"Right there,"Fuck yes."Don't stop!"
James picks up the pace, his rhythm becoming desperate. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust. His face above me shows pure pleasure, his eyes dark and intense as they meet mine.
Needy chills race across my skin as he pushes deeper, hitting that perfect spot again and again. I reach between us, trying to grab my cock so I can stroke it in time with his thrusts, but James gently moves my hand away, replacing it with his.
"Let me," he says, gripping me tight and pulling me perfectly.
The dual sensation is too much. Pleasure builds at the base of my spine, coiling tighter with every movement. I'm making sounds I'd be embarrassed about if I had any capacity for shame left, but all I can focus on is the mounting tension about to snap.
"James—" His name comes out strangled. “Right there… I'm going to?—"
My orgasm crashes over me, making me shake and arch as I spill over his hand and my stomach. The intensity of it leaves me gasping, my body clenching around him involuntarily.
James groans when I tighten around him, his rhythm faltering. I wrap my arms and legs even tighter around him, pulling him as close as possible as he continues to thrust, chasing his own orgasm.
"Come deep inside me," I whisper against his ear, my teeth nipping at his lobe.
That's all it takes. His arms slide under me, pulling on my shoulders to bring me even closer as he groans and shudders. He gives a final, powerful thrust, pushing as deep as he can go. I can feel him pulse inside me, his whole body tensing before collapsing on top of me, spent.
For several minutes, we lie panting, neither willing to move. Finally, James stirs, carefully pulls out and trashes the condom before collapsing back beside me.
"That was..." he trails off.
"Yup," I'm too blissed out for complete sentences.
He reaches for tissues from the nightstand, gently cleaning us both up before pulling the blanket over us. The party is still going strong outside, but here, it's just us, cocooned in his blanket.
James pulls me against his chest, his arm draped over my waist. I should make some sarcastic comment about cuddling, but I can't bring myself to ruin the moment. Instead, I snuggle into his chest, letting my eyes drift closed.
His breathing evens out gradually, and I wait until I'm sure he's asleep before turning slightly to look at his face. In sleep, the perpetual tension around his eyes is gone, making him look younger. My chest tightens with a feeling I've been trying to ignore for weeks.
"I'm falling in love with you, Grump,” I whisper to the dark room.
He doesn't stir. Good. That would've been... yeah. Rolling back over, I wiggle until we fit together right. His arm tightens automatically, pulling me in tight even in sleep.
Exactly where I want to be.
The thought should be terrifying. Instead, my eyes are already closing, and for once, my brain shuts the fuck up and lets me have this.
Chapter 21
The Christmas Eve Strays
JAMES
Christmas and I have a longstanding mutual dislike. Foster homes tried, some more than others, but holiday cheer rings hollow when you're acutely aware of being a temporary addition to someone else's family portrait.
By university, I'd perfected the art of treating December 25th like any other day: sleep late, order Chinese food, work on coding projects while everyone else does their family thing.
But this year is different. I'm wearing yet another Holiday T-shirt under my hoodie because Gavin insisted. It's only tolerable because Caleb left it for me, and it says 'This Shirt Is My Holiday Cheer'.
"You're doing it again," Gavin says, nudging my shoulder as we trudge through campus. The sky threatens rain, which is unusual for San Clemente at this time of year.
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you look happy but then try to hide it with a scowl." He grins down at me, his breath visible in the cool air. "It's cute, but you're not fooling anyone."
"I'm not scowling. This is my face."
