My breathing began to slow, and I felt her hair tickling my pecs. I pulled the cover over us, and within moments, Cate was asleep.
Looked like we weren’t going to have a repeat performance of last time.
Catie
Disoriented.
Surreal.
I must be dreaming.
I wasn’t quite sure how to explain what it felt like waking up next to Blane, so I closed my eyes and willed myself back to my dorm room. When I reopened them, I was still there—in Blane’s bed, my back to his hard front with his arm draped over me, and his breath hot on my neck.
I tried not squirm, but I couldn’t help it. This was a first, waking up next to a guy.
Cupping my hand in front of my face, I surreptitiously tested my own breath and nearly gagged.
“Shit,” I whispered, and Blane’s arm tightened around me, drawing me even closer.
I sniffed. Oh boy, was that his?
“Hey,” he mumbled from behind me. He pushed the mass of tangled hair away from my neck and kissed a path to my ear before licking his way back down.
When I squirmed again, he said, “What?”
“My breath is really bad,” I foolishly admitted.
“Yep, and so’s mine.” Blane flipped me over before I could respond and spread over me, making his way toward my mouth.
“No! Just no.” I pushed on his chest, and he jumped out of bed.
“If I give you some mouthwash, will you not run out on me?”
I ducked my head, feeling heat steal over my face.
“Talk to me,” he said.
Lifting one shoulder, I mumbled, “I’ve never done this before.”
“Used mouthwash?”
Annoyed, I threw a pillow at him, and it wasn’t until it dropped to the floor that I noticed the enormous bulge in his boxer briefs.
“Oh, you’ve never been with a dick this big before?” He winked at me before he picked the pillow up and lightly tossed it back.
I couldn’t help but laugh nervously. “No, I haven’t been with one. Or sleep over with one either.” I ducked my face into the pillow, desperate to hide the red I could feel spreading over my cheeks, even though it probably wasn’t too noticeable.
“Really?” Blane crawled next to me. “Huh, I’m pretty happy it was with me. I think it’s cause for a little celebration, like breakfast in bed.”
He ran his hand over my back, which I just realized was bare.
Oh. My. God.
“First, mouthwash.”
I nodded quickly. “And a shirt.”
“Definitely a shirt to go out to the bathroom. I have to share it, you know.”
Blane hopped up and threw a large Hafton Athletic Department T-shirt my way. I slipped it on before I stood, giggling a little when it draped to my knees and fell off my shoulder.
He took my hand and led me to the bathroom, where he gave me a few minutes of privacy to use the facilities, and then he came in and held us steady in front of the mirror.
“You’re so stunning like this, all natural,” he said to my reflection. He bent and ran his lips over the tattoo on my shoulder where the T-shirt had fallen again. “Love this.” He flashed me a grin on his way up, and I pulled away to scurry back to his room.
I was curled up under the covers when he came back in and asked, “Bacon and eggs?”
“Yum,” I murmured
He bent over me and gave me a closed-mouth kiss. As I watched, he pulled on low-hanging sweats. His large shoulder muscles were on display since he wasn’t wearing a shirt, and my gaze lingered on the deep V his abdominal muscles formed.
My mouth watered, and it wasn’t because of the bacon. Definitely yummy.
Blane went on the road with the team after our breakfast in bed, which included cinnamon rolls, the kind from the freezer section but incredible nonetheless. He dropped me at my place with kisses and promises before driving off in his truck.
Now it was Tuesday, and I sat like a fool glued to his game on TV. Blane looked awesome, his hair pinned back by his sweatband. I could see the sweat glistening on his body, even on the TV.
And to think I slept next to that very same body.
I shook my head, making sure I didn’t get lost down the rabbit hole of the night I slept next to Blane, and focused back on the game.
Ashton had just put up a three-pointer when my phone beeped.
SARINA: You okay?
CATIE: Yep. I told Frank I needed some time after we spoke on Saturday.
SARINA: Good. You’re a good person, Catie.
CATIE: I don’t know about that, but I’m making my own choices.
SARINA: We’re still going to help you. The girls and I want to. Want to have a glass of wine tomorrow?
CATIE: Yes.
SARINA: Usual time and place?
CATIE: Yep. Goblet @ 9?
SARINA: See you then. Oh, and the girls are up for next weekend. Another “show and tell” session.
I sent her a thumbs-up emoji, and made it back to the TV in time to see Blane dunk. The crowd cheered, even the opposing team.
“Yes!” I said to the empty room, and pulled the blanket over my legs to settle in for the remainder of the action.
Several hours later, my phone beeped again, waking me up from a deep sleep.
BLANE: Hey! You awake?