Page 44 of Crossing Lines

“No, you need to go home.” He strutted by me, his bare ass swaying as he went, then opened a dresser drawer. “We have to be careful, Jonah, and you have to get up early tomorrow.” He pulled a pair of black pajama bottoms on, then faced me. “I won’t let what we’re doing derail your classwork and especially your playing.” He gave me a stern look.

Fuck, now I felt like a child. Slumping my shoulders, I said, “Yeah, you’re right.” I had to be more mature about this. Buthell, I’d never been in this situation before. I’d never felt like this.

As he walked me through the main room, I picked up my jacket from his couch and slipped it on. We stopped at his front door. “I’ll miss you.”

“You’ll see me.” He skimmed his hand down my arm, his gaze chasing it.

“You know what I mean. I’ll miss this.” Leaning in, I pressed a long, deep kiss on his mouth, then broke it and gazed deeply into his eyes. Could I tell him how I felt, at least a little bit of it? “I, uh, you’re special to me, Ryan. Really special.” There, I’d said something.

“You’re special to me too, Jonah.” A soft grin floated over his mouth. “We’ll be together.” His gaze dipped to my chest, then came back up. “How about this? If I touch my nose like this…” He rubbed the tip of his nose. “Then you know I’m thinking about you, about us.”

My heart bloomed with warmth. “Yeah? And I’ll do the same.” I giggled. God, what a great idea. We had a secret sign. I could go home a little bit happier. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“See you tomorrow.” He wrapped his arms around me for a fierce hug, pecked my lips, then opened his door.

With a quick wave and a smile, I walked out.

After parkingmy car and entering my quiet house, I tiptoed down the hallway toward my bedroom. All the guys must be studying in their rooms or asleep already.

As I stepped to the doorway of my room, Archer opened his door and his gaze found mine.

“Oh, hi.” I hesitated.

With a smirk, he looked me up and down. “Hi. You were out late.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against his door jamb.

With a double-take of him, I said, “Uh, yeah.” Then whispered, “Let’s not talk out here.” I didn’t need anyone hearing us and I knew he was going to ask about Ryan.

Archer followed me into my bedroom and shut the door behind him.

Flicking on my nightstand lamp, I said, “I was withhim.” I twisted around to sit on the edge of my bed. “We had a date.”

“A date?” As he snapped his brows up, he dropped beside me. “Like, what kind of date?”

“Like a date where you go to a nice restaurant together and get to know each other, followed by the best sex ever.” I lifted my chin. It was real, Ryan and me.

“Seriously?” He peered at me, then smirked. “You’re glowing.” He landed a soft punch on my shoulder.

“Shut up.” With a snicker, I hung my head. I could talk to Archer. “I really like him.” My gaze wound to his. “I think I’m in love.”

His mouth dropped open. “Really. Already?”

“Archer, it’s been what, six weeks since we met him?” I studied him. “I’ve had time to get to know him since then. And we…well, the first time I saw him, I about lost my shit.” I chuckled, thinking back on that day and the teasing I’d gotten from Ace and Mason.

He scratched the side of his head. “Yeah, I guess when you find the right one, you know it.” He quirked the corner of his mouth. “Like with me and Leo. I knew it right away. Everything just felt right when we were together.” He patted my knee. “This is a first for you, isn’t it?”

“It is.” I’d used hockey and school to keep me out of relationships and feelings in the past. But somehow, it hadn’t worked with Ryan. With a tick of my brows, I leaned in. “I’m going to surprise him this weekend and sneak into his hotel room.”

“Jonah, do you think that’s a good idea?” He pressed his lips together. “What if someone sees you?”

“They won’t. I’ll be careful.” I poked him in the ribs. “I’ll goin after everyone is in bed. So, expect me to leave our room at some point.” With lube and maybe a dildo in hand. I let a sly grin work over my lips.

“Don’t you dare fall asleep in his room.” His gaze hardened for a beat, then softened. “Let me know if you need backup of any kind.”

“Yeah, thanks. Just, you know where I’ll be.” I gazed across the room at my discarded backpack laying against my desk. “I’m going to have to make up for tonight and study my ass off tomorrow.”

“Don’t fall behind.” With a sigh, he stood up, then strolled to my door and stopped with his hand on the knob. “I’m glad for you, Jonah. I hope it all works out.” He threw me a quick smile, then left.

I fell back onto my bed and stared up at my ceiling. We’d be careful, and come April, we could be together out in the open.

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