Tane’s thighs tensed. His grip tightened in Jacob’s hair.
Jacob didn’t pull off. He doubled down—hollowed cheeks, swirling tongue, hand twisting at the base—until Tane arched, a low groan tearing from his throat, and finished cumming with the hottest, most animalistic grunt of pleasure.
Jacob swallowed every last pulse of Tane’s hot cum, then pulled off slowly, licking his lips as he looked up.
Tane stared down at him, his eyes dark, chest heaving, expression wrecked and tender all at once.
“Come here,” Tane said, his voice hoarse.
Jacob climbed back onto the bench. Tane pulled him in, careful of both their injuries, and kissed him deep, tasting himself on Jacob’s tongue.
When they broke apart, foreheads pressed together, sweat-slick and spent, Tane murmured against Jacob’s mouth:
“You’re gonna kill me one day,” Tane laughed.
Jacob grinned. “Would it be worth it?”
“No comment!” Tane rasped, his face full of satisfaction.
They sat like that—tangled, breathing each other in—until the heat became too much and they finally stood, wrapped fresh towels around their waists, and headed for the showers.
Outside the sauna door, the hallway was quiet.
This was a good moment, one of relaxation and relief.
But there were more battles on the horizon. Battles that would define their legacy as players, and as a couple too…
Chapter 27
Tane
The restaurant sat on a quiet stretch of the waterfront district. The mind of place that was upscale enough for good food and dim lighting, but discreet enough that no one bothered them for selfies.
Tane and Jacob had lingered over dessert longer than usual, talking about nothing and everything: the upcoming finals, Jacob’s latest Switch obsession, the way the city lights looked prettier when the season was still alive.
No Cardini talk.
No shoulder talk.
Just all the easy stuff, the day-to-day rhythm of their lives together. It was nice too. But all good things needed to come to an end and before they knew it, it was time to make an exit.
Tane paid the bill while Jacob stepped outside to wait for the cab.
The night air had turned sharp… Tane could feel it through the glass doors as he collected their coats from the hostess. Blackwool for him, neon yellow puffer for Jacob. He draped both over his good arm and pushed through the exit.
“Jacob, I…” Tane began, before realizing that it was just him. “Okay…”
The sidewalk was empty.
No Jacob. No cab idling at the curb. Just the low hum of distant traffic and the slap of water against the pier pilings.
Tane’s stomach dropped.
He scanned left, then right—nothing. The streetlights threw long shadows, but no blond hair, no familiar silhouette leaning against a lamppost or checking his phone.
Tane sensed from the pit of his stomach that something was up. It just didn’t feel right. Without wasting a single second, he pulled out his cell and hit Jacob’s contact.
It rang once, twice, four times.
