Up and Coming (Coastal College Football Book 1) Read online

  Emmett just nodded, because his mouth couldn’t form words. His brain could barely form thoughts. Blood had rushed to his dick, which was now calling the shots. And Emmett was one hundred percent okay with that.

  Jake trailed kisses down his belly. Emmett didn’t let himself speculate where that might lead. Because the thought of Jake’s mouth on his cock was enough to make him come in his pants, and he didn’t want this experience to end that way. But—shit, he didn’t have condoms.

  He forced his brain to wake up. “Do you have protection?”

  Jake smiled. “Yeah, in my wallet. But for what I’ve got in mind, we don’t need it.”

  Emmett wanted to let that be enough, but Jake went clubbing. Emmett didn’t want to call the guy a slut, but—

  “I haven’t been with anyone since the last time I was tested,” Jake added, tracing circles around Emmett’s nipple that sent shivers through him. “You?”

  “No one since Tawna,” Emmett said, “and I was tested after.”

  Jake smiled and straddled Emmett, rubbing his hands across Emmett’s chest soothingly. “If at any point you want to stop, that’s okay. This is about feeling good.” He leaned over and kissed Emmett.

  Emmett rested his hands at Jake’s waist, looking up into his soft, beautiful blue eyes. Light blond hair fell over his forehead. Emmett wanted to taste him again, but Jake was sitting up now, stroking Emmett’s chest and shoulders.

  “No pressure,” Jake added. “Whatever you’re ready for. The goal isn’t orgasm. It’s whatever you want in the moment.”

  Emmett ran his hands along Jake’s arms. “Why are you being so good to me?”

  Jake smirked. “Because I care about you, you dumb jock.”

  Emmett stiffened. That was an image he had been fighting his whole life, and it pissed him off. But Jake didn’t know that—he’d already said he thought Emmett was smart. He was just teasing now, so Emmett let it go.

  He reached around and cupped Jake’s ass, eyeing the ridge of his erection. “I can see how hard you are, even through your jeans.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Jake said. “I get pleasure just from touching you.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “But nothing. I’ve been hot for you since the first time I saw you. This is a dream come true for me.”

  Emmett’s mouth went dry. He had no idea Jake’s feelings were so strong, and he wasn’t sure he deserved that kind of admiration from anyone. And especially Jake, who was such a good man. Emmett had done some things he wasn’t proud of, especially where Jake was concerned. And yet the guy still cared for him. It was humbling.

  “I dream of you, too,” Emmett said. “You’re all I can think about. I told myself I’d get over it, but I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I didn’t realize it could be this strong.” Emmett grinned. “I guess I understand what all those love songs are about now.”

  Blue eyes shone down on him, and it warmed Emmett’s heart to think he put that expression there. Jake kissed him again, deeper this time, and ground against Emmett’s pelvis. Emmett gasped and ground back.

  Fingers were suddenly at Emmett’s fly. “Yeah,” Emmett breathed, because that was as much as his brain could manage. He tried not to anticipate, to just feel, like Jake said, but his body ached for Jake’s touch.

  Jake’s hand grazed Emmett’s length through his boxers, and Emmett arched off the bed, stars dotting his vision. That light touch was doing crazy things to him. He wanted much more but couldn’t speak, so he resorted to moans laced with desire.

  “You’re so sensitive,” Jake murmured. “I love it, babe. Want to give you everything you’ve been fantasizing about.”

  Emmett almost keened at that. His body was so needy, he wouldn’t last through a quarter of what he fantasized about. Jake was stroking him harder now, and even through his underwear, it was enough that he had to fight the urge to come.

  “Stop teasing,” he finally said.

  Jake chuckled. “Okay, big boy. I know what you want.” He pushed Emmett’s boxers down off his legs, dropping them on the floor. He lay on his side, head propped on his hand next to Emmett’s hips, gaze trained on Emmett’s dick. “I’ve finally got you exactly where I want you. I wonder what I should do first?”

  Emmett growled. Jake grinned and said, “I’d love to taste that big, hard cock, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Fuck yeah.” Finally.

  But Jake wasn’t done teasing him. He kissed Emmett’s thigh and licked upward, the wet trail cooling his body and sending tingles of pleasure across his skin. Jake’s lips and tongue worked toward the bush of hair at Emmett’s center, and Jake nuzzled there. “You smell good.”

  Emmett was glad of the shower he’d taken after football practice. He wanted this to be good for Jake so he’d want to do it again, because Emmett sure as hell wanted to do it again.

  And then his thoughts went dark, because Jake flicked his tongue across Emmett’s slit, and it was incredible. Like his body was the San Andreas fault, and the Big One just hit. Then that tongue swirled around the tip—fucking hell—and heat built low in his gut, his body aching for release. When Jake swallowed him down, it was all over. He shattered, and Jake took it all, sucking down every drop.

  He lay still, chest heaving. Jake lay next to him and kissed his temple. “You did great, babe,” Jake said, and Emmett couldn’t figure out what that even meant. Jake had done all the work, and Emmett had had the stamina of a teenager. But Emmett couldn’t manage words just yet.

  “What comes next is up to you,” Jake said in that sweet, soothing voice. “We can just cuddle, or we can lie here until you’re ready for round two. Or if you need time alone, I understand.”

  His voice broke on those last words. Clearly, Jake was trying to keep his own emotions from pressuring Emmett, but Emmett wouldn’t have that. He’d always been a team player, and he and Jake were in this together.

  “Come here,” he finally said, taking Jake in his arms. “I haven’t even gotten to see you naked yet. You’re not going anywhere.”

  He kissed Jake long and deep. Tasting himself on his lover’s tongue was weird, but there was something intimate and incredibly gratifying about it, too. Their bodies were mingled together, as if they were one flesh. Corny as it sounded, he could get used to that idea.

  ***

  Jake rested his head on Emmett’s broad, strong chest. I’m in bed with Emmett Cross. It didn’t seem real yet, at least not tangible. It wasn’t something he could hold onto. Maybe in time, it would be, but he wouldn’t let himself believe that yet.

  Jake’s dick was hard as steel. It was uncomfortable, but he didn’t want Emmett to feel like he had to do anything about it. He spotted a bottle of lotion by the bed and groaned at the thought of Emmett’s hand on him. Emmett looked over and rolled onto his side, Jake’s head landing on the pillow.

  “You want me, Jake?”

  “You know I do.”

  “Not really. You keep telling me how this is all about me. Now that we’ve finished with the appetizer, I’m wondering what the main course should be.”

  Jake kissed him, their bodies pressing together. Emmett was still soft, but Jake couldn’t help rutting against him. The guy felt damn good.

  Emmett slid Jake’s briefs off him, and Jake sucked in a breath. His cock was so ready to be skin-to-skin with Emmett.

  Jake kissed him eagerly, dick pressing into Emmett’s hipbone, and Emmett let out a low, rumbling laugh. “I’d say you’re ready.”

  “Touch me?”

  “Hell yeah. If I do anything wrong, tell me.”

  Emmett pumped lotion into his palm, and Jake shuddered. Emmett was so fucking gorgeous, muscles rippling with each movement. His smile was bright and happy, and his golden-brown eyes were like honey fresh from the comb, glistening in the sun.

  The grip of Emmett’s hand drew out a quick gasp from Jake. It was all smooth slickness as the tight tunnel jacked him in long strokes. Heat pulsed through his c
ock.

  Emmett moved in closer, holding Jake with one arm while working him with the other. “Do you like that?”

  “Amazing.” Jake laid his head on Emmett’s shoulder, happy in the closeness and the sense of security Emmett gave him. He’d always been attracted to big, muscular guys, and Emmett’s combination of strong but gentle did crazy things to him. He felt cared for in a way he never had before.

  The rhythm of Emmett’s large, firm hand kept him just on the edge. The muscles of his thighs tightened but he couldn’t let go. It was perfect, and he didn’t want it to end. The thumb circling his cockhead, the friction of fingers on his shaft—and just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, Emmett kissed a nipple and his body exploded. Spunk shot on both of them, and Emmett picked up the pace, milking him dry.

  “Holy hell,” Jake said. “You sure you’ve never done that to anyone but me before?”

  “Only you, babe.”

  “You must have had lots of practice on yourself, then,” Jake teased. “You’re a master.”

  “Good to know.” That bright grin again.

  Jake kissed him hard, jizz lubricating their chests as they rubbed together. He could not get enough of this man. He grabbed Emmett’s ass and pulled him close. Emmett was getting hard again.

  And Emmett hard was a magnificent thing. He was a big guy, and his cock was proportional to his body. It was long and thick, the dusky blue-black skin pulled taut. Jake brushed his fingertips across it, and Emmett moaned.

  Jake kissed his way down Emmett’s skin. He took a dark nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue over the nub, sucking and nipping it. Emmett hummed, but Jake wanted him writhing and needy.

  As he attacked the other nipple, Jake skated his hand along Emmett’s hard abdominals, fingertips finding every ridge of muscle. Jake couldn’t believe that he got to touch this body. Emmett was addictive, and Jake didn’t know if he could survive on just a taste.

  Jake kissed lower, finding the hollow of Emmett’s hipbone. He licked and kissed, and the frequency and volume of Emmett’s moans increase. Jake straddled him, kissing his mouth, his temple, his cheek. It wasn’t enough. It could never be enough.

  Emmett rubbed against Jake’s lengthening cock. Jake’s brain short circuited. Waves of sensation rolled over him: Emmett’s cedar scent, the clean earthy taste of him, the warm protection of his arms.

  Jake had never wanted anything this much. His heart seemed to expand to encompass these burgeoning emotions. Emmett was his world. He couldn’t imagine anything else feeling this right.

  Emmett was grinding against him, and Jake knew what he needed. Emmett had waited long enough. Jake was ready to give him an experience he’d never forget.

  Jake crawled down Emmett’s body. His mouth found Emmett’s cock, and he didn’t tease this time. He swallowed him whole, and Emmett bucked up off the bed. Jake chuckled at how easy it was to manipulate Emmett this way. Big, strong quarterback, always cool and collected, and Jake had stripped him to his core. No hiding, no pretense—Jake owned him.

  With one hand on Emmett’s shaft, the other massaging his balls, Jake sucked that hot dick, enjoying the feel of velvet skin against his lips.

  Emmett gently thrust into him, never giving him more than he could take. His lover’s eagerness fed his own desire. Jake was fully hard again, and it was wrecking his concentration. But he forced himself to focus on Emmett’s pleasure.

  He knelt between Emmett’s legs and held the base of Emmett’s cock, taking him as deep as he could go. He swallowed him down, throat muscles working the head, and Emmett swore.

  “Like that, do you?” Jake asked, then got back to business.

  He swirled his tongue over Emmett’s cap, reducing him to begging. Jake grabbed his own cock, jacking himself while he continued to suck. Giving Emmett pleasure turned him on like nothing else. He wanted Emmett inside him, although he knew that wouldn’t happen tonight.

  Heat built in his belly and he felt the tightening in his shaft. He spilled into his hand, a jolt of white-hot pleasure, as he continued to work Emmett with his lips and tongue. Seconds later, Emmett cried out and thrust into him, the tangy taste filling Jake’s mouth.

  As their heartbeats slowed, Emmett pulled him up and kissed him. “I never dreamed anything could be that good.”

  A thrill rushed through Jake’s body. “I’m really glad I decided to come over tonight.”

  Emmett chuckled. “Me too.”

  “I was sure I was making a fool of myself.”

  “I was the fool, resisting this. It’s everything I never knew I wanted.”

  “Wow, that’s profound, English major.”

  Emmett rolled on top of him and pinned Jake’s arms over his head as Jake laughed. “You better watch your mouth,” Emmett said, “because I can overpower you anytime I want.”

  Jake thrust his pelvis up against him, and Emmett kissed him deeply.

  Emmett lay down, and Jake cradled Emmett’s head against his chest, kissing his earlobe. Their legs intertwined. Jake never wanted to leave this bed—Emmett’s arms felt like home. But only time would tell whether Emmett felt the same.

  Chapter 8

  Saturday evening, the football team was gathering in a darkened parking lot, waiting to get on the bus for the ride back to campus. They greeted each other with laughter and fist bumps, and Emmett got a few ass slaps celebrating their victory. After being down by six at half-time, they opened the third quarter with a quick run downfield, capped off by Emmett carrying the ball home for a touchdown.

  Waseem chest-bumped him. “Nice job, man. I’ve never seen you run like that.”

  “I wouldn’t have had to,” Emmett said, “if Brent had been where he was supposed to be.”

  “Hey, man,” Brent said, “I had two tackles pressuring me.”

  Emmett had been under pressure too, and was sure he’d be sacked when he looked downfield and saw holes where his receivers were supposed to be. But a path opened in front of him and he ran for all he was worth.

  It was the kind of play that impressed the scouts, showing his athleticism as well as his ability to keep his head.

  The players crowded their way onto the bus, Emmett heading for his usual spot in the back. The guys knew he liked to sit there so he could study in peace, so they saved the seat for him. Except for a teammate who once called him Rosa Parks, and earned a swat on the back of the head from the coach for it, no one gave him shit about it.

  Since Waseem had the biggest mouth of anyone on the team, he sat with Demonté near the front, while Brent took the empty space next to Emmett. They didn’t talk much. Brent was as laid-back as they came. But Emmett felt good knowing Brent wasn’t repulsed after seeing him kiss Jake.

  Jake. Except for a few texts, Emmett hadn’t really talked to the guy since the amazing sex on Wednesday. In his mind, that was how he thought about it: they hadn’t just had sex, they’d had amazing sex. Mind-blowing, heart-pumping, body-shattering sex.

  And damn, he wanted more of that.

  He had told Jake he needed time to figure out how all these changes fit into his life. Jake was understanding, which made Emmett feel even guiltier. He knew Jake deserved better, but Emmett was being as honest as he could. Midterms were coming up, and if he didn’t do well, it could jeopardize the rest of the season for him.

  Emmett took out his tablet and put in his earbuds. He opened the e-reader app to the narrated version of The Old Man and the Sea. Hemingway was his favorite author—he loved the understatement and the stark prose—but today he felt like a sense of joy was missing. Emmett had never really thought much about joy before. But since hooking up with Jake, something new was growing inside him. A desire like he’d never experienced, like he couldn’t feel whole without another person in his life.

  And that was a strange feeling for Emmett. He was independent and self-sufficient, and he liked it that way. Sure, he enjoyed the camaraderie of working with the team. But in the end, he didn’t want to rely on anyon
e but himself.

  It was uncomfortable that Jake had come to mean so much to him this fast. He hadn’t known he wanted that. But the way his heart rate sped up when he thought of Jake, the way his stomach tumbled, brought him a new kind of happiness.

  He’d been thinking about the spaces in his life where Jake might fit in. Studying together, sleeping together—those were things they could do without disrupting his routine. They could eat meals together too, but Emmett wasn’t sure how willing he was to be seen getting close to Jake in public.

  It sounded horrible. He hated catering to people who discriminated, but he’d learned through a lifetime of being judged by the color of his skin that sometimes discretion really was the better part of valor. You worked within the system until you could bring it down.

  The book he was reading was short, and Emmett finished it just as the bus made the final turn onto campus. As they pulled into the parking lot by the athletic building, Emmett saw the crowd of girlfriends waiting. A heaviness gripped his heart. It had never bothered him before, but now he felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He wished Jake were in the crowd.

  As he stepped out, he was surprised to see Amber greeting Demonté with a kiss. And it wasn’t just any kiss, because Demonté was a show-off and Amber was hot, and he apparently wanted everyone to know they were together.

  But Emmett wasn’t intimidated by Demonté’s antics. “When did this happen?” he asked Amber.

  “Few days ago. He’s been chasing me all semester. Thought I’d show some sympathy and give him a little taste.”

  “C’mon, baby,” Demonté said, “you know you can’t get enough of this.” He bumped his hip against hers.

  She giggled and kissed him, so maybe there was some truth to what Demonté said.

  Emmett headed to the frat house and dropped off his gear, his mind on Jake. Emmett texted him, but Jake said he was at dinner with Seth, a junior astronomy major. Emmett’s stomach hollowed out, thinking of Jake with another man. He knew it was stupid, but a twinge of jealousy burned in his heart nonetheless.