Page 39 of Rules of Play

Shane’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “I didn’t think I had a way of doing it. First time, remember?”

I shrugged. “Maybe it’s a gay thing. I never…” I searched for the right words, unconvinced I would ever find them. “I never felt like someoneenjoyedmy body that way.”

“What do you mean?” Shane asked, his hands moving over my chest as if to feel more of me.

Case in point, I thought. “Before, it felt somehow selfish. Like I’d have sex with someone, and we did it in a way to make ourselves feel good. You…you’re different. It was like touching me turned you on.”

“It did,” Shane said, bewildered. It had never crossed his mind that it could be anything else.

“Maybe I was doing it wrong all this time,” I said with a forced laugh. “If I took a girl home, it was mostly to do whatever felt good to me. And I think they were the same. Never had any complaints.”

Shane shot me a look that bordered on jealousy.

“I don’t think anyone I slept with before was that into me,” I said. “To want to touch me so much, or kiss so much of me, or hold me so close. It’s different with you. It’s like you…”

“Worshiped you.” His words were exactly what I had been thinking of.

“Worshiped me,” I repeated in a softer voice. “Yes.”

Shane watched me for a few moments longer. “I felt the same.”

“Kiss me,” I said.

Shane didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and pressed his lips hard against mine. He kissed me like we’d never have another chance. It was a bright, brilliant kiss that left me gasping and throbbing, shivering all over, and wanting him more than ever.

When he pulled his head back, I nodded. That was convincing enough. It was time to go.

As I scouted the room for my scattered clothes, Shane sat on the chair by the small table. “We should probably keep this…discreet.”

I let the waistband of my boxer briefs go, and it slapped my waist. “Um, sure?”

“It’s just…I’m supposed to study you,” Shane said. “That’s all.”

“For a moment there, I thought you were ashamed of me,” I said. The horrified look on his face was delightful. “I’m fucking with you. I get it.”

Shane nodded. “It’s only another four weeks before I have to write the thesis.”

I perked up. “We’re dating.”

Shane stammered and folded his lips. A blush rose to his cheeks.

My face split into a broad grin. “Yeah, we are,” I said. “We’re so dating.”

Shane swallowed and tilted his head a little, still keeping his gaze on my face. “Do you want to?”

“Hmm, what do you think?” I asked, stepping toward him so that his head was level with my abdomen.

Shane’s gaze traveled down my torso. He leaned in and pressed his heated lips against my abs, hands resting on my hips. “I didn’t think this could be real.” He looked up, his chin resting just under my belly button. “Even when I fantasized we might, you know, have sex,” he said, the heat in his face almost palpable. “I didn’t think you’d want to date me.”

My heart sank at those words. Had I made myself look so proud and full of myself that I came across as untouchable? Unreachable? To hell with me. “Shane, we’ve been dating for weeks. At least all the Saints say so.”

Shane’s eyes widened for a second. “They do?”

“I don’t think we need to overthink this,” I said. “You make me feel good. I make you feel good. How about we just keep doing that?”

Shane’s smile was shy at first, but it beamed brighter the longer he failed to contain it. He was beautiful. And when he nodded against my stomach, I leaned down and kissed him the best I knew how.

FOURTEEN

---