held on to his hand and headed down the hall. He pulled out his phone as he walked. After a few taps on his screen, the lights died behind them and a beeping countdown started for the alarm. It seemed he was there for the night. Good. He had no idea what he was doing, but he planned to do it anyway.
