“They monitor my credit card charges,” he spits.
“Do you know who you are?” I thump his shoulder. “You are an NHL player on one of the best teams in the league.” His expression is confused. “That bank account you opened, I’m sure you could apply online for a credit card. They’ll approve you.”
“Really?” Theo seems genuinely dumbfounded.
“Do you have the bank app on your phone?” I hold my hand out. “Or would it be faster on a laptop?”
Literally ten minutes later, Theo has been approved for a new credit card in his name with no ties to his family. He uses my address for now so there’s no chance John or his mom intercepts his mail.
“They use the money as control,” Theo says as if it’s the first time he’s understanding the significance. Then he groans. “I’ve heard it takes forever to find a place and get approved in New York City.”
“Stay with me.” The words fly out of my mouth before I consider them. “I mean, we’re hardly ever home. We live out of hotels. Your mail will come to my apartment. But, if it’s too much too soon, you can always stay in a hotel suite with a kitchen.” My heart races, and I mindfully slow my breathing. I can’t put my finger on it, but he can’t stay at John’s any longer. It’s too dangerous. I feel it in my soul.
“You would do that for me?” Theo hooks me around the neck and kisses me frantically. We tear each other’s clothes off. “I can’t get close enough to you,” he pants.
“Of course. Hold on a sec.” I give myself space, testing the idea out in my head before I say it out loud. Theo immediately obliges and doesn’t rush me. A grin breaks out over my face as I think about my reaction a month ago to the idea of letting Theo be the first person to fuck me. Rage and anxiety would’ve prevailed.
“What?” Theo traces my smile with his thumb.
“If you can’t get close enough, maybe you should get inside me.” My voice is shaky and not exuding the confidence I hoped to show.
“You mean…” He trails off as I nod my head vigorously. “But you’ve never—”
I steal the rest of the sentence with my kiss. Talking about my inexperience will cause my anxiety to spike and my muscles to tense. “No talking,” I demand.
Theo rolls on top of me and presses his lips together in silent agreement. After a few more deep kisses, he holds up a finger to saywait a minute. He hops off the bed and digs in his suitcase, coming back with lube and condoms.
“Do you want to work me open or should I?” I reach for the lube.
“Can I watchyou?”
I’m relieved. “Absolutely.” I’m not sure if he’s done it before, and with my anxiety, it helps to have control over prepping myself. “I’ll be right back.” Using the limited supplies in the bathroom, I clean up for him.
“Not as prepared as I thought.” He gives me a sheepish look when I return.
“Live and learn,” I say, and a high-pitched laugh leaves my mouth.
“Do that again.” Theo knee-walks to the edge of the bed and hauls me on top of him. Our bodies writhe against each other until I’m breathless.
“Wasn’t me,” I claim, loving all our skin-on-skin contact. His hands sink into my loose hair. “Are you going to miss it?” I ask, unsure what I’ll do if he says yes. “My hair,” I clarify.
“Yeah, but with hockey, it doesn’t make sense to leave it loose. Maybe you can after we win The Cup.” He gives it a tug and runs his nose along my jawline.
“We win, and I’ll leave it natural for the entire summer.” It’s an easy promise, a goal for both of us. I press my lips to his chest, my mark already faded.
“We’re winning,” he promises, and my heart flutters as if he wants to win more for my natural hair than his lifelong goal. It’s silly, but a guy can dream.
Theo is the greatest surprise of my life. A closed-off man who, once you get behind his walls, is a fierce protector. A man willing to put his career and body on the line for me.
“I love being the one who makes you screech.” He kisses the tip of my flat nose, and the innocence of it while naked causes my breath to hitch. Theo snaps open the lube. “Show me how you like it,” he says, and rolls off me.
The cool gel hits my fingers, and I rub them together to warm it up. Theo situates himself between my legs. His eyes dart from my hole to my hard cock and up to my eyes. He licks his lips, and any embarrassment about prepping myself vanishes. This is about foreplay and turning him on.
His groan as I coat my rim makes my dick jump. “I like this.” His fingers brush my newly manscaped pubes. Nothing fancy, just trimmed and shaved.
“I did it for you,” I admit, working a finger inside myself. His mouth drops open, so I add, “I mean, I do it for me so it doesn’t get unruly down there, but I had you in mind.” I maintain eye contact, and his reaction confuses me.
Theo chokes on nothing and surges up to kiss me. “Thank you.” He runs his slim nose alongside mine. “No one’s ever done something like that for me.”
