Page 26 of Powder
“But, I want you to know that I want more than just sex, so tonight, good food, conversation, and early to bed.”
“Not even one kiss?” The pout he hit me with nearly buckled my knees.
“Maybe a goodnight one.”
“Stingy,” he teased as he took off his shoes and then gestured at the bed. I pointed at mine, and he climbed in.
He opened his arms and I dove onto the bed, then curled around him like a vine, tucking his head to my shoulder as his strong legs tangled with mine. Oh yeah, this was nice. Being naked would be nicer, but this was nice as well. I inhaled the rich scent of his shampoo lingering on his satiny black hair.
“Do you remember our last night on the cay when we lay on the sand and watched the sun go down?” he asked, quietly.
“Of course.” I remember wondering how I’d ever give Tian up but knowing I had to, because that was what we’d agreed.
Tian sighed. “I tried to memorize every shade of orange in the sky because I knew we were coming to an end. I’ve carriedthat with me for six months. Every night I closed my eyes and saw that sunset, and you smiling down at me.”
“You did?”
He rolled over to face me, propping his chin on my chest. “I wish…”
“What?”
“That we hadn’t made that stupid deal to just have the time on the cay.”
“Agreed,” I whispered, and my heart swelled. “You feel so perfect in my arms, Tian.”
“I like being here. No…” He paused, and I waited because it seemed as if he wanted to say more. “Ilovebeing here.”
I carded my hand through his hair. “I love being here too.”
“How would you feel if we did more of this after we get home?”
I was quiet for a moment, and his eyes brightened with emotion. “Good. Yes. I want that.”
He smiled then and shifted a little so he could kiss my chin. “If we do a thing, it will be hard.”
“‘A thing’?” I dropped a kiss on his hair and sighed out six months’ worth of pining. “If we go on a date, that would be dating, right? Unless there’s a different term for it now?
“No, we still call it dating, Gramps.”
I gave his back a tickle. He snorted and kicked. Our food arrived as we played around. Once I had him pinned, I broke my word and stole a kiss. Just a short one on the tip of his nose, and he hustled off to let the waiter deliver our meals.
We ate in front of the double windows, which were closed to ward off the chilly temperatures. The meal was good, but the company was superlative. Our plates were clean when we returned to my bed with our huge cups of fruit and yogurt.
I sat tight up to his side, dipped my spoon into my parfait, and offered him a bite. Something hot erupted in his gaze ashe leaned over, mouth open, to take what I was giving him. A steamy memory of his lips taut around my cock threatened to knock my vow of chivalry aside.
I changed the subject. “You looking forward to the opening ceremony?”
He sighed as his lips pulled the sweet treat from my spoon. My dick was not on board with the chaste shit at all, but I would not be ruled by my penis. Tonight anyway.
“Yeah, it’s exciting. You?”
“Yeah, I really am.” I fed him another bite. His long lashes had me mesmerized. “I’ve never been before and probably will never get another opportunity, so I want to drink it all in. I want to live every moment, every second, of my time here to the fullest. And that includes whatever time I can get with you.”
“Andafterthe games?” he asked, his lips red from the raspberries. I so wanted a taste of those pouty lips, but if I took one kiss, it would lead to others. Many others. All over his body. He yawned and hid it behind his hand. “Sorry, just been a full-on day.”
“It’s okay.” I pulled back what he’d asked me. “After the games? I hope we can work something out. I still have a couple of months of the season, then playoffs.” I was certain we’d make the playoffs, and I wouldn’t think any other way. “Will you be free after Italy wraps up, or do you go right out and start competing again?”
He waved off the next spoonful, his head coming to rest on my shoulder. “I’m not sure. Maybe take some time? I’m pretty fucking tired.”
