Chapter 4

Dante

My stomach is all tied up in knots, and my dick has refused to go down for over an hour. Nico tried to kiss me, and I wanted to let him.

What would have happened if I hadn’t jerked back? Would the kiss have been a quick peck on the lips? Or would Nico have pinned me to the bed and shoved his tongue into my mouth?

Nico is roughly the same size and build as I am—fairly tall, broad shoulders, muscles built from hours at the gym both during baseball season and after. What would it be like to feel my body trapped beneath his? Is it possible this is what I’ve been missing with the girls I’ve taken home and found to be less than exciting in bed?

“Earth to Dante,” Hunter waves a hand in front of my face, and I snap back to reality. “It’s your bid.”

“Oh, uh, call.” I toss some chips into the pot and chance a quick glance at Nico.

Why did he try to kiss me, anyway? Was it just because he noticed my erection? Of course, I had an erection, he was talking about blowjobs. In very explicit detail, I might add. What guy wouldn’t get excited thinking about blowjobs.

Nico looks in my direction, and then quickly looks away again. Is he mad that I stopped the kiss? Relieved? Does he really want me, or was it just some weird impulse we both gave in to for a few seconds?

We play a few more hands of cards until the beer runs out, and Taylor pulls out a bottle of vodka and starts filling five little plastic shot glasses.

“You guys know what we should do?” he says. “Play truth or dare like we used to when we were teenagers.” Everyone laughs and heckles, but Taylor persists. “Come on, this is our last weekend to act like jackass kids. When Monday rolls around, we’re all going to be focused on moving and our new jobs. Let’s make this weekend count.”

“Dare,” Hunter says in concession.

We laugh and drink as we play, truly reveling in our last weekend of youthfulness.

“Truth,” Nico picks when Kris targets him. He gets the usual round of boos and hisses for choosing truth and more laughter ensues.

“Out of the four of us, who do you think is hottest?” Kris asks.

Nico’s mouth falls open, and his neck turns pink. I’m sure his cheeks would’ve, too, if they weren’t already flushed from the alcohol. He casts his eyes downward, and for some reason, it hits me just how good-looking Nico really is. I’m not sure why I’ve never noticed before, or why I’m noticing now for that matter, but there’s something about his emerald green eyes, square jaw, and dimpled left cheek that holds my attention.

“I don’t know,” he shrugs the question off, reaching for the bottle of vodka to pour himself another shot.

“Come on, you picked truth, so you have to answer,” Kris presses.

“I guess, if I have to pick, I’d have to say...Dante.” My name is a fast murmur leaving his lips before he brings the shot glass to his mouth and downs the drink. For some reason, the bob of his Adam’s apple is more fascinating than I’ve ever noticed before. As is the way he licks his lips slowly afterward to make sure he hasn’t left any stray drops of vodka.

“Dante?” Hunter complains. “I’m hotter than Dante. Have you even checked out my ass?” He stands and turns around, sticking his ass out, and then looking over his shoulder, pursing his lips and fluttering his eyelashes.

Nico’s smile is wider than I’ve ever seen as he shakes his head at Hunter’s antics.

“It’s a nice ass,” he concedes.

“But Dante’s is better?” Hunter challenges indignantly. “Dante, get over here so we can compare asses side by side.”

“I’m good.” I hold up my hands and wave them in front of me with a laugh.

“Because you know I’d win,” Hunter concludes, sitting back down and crossing his arms over his chest.

“You totally have the better ass,” Nico stage whispers to me, and Hunter makes a disgruntled noise.

“Okay, Nico, it’s your turn to pick someone,” Taylor prompts.

The game goes on for a while until everyone is a bit too drunk and more than ready to go to bed.

The storm is still raging outside as we all make our way to our beds. I step into the bedroom beside Nico’s, lingering for a moment at the door and watching him enter his own room. There’s a strange longing in my chest to follow him into his room, maybe see about whatever we almost started earlier and where it could lead if we let it.

With a sigh, I step into my dark room and flick on the light. Heading straight for my duffle bag sitting on the bed, I reach for it and find it soaked.

“What the fuck?” I mutter, dragging my bag closer and discovering that it’s completely drenched, all the way through. That’s when I notice a steady drip of water coming from the ceiling and splashing right onto the bed. Placing my hand on the comforter, I find it soaked through as well. “Fucking great.”

I dump out the contents of my bag and spread out my soggy clothes so they can dry overnight. Then I go back out into the now dark hallway and knock on Nico’s door.

“Yeah?” he calls from the other side of the door.

I open it and stick my head in with an apologetic smile.

“Um...there’s a leak in the ceiling in that bedroom.”

“What?” he asks in surprise.

“Yeah, right over the bed apparently. It’s pretty wet.”

“Well, shit.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“My bag was on the bed, too, so my clothes are soaked.”

“Oh god. I’m so sorry. That sucks.” He reaches for his own bag and rummages through it for a second.

“I didn’t bring extra pajamas pants, but I can give you a shirt if you want?”
      “Sure, thanks.” I take the shirt he offers.

“You need somewhere to sleep. Do you want to stay in here with me? I can sleep on the floor, and you can have the bed,” he offers.

“I’m not going to make you sleep on the floor,” I argue.

“I don’t have any other beds, and we only brought the one blow-up mattress.”

“I know, we can share the bed,” I conclude simply. “It’s no big deal.”

Nico licks his lips and stares at me wide eyed for a few seconds before nodding.

“Right, no big deal,” he agrees.

“Great.” I smile, suddenly feeling oddly excited about bunking with Nico. I reach for the button on my pants and shove them down, leaving me in just my tight, red boxers.

“What are you doing?” Nico asks, his voice thick.

“Getting ready for bed?” I answer, halfway through taking my shirt off to switch into the fresh one Nico gave me.

“Oh, right.” He climbs onto the left side of the bed and slips under the covers.

Once I’m finished changing, I hit the light and shimmy in beside him.