Claimed Before Christmas

massive

His hand lands on my chest, and Elias stares down at me with wide eyes, probably because he’s never done this before. The first and only time we’d been together, when I took his virginity, I was the one on top, the one in total control. Now I’m handing it over to him. Not that he really knows what to do with it. I grip his lean hips, my fingers digging into his skin, and I guide his rhythm. I love his total lack of experience. Who knew that could be such a massive turn-on? I’ll be the only one to teach him everything he needs to know about pleasure.

It doesn’t take him long to figure out what I want. He slides back and forth, his heat coating me. He looks incredible over me. His hips sway, his chest heaving with every breath, his head thrown back while his hair brushes against me as he moves.

Releasing one of his hips, I reach down between us to find the center of his sensation. His body jerks instantly, a low sound escaping him that makes me wish I’d had the patience to taste him before I took him. I could have him on my tongue right now.

“Promise me you’re mine. Tell me no one else gets to lay a hand on you.” I need that reassurance after the games he played tonight.

He responds without a second of hesitation. “I’m yours. I only belong to you.”

I increase the friction, his words pushing me right to the brink. I need him to come, to feel him pull every last drop of release out of me.

“Then let go for me. Take everything I have to give you. I want to feel you come deep against me,” I grunt. I marked his neck, and now I want to leave a mark he can’t see; I want to fill him so completely he can’t forget me.

I feel him tighten around me, and I know he’s about to break. I rise and pull him into a kiss, swallowing his gasps as he hits his peak. His body shutters against mine as I come hard, deep inside him. Just when I think I’ve given him everything, my body jerks again, emptying more of myself into him.

He collapses onto my chest, and I wrap my arms around him. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispers so softly I almost miss it. I’m not even sure he realizes he said it out loud. His breathing evens out, and I know he’s fallen fast asleep.

I’d told myself I could just touch him a little, give him what he wanted without fully crossing the line. I was shocked that first night when I finally had him under me, only to realize he was completely untouched. It wasn’t bad enough that I was sleeping with my best friend’s son in his own house while he was down the hall, but I was also the first person to ever have him.

I should have walked away, but it was too late. I’d already tasted him, and nothing would have stopped me from claiming him, filling him until he was marked as mine. I was past the point of no return, and I don’t know why I ever tried to fight it. I’ll never forget the day Julian walked into my life and flipped it upside down.

2

Chris

4 days earlier

“Do you need a hand with that?” I ask Phil as I step out onto the back deck, taking a long pull from my beer. He’s at the grill, searing steaks for a family cookout. His son, Julian, is expected home any minute after spending the summer at an intensive writing seminar.

“I think I’ve got it under control, Chris. Just looking forward to Julian getting back. I hated that his program fell right on his eighteenth birthday, but at least we can celebrate now that he’s home. His friend’s mom is dropping him off. I hope he’s up for a party,” he says, flipping the meat.

I settle into one of the patio chairs and stretch my legs out. The cold beer is a lifesaver after the humidity of the day. Spending hours on the football field in this Texas heat can be brutal. I’m just glad I have a comfortable place to stay instead of rotting in a hotel room after work.

Phil and I go way back. We met when I was playing for Texas Tech and he was doing his clinicals. Part of his job was treating the players; my knee was always a mess, so we spent a lot of time together. We clicked instantly despite the ten-year age gap. He always knew exactly how to keep me in the game.

After college, I went pro, playing center for the Houston Texans. I stayed in the league until my knee finally gave out for good. Phil did everything possible to keep me on the field, but we both knew I was on borrowed time. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have lasted half as long. He patched me up, but the damage was done. One more bad hit and I might have lost the ability to walk. It was a hard pill to swallow, but retiring was the smart move. I’d made good money and invested well. It was time to hang up the jersey before I was forced to.

“Thanks for hanging out with us today. I know you’re itching for your own renovations to be finished.”

I was, but staying with Phil and Janet wasn’t a bad deal. Their place was massive, I got to talk shop every night, and it beat going home to an empty house—a silence that had started to get under my skin lately.

“I’ve liked the company this summer. I just hope I’m not overstaying my welcome,” I joke, knowing they’d have had a quiet house to themselves if I weren't taking up the guest room.

“Are you kidding? I love having someone to talk football with 24/7. I can’t wait to see what you do with the Wildcats this season.”