He stands, gently moving me from between his legs as he goes to the vanity unit and takes out anti-inflammatory lotion, then he sits on a stool in front of the mirror and asks, through our reflections, “Would you?”
I take the tube from him, lathering my hands. He raises his arm above his head and hisses as I rub the lotion onto his side, slowly, methodically. In part, he took this hit for me.
My fingers glide through the moisture, over his skin. At some point, I forget to play nurse, as I enjoy the excuse to touch him, uninhibited. To feel his body as if I’m entitled to. I want him so much I’d be willing to bet my body is aching more than his.
I lower his arm and move my hands across his shoulders that are blotched with red, angry marks, despite all the padding he wears.
He’s watching me through the mirror but I daren’t look back for fear he’ll see right through me, to how much I’m desperate to have him touch me. To want to. Toneedto.
“I wouldn’t,” I tell him, noticing as I speak that there’s a defined outline of something sizable and masculine in his pants, next to his thigh. “Go running back to Auston.”
The moment his name leaves my mouth, I wish I could take it back. I can’t, but I do lower myself to my knees, bring my chest to Tanner’s back, and my lips to his scapular.
“Annie.” The way my name leaves him – strained, breathless – is exactly how I want him to say it. Like his desire is a match for mine. As if his mind is a blur of lust, like mine.
I rise a little, bringing my mouth to his neck. He leans into the touch.
“Annie,” he says, stronger, clearer this time.
I bring my mouth to the sensitive skin right beneath his lobe.
“Annie.” He stands and I mirror him, not fully understanding what’s happening. A little dazed, honestly. “This.” He motions between us, and I avoid looking directly but his arousal is clear. “This isn’t?—”
Oh. That’s what’s happening.
“Right. I’m sorry, Tanner. I didn’t mean to—” He’s a baller, a player, another sports guy in the limelight. He’s wealthy, he dates models. He’s my brother’s best friend and he’s the best friend I have in the world right now. And I am… acting my inexperienced age,screwingthis up. “Crap, I’m sorry.”
“Hey, hey, hey.” He takes hold of my face and pulls me into his chest. His dadgum naked chest. “Don’t even sweat it. I was here, too. I just think— Look, Annie, I li?—”
Lord here comes anotherit’s not you, it’s mespeech.
“Can we forget that ever happened? I lost my head for a minute. You’ve been so kind to Nelson and me and I—” I giggle, and it comes out all weird and high-pitched. “Did the Annie Quinn thing with a footballer again.”
I worm out of his hold and dart for the door, remembering my hot chocolate and making a no-eye-contact return to collect it, then rushing to the sanctity of my bedroom.
I’m pretty sure I hear Tanner whisperfuck,before I shut my door behind me, set down my drink and throw myself onto the bed.
I’m silently screaming into my pillow when my phone chimes with a text.
Auston
I’m going to show you that I’m serious
I stare at the message.
Is this him clicking his fingers, or is it genuine?
Me
How?
Auston
I’m working on it. I need you to trust me
Trusthim.Auston?
My life is an absolute disaster.
