Page 59 of Don't Look Down

He gasps so hard he starts choking. I’m cracking up.

“Landon! You are the worst. Why are you being so mean to me?” Coughs interrupt each word.

My FaceTime ringer goes off. “Are you really FaceTiming me right now?”

“Yes,” he wheezes. “Pick up, traitor.”

The video connects. Sky isn’t visible, but his ceiling fan is.

“Have I killed you?” It’s my turn to ask.

“Not quite, but it was a close one. Jesus. I had to wipe my face a bit. Choking is always a messy thing in my experience, if you know what I mean.” After a beat or two, he helpfully adds, “Just kidding, I don’t choke.” A husky laugh fills the space. The sound travels down my body and wraps its way around my dick.

Imagining him throating a dick, mine specifically, isn’t going to keep it in check. Quite the opposite. Blood is rushing to my groin.

Don’t get hard on FaceTime with your friend. Stop imagining him blowing you. Even though he has the perfect mouth for it.

Shifting around on the mattress isn’t helpful either. My naked cockhead brushes against the sheets and a shiver of pleasure travels down my spine.

“Okay, here I am. Wait, are you okay? Your face is weird.”

Apparently, my attempting-not-to-get-hard face is weird. Lovely. Schooling my features, I force them into what I hope is a neutral expression and make eye contact with him on the screen. His face and neck are clearly visible, he’s wearing those cocktease glasses of his, and there’s a hint of that sexy-ass ink on his shoulder.

Why did Sky think this was a good idea? Better yet, why did I even answer his FaceTime call when I’m fucking lying here naked?

He’s looking at me expectantly with those hazel eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Fantastic, actually.” My voice is a little rough. Let’s hope he blames that on tiredness.

His eyes scrunch like he doesn’t fully believe me. “Now, explain yourself. Those were my best pictures today. My smile game was on point.”

I nod in concession, “Yes, it was, mostly. But in that picture, something was definitely off. I could see it.” Just like I can clearly see the confusion twisting his face right now. “What?”

“I just… We’ve seen each other, what? Two or three times now and you can read my face better than anyone. My abuela is the only other person who can see through me so easily.” He’s staring at me, eyes tracing my face like he’s looking for answers. Answers I can’t provide.

Our connection baffles me. It just is.

I can only shrug my shoulders. “How many times I’ve seen you in person doesn't matter, Sky. I know you.” My words hang in the air between us. I can feel him absorbing it. What I said reaching inside him and taking root. Becoming part of him, like he’s part of me.

He clears his throat and smiles at me, instantly lightening some of the heaviness between us. This moment matters, but neither one of us seems to be able to acknowledge that just yet.

“So, when do you get home?” Looks like it’s time for a subject change. He deliberately didn’t answer my question. There’s something there that’s still bothering him. “If you’re not too tired, maybe we can take advantage of your time off. I know we have a fair amount of off days that line up.”

Biting my tongue is a difficult thing. I’m a take-charge guy. If something is wrong, I want to fix it. It’s part of what makes me great at what I do. But I have to remember he’s never pried when I’ve needed space. He deserves that same gentleness. He’s more than earned it, even though he didn’t have to.

His thoughts about the break mirror mine from the locker room earlier.

“I may be tired, but not too tired to do something with you. We’ll be in either late Saturday night or early Sunday.” Rolling onto my side, I slide my arm under my pillow. It takes a moment or two for me to get settled. I’ve propped my phone between my other hand and the pillow. When I look back at the screen, Sky’s eyes are wandering my bare skin. Part of my chest and one shoulder are clearly visible. My nipples harden and warmth fills me at his blatant appraisal.

Which we both pretend isn’t happening.

“Cool, cool. If you’re up for it, we can even do something during the day before I go to work.” His voice has a breathiness to it now. He bites his lip, eyes still roaming.

Dammit, I’m getting turned on again, cock hardening where it rests on my thigh. Fuck. Huskiness heavy in my voice, I tell him, “I’d love that.”

It isn’t until much later that I realize I never bothered to look at Savannah’s message. And it’s a little alarming that her offer for video chat masturbation doesn’t tempt me at all. Not even a little.

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