Page 90 of One More Time

“Mum stomped on the idea before he could even get it out of his mouth. I also vetoed it because Tyler is hockey; that’s all he has done for himself. When he isn’t doing hockey, he was helping me, or Mum, or Dad, or his friends. It’s just who he is.”

“Does he know you want to be a firefighter?”

Jamie laughed at that, “God no—and never tell him. Could you imagine? I’m surprised he still lets me fight. I am lucky I am good, because if I got beat up every session, I think he would be trying to get me into a safer hobby like… crocheting.”

None of it surprised me. I kind of hoped that—for Tyler’s sake—Jamie didn’t go into firefighting. Really, on behalf of the man I loved, I hoped that Jamie would be wrapped in bubble wrap so he didn’t have to lose anyone else.

As we drove back to the dorm, I directed the topic to safer grounds. Jamie told me about his plan to return to Australia in February for school, staying with his Auntie for the term. It hadn’t been discussed with Tyler, but they planned to sell the family home and put everything in storage. Since Tyler was set to be in Boston for another two years—hopefully longer if he got a contract—she didn’t see the point of keeping the house. With all the memories attached, Jamie didn’t want to return either.

It dawned on me how much caring for Tyler made me learn to worry about others’ feelings. Because right then, I suddenly was holding onto knowledge that could hurt him.

“You should tell him, James.”

“I will—after the Frozen Four. He needs to have a clear head for that.”

I nodded, worrying my lip.

I walked into Tyler’s room, pleased to see the worry lines between his brow gone as he read over his essay.

“Hey, babe,” he called without even looking my way. “How was Jamie’s training?”

“Your brother is the new Daniel LaRusso.,“

Tyler laughed. “He does mixed martial arts, not karate.”

I shrugged, plonking myself on his—our—bed. “Semantics. He whooped the ass of an eighteen-year-old. I don’t think the coach wants him to go back to Australia.”

Tyler stiffened a little at the mention of his brother leaving, and I instantly regretted the words. “Yeah, I don’t want him to leave either, but he really can’t stay in my dorm forever. He needs to go to school. There’s little chance of a school shootings in Australia.”

“I hate to admit it, but you got me there.”

Tyler chuckled and lifted his finger, signaling he would only be a minute—but I was done waiting. I circled my arms around his shoulders, nuzzling into his neck. One hand met my forearm and squeezed. “Hi, babe," he said again. I hummed against his skin, knowing I’d never tire of hearing that. “Just submitting it, and then I am all yours.”

“Shit, you got that done quick.”

He shrugged. “You gave me the time I needed without distractions. Thank you.” It never ceased to surprise me how easy it was to please Tyler Riley.

I stayed curled over his shoulders until he pressed submit, glad he didn’t seem to mind my sudden onset of neediness. “Done.”

It happened so quickly I couldn’t react. Tyler moved and pushed me to the bed. His strong muscled thighs straddled me, and his hands found their way into my hair, wrenching my head back to make me look at him. His pupils were so blown that only a thin sliver of blue remained around the edges. I swallowed a grunt as his lips crashed into mine, biting, nipping, taking everything.

He could have it.

I fucking missed him. Every moment with Tyler Riley was one I would savor, but those stolen, heated moments were everything I lived for. He rocked his hips, grinding our erections together. If it weren’t for his kisses swallowing the sound of my moans, I’d be worried about his brother hearing me.

“I need you so fucking bad, Boston.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice. In a rapid tornado of hands and limbs, clothes flew off, teeth biting and lips kissing each other’s flesh as it became exposed. I scurried back to the headboard, grabbing for the lube in his bedside table. I lied down and invited him between my legs—only for him to shake his head. Silently he straddled me again. “I want you to take me like this," he whispered, before claiming my mouth with his.

I lubed up my fingers, sliding my way through his cheeks and pressing against his entrance. Tyler’s breath hitched as I teased and taunted the puckered skin. His little whimpers were music to my ears. So much so, I felt the telltale dampness of precome against my stomach. I tried focusing, holding off my body’s desire to explode before I could get inside him. I pushed through, curling my finger to the spot I knew well which turned Tyler into a crying, writhing mess. I added another finger, spreading and scissoring them inside him so he was ready. It had been a while, and I wanted this to be enjoyable for him— needed it to be. “Fuck, babe, I can’t wait any longer, fuck me, please.”

I was at his command. I leaned over to the drawer to get a condom, only for his hand to stop me.

“No.”

I felt my eyes go wide “Baby, we …”

“I know we’re clean, I trust you.”

---