Page 121 of Wrath

“You wanna stay close to home?”

“I don’t know. In-state tuition is a whole lot cheaper. What about you?”

He scoots somehow even closer to me, laying his cheek against my chest. Makes my whole damn body go warm. He says, “Wherever I can get the best ride.”

“Football scholarship?” I clarify.

“Yeah.”

He lets a restless little breath out, and then rolls away from me, putting his bare back to me. “That’s an invitation.”

Fuck. My heart is hammering as I slide up behind him. I put an arm around his waist, and he folds his arm over mine.

I lean my forehead against his upper back. “Do you know how many times I wondered what this would feel like?”

“What would?” he asks, so quiet.

“Hugging you. Like…holding you. You know.” I’m awkward now. He’s gonna laugh or something.

“I’m so tired,” he murmurs. “Can you say that again?”

Fuck, I’m babbling as he tries to fall asleep.

“I’m just weird.” I laugh. “I’m saying I’ve been wanting to hug you. For a really long time,” I whisper. “Like some kind of clinger.”

“Why did you want to?”

“Just to feel you. Maybe so I can wrap you up. I’m like a caveman.” I can’t even swallow; I’m so damn scared I’m saying this shit to him.

“Do,” he whispers. “Feels good.”

A minute later, his limbs twitch, and his hand over mine falls slightly away. His head sinks into the pillow and his shoulders relax. And I’m holding him. I’m holding Ezra Masters. Mystepbrother. The most infuriating guy I’ve ever met. The smirkiest and the cockiest and by far the most confusing. The most gorgeous…and I think maybe the most broken.

I’ve got him, safe with me. And I don’t ever want to let him go.

Nineteen

Josh

Iwake up with Ezra wrapped around me like some kind of insane starfish. He’s behind me—he’s spooning me now—with one arm around my shoulders, one hand clutching the waistline of my boxer briefs, and one of his warm legs pushed between mine, like he wants to be sure we’re joined from head to toe.

I feel the morning wood stretching my boxer briefs before noticing there’s something pressed against the curve of my ass:his dick.

I’ve never felt it on me like this before. Never felt anyone pressed against me from behind. A swell of heat moves through my junk, and my dick hardens to the point of pain.

Shit.

I shut my eyes and try to breathe deep without making breathy noises. My gaze moves to the clock: 7:14 a.m.

I wonder when we switched places. This feels damn good—the having him around me.

Then I feel his arm move, and his hand comes down and covers my bulge.

“Mornin’,” he drawls. His low voice, right by my ear—It makes me shudder.

“Hard night?” He snickers, and I feel it in my balls. Then it’s his palm under my balls…lifting…rolling my sac.

“Been dreaming of this,” he rasps.

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