Page 24 of Off Season

Immediately retrieving another cup from the cupboard, I set it under the coffee machine for him. “Hey. How did you sleep?”

“Amazingly, thank you! That bed is incredible. I think I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.” He beams,but his eyes go wide when he spots my mom. “Oh, hello! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” He walks over to my mom and holds out his hand. “I’m Jacob; you must be Jennifer.”

My mom’s eyes light up, a wide smile taking over her face. She takes his hand, a bright smile on her lips. “Indeed, I am. Welcome, Jacob; I’m delighted to meet you.”

I slide Jacob’s cup of coffee across the island, where he sits next to my mom, talking animatedly about his first flight experience, while Mom keeps sneaking glances at me.

Leaning back against the counter, I listen to them talk and laugh. The sight of them getting along so well causes a pang in my heart. Is this what it could be like if I lower my defenses? Spending the off-season with my mom and a boyfriend?

Except when I think of the wordboyfriend, all I see is Jacob.

Fuck.

I can’t think like this. I can’t let my heart distract me from what I need to focus on.

As if sensing my thoughts, Mom gives me a knowing wink.

A couple of hours later, after we’ve finished lunch, I wave goodbye to Mom with the promise to see her tomorrow and head back into the kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher. Everything stops, though, when I find Jacob bent over, loading the plates into the tray. His pajama shorts have risen up, exposing the soft curve of his ass. My cock twitches at the sight of those two perky globes on display, and when I catch a glimpse of thin lace straps framing the bottom of his cheeks, I swallow a groan.

“Jacob, it’s okay, I can do that.” I manage to find my words, but my voice comes out like gravel.

He stands upright, an easygoing smile on his lips. “It’s no bother; you cooked lunch. It’s the least I can do.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he crouches down again, and those damn shorts go up his crease. Would it be irrational of me to ban shorts in this house? Or better yet, to demand he keep them off at all times so I can take a look without the fabric obstructing my view?

I need to distract myself before I do something stupid, like bend him over the counter and rip off those shorts.

“I’m gonna head to the gym,” I grumble and leave without waiting for an answer.

I change into a pair of gym shorts and forgo a t-shirt. British summers tend to be humid, and I need to sweat out the primal desire to claim Jacob like I’m some wild animal, so it’s best I wear as little as possible.

Sliding open the patio doors to let in some air, I put on a playlist and begin my warm-up routine. When it comes to the off-season, I don’t go as hard as I normally would, but it’s still important I keep up my level of fitness.

When I’m finished with my warm-up, I move to the pull-up bar, watching my form in the floor-to-ceiling mirror that spans the length of the wall. It’s only then that I allow my mind to drift.

I often wonder what it would be like to justbe. To act on my wants without fear of rejection. To knock down my walls and live in the moment. To act on the attraction that has been burning up inside me for months on end. The rational part of my brain knows it’s ridiculous and I’m wasting time allowing the past to impact my here and now.

But the past…still hurts.

“Fuck,” I grunt, baring my teeth as my muscles cry from fatigue. My feet hit the floor after the final pull-up, and I quickly grab the towel to wipe my face.

When I look in the mirror, I see Jacob standing at the door, eyes wide. He doesn't realize I can see him as he takes me in, his teeth trailing over his bottom lip.

Taking advantage of the moment, I allow myself to gaze at his body again. When my eyes land on his shorts, the evidence of his arousal is clear as day. Sure enough, my own cock swells despite my exhaustion, leaving me slightly lightheaded as all my blood rushes south.

I run the towel across my bare chest in a slow, teasing move, wiping away the beads of sweat caught in the dark hairs, enjoying as he follows my movements and watching him stare at the bulge in my own shorts.

“Like what you see, Jacob?” I growl.

Jacob’s eyes lock with mine, and when he realizes he’s been caught, the apples of his cheeks flush a deep pink. I don’t miss the hitch in his breath. His mouth opens, then closes again. His throat works as he swallows, his tongue swiping over his bottom lip.

“I…uh…I…” he stammers.

I take a step forward, but before I can get close enough to touch him, he turns around and quickly disappears, and all I can do is watch his retreating ass in those fucking shorts.

I don’t know how I’m going to be able to control myself or my attraction for him—protective walls be damned.

Chapter Nine

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