Page 65 of Matched By My Rival
“Yeah, Prentiss. A kiss. It’s the only thing of yours I ever wanted.”
His eyebrows shot up. I was venturing into dangerous territory. We might both be feeling things, but talking about them? Hell no. Neither of us was ready for that.
“I didn’t know that punch would cost you so much,” I said. “Or I would have kicked your ass, okay?”
He laughed. “That’s better.”
“I told Coach not to cut you loose.”
His lips quirked. “Your powers of persuasion astound me.”
“Hey, I got you into bed, didn’t I?”
“I’m still shocked. How did I get here anyway?”
“I’ll take that secret to my grave.” I winked, playing it cool, while my heart fluttered obnoxiously.
“Seriously, though,” he said, looking up into my eyes. “I’m sorry I blamed you. None of it was in your control. And I never, ever should have hit you.” He kissed me. “Forgive me?”
I blinked hard, stunned by how hard his words hit me. I’d needed that apology more than I’d realized. Not because I wanted him to say he was sorry. I didn’t even care about that punch. I took harder hits on the field on a regular basis, and Simon had been upset, jealous, and injured.
No, I needed the apology because I was so damn afraid he’d never let go of that grudge. We had a history that went beyond online chats and great sex, and neither of us could change that. But if he’d truly forgiven me, maybe it was possible to have a future. Someday, when we were both free to openly love, could we love each other?
“I already forgave you, Simon. You were forgiven the minute I hit the ground.”
He shook his head, looking stunned. “You’re something else, you know that?”
I smiled tentatively. “Something good?”
“The fucking best.”
He kissed me again, and this time, we let our bodies do the talking once more, not stopping until we’d both come to a shattering climax together. Somehow, coming while looking into his eyes—after that heart to heart—I felt even more exposed than when he’d been inside me.
* * *
SIMON
My stomach rumbled loudly almost the second my body stopped quivering with aftershocks. Sex with Parker was incredible, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so ravenous for something—hunger pains notwithstanding.
Parker gave a half laugh, half groan. “I’m starving too. Let’s get something to eat.”
“So I’m allowed to buy you dinner now?”
“Yup.” He didn’t sound the least bit repentant. “Priorities, man. You had to feed my other hunger first.”
I got out of bed, naked and sticky, and turned on the shower for a quick rinse. Parker didn’t join me, but that was okay. Probably safer if our naked bodies didn’t get too close until we got something to eat. Otherwise, we were likely to starve ourselves indefinitely in favor of other appetites.
I showered and toweled off, smiling when I grabbed my underwear from the floor and tugged them on. I’d always loved sex, and I’d had a lot of it my first couple of years at Hayworth. As a football player and frat boy, I’d had plenty of opportunities. But damn, I wasn’t sureanythingcould compete with Parker. Was it because he was a man, and it was all exciting and new? Or was it just him, sexy and feisty and genuine? To think he’d decided to bottom, just like that. No nervousness, no need to compete for top dog position. Just taking it—because he wanted to. I used to be annoyed by Parker’s free spirit, but right now? I kind of envied it.
“What are you doing?”
His voice startled me from my drifting thoughts. I glanced up, catching his disapproving expression in the mirror. “Uh, getting dressed so we can get some dinner?”
He shook his head. “No, no, no. I waited far too long to get you out of those clothes.”
Parker crossed the room to me, slipping his fingers under my waistband and pushing my boxer briefs down. My heart thumped as he sank to his knees, dragging the material down.
“I thought you were hungry.”
