Page 118 of Cruel Steps

“Never said I wasn’t.” He stroked himself, and I spotted the wet patch on his boxers. I swallowed. “I’m seconds away from blowing, Wildcat. If you stay, you’re gonna get a show.”

“A boring show, maybe.”

“Sure. We both know that’s a lie. Just control yourself and stay on your side of the bed. This time.”

“Easily. Nothing I haven’t seen before.”

Holden smirked, and I wished I’d just shut up. I was so not capable of watching him jerk off and be unaffected. Where were my bumbling words? Why had I chosen sass this morning?

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t keep my eyes from watching Holden lower the elastic band. His cock sprung forward, and he cupped the band under his balls. It was erotic as fuck.

He wrapped his hand around himself and squeezed, moving his hand slowly from root to tip. From there, he swiped the bead of precum over his cockhead with his thumb and continued back down. It wasn’t the first time I’d watched a guy stroke himself. I’d seen plenty of porn of guys masturbating and even had guys jerk themselves before we had sex. But none of those experiences had been like this.

For one, Holden’s cock was in a league of its own. I wanted to lick every ridge and vein. I wanted to swirl my tongue around every inch of him and suck him until my jaw hurt. Just thinking about having him in my mouth made it water, and I licked my lips.

“Fuck, Wildcat.”

I flicked my eyes up to Holden’s, surprised to find him staring at me and not his dick. Those aquamarine orbs shimmered in the early morning light, full of heat and want. Looking into his eyes, I could let myself pretend it meant so many things… things I didn’t know how to accept.

Holden looked at me like I was the very breath he needed, and without me, nothing in the world would matter.

But that wasn’t true. Holden loved football above all else. He loved his mom and sister. He’d already chosen them over me before. I couldn’t risk it again.

At least it was nice to pretend.

His eyes rolled back, and I looked down as his cum spurted out in thick ropes, covering his hand and stomach. My breath hitched as I watched, but I couldn’t break my stare.

“If you keep looking at me like that, it will be hard to remember we’re friends, Wildcat.”

Was it possible to die from a blush? I think I was about to find out. Jumping at the reminder, I forgot I was on the edge of the bed and promptly fell to the ground with a thud.

“Eep!”

“Shit. You okay?”

“Yep. Just. You know. Checking gravity. It still works.”

“Glad to know.”

“Okay. I’m gonna go.” I crawled to the bathroom and shut the door, Holden’s laughter following me. Smiling, I hit my head against the door. This man. I was so screwed.

After throwing cold water on my face, I did my business and brushed my teeth. I never thought I’d spend this much time in the bathroom, but here I was again, wasting time to avoid an awkward situation.

“If you’re done hiding, I really need to clean up.”

“I’m not hiding.” I opened the door and smacked into his chest. “Stupid man chest.”

Holden moved around me and shut the door, and the sound of the toilet seat hitting the porcelain was loud and clear. I took advantage of the privacy and pulled on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. Grabbing my phone, I headed downstairs to see if anyone else was awake or, you know, to avoid eye contact with Holden. One or the other.

Coffee hit my nostrils as I descended the steps, and I made my way to the back of the cabin, where the smells emanated.

“Good morning, Pumpkin,” my dad said. He stood and kissed me on the cheek. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Yep!” Was my voice high-pitched again? “Can’t complain,” I said, dropping it an octave just to be sure. My dad looked at me weirdly but let it go.

“Coffee?”

“Yes.”