Page 125 of Cross Check

But… what if she’s touching herself while thinking about me?

I yank the pillow away and stare at the ceiling. My hand rests on my stomach, above the waistband of my boxers. I curl my fingers into a fist, trying to stop myself, but I can’t. I fucking can’t, because she’s feet away from me in a big T-shirt and sleep shorts that show off her legs, and I’m rendered useless by the thought of her.

I pull my boxers down and spit in my hand before wrapping it around my dick. Stroking myself up and down, I picture Amelia and what it would be like to have her next to me. Her head on my chest, her mouth on my neck. I bet she’s soft everywhere, from her hips to her breasts. I stifle a groan when I imagine her climbing on top of me, a long leg on either side of my body.

A smirk, a coaxing smile. You can do better than that, Everett, she’d say.

What kind of noises would she make? Would she be loud? Does she like to take control? Would she be okay with being in charge? With teaching me the best ways to make her come?

Fuck.

My grip tightens. My strokes turn messier. I’d love to have her while she was wearing one of her old jerseys. Pressed up against a wall, my hand in her hair while she rode my fingers.

And sinking inside her? Fucking her even though I wouldn’t have a goddamn clue what I was doing?

It makes my eyes roll to the back of my head. I want to learn. I want to be the one to get her there, and I want her to say my name. I want to watch her smile when she comes, breathless and exhausted from how well I’m taking care of her.

Her curves come into focus. I’d drop to my knees and run my hands from her calves to her hips, holding her in place while I tasted her. I’d make sure to say thank you after. I’d make sure she knew how happy I was to stretch her out while I listened to her moan.

An orgasm starts at the edge of my vision. Each jerk of my hand fuels me to the satisfaction I’ve been craving while I think about her.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Amelia. Amelia. Amelia. Amelia.

I reach the tipping point, and my body seizes as I spill in my hand. A stuttered gasp follows the burst of pleasure, and I slow my movements. The rough strokes turn half-hearted and lazy, and I drop my head back on the pillows.

My fingers and stomach are covered in cum. My skin is bright pink, my limbs heavy. I’ve jerked off plenty of times in my life, but I haven’t made a mess like this since I was sixteen.

I’m not sure what that says about me, but I am sure I’m going to hell. I have a one-way ticket to damnation, because I just got off to the thought of my best friend while she’s asleep down the hall, and I don’t have a single regret.

A long shower helps to get rid of the evidence that a spiritual awakening jerk-off happened in my bedroom. I find Amelia in the living room, sitting on the couch with a mug in her hand.

Coffee first, then breakfast.

A new addition to the notebook.

“Morning,” I say, and she looks up at me.

“Hi.” Her smile is brighter than the sun. “I’m awake first today.”

“You win this time, Green.” I sit on the other side of the couch and do my best to not remember our positions last night in these same spots. “How did you sleep?”

“Good. Makes sense that when I finally get on East Coast time, I have to leave.”

“Speaking of leaving, I can drive you to the airport in the morning. My life is meaningless without hockey in it.”

“And becoming a chauffeur will give you purpose? I guess it’s good to have goals in life.” Amelia squeals when I launch a pillow at her. She lifts her mug to keep it out of the strike zone. “Don’t make me spill! This coffee is the only thing keeping me going!”

“And here I thought you ran on spite and kicking men’s asses.” I pluck the mug from her hands and set it on the table. “When the answer was caffeine this whole time.”

“I definitely run on those things. Coffee is just a nice addition.” She grins and leans back. “What’s on the agenda today? You better do it up big, Everett. I won’t see you until October at the earliest.”

I try not to let that get me down.

Four months is too long to go without hearing her laugh.

“Kayaking on the Potomac then grabbing a pizza from Andy’s over in Foggy Bottom.” I rub my jaw to chase my frown away. “There’s also a surprise at the end of the night.”

“A surprise?” Amelia tips her head. “Are you going to give me any hints?”