by Jacob Chance
Remaining perfectly still, I fight an inner battle and resist the urge to rock my pelvis into his. Every atom of my body wants me to grind into his cock. It’s right there, ready and waiting. I want to slip my hand between us, letting my fingertips trace the shape of his dick and see exactly what he’s got going on.
Is that so wrong? I dare say any girl in my position would be having the same thoughts.
I shouldn’t.
It wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of him while he’s asleep. But if I woke him up then he’d know and there’d be no problem.
Unless, he doesn’t want me touching him.
He didn’t try to kiss me again last night after the first attempt got foiled by Darren. If he really wanted me wouldn’t he have made a move when we said goodnight?
And even when I invited him into my bed this morning, he behaved like a perfect gentleman; while he was awake, anyway. If he was attracted to me, wouldn’t he have found a way to let me know for sure? I can’t imagine any other guy being invited into a girl’s bed and not trying something. At the very least their hands would roam a little and send a clear signal that there’s a physical attraction.
Nolan did none of those things and I don’t know how to read him. Sometimes I think he desires me and other times I think he’s friend zoned me. I wish he’d figure out what he wants. And if his mind is already made up, I wish he’d clarify which way he’s leaning. I’m tired of being off balance with him.
Nolan’s hips flex into me and his large palm leisurely caresses down my spine. Pressing on my ass, he urges me closer. Biting my lip, I refrain from letting out a pleasure filled groan. He grinds into me again, hitting my clit and a gasp escapes my lips.
Nolan’s eyelids lazily raise and when he realizes where he is they snap open. Stunned blue eyes meet mine. His hand slips from my ass and he moves his leg so it’s no longer pinning mine.
He stutters, “I’m... sorry. I… uh didn’t realize I was touching you.”
Here we go again. This already feels like a repeat of last night and he’s barely awake.
I tip my head back, staring up at him. “Don’t mention it. You were asleep. I’m just as guilty, I woke up against you. Maybe I was the one who cuddled up to you.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“About fifteen minutes or so.”
“You should’ve poked me or something.”
“You were doing enough poking for both of us,” I giggle.
He scoots back away from me, drawing in a long breath and rolls to his back. He stares up at the cathedral ceiling. “I don’t even know what to say. Is it sexual harassment if I was asleep when it happened?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s a normal reaction for a guy’s body to have. And you didn’t know you were doing it.” I knew though, and I enjoyed being pressed tight to him. Being in his arms felt so natural and right. But I guess it wasn’t the same for Nolan because he couldn’t get away fast enough.
He runs a hand over his forehead and sits up. “I’m going to see if the guys are awake yet. We should hit the slopes today, if that works for you.” He places his feet on the floor while I stare at the material of his t-shirt stretched to capacity by his broad back.
“Yeah, that’s great. But don’t plan your day around me. I can always find something to keep myself busy if you’d rather hang with the guys. I have my kindle and my laptop with me.”
He rises and turns toward the bed. The front of his hair is adorably mussed. I want to comb my fingers through his strands and smooth them out.
“Of course you’re welcome to come with us. I wouldn’t have asked if you weren’t.”
“I’m welcome, or you want me there?” Holding my breath, I wait for his reply.
“I want you there; we all do.”
Lips pressed tightly together, I give a sharp nod while my chest pangs with disappointment. Friend zoned again.
Standing on the summit, inhaling the cold mountain air, I’m overcome by the same tingling excitement I always experience when I’m about to make my first run of the season. Anticipation races through my veins as I gaze out over the white vista before me. A wave of calm glides through me and everything else is forgotten. No longer pondering Nolan’s feelings for me or wondering if Eliza and Owen will find a way to make their relationship work, the peacefulness of being at such a high elevation melts all of life’s stresses away. I’m just me, Perri, and I’ve never felt more present in a moment than I am now.
“It never gets old, does it?” Nolan declares as he comes to stand beside me.
“The view?”
“No. That moment when you’re about to take the first run.”
My head flips toward him and our eyes meet. “You feel it too?”
He rakes his teeth over his bottom lip, his stare focused on the stunning view all around us. “Every year it’s the same, but even better than I remembered. I’m so in tune with nature and the mountain it’s almost on a spiritual level.”
“I understand. I feel the same way, but I never realized anyone else does.”
Nolan pivots toward me, cupping my shoulders with his gloved hands. Eyes shining in the sun, the icy silver and white chips in his blue irises dazzle me. Sweeping over every part of my face, his stare moves to my lips, lingering.
Breathlessly, I watch, waiting for his next move.
His head lowers, tauntingly moving closer. “I’m going to kiss you, Perri. If you don’t want me to you better speak up now or--”
Rising on my toes, I grip his arms and press my lips to his, removing any doubt of what I want, or any chance of him backing off.
He groans into my mouth, as our lips part and his tongue swipes mine for the first time. Oh God. Stomach fluttering madly and legs quivering with desire, I lean into him getting as close as our snow gear will allow.
Nolan’s tongue dances in and out of my mouth, whirling around mine until I’m light headed. The combination of altitude and Nolan Archer is too much and I have to tear my lips away.
His teeth nip my bottom lip before his tongue soothes the sting away. The ice cold air stings our chapped mouths and we both remain frozen in place, staring at one another.
“If you tell me you’re sorry I’m going to junk punch you.”
“I’m not sorry about anything except that I should’ve kissed you last night or this morning.”
I shake my head. “No, you shouldn’t have.”
He quirks a brow. “I shouldn’t have?”
“Nope. This was the perfect place for our first kiss. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”
He grins. “Really?”
“Well, maybe one thing. I wish we didn’t have so many clothes on.”
He laughs, “I’ll try to keep that in mind next time. Come on. Let’s head down together.”
“I hope my legs can support me after that kiss.”
“Really? That good, huh?” he beams, proudly.
“Best first kiss I’ve ever had.”
“Wait until the second one.” He wiggles his brows.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Archer.” I playfully slap his chest. “Can you see the guys anywhere?” I pull the goggles from the top of my head down to cover my eyes.
He squints against the glare, lowering his own shaded goggles.
“Last one to the bottom buys the hot chocolate,” I giggle, pushing off.
Chapter Nineteen
Nolan
“Did you play hockey too?” Perri skates over, gracefully stopping in front of me.
“Only for fun. We spent every winter out on this pond with our dad teaching us how to skate. I enjoy it, but football was always my thing. How do those fit?” I point to my mother’s skates that Perri is borrowing.
“Great. They’re comfortable too.”
“You must know by now that my parents like nice things. I’m sure those skates aren’t made for pond skating, but my dad won’t buy less than the best. Don’t get me wrong, he works hard and he can spen
d his money on whatever he wants.”
“You don’t agree with some of his choices?”
“I don’t see the need to buy the best of everything. Especially something you use a handful of times each year. I guess I’m more practical than they are.”
“That’s a good quality to have.”
“Nolan,” Clancy shouts. “Get your ass over here. The game’s about to start.”
“Are you going to root for me?”
“Is Flynn playing?” she teases.
“I see how it is.” Bending down, my lips hover next to her cheek. “No more kisses for you.”
“Hmm, my plan may have backfired. Jealousy is supposed to make you stake your claim.”
“Who says I’m jealous?” I wink and skate over to the guys.
“Jesus, dude. Stop being so pussy whipped,” Darren tells me.
“Fuck you.”
“You’re wasting your time with Perri. Her dad’s the dean of our school and you definitely don’t want to piss him off.”
“I’m not going to do anything that would make him angry.”
“Besides, you’ve got an auction coming up and that takes priority. Fifteen hundred dollars worth, remember?”
Donovan laughs, “The guys filled me in on the details. Sounds like a fun time, bro.”
Clancy grips my brother’s shoulder. “We asked him if he wanted to take part too, but he said he’s already lost his virginity. Baby brother’s got the jump on you.”
I raise one shoulder in a half shrug. “He can have it. I’m not in a rush to do anything.”
“Are you sure about that?” Clancy peers over his shoulder at Perri and watches her as she skates backward. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
“She doesn’t feel the same. Are we gonna play or not?” I don’t want to encourage the guys when it comes to Perri. The less info they have about what’s going on with us, the better. I’m not sure where we stand now that we kissed. Are we kissing friends? Or does she want me? Does she want more?
We need to talk and work some things out, but right now my focus is going to be on trying to keep up with these guys and not look like an ass in front of Perri.
Clancy and Donovan face off, sticks battling for the puck. Clancy breaks away with the black disc in his possession, moving toward the net we set up. Donovan’s on his tail with Flynn racing along beside him. Darren and I take up the rear at a slower pace. I don’t have any hopes of scoring any goals. I’ll be happy if I come away from this without any bruised knees. Every time I skate I seem to get more banged up than I do with a defensive line closing in on me.
Clancy shoots and scores, which isn’t hard to do since we have no goalie in the net to block. He raises his stick in the air as if he scored in a championship game, instead of the pond skirmish it is. We need more players to make this a true game. But for now, Darren, Flynn, and I will let the two hockey players battle it out while we stay out of the line of fire as much as possible.
Clancy lifts his chin toward Flynn. “Pass me an egg roll.” Flynn scoops one up with his bare hand, tossing it across the table for Clancy to catch in his meaty hand. “Thanks,” he mutters shoving the entire thing in his mouth at one time.
I shake my head and chortle to myself.
“What?” Perri nudges my arm from the seat next to me.
“These guys are savages, that’s all.”
“Their table manners are a little lacking, but we’re all friends.” She shrugs.
“A little? If you saw some of the stuff that goes on at the frat, you’d be disgusted.”
“Fortunately, I haven’t and I won’t.”
What does that mean? If we date won’t she be at the frat sometimes? Is this her way of telling me she doesn’t want that?
Stop overthinking things and see what happens. I’m getting way too caught up in labeling whatever’s going on with us. We don’t need to define anything just because we shared a kiss. A smoking hot kiss. Maybe even a life changing kiss. At least it felt that way to me.
“Perri, how long have you been dancing at Score?” Flynn addresses her, scooping more rice onto his plate.
“I’ve been there for a little over two years.”
“Are you a stripper?” Donovan’s eyes light up at the thought. He would like that.
She snorts, “No, I’m not a stripper. Although, I do dance in very little clothing.”
“I’m having a hard time picturing it, maybe you can demonstrate after dinner.” Donovan suggests.
“Hey.” I shoot a narrow eyed glare at him. “Don’t be disrespectful.”
“It’s okay.” She places her hand on my arm, instantly calming me. “If you end up attending B.U. then you can come watch me dance.”
“What kind of dancing?” Donovan’s quick to jump in.
“I’ve trained to do just about anything you can think of.”
“Belly dancing?” He smirks.
“Yep, I know how to belly dance.”
Fuck. My cock twitches at the thought of her hips undulating and thrusting, her bare stomach rippling temptingly. “You’ll have to let me know when you’re performing that routine at Score,” I mention, my voice soft.
She leans toward me. “I don’t perform belly dancing publicly. You’ll have to ask for a private showing.”
Goddamn. My dick is hard as a rock right now. Shifting in my seat, I adjust my tight pants, but there’s no relief to be had. If I did ask would she show me? Does she want me to ask?
“Would you ever consider stripping for money?” Donovan questions.
“If I needed money and there was no other way for me to get it, I might. But fortunately, I make enough to get by. My parents would probably help me out if I needed them to, as long as it wasn’t for something irresponsible.”
“Would you strip for money?” She turns the table on him and I grin.
“I’d strip for free.” We all laugh. “But the thought of multiple women reaching into my pants is thought provoking. Are they shoving money in there, or are they checking out the goods?”
“Would you guys strip for money?” Perri directs the question to us all.
“I wouldn’t.” Clancy shakes his head. “I don’t even like to dance.”
Darren thoughtfully rubs his chin. “Depends on how much money I was going to make.”
“What about you, Flynn?” Perri inquires and a hint of jealousy needles me.
“Well, you know I’ve got the skills. After all you asked me if I was a stripper.”
She laughs, “You definitely have the moves, but would you?”
He does? I hate that she noticed and even worse that she felt the need to tell him.
“Nah, I’m not looking to take my clothes off in public.” He shovels more cashew chicken into his mouth.
“Are there any girls left who haven’t seen you naked?” Clancy chimes in.
Flynn takes a sip of water. When the glass lowers his grin is wicked. “Maybe a few.”
Perri turns her head my way. “What about you, Nolan?” I love the way she says my name.
“I’d strip for money if I had to. If my family lost their jobs and needed my help. But I wouldn’t do it for no reason.”
She nods. “That’s what I expected you to say.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I don’t want to be predictable and boring.
“No, being responsible is never a negative thing as far as I’m concerned. You’re the kind of guy a girl can depend on and you’d never let her down.”
“I like to think that’s true, but I don’t exactly have girls lining up at my door to find out.”
“Do you want them to line up?” She chews on the side of her bottom lip, her gaze on mine.
“No, I didn’t mean it literally. I’m a one girl type of guy.” One girl as in you, Perri. Does she understand that I’m referring to her?
“So what’s on tap for tonight?” Clancy cuts in, ending our conversation.
“Let’s hang out here. We can drink
and watch movies on the giant screen in the basement,” Darren suggests.
“I’m good with that. I’m beat after all the snowboarding and skating,” Perri reveals. “I never thought I’d be warm again.”
“I’m hot. I can get you warmed up,” Donovan volunteers.
“Pfft, I could get arrested for cuddling with you.”
“Yeah, but it would be worth the jail time,” he replies.
I shake my head, biting back a retort.
“I guess your brother’s the only Archer who’s willing to help me out,” Perri whispers.
I turn to look at her, my chin just above my shoulder. I lean closer to her. “I never said I wouldn’t. You didn’t ask me.”
She leans closer to me. “Sometimes a girl wants a guy to offer on his own. We don’t want to feel like we’re begging for attention.” She keeps her tone hushed.
Our lips are only a couple of inches apart. “Sometimes a guy wants a girl to let him know how she feels, so he doesn’t feel like he’s pursuing something that will never happen.”
“Touche.”
Perri taps me on the arm with her mittened hand. “What happened to watching a movie tonight?”
I smile crookedly. “We decided having a snowball fight was more fun.”
“Who’s we? I don’t remember that conversation taking place.”
“It happened when you were on the phone with Eliza.”
“Dammit. I sneak away for ten minutes to check on my girl and you guys come up with this shitty plan.”
“Hey, you’re out here with us.”
She crosses her arms. “What else am I going to do? Watch a movie by myself?”
“You can go inside and enjoy the quiet while it lasts. There’s hot chocolate in the pantry and Bailey’s downstairs behind the bar.”