Driven Snow (10 page)

Riley grinned like a Walt Disney cat, but it only took a brief glance to see his penis stretched—red, hot, and painful-looking—toward Snow.

Snow smiled lazily. “Why did I get all the benefits?”

“Because you’ve earned them.”

“How?”

“By being—you.” He smiled as he gave Snow back his compliment.

Snow pushed up to his elbow. “Not fair.” With a hop, he made it to his knees. “Wait.” He didn’t know much, but one thing he could do. Jumping up, he kicked off his khakis, ran into the bathroom and pulled the bottle of lube out of the top drawer, then grabbed a towel.
Sticky stuff.
He squirted it on his hands as he trotted back into the living room, knelt where Riley still lay with his jeans around his knees, and grabbed his penis in both hands. “Does this feel good?”

“You kidding? Just keep that up and you’ll have more than lube on your hands.”

“Oh, I hope so.”

Gazing into Riley’s eyes, he tried to gauge how he was doing. Riley’s mouth opened and his eyes closed.
Good combination.
Snow squirted a little more lube and went back to work. The smoothness of the skin on Riley’s dick caressed his hands. Fascinating, all that ripple of muscle and connective tissue beneath the surface. He’d never enjoyed the feeling when it was his own penis. Just a perfunctory action. Now he understood why. Masturbation didn’t even approach what he’d experienced with Riley’s mouth. Could he give Riley a blowjob?

Better walk before you can run. Concentrate.

He tightened and released his hands as Riley gasped louder and louder. “Oh God, how can you be so good at this? Oh shit, Snooooooow.” His face contorted as if in pain, and his hips rose from the floor in an arch as a fountain of ejaculate shot out of his penis, rose in the air, then fell back to splat on Riley’s abdomen and Snow’s hands.
Oh my God.
He’d done it. He’d made Riley Prince come.

Sure. A poodle could make a guy that horny come.

Well, at least I’m on par with a dog.

“Snow?” Snow glanced up to see Riley gazing at him. “Where do you go when you get all quiet like that?”

“Sorry.”

“No, I’m just curious.”

Snow shrugged and wiped his sticky hands on the towel, then gently patted the spots of wetness from Riley’s skin. “I have mental conversations, I guess you’d call them.”

“You mean, like, both sides?”

“Um-hmm.”

“Hey, if you need good advice, ask somebody smart.” Riley smiled.

Should he say any more? “I spent a long time with my grandmother after my parents died.” He set the towel aside and ran a finger across Riley’s glowing skin. “She was hard of hearing. I was a weird kid who mostly studied and read books, so I didn’t have friends.”

Riley cocked his head, and his smile was so kind it brought heat behind Snow’s eyes. “So you had to talk to yourself?”

Snow nodded. “It became a habit. Two sides of my brain each take a viewpoint in a conversation and argue with each other. It’s probably schizophrenia at its most classic.”

“Sounds like loneliness to me.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true.”

Riley slipped his fingers into Snow’s long hair. “I’d like to be your friend.”

Snow turned a half smile. “I think this might be called a friend with benefits.”

“But the friend part is the most important. Okay?”

Snow stared at the etched pattern on the rug. “I’d like that.”

“So, my friend, will you go to homecoming with me on Saturday?”

Snow gazed at Riley. This much happiness had to be tempting fate. “Yes. Yes, I will.”

CHAPTER 9

“CHECKMATE.” SNOW
slid his pawn and smiled at Professor Kingsley.

The professor leaned back in his chair. “You devil. Got me again.”

Snow suppressed his grin. “Just lucky.”

“Yes, the Snowden Reynaldi version of lucky. Brilliant and relentless.” He sighed. “I must admit, I’ve wanted to fault you for your dreamy lack of focus the last week, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt you one bit. I’d never want to jinx us by overspeaking, but I don’t honestly see who can beat you.” He rubbed a hand over his eyes.

“Thank you, sir. Are you okay?”

“Yes, just a little tired. Keeping up with a younger woman is murder.” He laughed. “But my love life is not the interest here. Do you feel like telling me what’s going on in yours?”

Snow tried not to smile, but it didn’t work.

“Ah, so I guessed right? Come on, confess.”

“Riley Prince asked me to homecoming.”

The professor’s eyes narrowed, and his mouth popped open. “Excuse me?”

“Riley’s gay. He came out to his fraternity and the team. His coach already knew. He’s invited me to the homecoming dance.”

“Well, I’ll be—that’s amazing. And if I’m not mistaken, the happiest thing that could have happened for you. Am I right? Haven’t you been nursing a bit of a crush?”

Snow bobbed his head in time to his heart. “Yes, but I never dreamed anything would ever come of it. Then Riley brought me Chinese food and told me he had—had been—was interested in me. He passed the physics test, then asked me to homecoming.”

“Good for him. I’m so happy for you, Snow.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll bet Winston’s disappointed.”

Dear God, he’d barely thought of Win. “I, uh, haven’t told him yet. This all happened so fast.”

“I’m sure he won’t be entirely shocked. I think he knew you weren’t really interested in him romantically.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“So you may be going to the dance with the homecoming king. Will that be awkward?”

Wow.
“I haven’t really thought much about that either.”

Kingsley smiled, but with kindness. “A little less dreamy and a little more forethought would be good. The quarterback of the soon-to-be-championship team declaring he’s gay and showing up at a big event with a man is not without repercussions. I don’t want you to be caught off guard.”

“Good advice, sir. As always.”

“So this is our last practice until next week.”

“Oh? I thought we’d get in a couple more this weekend.”

The professor smiled but quickly controlled it. “No, I have some family obligations. Of course, I won’t miss homecoming.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, I need to get going. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you at the dance.”

Odd. The professor had very little family and never spoke of them. Still, no practice might give Snow a chance for another blowjob. Or two. He smiled and gave the professor a big hug. “Thank you. Have a great time until I see you.”

The professor tapped his nose. “You too, son. Remember I love you.”

Snow’s eyes widened. The professor said that rarely. It meant so much. “Thank you. I feel the same.”

“See you Saturday night.”

Outside the physics building, the sun warmed him. Or maybe that was just the sweetness of Professor Kingsley’s hug. If a guy had to grow up without benefit of much parenting, it sure was great to have a mentor like the professor.

He started toward his bike. Two arms grabbed him from behind. “Hey, Snowball.”

“Hi, Win.” Talk about fate. From the professor’s lips straight into manifestation.

Winston let go and leaned against the tree closest to the sidewalk. “You been practicing?”

“Yes, last session till next week. I guess the professor is busy until Saturday.”

“Probably busy fucking that gorgeous creature he’s engaged to.”

Snow frowned. “You sure you’re gay?”

“Hey, who better to appreciate the style of a beautiful woman than a gay man?”

“I suppose.”

Win stepped forward and leaned over quickly to peck Snow on the cheek. “But you’re lots prettier. And I don’t have to be gay to see it.”

“Thank you.” He scuffed his sneakers. “I really wasn’t fishing for a compliment.”

“So speaking of beautiful, are you going to get all dolled up and come to the dance with me on Saturday?” Win batted at some leaves on the tree above his head.

Well, damn.
Snow stared at his shoes. “Uh, you never mentioned it before.”

“No. I figured you didn’t even know about it, so why bother you with the idea of having to get dressed up when you’ve had other things to think about.” Finally a frown crept over Win’s face. “Why?”

“I, uh, already have a date to the dance.”

“What? Who?”

Snow took a deep breath. “Riley Prince.”

He snorted. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Riley came out as gay. He asked me to the dance.” Stillness. Win said nothing. Finally Snow looked up. Winston stared at him like he’d grown an extra head. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you. It just happened.”

“Riley Prince is gay?”

“Yes, apparently so.”

“And he asked you out?”

“I told you that, Winston.” Snow crossed his arms.

“This is not Snowball wishful thinking or fantasy, right? If I go to that dance, I’m going to see you with Riley?”

“Win, what the hell?”

Winston held up both hands. “Sorry. I just know you sometimes live in your own world. So I guess you can’t say no when the prince of the campus asks you out, right?”

“I didn’t want to say no, Win. I like Riley. He’s a nice guy.”

“With a brain the size of a grain of sand.”

“Not true. He passed his physics test with a B+.”

“You’re shitting?”

“No. I told you he could learn. He needed the right approach.”

Win’s voice got singsongy. “The Snowden Reynaldi turn-you-into-a-gay-boy approach?”

“Come on, Win, that’s not fair. I never had a clue Riley was gay until he told me.”

“And say you haven’t been jerking off to his football posters for the last year. Shit, every time I try to get close to you, you’re mooning over Mr. Shoulder Pads. I’ll bet you don’t say no to him, right?”

“Winston!”

“What about you and me?”

“We’ve never been more than friends.”

Win bent over and stared at Snow’s face. “Not from lack of me trying.”

Snow stepped back. “Seriously, I don’t know much about romance, but I never got the feeling that you’d die without me or anything. We just got thrown together because we’re both gay nerds.”

“Speak for yourself.” Dear God, he looked like he could cry.

“I’m so sorry. I never had any idea you were serious in any way.”

“I’ve walked on eggshells around you since we met.” He pranced like a ballerina on drugs, and two girls walking past giggled. “Don’t disturb the great chess master. Don’t break his fantasy bubble. This is the thanks I get.”

“I’m sorry, Win.”

“Oh, fuck off.” He threw both hands in the air and took off down the sidewalk.

Snow sank down on the first step of the physics building. He hadn’t thought anything could dim his excitement about the dance. Wrong.

Come on, this isn’t about you.

Yeah, I was a thoughtless asshole to Winston.

Yep. Bad karma, my friend.

Snow shuddered.

ANITRA LAUGHED
as Harold staggered across the threshold of his home, carrying her.
Good way to get dropped, but the niceties must be observed.
He lowered her to her feet inside the entry.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Kingsley.”

“Thank you, Dr. Kingsley. Won’t everyone be surprised when we tell them?”
Yes, especially Reynaldi.
She held out her hand to admire her combination engagement and wedding ring. They were worth a pretty penny. She’d made sure of that.

He kissed her ear. She hated that but succeeded in not shuddering. “Shall we slip upstairs for a little preliminary honeymoon activity before the dance?” He chuckled. “I’ve waited a long time.”

“You’ve been so understanding of my scruples, but I must make you wait a little longer. After all, this is my chance to put on the red carpet glamour for once, so I need a couple of hours to primp. I want everyone to be so happy at your choice of wife.” She glanced up through her lashes. “And once we get into bed, I don’t want to have any reason to leave for many, many hours.”

“I fear you have a point, because I’d happily forgo the dance altogether for a chance to get you under me finally.” He sighed. “And that would be unwise, since I’m expected to help chaperone. Besides, I wouldn’t miss Snowden making his appearance with Riley Prince.”

Her brows slammed together, and she had to take a breath to smooth them out. “What do you mean?”

He helped her off with her coat and hung it up, then did the same with his. “We’ve been so caught up in the sudden wedding plans, I forgot to tell you. Our big man on campus, the heroic Riley Prince, has come out as gay and asked Snow to the homecoming dance. This all just happened, so I’m sure it will be a bit of a sensation. I don’t want Snow to get hurt in the cross fire. You know how sensitive he is.”

“Oh yes, of course.” The little shit would steal her big moment at the dance. Damn him. That big hunk of gorgeous was way too good for that little pipsqueak. “Why don’t you get comfortable, I’ll bring you a cocktail, and then I’ll go try out my bathroom for the first time.”

Harold removed his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and sat in the disgusting easy chair he favored in the living room. He picked up some tome on the life of Einstein.
Jesus.
“I’ll take you up on that, my dear. Enjoy your ablutions. I swear, if this house had only one bathroom, you’d never have married me.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Boys pee on the floor. I’ve always said, the secret to a happy marriage is one bed and two bathrooms.” Laughing, she headed for the kitchen.

“There’s ice in the bar, dear,” he said, waving toward it.

“Oh, I know, but I put some cocktail glasses in the kitchen refrigerator to chill. Plus, we may be married, but I’m not ready to reveal my secret cocktail ingredients to you yet. That’s far too intimate.”

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Ah, the truth to your power over me comes out. I married you to learn how you make such delicious cocktails.”

“Yes, but I won’t tell.” She laughed
. I’ll never fucking tell.