“I wish I still had a locker for you to leave your panties in. Tuesdays were my favorite in sophomore year.”

Leaving my panties in his locker during second period used to be my code for “Let’s have lunch at home.” Obviously any eating that happened didn’t involve food.

He groans and I have to wonder what’s happening on the other end of the line. “Hey, I have a fantastic idea. I should call you back on video chat.”

I need sleep desperately. “Don’t you have a roommate?”

“He’s off to some club. Won’t be back for a few hours at the very least. Whaddya say?”

I should tell him he can wait to see me in five days. But I don’t. Because I miss him. Because he wants me. Because I want him, too, and I don’t want him to end up at some club with someone who isn’t me.

Less than one minute later I’m staring at Ethan naked on my phone screen. “Fuck this. Hold on. I’m getting my iPad. Get naked, baby.”

He hangs up and calls back while I’m in the middle of taking off my shirt.

He’s sprawled out on the hotel bed, pillows propped behind him. His fist is wrapped around his erection, stroking slowly, eyes on the screen. “Fuck, I wanna touch you.”

I bite my lip and get up on my knees and adjust the position of the phone so my head isn’t cut off.

Ethan’s lip curls up into a sexy smirk. “You gonna strip for me?”

I slip my fingers into the waist of my sleep shorts and push them over my hips, pausing at the crest of my pelvis.

Ethan’s thumb slips over the head of his erection. “Don’t stop now. I wanna see all of you.”

I turn around so my ass is facing the phone and peek over my shoulder as I lower my shorts.

“Fuuuuck, Lilah. So sexy.”

I shimmy the shorts lower and hold the headboard so I can take them off the rest of the way. Once I’m naked, I move so I’m angled to the side.

“Where would you want me to touch you if I were there with you?” Ethan asks, chest rising and falling faster, muscles in his arms flexing as he continues to stroke himself.

“I’d want you to kiss me.” I touch my fingers to my lips. “Here first.” I circle a nipple. “Then here.” Then walk my fingers down my stomach. I shift so I’m facing him and part my legs, dragging a single finger along my slit with a soft moan. “And here. You’d make me come with your mouth before you fucked me.”

Ethan nods. “I sure as fuck would.”

“But since you’re not here … ” I pout a little and reverse the circuit. Dragging my finger all the way back up my body, I slip it into my mouth. “I’ll just have to do it myself, won’t I?”

Ethan’s eyes are locked on my mouth as I run my tongue over my index and middle fingers. “You’re gonna make yourself come for me, now?”

“Is that what you want? You want me to finger fuck myself while you fuck your fist?”

“Listen to that dirty mouth.” Ethan’s lip curls in a sneer.

“If you were here, you could fill it with your cock.” I grin as his mouth drops open and I slide two fingers inside me on a groan.

It’s a heady feeling, this power I suddenly wield. I can keep him happy. Give him what he needs even when I can’t be with him. I can be whatever he wants.

His fist moves at a punishing pace, much faster and harder than I ever stroke him. I come right after he does, his name a scream on my lips.

Four days later I’m still exhausted and lacking sleep. It turns out Ethan is a big fan of video chat conversations and feels like he’s been missing out on the benefits all these months. I’m actually grateful this discovery didn’t happen until now, because Ethan’s time away gave my poor body a break from all the intense friction. Now I’m hopeful the Epsom salt baths will be enough to prepare me for his return tomorrow.

Minnesota won the last two games, and last night Ethan scored another goal and added two assists to his stats. His performance on the ice is garnering positive attention in the media. The sportscasters are referencing his time with LA, when he’d been one of the most promising new players in the league. While it’s exciting to see him rise to his potential, I worry about what this means for the future. On one hand, Minnesota may want to keep him, but there’s also a possibility—and a good one—that other teams will be looking to pick him up. It’s unnerving to feel so wrapped up in him, not knowing what the future will look like.

Since tomorrow night will be dedicated to Ethan, and likely a high level of nudity and physical activity, I’m spending my lunch break working on yet another assignment. I don’t want it to be on my mind when I’m with him. I also don’t want to think about the midterm results I expect back next week.

Finishing this current assignment shouldn’t be difficult tonight, as long as I can stay awake, which is why I’m getting a head start now.

As I flip through the textbook, searching for the Post-it note I used to mark my page, someone slips into the chair across from me. I hold back the annoyed sigh. I don’t want to be rude, but clearly I’m in the middle of something.

“Are you ignoring me?”

I look up, shocked to see Carmen. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming by for lunch.”