Driven Snow (18 page)

“You like a penis inside you, Riley. You like me deep in your hole? Do you?”

“Fuck me!”

“Tell me.”

“Yeah, I like it.”

Snow pressed, felt the walls surrendering, and pulled back.

“Snow, dammit.”

“You want me to fuck you? Push my cock in and out of you?”

“Y-yes.”

“You want it badly?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Tell me.”

“Fuck.”

“Fuck you?”

“Yes.”

Did he dare? “Yes, what?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“Please, please fuck me, Snow?” A mist filled his eyes like the request hurt—
good
.

“Love those fine manners.” Snow pushed as hard as he could.
Pop.
In he went, and fire seared straight from his cock to his brain. “Holy shit.” He threw his head back and started ramming in and out.

Riley’s hips jackhammered up and down. “Oh God. Like that. Oh man, right there. Shit. So good. Love it. Love it so much. More.”

Every word filled Snow’s brain and heart like some mantra of passion until those declarations and his own heartbeat filled the room with sound.
Yes. Yes! YES!

Riley screamed. An actual scream that triggered the promised big bang. Semen poured out of his cock and hit him in the eye, and then another spurt landed on his chin. Snow would have laughed, but his head exploded along with his groin as pump after pump of pure joy flooded Riley’s insides.

It took a full minute for his body to stop shuddering in ecstasy. Finally he collapsed over Riley.

Quiet.

Maybe too quiet.

CHAPTER 16

SNOW SHIFTED
so his softening penis pulled out of Riley. The sensation shot up his back from his too-sensitive dick. Riley didn’t move. “You okay?”

Even the bedspread couldn’t erase the edge in Riley’s voice. “Of course. I’m fine.”

Try not to ask anymore.

Snow sat up and ran a hand through his long hair to sort out the tangles.

Suddenly Riley snapped upright. “Why wouldn’t I be fine?”

Uh-oh.
“No reason. I just didn’t hear you breathing.” He smiled.
What kind of nerves did I touch?

“Next time we’ll teach you how to bottom.” Riley looked toward the window.

Ah, that was it. “Yes, I’m sorry I had to top twice. I really want to learn.”

“Just need to get you ready. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

“Right. I hope I didn’t hurt you. I mean, I know you must top all the time, so you don’t get much practice—as a bottom, I mean.”

“No, of course not.” Riley got up and walked into the bathroom, returning with two washcloths. He rubbed one over his own genitals and handed one to Snow. “You’re right, though. I do usually top.”

“Of course.” The smile tugging at his lips—he suppressed it.

Riley tossed the cloths back toward the bathroom. “Let’s get some sleep. I have a big practice tomorrow.”

Riley crawled in bed, and Snow curled up beside him with his head on Riley’s shoulder. “Thank you for looking out for me. I really do feel a lot safer here with you.”

Riley tightened his arm. “Good. That’s what I hoped.”

Snow sighed and snuggled closer. “I haven’t had much chance to tell you. When I went over to the professor’s house and saw Anitra—before I got pushed in the river—I snooped a little. I found something kind of weird in the laundry room in a stopper bottle, like it was drops of some kind. But I couldn’t get a sample before she came back.”

“How was it weird?”

“It looked like it might have been used recently, and it wasn’t obviously weed killer or anything like that, which is what all the other stuff in there was.”

“Could have been anything, don’t you think?”

“I suppose.”

“I mean, she’s the one who called me looking for you, wondering if you took the car.”

“Yes, I know, but there’s a chance she was just trying to deflect suspicion. I can’t imagine the professor never telling her I can’t drive. Plus, that cousin of hers kind of came on to me before he went into the drugstore.”

“Really? You never mentioned that to the cops.”

“I didn’t really think of it until now.”

“Must not have been too serious.”

“I told him I had a boyfriend and wasn’t interested.”

“Oh you did, did you?” He chuckled and his chest rumbled.

Snow smiled. “Yes. I had to discourage him somehow.”

“Is that the only reason?”

Snow giggled. “Well, he is very good-looking.”

Riley grabbed his side and tickled him mercilessly. “Just how good-looking would that be?”

“Help. No. I give. He’s homely and ugly, and I told him my boyfriend is as beautiful as a Greek god.”

“Okay, that’s better.” He stopped tickling and hugged Snow tighter. Snow’s breath smoothed, and his eyes drooped. “Snow.”

“Umm-hmm.”

“Sorry I was an asshole about the bottoming.”

Snow smiled, eyes still closed. “You weren’t.”

“Yes, I was. I love to bottom. I just don’t let many guys in me, is all.”

“Thank you.”

“Why?”

“For letting me in. And for letting me see that you like it. And I guess for not letting many other guys in too.” Snow grinned. It did give him a warm glow.

“I’m just a little weirded about the whole coming-out thing.”

“I know. It’s really hard, and I’m so very proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s like Batman showing that he’s Bruce Wayne.”

Riley chuckled.

“Just remember, even when he’s in a business suit, he’s still a superhero.”

Riley kissed his hair. “I’ll try.” They snuggled quietly. Riley took a breath. “If you think Mrs. Kingsley and her cousin are suspicious, then I do too. But it’ll take some hard evidence to convince the police. She
is
his wife.”

Funny how that didn’t really make him feel better.

“HEY, SWEETHEART,
I have an early lab, and I want to get to the hospital after that. I also need to get a new phone. Mine got drowned.” Snow kissed Riley’s ear and backed off the bed.

“Mff. Wait.” Riley shook his head and then sat up, the sheet dropping off his bare and glorious shoulders to bunch in his lap over a very tempting morning erection. “What time is it?”

“Not quite seven.”

“Give me a minute, and I’ll take you to the lab. I’ve got practice at nine anyway.”

“No, you need to eat, and I already did. I’ll take the bike. It’s not far to the physics building.”

“I don’t want you going to the hospital alone. She could be there, and if you’re right about her, you’re not even close to safe.”

“She probably wouldn’t try anything, but I’d rather go with you anyway. So I’ll wait outside the physics building for you to get done with practice? I’ll work on my chess moves until you get there.”

“Deal. Watch yourself, okay? Stay near people you know and stuff.”

God, it almost made him cry to think Riley worried about him. “I will.” Suddenly Snow looked up. “Oh, wait.” He crossed to the closet where he’d tossed his clothes from yesterday and searched the pockets until he found his epinephrine syringe. “Don’t want to forget this.” He shoved it in his pocket.

Riley cocked his head. “What is it?”

“For my nut allergies. In case I go into shock. Of course, this one went in the river with me, so I don’t know if it’s still good. I better get to the drugstore for a new one soon.”

“What happens if you don’t have it?”

Snow shrugged. “I die, I guess.”

“Why don’t I get you a new one?”

“Do you have time? It’s at the NorCal Pharmacy.”

“Yeah. The drugstore is on my way to the field. Can you leave me the label so I can show them what to refill?”

“Sure.” He peeled off the paper label and put it on the dresser. “Thank you so much.” He smiled, waved, and headed for the front.

Outside the apartment, he bobbed down the steep stairs. Mrs. Wishus’s blue door stood open.
Must be out in the garden. Pretty cold for pruning or weeding.
As he approached the door to the outside, he heard her voice.

“I’m asking you all to please leave my yard. You have no business here.”

What the hell? Should he get Riley?
Better see what’s up first.
He opened the door, and flashes started going off in his face. Voices yelled at him.

“Hey, Reynaldi, what do you have to say about the allegations?”

“Is it true? Have you been running an illegal business out of your apartment?”

“Is Riley Prince your client? Or your business partner?”

Snow stepped back until his butt hit the door. “Mrs. Wishus, what are they talking about? What’s going on?”

She grasped his arm. “They claim there’s proof that you’re a prostitute who has been scamming men at the college and running some kind of escort service.”

“But… but, that’s ridiculous.”

“Of course it is, but they say there’s evidence. You need to learn what it is and set this to rights.”

Three of the reporters pressed up on the porch. Mrs. Wishus stepped forward. “Get off my property. Shoo. Snowden, get back inside.”

Oh my God.
He pulled the screen toward him and stepped in.

“Close the door, Snow. I’m calling the police.”

With a shove, he slammed the door shut. How could this happen? He raced up the stairs. There had to be some mistake.
Oh crap.
He didn’t have a key. He rang the bell again and again. Who could he call to find out where this ridiculous story came from? “Riley, open up.”

The door opened, but no one was behind it.

Snow stepped inside.

Riley stood in the middle of the floor, staring at the television. The local news. A handsome guy Snow had met at homecoming was saying, “Yes, I paid him for sex and sent a couple other guys to him. Damned good too. I think he preferred athletes. He’s got this innocent quality that’s hard to resist.”

The reporter said, “You’re sure this was Snowden Reynaldi, the chess player?”

“Oh yes, ma’am. Not many guys look like that. See, I kind of like men and women, so he was a good bet for me.”

Snow backed up. “How could this happen? How is it possible? I have to do something. Who can I go to for help? Can I use your phone? Maybe I can call the dean of students.”

The reporter said, “Why would he do this?”

“Who can say? Maybe he wanted the money or sex. Probably he just likes the control.”

Snow pounded a hand backward on the wall next to the door. “Riley. Can I use your phone?”

Riley turned, his golden eyes shiny. “Are you saying you don’t know this guy?”

“What? Of course not. I mean, I met him with you, but—”

“Of course. That’s Mike Henderson. He’s the captain of the lacrosse team.”

“But Riley, you’re not asking me if I—if I charged him for sex?”

“Why would he put himself in this position if it’s not true? My God, he’ll be investigated for being involved in prostitution. Why would he?”

“Riley, listen to what you’re saying.”

He shook his head. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m just so confused. I don’t understand why this is happening. And you’re so good at it.”

“Good at what?” Snow stared at Riley.
No. Don’t say it. Don’t.

“Sex. You’re so good at sex. If you’re such a virgin, how come you’re so good?”

Everything went cold. If a six-foot-six-inch cobra coiled in front of him, he couldn’t be more horrified. “I see.”

“I don’t want to believe it. I don’t.” Riley shook his head again like he was trying to clear it.

Riley’s phone started ringing from the other room. He walked into the bedroom with his shoulders slumped. Snow shook. He’d never be warm again. Riley walked back in and handed him the phone. Snow didn’t even ask.

“Hello.”

“Snowden.”

“Yes.”

“This is Dean Franklin.”

“Yes, sir.”

“There have been some shocking allegations made against you, young man. I want to see you as quickly as possible to hear your side of the story.”

“Wait, how did you know to call me here?”

“I was told I might reach you through Riley.”

“May I ask how this story happened to be given to the press?”

“I have no idea. I was appalled to discover it on the news.”

“Who reported the story to you?”

“It’s best if we don’t discuss this over the phone.”

Snow heard a familiar voice and looked up at the television. Anitra’s cousin Hunter filled the screen, his handsome face looking deeply concerned. “Yes, I was with him on the day of his accident. He, shall we say, came on to me, suggesting that I might want to pay him for sex. When I told him no and recommended he get some help, he got quite irate. That’s why I stopped at the drugstore. I thought if I got some medicine to calm him, he’d be well enough to see the professor. But when I came out, he’d taken my car and gone. I worried that he’d decided to commit suicide. Perhaps he tried and couldn’t go through with it.”

“Snowden. Snowden. Are you still there?” The dean’s voice shouted through the phone.

Snow sighed. “Yes, sir. I am. I know who reported these allegations to you. I also know that I have no way to refute them. What can I do? Produce people who say I haven’t asked them to pay for sex? What good will that do? Professor Kingsley isn’t even here to speak for me.” Tears pushed against his eyes.

On the TV, the reporter shook her head. “What an amazing story, right here in our town. Such a brilliant boy. What a shame.”

Hunter flashed a small smile. “Sometimes the brightest are the most neurotic.”

Slowly Snow hung up the phone.

Riley stood like a statue, not even looking at the screen. He just stared at the floor.

Snow said softly, “You don’t believe him? Even if the other guy is confusing, you can’t believe Hunter. You came to rescue me. You know I wasn’t suicidal.”

Riley’s eyes flipped up to Snow’s. “Can you drive a car?”

The idea of a person’s heart breaking had always been metaphoric. Not anymore. Snow pushed off from the wall and opened the door.
Please, please say something.
No sound came from behind him except the TV reporter, who’d moved on to a story about a bear in someone’s backyard.