The Way We Touch: or Wrangling the Wide Receiver (The Bradford Boys)

Garrett stood there like some giant prison guard leading her away, and it was all I could do not to reach for her. I listened as they went upstairs and the doors closed. I heard the sound of the shower running.

Now I’m in my bed, thumbs flying.

I used to tell your bro he was the best blocker on Earth. He has no idea.

Gray dots float, and I wait impatiently for her reply.

Dylan

I’m pretty sure my heart stopped.

Coconut will forever remind me of you coming on my tongue.

Dylan

Coconut oil is very good for you, and it’s organic virgin oil.

My memories are not virginal.

I use a devil emoji, to which she sends a sweaty red face.

Dylan

I want to sneak down again, but I can’t think of a good excuse… More pepper?

I could come to you. I’m pretty heated…

Dylan

No!

She includes a laughing emoji.

Dylan

We’re too loud when we’re together.

Fuck me. I slide my hand over my hardening cock before replying.

We could still finish together if you want.

Dylan

What do you mean?

Tapping the screen, it switches to FaceTime, and she answers before the first ring. Her face is freshly washed, and her hair falls around her cheeks in large waves. She’s fucking gorgeous.

“Hey, beautiful. Show me your tits.”

Her chin dips, and she covers her laugh with her hand. How is it possible that everything she does is so adorable?

“I think we’ll be even louder this way,” she whispers, hopping off her bed and going to her door.

“I’ve never seen your bedroom. Show me.”

Her lips twist, and she holds the phone over her head, turning it so I can see the pretty white and navy room. “Here it is! My bedroom.”

A queen-sized bed with white bedding is in the corner, and a desk is across from it. Beside the desk, a tall, narrow bookshelf is filled with books and more books stacked on top of each other.

“You need a bigger bookcase.”

“I know.” She walks over to the narrow piece of furniture and lifts a book with a muscular man on the cover.

“What’s that you’re reading?”

“Just some spicy romance. This one’s about a man who pushes away everyone who loves him because his father was abusive.”

“Sounds vaguely familiar.”

“Then he meets a feisty redhead with a killer bod, and he can’t keep his hands off her.”

This time I slide my hand inside my boxer briefs to stroke my erection. “He’s a man after my own heart.”

Her bottom lip goes between her teeth, and she walks to her bed. “Are you saying you want to put your hands on me?”

It’s a shy request, and it activates the beast. “Damn straight. I want you to touch yourself the way I want to, and I want you to keep that phone where I can see you come.”

Her eyes flare, and her smile turns naughty. “Okay.”

I watch as she climbs into the bed. She falls back onto her pillow, and her dark hair spreads around her shoulders.

Then she smiles, blinking up at me. “Now what?”

“Pull up your shirt and tuck it tightly under your arms so I can see your breasts.”

She does what I say, and her pretty, rosebud areoles are visible. Her arms clench at her sides, and they squeeze together in a way that makes precome slide from my dick. I mix it with the coconut oil at my side for lube.

“That’s right, damn. You’re making me so hard right now.”

“Show me,” she whispers.

Lifting the phone, I move it down so she can see me sliding my hand up and down my cock, circling the tip. She whimpers, and my eyes squeeze with a groan.

“I love to hear you moan.” Her confidence is growing. “Tell me how you’d touch me if you were here.”

“I’d start with those pretty tits. I’d pull them into my mouth and suck them hard. Then I’d tease your nipples with my teeth before sliding my tongue all over them and doing it all again.”

“Oh…” she exhales, tracing her fingers over her breasts and tweaking the tips until they harden.

My dick jumps, and another surge of precome appears. “You’re a fucking pinup, Dylan. I’ll never get the sight of you on my bathroom floor rubbing your pussy with your back arched and your breasts bouncing out of my mind. It was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. ”

“I was putting out the fire.”

“You were lighting another one. Do it for me now.”

She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, and I watch as her body starts to move. The phone moves away from her face, and she lets me see her hand in her undies, her fingers circling fast over her clit.

My fist picks up speed, and I groan watching her massage herself. Soft whimpers fill the air around me. Her hand moves faster, and her hips rock in time. Breathy moans fall from her lips, and I wish I was in the room to see all of her.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about.” It’s a rough order.

“Your tongue,” she gasps. “It’s so warm and demanding. I love the way it slides over my clit again and again, not stopping.” She exhales another moan as her hand continues. “I love how hungry you are.”

“Fuck…” I’m straining as my own orgasm radiates tighter in my thighs, snaking through my pelvis. “That’s right, baby, I’ll eat your pussy until you scream.”

“Your cock is so big… I want to feel it stretching me. I want to feel it all the way inside me, hard and wild.”

“I’ll bend you over and fuck you til your legs shake.”

“Oh… oh, I’m coming. Make me scream, Logan!”

“I’ll make you forget your name.” My hips rise off the bed as I picture her soft body riding mine, her hair falling all around us, my cock driving deep, stretching her clenching core.

I can’t forget the way her pussy sucked my thumb when I was eating her out in my bathroom.

“I’m coming…” She drops the phone, but I watch her silhouette.

I watch her back arch and her breasts rise. I watch her stomach tremble as she moans louder. Then her legs start to shake, and it sends me flying. My dick pulses and warm liquid spills onto my belly, again and again.

I’m moaning, and my eyes close as the sensation blinds me. I stroke faster until the pulses of pleasure turn painful, and I have to stop. Then my hand drops to the side, and I’m breathing hard, coming back from another plane.

On my phone I see her hand moving slower, circling gentler, until at last she cups her fingers over her core. She rolls to her side, and her cheeks are flushed. Her pretty eyes meet mine, blinking slowly, and she smiles.

“I’ve never done that before.” Her voice is slightly hoarse. “Did you finish?”

“You kidding? I couldn’t watch that show and not finish.”

“Can I see?”

Another little surge spills onto my skin at her request, and I move the phone so she can see the come on my lower belly. On the screen, her eyes flare, and she pulls her lip into her mouth.

It’s the second sexiest thing she’s ever done.

“I wish I was there with you,” she says.

“Me too.”

“What do we do now?”

I grab tissues to clean up myself. “Are you always working at the restaurant? I’d like to take you on a real date if you have a night off.”

“I could take off Monday. It’s always a slow night in the summer.”

“Put me on your calendar. I’ll meet you downstairs at seven.”

Her nose wrinkles, she rests her cheek on her hand. “What will we tell the guys?”

After everything that’s happened between us, I want to say I don’t give a damn, but I know that’s not true. She cares about her brothers as much as I do.

“I’ll talk to Garrett. It’ll be okay.”

“Will it?”

“Either it will or he’ll kick my ass. I’m going to see you again, regardless. I’m not letting your brothers keep us apart.”

Her expression relaxes into a contented smile, and my stomach tightens with warmth. “I really wish I could hold you right now.”

“I do too. I like the way you hold me.” She reaches behind her and pulls a large pink body pillow between her legs and up to her cheek. “In the meantime, I’ll pretend this is you.”

“Damn, lucky pillow. It’s right where I want to be.”

A happy laugh floats in the air around me, and she blinks her eyes away. “Good night, Logan.”

“Goodnight, Danger.” That gets me another little laugh. “Dream of me.”

“I will.”

I’m pretty sure every day of camp is hotter than the day before. We’ve chosen the first and second string for the varsity and even picked the guys who’ll be on the junior varsity team.

Garrett was the friendly bear, letting the guys who didn’t make the cut know what they needed to work on to make the team next year, and as far as I could tell, none of them walked away devastated.

Sure, they were disappointed, but he gave them so many helpful tips and so much encouragement, I imagine they’ll all be back next year. Unless they pick up another sport.

“That Sonny Langston needs to be on the track team.” Garrett chuckles taking a sip of beer. “He’s a great runner, but he can’t throw for shit.”

We’re back at Jack’s place doing post-mortem. His brother walks out onto the back porch, Corona in hand, and leans against the railing. “What do you think about that Austin Sinclair kid for QB-2?”

Garrett’s eyebrows rise, and he puckers his lips. “Allie’s son? He’s a natural talent.”

“He makes good, snap decisions, and the other guys seem to like him,” I add, remembering my days as a quarterback in high school. “He’s not nervous or indecisive.”

“He’s got the makings of a star.” Jack nods, taking a long sip.

“Hell, you ought to know!” Garrett laughs.

“We’ll train him.” Jack nods. “I think he’s mature enough to handle it.”

“Allie’s going to cry.” Garrett leans back, and his older brother’s jaw flexes.

It’s the first hint we’ve gotten that he’s not as oblivious to Allie’s feelings for him as he lets on. “In that case, I’ll let you break the news.”

“Don’t tell me Coach Jack is afraid of a few tears.” Garrett’s voice turns teasing. “Afraid she might put her arms around your neck and try to kiss you?”

I rub my hand over my mouth to hide my laugh.

His brother exhales a growl as he goes through the screen door into the house, leaving us alone on the back porch.

“Why don’t you go home. It’s late.” He calls to us. “Quit drinking all my beer.”

Garrett laughs louder, tilting his head back before standing. I grin watching them, wondering what it would’ve been like to have siblings. Wondering how I’d feel if Dylan were my little sister, and someone like me came calling.

If he knew what I wanted to do to her—what we’ve already done—he’d probably want to kick my ass. But I know how I feel about that beautiful woman, and there’s nothing I won’t do to make her happy and make her mine.

“Come on.” He grips my shoulder, and I follow him down the back steps to the path leading along the bay.

We’re close enough to walk to his family’s home, and I figure now is as good a time as any to rip off the Band-Aid. We stroll past a group of kids playing frisbee in a small, grassy park, and we pause a moment to watch them.

“You seemed distracted today,” Garrett says as we start walking again. “Preseason’s about to start. Thinking about next year?”

“Some.” I have been thinking about next year, but not for the reasons he assumes.

“Ricky’s got it in for you, but I’ve got a good feeling about it. We’re going to get you that MVP trophy.” He grins, shaking my shoulder, and I nod. “What? Has your dad been busting your balls again?”

“No more than usual.” I clear my throat as we take a few more steps.

I’d planned out a few different ways to bring up the subject, but none of them feel particularly subtle.

So I just go for it. “Dylan’s really nice. I’ve been talking to her, and I really like her.”

“Yeah, she’s a great kid. She’s an even better cook. I’ve been encouraging her to go to culinary school, but she’s so stubborn.”

“You have?” I feel a little miffed this is the first I’m hearing about it, but I don’t let it distract me. “I was just wondering why she’s not dating anybody.”

“Oh, she was. Some dickhead golfer who cheated on her. That asshole better not show his face around here while we’re in town.”

I second that emotion. Why didn’t I know about this either? He’d better not have made her cry. The thought of Dylan crying has my temperature rising. My fists clench, and I’m ready to find that fucker and kick his ass.

“I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, Davis Kent. Doesn’t he just sound like a douche?” Garrett shakes his head. “She needs a man who’ll treat her like a queen.”

“I think so, too.” We take a few steps, and my throat is dry. “Speaking of, I was thinking about asking her out, maybe taking her somewhere nice for dinner.”

“Really?” He squints at me. “That’s really thoughtful of you, LL. Need a recommendation? Want me to go with you?”

“Ah, no.” I exhale a laugh. “I wanted to go alone, because I want to spend time with her. I like her.”

“Everybody likes Dylan.” His brow furrows, and this dumb oaf still doesn’t get what I’m saying. “She’s a great girl.”

“I think so, too, and I want to spend more time with her. On a more serious basis.”

He takes a few more steps as the words sink in, then he stops. A frown tightens his forehead, and my muscles tense.

I do some quick, mental math on his size versus my size, and yep, Garrett could seriously beat me to a pulp if that’s the direction he decides to take it.

Flexing my hands, I brace for the worst.

“You want to date my sister?”

“Is that okay?”

Shaking his head, he starts to walk, this time he’s moving faster. “I don’t know. You’re kind of a player, Logan, and Dylan’s not like the girls you normally date. I’d hate to have to kick your ass, because I consider you a really good friend, a best friend.”

“I feel the same. It’s why I’m talking to you.” I swallow the desert in my throat. “I have no intention of playing with Dylan. She’s real and sweet and beautiful. She’s kind, and she makes me want to be a better man.”

“You’re damn straight you’ll be a better man. You’ll be the best man.”

“That’s what I said.”

We walk a few paces in silence. “My little sister is special. She’s the kind of woman you marry.”

I think about her sweet face and satisfaction unfurls in my chest. “I know.”

Damn. She really is.

“What are you going to do when we have to go back to New York?”

And the dread rushes in. “We haven’t really gotten that far. This is all pretty new.”

“Well, you’d better get there. We’re only here a few more weeks.”

Fuck. “I know.”

“Are you going to try and do some sort of long-distance thing?”

“Maybe? If she’s up for that.” I rub my hand over the back of my neck. “I’d like to try.”

“Can you do that?” He glares at me, and I cut my eyes up at him.

“Yes.” I’m dead serious.

He is, too. “If you tell her you will, you won’t try. You will.”

“You think I’d be talking to you this way if I wasn’t serious? You, of all people?”

He’s satisfied with that answer, and we’re approaching the restaurant. “How did this happen?”

“Have you seen your sister? She’s amazing.” He doesn’t answer, and I look out at the bay. “You told me if I came here, I’d find what I was looking for.”

“So you’re blaming me for this?” His voice rises.

“Maybe I am. You’re my best friend, and she’s your sister. It makes sense I’d like her better than I like you. She’s a lot prettier than you are.”

“Let’s get one thing straight now.” He stops walking again, and I turn to face him. “As far as all that goes, you’re waiting until marriage to touch her. No, I take it back. You are never sleeping with my sister. Even if you wind up having kids, they’re getting dropped off by a stork. I’m not thinking of you with Dylan.”

“I mean, I’m going to touch her⁠—”

“Ah-ah!” He points a thick digit at my nose. “I don’t want to hear about it. You read me?”

I hold up both hands and laugh. “Loud and clear.”

We’re at Cooters & Shooters, and I see her inside laughing and talking to Craig. My whole body lights up, and I want to go to her. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I think about what Garrett said about kids, and my chest tightens. What would she say if I told her about it? That’s nuts, and way too fucking soon to even think about.

I’m not thinking about it now…

“Just remember, always keep in mind every second of every day…” Garrett’s voice is a low warning. “If you hurt her, if you make my little sister cry, I’ll beat your ass so bad⁠—”

“I’ll gladly take it if I ever make her cry.”

“So long as we’re on the same page.” He glances at the restaurant. “Let’s get cleaned up. I’m kind of looking forward to you being on your best behavior.”

“I’m always on my best behavior compared to you.”

“Sounds like some bullshit to me.”

A smile curls my lips, and I let him take off a few steps ahead of me while I linger behind, watching her inside the restaurant waving her hands and shaking her head so her pretty dark hair swishes down her back.

Calm is something I haven’t felt in a long time, if ever. But standing here, gazing at my future, I’m just as calm as a perfect day on the water. Not a cloud in sight.