His hands tighten on my hair as I start to move faster, my left hand starting to join the party and stroking his cock. I take him in as far as I can, until I can feel the base of his cock touching my lips. My name is like a plea as he watches me practically swallow him whole. I gasp for air as I lick the head once more, beads of precum pouring from the tip.
Reaching down, I cup his balls with my right hand, lower my mouth again on his shaft, and stroke faster and faster with my left. I know he’s close. His body is tight, his hips thrusting upward, his breathing erratic and harsh. I take him as far as I can once more, the head of his cock hitting the back of my throat. That’s when he detonates.
His orgasm rips through his body as he shoots down my throat in hot bursts, his cock jumping and twitching in my hand. I slow my motions, gently letting his cock ease from my throat, as I lick the tip like a popsicle on a hot day.
“Fuck. That was…wow,” he groans, his eyes closed and a hint of a smile on his full lips. He looks like a man happily sated, and a burst of pride spreads through my veins.
Crawling up his body, I lay on top of him. Rueben’s arms wrap around my shoulders as he holds me close, breathing me in. “We’re going to have to get more condoms today,” I tell him, his strong heartbeat pounding against my cheek.
“Definitely. But it’s good to know we’ve always gotthat, you know, when we run out.”
I smile against his chest. “Yep, definitely good to knowthat’salways on the table.”
“Let’s never take it off the table.”
“Nope.”
I close my eyes and catch a little more sleep until it’s time for the final alumni event of the weekend.
***
The hotel hall is smaller than the one from last night, but quickly filling up with former students and faculty of SIU. The brunch is at our hotel, on the second floor, and features a big coffee and juice bar, as well as a buffet-style brunch.
When we sign in, I’m instructed to head to the front table, where I’ll be sitting with today’s speakers. I cradle my tablet firmly in my hands, the nerves of speaking in front of the group starting to take hold. Why did I agree to do this? I’m not the right person for the job, that’s for sure. I might speak in front of thousands every morning, but that’s different. I can’t actually see the people watching me through their televisions. Rueben senses my uneasiness and wraps my hands with his, offering comfort in the simplest of touches.
“You got this, Crick. Your speech is remarkable,” he says. This morning while we got ready, I had him read the words I wrote last week for this morning. I sat nervously as he combed through each sentence, ten long minutes of deafening silence. When he finished, he just smiled and said it was perfect.
“Thank you. Believe it or not, I hate speaking in front of large crowds,” I whisper, glancing around the room at familiar and unfamiliar faces alike.
“You’ve got this. You’re going to do great. Your message is solid. They’re going to be eating out of the palm of your hand.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” I tell him, my eyes finding the front table. The dean of students is there, along with a few other faces I recognize, one being Danny, the other speaker for this morning.
“I do. Trust me, okay?”
I glance up at his chocolate brown eyes, framed with those dark plastic glasses I’ve come to love. He has so much faith in me, as a friend, sure, but hopefully as more too. “Okay,” I reply, taking a deep breath. “I should head up front.”
“I’m going to sit with Dylan, Bridget, Jenna, and a few others over there,” he says, pointing to his left. “I’ll be waiting for you after you’re through.” Then, he bends down and gives me a tender kiss on the mouth. “Kick ass, Crick.”
“Thanks.” I give him a smile and head toward the front of the room. As I approach, the three gentlemen stand up, eager to shake my hand and welcome me to the table. Danny stands too, pulling me into a hug and kissing me on the cheek. I catch a hint of expensive perfume on his skin and mentally roll my eyes.
“Good morning,” he whispers, giving me one of those trademark killer grins. It does nothing to me however, and I step back, putting a little distance between us.
I take my seat between Mr. Donaldson from admissions and Danny, who quickly engages in another conversation with the table. Danny is very charismatic and easy to talk to. He’s easy on the eyes too, I’ll admit, but I feel absolutely nothing when I look at him. Not like I used to. I glance across the room and find Rueben watching me, a small smile on his lips. It feels good to know he’s there, silently supporting me as I get ready to speak to the crowd.
Brunch is served, and we’re invited to eat first. I take a little fruit and some ham, but nothing too big or heavy. My stomach is in knots, and I’m not sure there’s room for food right now. My heart starts to pound and my hands shake. Seriously, why did I think this was a good idea? I can’t give a speech about success in broadcasting. I’m the last person who should be up on that podium today.
As I approach the table, a warm hand gently grasps my arm, familiar and inviting. I turn to find Rueben there, holding a cup of coffee just the way I like it.
“I brought you this,” he says, as if he could read my body language and sensed I was having a slight pre-speech freak out. His gaze is both calming and reassuring as he sets the coffee down in front of my place and squeezes my hip. “You got this, sweetheart,” he whispers, kissing my forehead tenderly.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Mr. Donaldson says as he joins us at the table.
“No sir, I don’t believe we have officially, though I went to school here,” Rueben says, shaking the extended hand in front of him.
“You did? I’m happy to hear that. And I take it you know our keynote speaker today,” he says with a smile.
“I do. I’m Rueben Rigsby, and Cricket is my girlfriend,” he says confidently, and it’s the first time I really feel the words spread warmly through my blood. Before, they were a lie, a teeny tiny white lie, but now, they’re a declaration, a truth.