Page 58 of Phantom Faceoff
I finally peel myself back, and Malachi lets his hands fall, freeing me.
We stare at each other, words stuck somewhere behind the heavy need to justexist. To share space.
I should leave.
But my body pretends to be lead.
“You’re so good, Wildfire,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ear in a gesture that should feel condescending but just feels nice. Especially when he cradles my cheek in his palm after. “I don’t scare easy.”
I do.
The way he holds me, calms me,handles me—it’s terrifying.
I don’t want him to stop.
As the seconds tick on, my body grows heavy, and when I collapse against him, tucking myself into him like a child on a mattress, his arms come back around me like a cocoon.
He doesn’t speak, but my throat burns, and I say the words that have been taking up the space of my labored breaths.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
And there isn’t a single sexual or ironic intention to them.
Just pure gratitude.
What is he doing to me? And why do I sort of like it?
Chapter Sixteen
Zander
Malachi kissesme a little more liberally now. Not in the passionate way we do on game days, but when I say something stupid that makes him roll his eyes or when I’m talking too much and he wants me to shut up. He’ll press his mouth to mine just long enough to shift my focus and then pull away all sneakily satisfied.
He still doesn’t let me touch him, preferring to offer blowjobs or humping sessions—and I have no problem grinding our bodies together until we both come in our pants—but I’m determined to lay hands on him this time around.
We’ve been kicking ass and taking names; we’re even on track to make it to the Frozen Four. Which means I’ve gotten lots of rewards and might even be a bit spoiled.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy,” Micky says from beside me at the buffet-style pizza shop a couple of us decided to hit up after annihilating another game.
Usually I fuck off with Malachi at the first opportunity, but he had work and the guys have started getting huffy that I never celebrate with them.
“Getting laid will do that to you,” I say, shoving a piece of piping hot cheese pizza in my mouth. What’s life without a little danger?
“You’re always getting laid,” he says with a snort. “What’s different about this one?”
I like to think Malachi and I are a well-kept secret, but I know better. I’m not subtle; I spend most of my free time with him and Julian, and I’m certain Micky has caught us making out at The Den a time or two; though, he hasn’t said anything.
What’s different?
He calls me Wildfire. Kisses me like I’m important.
Draws out the parts of me I don’t let other people see.
Not that I’ll say any of that out loud.
“Has the great Halefire finally caught feelings?”
I roll my eyes and backhand his shoulder. “I can’t like someone I’m seeing now?”
