I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
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Chapter 24: Lunch and a Change of Plans
Jon was still adjusting.
He'd never been the center of attention before—at least, not like this. Winning fights in martial arts competitions earned him respect, sure, but it wasn't like random classmates suddenly started high-fiving him in the hallways or treating him like he'd just won a war for them.
Football? Different story.
At least there was one clear silver lining.
Sam's possessiveness.
Jon had never seen this side of her before, and damn if it wasn't incredibly attractive.
She hadn't stopped touching him all day.
A hand on his thigh. Fingers tangled in his hoodie. Arms draped around his shoulders. If someone so much as looked at him too long, Sam's grip would tighten, her sharp gaze daring them to even think about it.
Jon wasn't complaining.
Now, at lunch, it was just the two of them at their usual table. Alex had opted to eat alone, buried in a history textbook, preparing for a test. Jon understood—when Alex Dunphy had her mind set on something academic, there was no distracting her.
So, he and Sam enjoyed their meal. Or, at least, tried to.
Jon picked up his drink, but before he could take a sip, Sam's fingers brushed under his chin, tilting his face toward her as she leaned in and stole a quick kiss.
Jon swallowed thickly. "You really can't keep your hands off me today, can you?"
Sam smirked, shrugging. "Can you blame me?"
Jon couldn't.
He glanced around the cafeteria, spotting Terry across the room, tray in hand, looking around for a place to sit.
Jon raised a hand and called out, "Hey, Terry!"
Terry looked over, grinned, and made his way to their table.
Jon gestured between them. "Terry, this is Sam. Sam, Terry."
Sam gave a nod, her usual sharp gaze studying him. "You're a defensive player, right?"
Terry grinned. "Yeah. Cornerback."
Sam smirked. "Good. That means you'll be protecting my dork here." She shot a glance at Jon. "Make sure nothing happens to his handsome face."
Jon snorted. "Thanks?"
Then, with a wicked smirk, Sam pointed down towards Jon's lap.
"And this part, too."
Terry burst out laughing.
Jon nearly choked on his drink.
Sam just sipped her soda like she hadn't just implied that Terry was now responsible for protecting Jon's manhood on the field.
Still laughing, Terry wiped a tear from his eye. "Don't worry, Sam. I'll make sure our star receiver stays fully functional."
Sam grinned. "Good man."
Jon groaned. "Can we change the subject?"
Jon blinked.
And just like that, the two of them launched into a full-fledged discussion about weightlifting routines, speed drills, and endurance training.
Jon sat back, watching them talk, realizing something.
He liked this.
His friend and Sam were getting along.
Terry was cool. Sam was amazing. And now they were exchanging workout tips and laughing like they'd known each other for years.
Jon felt a warm kind of contentment settle in.
Just then Sam made a joke that made Jon choke on his drink.
Terry burst out laughing.
Jon groaned, setting his drink down. "You love making my life difficult, don't you?"
Sam smirked. "Immensely."
Terry wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Man, you're so lucky."
Jon looked at Sam.
Yeah.
He really was.
---
After School
Practice had gone well. Jon had gotten a few extra reps in, worked on his routes, and even picked up some tips from the quarterback.
As he stepped out of the locker room, he spotted a familiar car pulling up to the curb.
Sam's.
Jon raised an eyebrow as he approached, opening the passenger door and sliding in.
""Didn't know you were picking me up."
Sam gave him a sideways glance as she pulled away from the school. "My house is gonna be empty for a few hours."
Jon blinked. "Okay?"
Sam smirked. "I intend to make the best use of this opportunity."
Jon just nodded.
Because, really, what else was there to say?
---
Thirty Minutes Later – Sam's Room
Jon was thorough.
That was something Sam had very much learned in the last half-hour after having his head buried between her legs for last ten minutes.
She lay sprawled on her bed, completely satisfied, her body still humming from Jon's efforts.
Her dark blonde hair was spread out on the pillow, her usually sharp, focused eyes now heavy-lidded with a look of pure bliss.
Her breath was still uneven.
Her limbs were relaxed.
Jon, propped up on one elbow beside her, smirked. "Satisfied?"
Sam exhaled a slow, lazy breath. "You're a show-off, you know that?"
Jon chuckled. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Sam turned her head, staring at him.
Then she reached up, curled her fingers into his hoodie, and pulled him down.
Jon didn't resist.
Their lips met, slow and deep, heat simmering just beneath the surface.
Jon felt her nails graze lightly against his scalp, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine.
Sam smirked against his lips. "We're not done yet."
Jon's pulse quickened.
Yeah.
He really didn't mind this side of her.