Axel runs a hand through his disheveled blond hair with a heavy sigh. “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say you want to fuck me as much as I want to fuck you, so why fight it?”
My stubborn pride prevents me from admitting the obvious. “I’ve got work to do.” I lift my shoulder listlessly.
“So do I. Doesn’t mean we can’t indulge after work. Besides, I’m only here for ten days, and I’d rather not spend them with my hand when I could be having mind-blowing sex every night.”
I inhale deeply and hold my breath for a second, letting it out slowly as his words sink in. Ten days. In the past, there have never been more than two. For that reason alone, I should say no. Ten is too close to fling territory, and I’m more of a one-night-stand type of guy. Even those I don’t indulge in regularly. I’ve got too much on my plate.
That comment about having a project to work on wasn’t just a line to get rid of him. Well, it was, but it wasn’t a lie either. I’ve got big plans for the business, plans that I want to put in motion sooner rather than later, and it’s hard enough to find time to work on them when I don’t have the added distraction of trying to get laid.
He’s right about the mind-blowing part, though. We haven’t even done the deed, yet I came harder from his mouth than any other sexual encounter I’ve had in my twenty-seven years. Am I really going to pass up more of that because he’ll be here ten days instead of two?
“Do those gears ever stop turning?” Axel cocks his head to the side, studying me.
“Not usually.” I stare at the ground, avoiding the look I know will eliminate my resolve, but it doesn’t last long. Axel tilts my chin upward with a fingertip and I find those hooded, whiskey-colored eyes.
“I’ll take your mind off it.” The heat in his gaze leaves no doubt in my mind he has a plan to do just that. And despite coming less than five minutes ago, I want more.Fuck it.
“Guess I’ll be seeing you after work.” I brace for the triumphant look I know he’s going to give me, schooling my features into a blank expression.
“Guess so.” He grins before sauntering out the door.
As soon as he’s out of sight I lunge for my bag, fishing through it for the spare set of briefs that can replace the ones I’m wearing right now. Good thing I had the foresight to pack several pairs of underwear; I have a feeling I’ll need them.
Chapter four
Axel
Iwhip through the trees, getting a feel for the trail and the dirt. It’s early season so nothing is bone-dry, although some places are a little damper and softer than I’d like. Fortunately, as long as the trail is merely damp instead of wet, there isn’t a slip hazard that can take me out or clog the gears on the bike.
After a few passes, I have a better sense of where I need to stay technical and where I can add some style. I give Jace, my cameraman and best friend, my input so he and the other guys can set the cameras then find a log to rest on while I wait.
Munching on a protein bar, I watch him set up and test the equipment. Though I’d rather just ride instead of getting video footage, I’m grateful to have time away from the arena and the chaos of competitions. I love flying through the air, tricking out jumps to the roar of the crowd, but man-made tracks don't come close to these open spaces, mountains and trees as far as the eye can see. Riding out here is rejuvenating. A lifeline of sorts, since the constant travel for competitions is starting to wear on me, making me seriously consider where I might want to try living full-time.
I wonder… What would Jace say about my burnout? He’s been on the road with me since day one, my best friend before that, and he’s one of the only people who knows me beyond the guy who can slay it on a bike. Usually, I tell him everything, but I haven’t told him this.
Jace likes being on the road. He loves the adventure of travel as well as the anonymity of being the cameraman instead of the guy on the podium. Even though we’ve been at this over a decade, he doesn’t seem to be tired of the constant movement, and I don’t want to take that away from him. I can’t see him objecting to a less hectic schedule, but does he want to put down stakes? I’m not sure.
He grew up with them in a way I didn’t, so he might not crave them the way I’m starting to. Hell, I’m not even sure he’d understand where I’m coming from since his family took me in and helped raise me, so he’d probably make the case that my upbringing wasn’t exactly unstable compared to his. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but it’s not the same thing.
Regardless of how good they were to me, and they were great, they weren’tmyfamily. Their house wasn’tmyhome. I’m pushing thirty and haven’t really felt anchored, and the more I think about it, the more I think an anchor is something I want.
Jace signals that he’s finished and I suit up for another lap, wondering briefly if we’ll get what we need on this trail today. It would buy me time to just ride, to enjoy the trip down the mountain without a checklist of features I need to hit along the way. I can't even remember the last time I rode for fun.
Reaching the top of the run, I rev the engine—Jace will add music to the film later, but a good engine roar is always a crowd pleaser—and I start on the trail, flying through turns fast enough to give my body the illusion it’s floating. I can never get enough of this sensation; the wind rushing past my face, the burn of the muscles to keep the bikesteady, even the power of the engine between my legs. It’s grueling and exhilarating at the same time, making my body come alive. Cameras like it too, if video sales are any indication.
I’d still love a day without all the filming, though. Maybe even one with a certain blonde on the back of my bike. His hard cock pressed up against my back while his arms are wrapped tight around my waist. A hand ghosting over my dick.Shit!
I carry too much speed into a curve, kicking up a bunch of dirt as I brake through the turn. The bike wobbles underneath me, although stepping on the gas has me shooting forward before gravity can take me down.Damn that was close.
This is why I can’t let my mind wander while I’m on the bike. Unfortunately, even after that little bobble I can’t get Lennon out of my head. Is that because of the sex, because he’s a man, or because he speaks to my competitive side? Either way, I do get a sick thrill out of trying to make him accept what he’s clearly fighting, which is hilarious considering I’m the one who should be kicking and screaming.
I still have no idea why I want him so bad. Ignoring the obvious gender anomaly, I’m typically the one being chased, not doing the chasing. And I’ve never, not once, let a hookup stay the night in my bed. I should be questioning these changes if not fighting them outright, if only because my life and career aren’t conducive to them. Yet, instead of running away I’m begging for more, and I’m not sure I can put the blame squarely on my competitive nature.
Yeah, I love a challenge, although if I’m being honest, the challenge isn’t the only thing that had me pursuing him this morning. It was waking up with him in my arms and feeling like I’d had the best sleep of my life even though I couldn’t have got more than a few hours.
That’s a scary thought. Being on the bike is usually the thing that makes me feel content, yet I had that feeling in bed this morning, sameas I know he did. I made up some bullshit about orgasms being better than sleeping pills to explain why he overslept, and while I fully believe a good release will lead to a good night’s sleep, now I’m wondering if something else didn’t contribute also. Something about actuallysleepingwith someone.
After a few more runs we pack up and head back to the house to go over the footage. Nick and Trevor, the guys who ride in front and back of me to get moving footage on the trail, head off to shower and get ready for their evening, leaving Jace and I to ourselves. Although they’re good guys and great riders, I always like doing this part best when it’s just me and Jace.
