"I can't imagine how difficult it must be, not being able to see them."
"It's the hardest thing in the world," I say then stop before detailing how it kills me every single day. If I could even just see them through a fucking phone, it'd be better than not knowing what they look like now. Belinda has her faults, just like I've got mine, but never in a million years did I think she'd weaponize our children like this. It's the lowest blow a woman can inflict on a man.
"Wanna tell me about them?" Tex asks, cracking open the thermos. Steam curls up as he pours hot cider into a travel mug and hands it over, his gloved fingers brushing mine.
"Sure, I'd love to." I take a sip to warm up then launch into some of my favorite memories of my girls. "Sabra is intense, super smart, especially in the sciences, and wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up. Minnie is the most curious little creature, always wanting to know everything about everything, which was fine when she was younger and I could just make up answers for questions likewhy is the sky blue?but it's getting increasingly harder now that she's older and smarter herself. And Jade, she's my little baby. So sweet and pure. An angel, really." I keep going, recalling how we'd spend summers in the pool at our lake house since all three are complete water babies, only stopping when my throat gets dry, and, shit, I've gone on about them for way too long.
Strangely, Tex doesn't seem bored or checked out. He's listening intently, his light-brown eyes focused solely on me, a small grin lifting the corner of his mouth.
"Sorry for hogging the conversation."
"Don't be." His eyes glimmer, catching the sunlight bouncing off the frozen lake. "I like seeing this softer side of you."
I manage to smile back.
The crazy thing?
I like sharing this softer side of myself with him.
Little did I know that less than twenty-four hours later, I'd accidentally be sharing a muchharderside of myself with him.
The next morning, Tex is barely out the door for brunch with his bestie, Bean, and I'm fisting my cock furiously.
I don't know what's gotten into me. This isn't like me. Imean, yes, I jerk off. But with such urgency? With images of a certain much younger roommate dominating my thoughts? With an unmistakable desire to make his mouth twitch with the kind of pleasure that builds into a moan?
I'm lying naked on the couch. Again, not something I'd normally do, but it seems to be a day of firsts. It also happens to be laundry day, so my bedding is in the wash.
Knowing I've likely got a couple of hours before Tex gets back, I figure I might just get it over and done with, hoping it'll release the attraction that yesterday's fishing expedition only stirred even deeper.
I've only messed around with a couple of guys, so I'm not playing any go-to scenario in my head. Just imagining kissing Tex, undressing him, looking into his eyes as I drive into him has me on the edge of coming.
When suddenly…
Keys jangle, the deadbolt clicks, and a gust of cold air hisses inside. "Just forgot my—Shit."
Shit is right. Because despite the shock, despite the frigid air whooshing inside, Tex has stumbled in a fraction too late, and I can't hold it in. Helpless, and wincing in pain and mortification, I come.
In front of him.
My strangled groan fills the living room.
I try to catch my breath, desperately looking around for something to cover myself with. Unable to, I lift my head, bracing to be met with disgust and orders to pack my bags and get the hell out of his house.
Instead, his light-brown eyes have darkened, and he's breathing so heavily I can hear it from this side of the living room.
"You know what? I don't need my beanie. I'll, um…I'll catch ya later. Bye!"
The thud of the front door slamming rings in my ears, and if I didn't have cum all over my hands, I'd drop my head into them.
What the hell do I do now?
8
Tex
"Oh my gosh!" Bean squeals so loudly I have to tug on his cardigan sleeve to quiet him so everyone at The Leafy Nook doesn't stare at us. "What are you going to do?"
I blow out a breath and nudge aside the plate with my untouched panini on it. "I don't know. What chapter in the roommates handbook covers walking in on your roomie…coming?"
