Avery

I have long since left my own graduation party in favor of going downtown

with my friends while my parents stayed at the restaurant and entertained theirs. It didn’t escape me that Theo stayed longer than I think he planned and opted to leave when we did to head home. He’d mingled with us and my parents all night. It felt almost like a game; how many times could we lock eyes in a room full of people without making it obvious?

A bunch of us are at a club downtown, the time nearing almost one in the morning when I decide now is time to figure out if I’m going to a more private party next. I break away from the group and make my way around the large circular bar in the middle of the club to give myself some space.

Me: Hiiiii

The bubbles indicating that he’s typing pop up before disappearing. They pop up again and then disappear again and I giggle at the thought that he doesn’t know what to say.

TG: Are you okay? Me: Yep, I’m fine TG: You having fun? Me: Yes!

TG: Good, I’m glad.

Me: Will you come get me?

He doesn’t answer right away and I resist the urge to text him again when I sense bouncing in my periphery. I turn to see Rory sipping what I think to be a rum and coke through a straw.

“Who are you texting?”

“No one.” I close the message and set my phone to sleep.

“Okay, you’re so full of shit,” she says through narrowed slits. “But

why?”

“Rory...” I’ve come close to spilling the beans to her a few times. I

haven’t because sometimes I can’t tell if she’s just as close to Lucas as she is to me and I worry she might accidentally slip up to him especially if she’s drinking. I wish I could tell her, but it’s just too risky.

“Are you seeing someone?”

“What? No.”

“Someone that lives here?” she pushes.

“Of course not.”

“Someone that may have been at your grad party?” She sings and my

palms start to sweat. “Like who?”

She shrugs. “You tell me.”

“I am not into Elijah, Rory.” I deadpan and she rolls her eyes in response.

“Obviously.”

My phone buzzes in my hand and I want to look at it but the thought of Rory catching who I’m texting makes me nervous.

“You’re hiding something!” She bumps her hip with mine.

“I am not!” I down the drink in my hand. “I have to pee,” I tell her. “Do you want to come?”

“No, I’m good,” she says and I bolt away from one of my best friends and her very prying eyes. I’m not even through the door of the bathroom before I’m opening his message.

TG: We shouldn’t do this.

My head falls back in frustration and an exasperated sigh leaves my lips as I try to figure out what to say. My phone buzzes again and a smile finds my lips at the unexpected words on the screen.

TG: I’m not saying I don’t want to.

Me: I want to.

The dots appear and then disappear twice before he replies.

TG: Can you get away easily?

Me: Yes. I’ll Irish goodbye!

TG: Your own graduation party? Everyone will notice you’re missing, and what if Lucas shows up at your house looking for you later?

Me: I’ll figure it out. Lucas won’t find out, okay? I know that’s what you’re worried about.

TG: Aren’t you?

The words on the screen make me feel like shit. Should I be more concerned? Does it make me a terrible friend for doing this? Keeping it from him? My reasoning is slightly different from Theo’s. It’s a secret, a big secret I’m keeping from my best friend. But he’s not going to find out. No one is going to know.

My phone vibrates again.

Lucas: Would you hate me if I left?

I look up in the air. Thank you! I mouth, even though I’m sure God isn’t really on my side about hooking up with my best friend’s father.

Me: Of course not. Everything okay?

Lucas: A few of the guys want to go to Pratt Street.

I snicker, thinking about Pratt Street.

Me: Oh IIII see. Blowing off my grad party for strippers?

Lucas: I’ve barely seen you! You’ve been MIA all night. I’ll make it up to you. You own me all week, Summers. I swear.

Me: I’m messing with you. Have fun!

Lucas: You want to come?

Me: I’m good lol

Lucas: Oh come on, I’ll buy you a lap dance.

Me: Bye Lucas.

Lucas: Where are you anyway?

Me: Bathroom

Lucas: Okay, called the Uber. It’ll be here in five. You coming out soon?

Me: Two minutes

I pick up the phone and Theo answers my call on the first ring. “He’s not going to find out. He’s going somewhere else with his friends.”

“You’re his best friend. You’re not going wherever he’s going?” Theo asks and I wince. I don’t really want to tell his dad he’s going to a strip club but I guess he is twenty-one. More than likely he’ll tell him himself.

“His guy friends.”

“Ah.” He chuckles in realization. “Well, when is he leaving?”

“He said he called the Uber and they’re leaving in five.”

“I can be there shortly after that.”

“Are we going to your house?” I ask. “I think that may be risky.”

“We aren’t,” he responds and I hear the sounds of his keys.

“Oh?”

“I got a room.” I don’t even stop the smile from finding my face. “I’m

not saying we’re doing anything.”

“Sure, Theo.” I saw the way he was looking at me in this dress. All it

would take is a flick of a wrist to get this dress off and then game over.

“I’m serious. If you’re drunk...”

“Do I sound drunk?” And the truth is, I’m not. I’m tipsy at best because

at my graduation party my mother warned me about getting sloppy around my grandparents and so much of my family. So, I never even got drunk while I was there and when I got here, I was significantly more sober and then I only had one shot of tequila.

“No, but you know how to hide it.”

“I’m not. I’ve been drinking water for a few hours. I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you tonight and I wanted to be...aware. I knew you’d want me to be aware.”

“Hmmm,” he says but it comes out more like a growl that I feel throughout my body.

“I’ll text you when Lucas is gone.”

  By the time I get back to my friends, the guys are leaving. Lucas pulls me into a hug, pressing a kiss to my forehead, and tells me we could meet for brunch or whatever I want tomorrow before he leaves.

“You really feel nothing for him?” Rory says as we watch them head outside.

“No...” I scrunch my nose because, honestly, I wish I did some days. I wish I had reciprocated the same feelings he had in high school. Something tells me we’d still be together if I had. It would certainly make my life easier. If he’s this way about his best friend, I can only imagine how he’d worship the woman he’s with.

“You got that man fucked up.”

I gasp, and smack her shoulder. “Rory, I do not!”

She snorts into her glass. “Okay. I’m going home with Justin.” She runs

a hand through her hair.

“Of course, you are. Why didn’t he go with the guys?”

“Because a stripper won’t stick his dick in her mouth?” She looks at me

incredulously. “Or I suppose she might, but I do it for free.” Her red-painted lips form a straight line and she rolls her eyes. “Like an idiot.”

I chuckle. “Shut up, you love him.”

“I do not!” She mimics me and I raise an eyebrow at her. “Okay, the point is...I’m leaving to go get laid.” She leans in to kiss my cheek. “You good? I assume whoever you’re texting is going to come get you.” She nods at my phone and I do my best to avoid her prying eyes.

“I’m just going home,” I tell her as my phone buzzes.

TG: I’m around the side. Wasn’t sure if any of your friends would be outside.

Me: Coming

My head darts up and I’m glad Rory is on her phone. “I’m leaving, my Uber is here.”

“Text me when you’re safe.” And I make a mental note that she doesn’t say ‘when you get home.’ She kisses my cheek again. “I’m not going to hound you about this right now because I can sense a girl thinking with her pussy from a mile away and I don’t want to ruin your ‘I’m about to get dick buzz,’ but this conversation is not over.”

“Fine,” I relent because she’s right. The buzz has kicked in and nothing in this moment matters more than getting Theo Graham between my legs.

I escape my friends, without having to do a million goodbyes and slide into Theo’s Mercedes. He has multiple cars, and I notice he’s brought the one that’s the most nondescript. The paparazzi rarely catch him doing anything and don’t often really even care what he’s doing now that he’s this far removed from the NFL, but people still recognize him and I’m sure he doesn’t want that or worse, to get papped going into a hotel with me.

“Hi,” I say with a smile and he smiles back, his eyes drinking me in. He’s still in his suit from my graduation party, making me wonder what he’s been doing since I left him three hours ago.

“Hi, beautiful,” he says and I melt as he pulls out into the street.

“Thank you for coming to get me.”

“When have I ever not come when you called?” He asks and my heart

begins to race.

I raise an eyebrow. “I think this is different.”

“Fair.” He grunts as he zooms down Main Street.

“Where did you book a room?”

“The Ritz.”

“Oh fancy. Are you trying to impress me, Mr. Graham? Am I getting the

football star Theo Graham treatment?” He chuckles but I see a bit of a flush moving up his neck. “Oh my gosh, I was kidding!” I move across the console and put my hand on his thigh. “You don’t need to try to impress me. You do that by just being you.” I tell him as I move my fingers along his thigh and brush against his hardness.

“Avery,” he groans.

“Mmmm?” I narrow my eyes and give him a cheeky smirk. “Don’t...”

“Don’t what?”

“Tempt me.”

We make it to the front of the hotel and despite the late hour, the valet staff are still outside. “Welcome back, sir.” A man, probably no older than me, opens the door for him while another opens the door for me.

“Welcome back?” I look up at him.

“I came earlier to check into the room,” he says as his hand finds the small of my back.

“I see,” I tell him as we make our way through the lobby to the elevator. The second we step into the elevator I feel the tension crackle between us. We are going all the way to the fifteenth floor, so we have a few moments before we make it there.

“You are so fucking beautiful.” He drags his eyes down my frame, zeroing in on my feet. “Do your feet hurt?”

I bite my lip because being in four-inch stilettos for eight hours is a lot even on the most experienced of heel wearers. “A little.” He moves across the elevator and just as it dings, he lifts me into his arms like I weigh nothing. I gasp, being in his strong arms, and I allow myself to press my face to his neck and take a deep inhale. “You smell good.” I continue dragging my nose along his neck and I feel him swallow.

“Avery,” he whispers as he walks to the end of the hall where there are double doors to enter meaning it’s some sort of suite. He sets me on my feet and backs me against the door. “Front pocket.” He grits out. I look up at him questioningly and his lips curl into a smirk. “The key is in my front pocket.”

“Oh.” I gasp as I reach into the right pocket first, feeling around but not finding the key. I switch to his other pocket and I find it instantly but continue exploring, trying my best to push his slacks closer to his dick to no avail. I pull out the key card and turn around to drag it against the detector when I feel him at my back and his lips resting on my shoulder.

“I couldn’t pull my eyes away from you all night.”

“I know.” I push open the door and pull him inside with me. “Every time I searched for you, you were already looking at me.”

“You are impossible not to look at. Believe me, I’ve been trying,” he tells me as he slides his jacket off.

I make it a point to text Rory to let her know that I’m safe. I also respond to a very jumbled text message from my mother asking me if I’m staying out tonight and I tell her yes.

Oh, but she can get drunk. I roll my eyes.

The last text is from Lucas asking me if I’m okay and if I’m home safe to which I also respond yes. I’ll deal with all of that tomorrow.

Tonight, I just need him.

I close my phone and sit on the couch, noticing how massive the suite is. We’re still in the living area but I see the bedroom just off to the right and my skin prickles with anticipation. He sits on the coffee table in front of me and pulls my feet into his lap as he unbuckles the strap around my ankle to remove each shoe. “What started...this crush you have on me?”

I rub my foot against his thigh, dragging it up and down slowly. His hand finds my calf and he moves his rough hands along it. I feel the calluses on his fingers and it reminds me that I don’t know what they feel like on my clit or my tits or anywhere intimate. His thumb drags along my ankle and reaches the arch of my foot, pushing his thumbs into the soles and I moan at the feeling.

“Have you seen you? I was thirteen and the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen moved in next door.” A ghost of a smile finds his lips. “And you were nice. Probably the nicest man I’ve ever met besides someone I’m related to.” I cock my head to the side in memory. I’ve always been bubbly and outgoing and the day they moved in I marched over to their house before they were even done unpacking with a lasagna and a tray of cheesecake brownies my mother made and inserted myself into their lives without even giving them the option.

I pull my foot out of his hands and reach my hand out to pull him to the couch next to me. Within moments I’m in his lap, fueled by the memories of what straddling him feels like. “You’re sexy and smart and kind and hardworking and protective...and...” I let out a breath. “On the slightly more fucked up side, you’re my best friend’s favorite person in the world. He’s spent the last seven years trying to be you and while I’m not attracted to him, I am attracted to the man he’s been trying to be ever since he could walk.” I bite my bottom lip and I watch his eyes flit to the movement. “And okay, maybe I do have some daddy issues.” I let out a breath before I gently brush my lips against his. “You’ve been such a constant in my life for so long, Theo. But, I don’t want him to find out. I don’t want the drama, and you’re right; he wouldn’t like it and he’d be angry at you and hurt by me and I don’t want to do that to someone I care about.” My tongue flicks out and drags along his bottom lip. “But it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped thinking about what your dick would feel like in my mouth.”

His hands drop to my hips where my dress hiked up when I slid into his lap and I grind against him. My panty covered pussy is sitting directly over his slacks covered dick. I begin moving against him, moving up and down and trying my best to make him harder in his pants.

“Fuck,” he groans.

“Will you touch me this time?”

“Yes.” His voice is hoarse.

“Did you bring condoms?” I raise an eyebrow at him, and I briefly

wonder if he really was expecting us to just ‘talk.’

He shifts and lets out a sigh. “I didn’t.”

I frown and pull back slightly. I shift, feeling his hard dick beneath me,

and wonder how in the hell he expected us to get out of this hotel room without him being inside me at least once. “Why?”

“I...I am trying to exercise some restraint, Avery. I don’t know if we should...go there.”

“But you can touch me?” I lean down and let my tongue flick out to trace along his ear. “You can touch my pussy without wanting to put your dick inside it?”

“I’m not ready to go that far with you,” he tells me and I pull back, cocking my head to the side.

“Well, I know you’re not a virgin.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “This is a big thing Avery and I’m not taking it lightly. Explain to me what happens now.” He juts his chin up at me. “What happens after tonight?” I blink at him confused. “Are you going to want more?” He grabs my chin. “Because you telling me you’ve had a crush on me since you were thirteen and then fucking me here tonight is going to affect you more than you think, Avery. Even more than what we’ve already done.” I don’t respond because for a moment my brain goes blank after hearing the words fucking and me fall from his lips. “We are already playing with fire, you and me, because we’ve been dancing around this for three years.” He looks away from me and lets out a sigh before his warm brown eyes reach mine. “And maybe once you let me inside of you, I’m going to lose my fucking mind and want it again. Maybe you only want it once, but...I don’t work that way.”

I hadn’t allowed myself to think about more past tonight but the idea that this man may want another night with me sets my skin ablaze. “And if I wanted it more than just once?”

“How do you see that working?”

“Is this about Lucas?”

“This is about me. I could fuck anyone and it not mean anything. But it

can’t just be sex with you. If it were, I would have fucked you two years ago that first time.”

The promise of more lurks beneath his words. “So, you want to date me or something?” I try to ignore the butterflies flapping their wings in my stomach because he does not mean that.

“I can’t have that either.”

“So, you don’t want to fuck me because you think you’ll want more than just a night, but you can’t have more than just a night.”

“The most fucked up catch twenty-two, isn’t it?”

“Hmmm.” I purse my lips. “Then why the room?”

“Because I’m a masochist evidently.” He rubs a hand over his eyes

before dropping to give me a serious look. “And you asked to see me later.” The thought that I have this much power over him sends a feeling of

warmth all over. “What if I asked you to fuck me?” “Avery.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Fine.” I stand up off his lap. “I suppose I can respect your boundaries for now,” I purr. “What can we do?” I ask him innocently and when he doesn’t respond, I drop my eyes to his lap. “Can I see your dick?” I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow at him.

“No.” He grits out and my mouth falls open.

He can’t be serious. “So, you just brought me here to what? Torture me?”

“No. I plan on doing a lot of things to you.”

“But I can’t touch you? Pass. I don’t accept,” I snap.

He shrugs and leans back against the couch, crossing his leg so his

ankle rests across his knee. “Tough, princess.”

“You’re infuriating. You know what? Two can play that game.” I reach

behind me and drag my zipper down, letting my dress pool at my feet. I didn’t wear a bra, so I’m standing before him completely topless for the first time with the tiniest thong I own covering my pussy. I immediately turn around, showing him my ass, and walk towards the bathroom. “I’m taking a bath,” i called over my shoulder.