Page 13 of Crossed Lines

When we break for the morning, Coach pulls me aside on the way back to the locker room. He asks what’s wrong with Spencer and all I can do is shrug. No way am I telling him things are weird now that my best friend knows what I look like when I orgasm.

Junseo corners me when I’m drying my hair from the shower. The locker room is almost empty, but Spencer’s presence is a monolith, taking up most of the room as usual.

“What’s up with Spencer?” Junseo says, leaning against the locker next to mine.

“Why is everyone asking me that?”

It’s annoying. I’m not his keeper. If he wants to throw a hissy fit at every passing glance, it’s none of my business. I scowl and towel my hair faster.

“You’re practically attached at the hip when you’re not fighting like an old married couple.”

“That’s—what? We’re just friends.Nothingelse.”

“Didn’t say you weren’t.” He laughs and claps my back. “You can relax, dude. I just figured you’d know why he’s been so uptight today.”

“Well, I don’t. You’ll have to ask him about it yourself.”

“Ask who about what?”

Spencer stands behind us, arms crossed over his bare chest. Is this guy allergic to shirts or something? He’s staring at Junseo’s hand, still attached to my shoulder. His jaw twitches.

Junseo snorts and steps back, hands up like he’s facing a feral animal. “I was just leaving.”

He’s gone before I can tell him to stay, dragging the rest of the stragglers with him until it’s just me and Spencer in the middle of the room.

“Do you have to be like that?” I say, crossing my arms.

“You’re ignoring me.”

“I’m not the one who let me sleep through alarms instead of waking me up this morning.”

He snorts. “And risk getting punched in the face? Yeah, no thanks.”

The irritation sparking through me all morning burns brighter. It’s like this guy was put on earth solely to piss me off.

I try to shove him away, but instead of stepping back he leans closer. This is the perfect time to leave, turn around and pretend this never happened. But his skin is hot and soft under my palms and I can’t stop myself from running a thumb over one of his nipples.

Spencer groans, so close I can smell him, a mix of fresh sweat and cedarwood. His eyes are dark, full of the same lust racing through me. My stomach tightens.

“You’re so annoying." Instead of harsh and resolute, I sound almost fond.

He grabs my waist and presses our chests flush together, bare skin against T-shirt. We’ve only kissed twice, but already every cell in my body feels attuned to him.

I went to bed thinking about him instead of going over strategies. When I woke up this morning, he was the first thing on my mind. It’s like he’s taken over my very heartbeat.Spencer, Spencer, Spencer.

He mouths my ear, hot breath warming my skin. “I can’t stop thinking about your face when you came.”

“Is this still part of the bet?”

“If you want it to be.”

Whatever I felt before washes away like a baptism. I clutch Spencer’s arms and will myself not to explode.

“I think I want it to be,” I say.

Then I shove our lips together and kiss him like a man starving. Spencer’s grip turns bruising, crushing me against him, and I make a little noise that he swallows. I groan into his mouth, eagerly welcoming his insistent tongue.

I’ve wanted this all day. Us together, locked in this heated battle.

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