Page 77 of The Summer Intern

As the pleasure subsided, I carefully lowered myself onto him, mindful of my weight.We lay there for several moments, breathing in tandem, my cock still buried inside him, our sweat and his cum making the slide of skin on skin both intimate and slightly gross in the best possible way.

"Fuck," Matt said, his voice raspy with exertion."Why didn't we do that sooner?"

I laughed, the sound muffled against his chest."You never asked.Besides, I like stuffing you inside me."

"Can we do that again?Maybe not immediately, but soon."

I lifted my head to look at him properly, taking in the flush on his cheeks, the dazed satisfaction in his eyes, the slight disarray of his usually perfect hair.He was fucking beautiful, and he was mine.

Matt flexed his wrists in their bonds, a reminder that he was still secured to the headboard."I think it's time to untie me.My hands are going numb."

I laughed again, carefully withdrawing from his body—an action that made both of us wince—and reached up to undo the knots.As I freed him, I couldn't help but marvel at how much had changed in the span of a single evening.One talent show, one song, one public declaration, and suddenly everything was different.

As Matt rubbed his freed wrists, I caught his gaze."No regrets?"I asked, needing the reassurance.

His smile was slow and certain, filled with a warmth that made my chest tight."Only that I let you worry enough to write that song."

thirty

Casey

Myfingersachedfromgripping the steering wheel.I hadn't even started the engine, but sweat already beaded along my hairline, threatening to drip into my eyes.Five days.Five fucking days until summer ended and I'd be back at Oregon State, two and a half hours away from Matt—if I could even make the drive, which this practice session was quickly proving I couldn't.

"Casey, you're strangling the wheel," Oliver said from the passenger seat, his voice methodical, as always."The Prius has power steering.It's not like Dad's ancient Subaru."

I loosened my grip, hair falling into my eyes as I bent my head forward.I'd been trying to learn to drive properly for two weeks now—ever since Matt and I had said those three words to each other.I love you.Words that made everything more complicated, more terrifying, more real.

"The car practically drives itself," Oliver continued, pushing his glasses up."Automatic transmission, lane assist, backup camera—"

"I know what features a Prius has, Ollie."My voice came out sharper than intended."You've only given me this lecture four times."

Oliver sighed, crossing his arms over his chest."Then maybe the fifth time will be the charm, since clearly the information hasn't penetrated enough to stop your panic attack."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.Oliver meant well.He'd been surprisingly supportive when I'd confessed my plan to drive up to see Matt on weekends once the semester started.Supportive in his own way—which meant practical solutions rather than emotional reassurance.

"Try turning it on this time," he suggested, his voice softening."That might help with the actual driving part."

I pressed the power button, feeling the electric engine hum to life beneath me.The dashboard lit up like a spaceship console, numbers and symbols I'd memorized but still found intimidating.This should be easy.I'd had my license for years, but living in Portland and then on campus with Oliver meant I never needed to drive.I walked, biked, took a rideshare.Anything to avoid getting behind the wheel.The thought of regularly making a solo trip on mountain roads to Eagle Ridge made my stomach clench.But I needed to do it.For Matt.

"Good," Oliver said, in the same tone he'd use to praise a particularly slow child."Now put it in drive and ease off the brake."

The vast, dusty parking lot stretched before us, empty except for a few staff cars parked near the lodge.Perfect for practice—nothing to hit except patches of overgrown grass, the occasional rock, and my brother's ever-thinning patience.

I shifted into drive and the car moved forward with barely a press on the gas pedal.My heart jumped to my throat.

"Too fast," I muttered, tapping the brake harder than necessary.The car jerked, and Oliver gripped the armrest.

"You're going three miles an hour," he said, checking the digital speedometer."At this rate, you'll reach Matt's cabin by next Tuesday."

Matt.His name sent a flutter through my chest that had nothing to do with driving anxiety.I couldn't imagine leaving.Couldn't imagine mornings without waking up to Matt's sleepy smile, his long brown hair falling loose around his shoulders, blue eyes still hazy with sleep.

I pressed the gas a little harder, trying to focus on the present.The car picked up speed, and I tensed again, over-correcting as we approached a clump of grass poking through the gravel.

"Jesus, Casey, it's grass, not a land mine," Oliver said as I swerved to avoid it.

"I know that," I snapped, hands trembling as I straightened the wheel."I just—fuck, I don't want to damage the undercarriage."

Oliver snorted."On grass?You do realize Matt drives his SUV through actual creeks, right?"

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