The Slider (Boys of Summer Book 5) Read online

  It was a Friday night, and I knew she usually worked at Java Hut on Saturday. Our game was early today, so I wondered if she’d be up for a drink at either her place or mine.

  I grimaced at the thought of mine. Maybe not there.

  I found her number and pressed the call button.

  It rang twice before she answered.

  “Hey, game done?”

  “Yeah.” I grabbed my things and left the locker room, quickly making my way to the parking lot. “We won.”

  “Awesome! Congrats! I bet Noah is excited.”

  I pushed through the door outside. “Was he at the game?”

  “Yeah, he and my dad went. He’s staying with them tonight and working my shift at the coffee shop.”

  I grinned at her words. Even better, in my opinion.

  “You up for a drink? And maybe some company?”

  “Yeah, come on over.” She didn’t even hesitate to offer.

  Fuck, yeah.

  “You need me to pick anything up?” I asked her, beeping the locks on my car.

  “Nah, I still have that beer from the other day, so unless you want something different, you’re set.”

  “That’s perfect. I’ll be there in about ten.”

  “See ya then,” she said.

  We hung up, and I tossed my phone into my passenger seat before starting my car.

  I stopped just short of spraying gravel in my haste to get away from the stadium and to Zoe’s house. I couldn’t wait to see her, relax with her.

  I drove as quickly as I could while sticking to the speed limit, and by the time I pulled up outside her house, she was standing in the front door with a bottle of beer dangling from her fingers.

  I grinned as I strode up the front walk to her. It was nice knowing that she’d been watching for me and was waiting. I'd feel that way even without the beer in her hand.

  “That beer for me?” I asked her.

  She nodded and held it out. I took it with one hand and snagged her around the waist with the other, pulling her into me.

  “Thanks. I could get used to this.”

  She grinned at me as I lowered my head and pressed my lips to hers in a hard kiss. I nipped at her bottom lip before pulling back.

  “Come on in,” she said breathily, stepping back so I could follow her inside.

  She led me into the living room, and I took a long pull of my beer and felt the stress from the stadium melt away.

  This right here was all I needed to end my day.

  29

  Zoe

  As I sat on my couch with Jacob beside me, I wondered if this was what Jewel felt like the few times she dated when Noah was younger.

  Excited. Nervous. Worried.

  Even though I knew Noah was at my parents, there was the fear that he might decide he wanted to come here tonight. Ever since Jewel passed, he worried about staying away from home, even for a night.

  “What’s on your mind?” Jacob asked me, pulling me from my thoughts.

  I sipped my wine, trying to think of something to say that wouldn’t sound insane.

  “I can practically see the panic on your face. What’s on your mind? I won’t judge you or bite or anything.”

  I glanced at him and saw the sincerity in his face.

  I knew I could trust him. Probably. Most likely.

  It was just hard to put myself out there when my last relationship bombed so spectacularly.

  “I was just wondering if Jewel felt like this when she dated after having Noah.”

  “Jewel is your sister, right?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And how are you feeling?”

  My face heated at his question, and I didn’t want to admit it to him.

  “With that blush, I have to know now,” Jacob teased, sliding closer to me on the couch.

  I raised one shoulder and looked away. “I’m a little embarrassed to admit it.”

  Jacob said nothing at first. Then I felt a finger slide along my shoulder, over my shirt.

  “If you’re blushing, I can make some guesses…” He trailed off, running his finger down my arm, raising goosebumps in its wake.

  I swallowed thickly and looked at him.

  He grinned.

  “You having dirty thoughts?”

  I wasn’t, not really, until he asked me that. But now I couldn’t get the thought of what it would be like to take things to the next level with him out of my head.

  I cleared my throat. “Not really?”

  I didn’t know why I phrased that as a question, but I wasn’t. But now I was.

  “I was just wondering if she had the same fear that Noah would come home or if she was as excited or nervous.”

  Jacob slid his gaze from where he was watching his finger trace over my skin, back to my face. “Noah might show?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted, shivering as he continued moving his finger lightly over my skin. “He might. He’s with my parents, but he sometimes comes home.”

  Jacob nodded. “Understandable. It’s obvious he cares for you, so I can see why he might want to stay here instead of with his grandparents.”

  I got a funny feeling in my chest at his words, a warmth spread through me.

  “As for the nervous and excited…” He scooted closer once more. “She probably was. But why don’t we focus on you.”

  I swayed toward him, pushing thoughts of my sister and my nephew from my mind.

  “I can’t get you out of my mind,” he whispered, pressing a light kiss to my shoulder. “You’re all I think about.”

  “Besides baseball, you mean?” I joked.

  He huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, besides baseball.”

  I shivered at his words.

  “You’re gorgeous and you’re raising a great kid,” he continued, moving the fabric of my shirt out of his way so he could kiss me right on my skin.

  My nipples pebbled at the sensation, and a current ran through my body. He was barely touching me, and I was already on edge.

  He continued to tell me what he liked about me.

  “I think about your laugh all the time,” he continued. “I love how easy you are to talk to. And you’re so damn compassionate.”

  He pressed kisses up my neck, to my face, and finally reached my lips. I was panting by this point, yearning for him to touch me somewhere, anywhere else, to put me out of my misery.

  He studied me for a few moments before a slow grin spread across his face.

  Then he kissed me.

  Unlike the other kisses we’d shared, this one was all-consuming. He cradled my face in his hands as he slanted his lips over mine.

  I leaned into the back of the couch and Jacob shifted closer so that he was looming over me.

  We made out on my couch for an untold amount of time. I ran my hands over whatever parts of him I could reach, reveling in the feel of his muscles under his shirt, over his shirt, the softness of his hair, all of it.

  He pulled back, and I noticed how blown his pupils were while he panted over me.

  “If you want me to stop, you need to tell me,” he said. “I’ll leave right now.”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want him to leave.

  “Come on.” I went to stand, and he moved, watching me.

  I held a hand out for him, which he took, and pulled him up, running my eyes over his body.

  His hair was mussed, his shirt was crooked, and there was an obvious bulge in the front of his pants.

  I silently led him upstairs to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I leaned against it and stared at him in the soft light coming from the lamp by my bed.

  He stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, staring right back.

  Tension hung in the air, and I knew we were about to take a big step. And I had a feeling that once we did, we’d never be the same.

  I already liked Jacob so much, so giving my body over to him would seal the deal.

  He took a step toward me, and the dam broke. />
  We clashed, our teeth clicking together from the fierceness of our kiss, and we hurriedly pulled our clothes off.

  I wanted to touch more of him, as much of him as possible. I needed to be closer to him, as close as I could get.

  A low buzz was coursing through my body, and it was compounded wherever he touched me.

  Once we were naked, he turned and walked me to the bed, his eyes dark as they raked over me.

  He pushed me back, and I bounced slightly before he dropped to his knees, wrapping his hands around my thighs and pushing them wide.

  My breathing hitched as his gaze zeroed in on my center, a hungry look on his face.

  I propped myself up on my elbows and watched as he slowly pressed kisses to my thighs, working toward me, only to skip where I wanted him to touch me the most.

  By the time his breath fanned against my center, I was quivering from the anticipation of what was to come.

  He licked me lightly, making my hips jerk at the sensation. Then he dove in.

  That was the only way to describe it. He pressed my legs back further, leaving me completely at his mercy as he ate me out.

  I panted as he licked and kissed every inch of me, pushing me toward my orgasm. But it wasn’t enough. I needed something to push me over the edge.

  “Jacob, please,” I moaned from above him.

  He ignored me, continuing his ministrations and keeping me right on a razor’s edge of pleasure.

  Finally, finally he pulled back and stood.

  “Condom?” he asked.

  I flung my hand to the side and pointed to my bedside table, unable to form words.

  He walked to it, and I took a moment to admire him, taking in his tight muscles, defined abs, and the cock that was pointing straight out.

  God, he was hot.

  He grabbed a condom and quickly ripped the packet open, rolling it down his length as he turned to look at me.

  His cheeks were flushed, and my juices were glistening on his chin.

  I’d never found that hot before, but tonight, right here? It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen.

  I scooted up the bed and watched as he joined me, his gaze pinned on me as he covered me with his body.

  He settled between my thighs and reached between us, pressing one, then two fingers inside me.

  My walls immediately clamped down on him, and that razor’s edge was back.

  He pressed kisses to my throat as he almost lazily thrust his fingers in and out of me, pressing his thumb against my clit.

  It was his thumb that ultimately pushed me over the edge. My back arched, and I groaned low in my throat as pleasure coursed through me.

  He continued touching me until my body relaxed back on the bed.

  He gently pulled his fingers out of me, and I felt something larger pressing against my center.

  The head of his dick slipped inside, stretching me before he pressed in further, sliding right in.

  I pulled my legs further up his sides as he pulled back and sharply thrust in, a slapping sound filling my room.

  He grunted and looked between us, watching as he thrust in and out. I watched him move in me, then looked at his face.

  His expressions were enough to push me higher as well.

  He dropped, pressing more of his body against mine, and his thrusts sped up until all I could think about was the orgasm that was approaching and how good he felt inside me.

  I wound my fingers into his hair, pulling on it as my body wound tight, then exploded into a million pieces.

  His thrusts were almost punishing by this point as he chased his own completion.

  He groaned loudly as his hips stuttered against mine before melting into me and pressing me into the mattress.

  We lay there for several moments before he carefully lifted himself up and out.

  “Bathroom is through there,” I said, pointing toward the closed door.

  He nodded and carefully got off the bed, padding into the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

  While he took care of himself, I pulled the covers back and slid underneath to wait.

  I wanted him to stay, but wasn’t sure how to ask.

  But when he joined me, I didn’t have to because he slid in behind me and pulled me to him, his front to my back.

  With his arm slung across my waist, I grinned as I turned the lamp out and settled in.

  30

  Zoe

  I woke up the next morning in a cocoon of warmth with a heavy weight over my waist.

  I lay there for several moments, basking in the feel.

  I’d never woken up cuddled to someone before and I had to admit that I really liked it.

  After several minutes of lying there, I carefully slid out from under Jacob’s arm and stood.

  I turned to look at him and smiled.

  I wanted to squeal at having him in my bed, but I wanted him to sleep as long as he wanted more.

  So I tip-toed to the bathroom and quickly went through my morning routine before grabbing some pajamas and pulling them on.

  I made my way downstairs, snagging mine and Jacob’s phones before going into the kitchen.

  I plugged both of our phones in, then got started on making coffee.

  While I waited for it, I rummaged through my cabinets and fridge to see what I had for breakfast. I wanted to cook something nice for him before he left.

  I was pulling out everything I needed for omelets when I heard the lock on the front door disengage.

  I froze. Was Jacob leaving? Or was Noah home?

  My coffee pot beeped, telling me it was done, and a few moments later, I had my answer to who was at the door.

  Noah.

  He still looked mussed from sleep and half out of it as he stood there.

  “Whose car is at the curb?” he asked.

  Instead of answering, I tried to deflect his question with one of my own. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the coffee shop?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, Pops said I wasn’t needed, so he brought me home before going in.”

  I turned to the coffeepot to hide my expression.

  I was banking on Noah not being home till later, and I didn’t know what to do.

  There was a naked man upstairs in my bed who I’d had sex with the night before. And my nephew stood in my kitchen hours earlier than I was expecting him. This has disaster written all over it.

  I wracked my brain for what to say while I fixed my coffee.

  My dryer broke and the repairman stayed over? Gross and too porno for my tastes.

  A friend crashed and that friend is male? He’d see through that in a heartbeat.

  I was a woman who had needs? I wanted to gag at the thought.

  I was going to have to wing it. I turned back to Noah.

  “You didn’t answer my question,” he said, pulling a stool out and sitting on it. “Whose car is at the curb?”

  Just then, the sound of water going through pipes sounded from above us and we both looked up at the ceiling like it would reveal who was doing it.

  I looked back down and caught Noah’s narrowed gaze. “You have someone stay over last night?”

  My cheeks heated, and I couldn’t think of anything to say. What was I supposed to say?

  Wasn’t I the adult here? Why was I struggling?

  Noah grinned. “Is it Jacob?”

  I slowly nodded.

  “He stayed the night?”

  I nodded again. What was I supposed to say? No, it wasn’t him and it was a ghost?

  He might have believed it when he was younger, but there was no way he was going to believe it right then.

  The two of us stared at each other as we listened to Jacob walking above us, then down the stairs and toward the kitchen.

  I wished I could warn him that there was someone else in the house, but that wasn’t in the cards.

  “Have you seen my phone?” he called out, his voice getting louder until he entered the kit
chen.

  He drew up short when he saw me and the teenager that was staring at him.

  Thankfully, he’d put his pants on. But he hadn’t put his shirt on. And there were faint red marks on his chest and shoulders.

  Awkward.

  “Hey, Noah,” Jacob said, recovering quickly. “I didn’t realize you were already here.”

  Noah smirked and glanced at me. “Neither did Aunt Z here.”

  “Would you like some coffee?” I butted in.

  Jacob nodded and walked over to me as I poured him a cup, handing it to him.

  “I plugged your phone in over there with mine.”

  I nodded to the charging station we had in the kitchen and he glanced that way.

  “Thanks.”

  He quickly doctored his coffee and turned to lean against the counter next to me. Noah’s gaze ping-ponged between the two of us, a smirk still firmly on his face.

  “If I’d known you had company, I would have stayed with Pops.”

  I shot him a glare. “If I’d known you weren’t going to the shop this morning, I wouldn’t have company.”

  I shot Jacob an apologetic look, but he didn’t react. I hoped he didn’t take that as I wouldn’t have done anything with him last night.

  The three of us stared at each other in a semi-tense silence.

  “I’m going to go shower,” Noah said abruptly, standing. “I’ll be back down in a little while.”

  And he walked out, leaving me with Jacob. A Jacob I couldn’t get a read on.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I had no idea they would drop him off this morning. I wouldn’t have had you stay if I knew—“

  Jacob pressed a finger to my lips. “Hey, don’t worry about it. It happens. Noah knows we’re a thing. Yeah, this morning was a little awkward, but it’s fine.”

  I didn’t feel fine about all this, but I appreciated his words and the intent behind them.

  I blew out a breath, trying to force myself to relax.

  “Before he showed up, I was planning to make you breakfast. Are you interested? Or do you want to head out?”

  Jacob studied me for a few moments, sipping his coffee. Then he carefully set his mug down, took mine, set it beside his, and pulled me into his arms.

  “Is Noah a package deal with you?” he asked.