Page 60 of Hot Streak

This crackling between them, that had started from the first moment they’d met each other, it wasn’t just dislike. It wasn’t just annoyance. It was sexual chemistry.

It hadn’t occurred to Connor right away that was what it was, because he’d never had that with a man before, but the more he thought about it, the more undeniable it felt.

“I . . .” Jackson started and then stopped again.

Connor knew, somehow, that he wanted to lie, but also didn’t want to, at the same time.

“Fine. Fine,” Jackson ground out. “Sure, you’re an attractive guy. Not my type. A total pain in my ass. But yeah, okay, you’re hot. Which isn’t news, because you know you’re hot.”

Connor had never heard anyone admit with such extreme reluctance that he was good-looking. Maybe, normally, that would’ve bothered him.

But Jackson had still admitted it.

Tristan had been right.

And Tristan, that voice inside him teased, wouldn’t want you thinking about him, especially during this next part.

Connor took a hesitant step forward and was about to take another, about to head right back into Jackson’s space, his heartbeat rabbiting at the thought of what might happen. But before he could, Jackson held up a hand.

“Hold it right there, kid,” Jackson said.

“Kid?” Connor couldn’t fucking believe this. He was kid again, even after all this?

“I meant it,” Jackson said firmly. “I don’t hook up with teammates. And even though yeah, you’re a massive pain in my ass, kid, I don’t want you to fuck this incredible chance up. You’ve got a future. The last thing you want is to worry you’re gonna get your ass kicked every time you walk into a clubhouse.”

Connor couldn’t believe this—but also, he could.

Naturally, continuing the pattern of Jackson’s behavior starting the moment he’d shown up in Raleigh, he was going to make this hard on him.

And not even the fun kind of hard.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Jackson paused. “Thanks for the help though. With the . . .uh . . .pain stuff. I feel a lot better.”

“Do you?” Connor asked a little bitterly. Because he fucking didn’t. He was gonna go to bed alone and obsess over the guy in the bed next to him. He’d have to try to go to sleep with the worst case of blue balls known to man.

“Yeah,” Jackson said quietly and then reached out and patted him on the arm. “It’s alright, Connor. It’ll pass and you know? Maybe it’ll be a good learning opportunity to not get your way every time. I promise. You’ll feel this way again, and with a guy that’s better for you than me.”

Connor knew he was trying to be kind. But all he could hear was the lie Jackson was telling himself.

Chapter 10

It had come to this: Jackson sneaking to the bathroom before Connor woke up. And waiting to sneak out until after he’d left the room for breakfast.

It had been three days since Connor’s confession, and the next morning, Jackson had fully expected him to act like nothing had changed. For him to be just as arrogant, just as stubborn, just as much a pain in Jackson’s ass. And he was, but he was more than that too. When they were alone, which since they shared a room happened more frequently than Jackson would’ve preferred, he became downright ridiculous.

Flirty. Coy. Walked around without a shirt on most of the time, and even once with only his boxer briefs on, like the sight of his ass and dick outlined in gray material was going to be enough to convince Jackson to throw away ten plus years of mostly good behavior.

Spoiler alert: it was not.

In fact, it just annoyed Jackson.

For the obvious reasons, of course.

But also because he was tempted. There was a part of him that wanted to take what Connor was offering, and fuck the consequences.

Maybe if Jackson hadn’t once paid the price himself, he’d have just done it. But Connor could be very stupid, and this was one of the stupider ideas he’d ever had—which was saying something. Wasn’t Jackson officially here to save him from his worst impulses?

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