They weren’t even cuddling; August had made a point of leaving a few inches of space between them, like it would keep things uncomplicated. Like distance could somehow prevent their inevitable fall into stupidity together.
But still…they were in the same bed. Breathing the same warm air. Sharing the same quiet.
Quinn stared at the ceiling, wide-awake and drowning in the realization he’d been avoiding for weeks. He shouldn’t be there. He should’ve gone back to his room. He should’ve made up some excuse, but August had looked at him with a tired, soft expression on the drive back, and Quinn had folded instantly.
Because he was weak where August was concerned. Because every touch, every laugh, every goddamn look had been chipping away at his resolve until there was nothing left but an achingwanthe couldn’t ignore anymore.
He turned his head, even though he shouldn’t, and watched August sleep. Calm, oblivious, and completely unaware of the emotional disaster lying six inches away from him.
Quinn’s chest tightened so hard it hurt. He squeezed his eyes shut, pressing a hand over his racing heart as if he could smother the panic, but he was already in too deep.
And lying there beside August, he knew with terrifying clarity that the one rule they had set was about to be broken, not by August, but byhim.
And the truth of his failure wrapped around him like a heavy blanket, keeping him frozen beside August until morning light crept into the room.
Chapter 29
August
“Fuck—August—”
August couldn’t believe he was doing this.
“Deeper—”
He shoved Quinn against the cement wall, fingers digging into the dimples on his lower back as he pounded him harder.
“Shit. That angle is perfect. You’re so good—”
August moaned as Quinn rolled his hips, making it damn-near impossible for them to separate long enough so that he could thrust harder. He had wanted to make this quick, but it was hard to focus on coming when he was inside a tiny maintenance closet, and there was a broom handle jabbing him in the ass like it was trying to get in on the action.
“I’m coming—oh god—”
One of August’s hands flew to Quinn’s mouth, covering it just before he let out a long moan that wasn’t quiet in the slightest. He used the other hand to stroke Quinn through his orgasm, not stopping until his legs went shaky and he finally pushed August away.
They were each left a panting, sweaty and giggling mess while Quinn fought to catch his breath, arms trembling as he leaned against the wall.
August let go of Quinn and pulled out, ignoring the fact that he was still hard as he dealt with the condom. He would throw it away later once they were out of the closet, but first, he focused on straightening his appearance so it didn’t look like he had been fucking someone in a public space.
“That was…” Quinn trailed off, shoulders shaking with more laughter. “Really hot despite you smelling like a guy who just played hockey for three hours, and the size of this closet.”
That was because Augusthadbeen playing hockey for three hours. The All-Star Game had been fine, and he had tons of fun playing on a team with Jett and Jin, but after the game, August had been looking forward to a fast-food and crash session.
That was until Callahan came into the locker room to greet his teammates and the other guys and told August that Quinn wanted to talk to him. August, who had only managed to take his jersey, shoulder pads and skates off, rushed out of the room in nothing but his slides, padded pants and a towel around his neck.
He thought Quinn wanted to ask him on another date, but the green-eyed man took one look at him and then grabbed his hand to drag him away. And because August thought something was wrong, he followed Quinn until they found a hall tucked in a secluded section of the arena and shoved him inside.
August had no clue what was happening until Quinn shoved a condom into his hand and started undoing both of their pants, while August tried not to freak out about how easily anyone could stumble onto them.
The closet door pushed inward, so all he had to do was keep his weight pressed against it to stop anyone from coming in, which wasn’t easy when trying to fuck someone like Quinn, while also trying not to get goosed by a broom handle.
“You could at least have waited until I showered,” August muttered, roughly shoving the cleaning equipment away so it would stop sticking to his sweaty body. “At least the smell of bleach is kind of masking it.”
Quinn slid his pants over his toned ass and turned around, grinning as he took the towel to wipe the mess of cum off August’s hand. “Are you still grumpy because you got teased by your friends this morning?”
Yes, August was still grumpy about that, thank you very much.
“They said I looked like I was mauled because of all the bruises you left on me,” said August.
