Ralph is talking my ears off as we round my building. It’s cold as fuck, so I hurry my steps toward the stairs. He insisted on taking me to my apartment, probably hoping for a make-out session, which I’m not so eager to give him. He’s cute and funny and has a tongue piercing I wouldn’t mind feeling around my cock. Maybe I should rethink this. Lori hooked me up with him, which means that this guy is great if not phenomenal in bed.
I frown when I see a black jeep that looks just like TJ’s parked in front of my complex. There’s someone inside, but the tinted window hides their face. I decide to ignore it, just like TJ did with me this morning. I keep smiling at Ralph as we climb the flight of stairs.
When I reach my door, I hear footsteps coming up. Overwhelmed by a sudden urge, I turn around, and grabbing the guy’s jacket, I pull him toward me until my lips lower on his. He tastes like the cranberry juice and vodka cocktail he drank at the club. His tongue is hot against mine when he pushes it inside my mouth, while the piercing feels cold but nice. I feel his small hand grabbing my ass while he moans too loudly.
This feels wrong, I think just before pulling my head away. I catch someone in the corner of my eye, and when I turn my head, I see TJ. Gray cap, pink cheeks, hands balled up at his sides, and a grave expression on his face.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him, pushing Ralph gently off me. A sense of regret squeezes my throat for a moment.
He doesn’t answer. His gaze has moved to Ralph, all intense and aloof.
“I think this is my cue to go. You have my number,” Ralph tells me with a rasp in his voice before leaving, being very careful not to walk too close to the stiff giant standing on the landing.
“Why are you here again?” I ask TJ, grabbing my phone to check the time. I have thirty minutes to get to the tattoo parlor.
“Who was that?” His growly voice sounds pleasingly smooth to my ears, mellifluous—love that word. Still, it’s none of his business who I was with.
“He was inconsequential.” I sound a little stilted now.
“Can we talk?”
“I have somewhere to be.” I unlock my apartment door just to grab my messenger bag from the entrance and then lock it again. When I turn, he’s still here.
“I’m sorry about last night. I… What we did got me by surprise.” His puppy eyes are back, but the tension in his body is still evident.
I believe what he said. Most guys freak out after their first man-to-man experience. But he seemed fine all smiley and kissy until he checked his phone.
“Your apologies are starting to be a frequent recurrence,” I state with a flat tone. Not caring about his excuses, I add, “We’re cool. It was fun. It’s done.”
“I’d like to do that again, if you want,” he has the gall to say.
“Are you going to ignore me every time we meet outside my apartment? Clandestine relationships are not my style. Well, relationships in general. ”
“I wasn’t ignoring you. It was the opposite.” He blushes so fucking adorably. He’s big and handsome, showing embarrassment looks odd on him. So damn cute.
I frown. “So, you acknowledged me by not talking to me?”
“No. I didn't know how… I… Fuck! I didn’t know ifyouwanted meto approach you.”
“Approach me?”
“After what my teammates did to you—which I assure you they’ll never do again—and the way I left, I thought you had enough of stupid…jocks.” He shrugs.
This guy is a mystery to me. Every time I think I comprehend his actions, he proves me wrong. I can’t fucking pin him down.
“But you’re here now,” I remind him.
“Couldn’t stop myself. I felt like shit for the way I left, especially after…” His gaze falls on my mouth, and I can’t resist teasing him with my tongue slicking my lower lip.
“Maybe you should go back to girls, looks like you treat them well. I mean, they even sit on your lap.” I use a carefree tone, but that tramp wants him only because he could be an NFL player one day. And why do I feel irritated by it? Who the hell knows? This guy is fucking with my head, and I don’t like it.
“That was Tracy. Our parents are friends. I’ve known her a long time.” He slides his hands inside his jeans pockets.
“And Ralph, the guy I sucked face with a moment ago, was afriendas well.” I pronounce the word “friend” very slowly, witnessing the way his jaw ticks. I’ve had enough of this.
“I need to go now.”
“I can take you,” he offers, all awkward looking.
