“Love you more, little brother,” she replies, leaning in to kiss the dimple in my cheek.
It’s something Mom used to do. Dad had the same dimple, just on the opposite side.
God, I miss them.
She stands, giving my leg a soft pat. “Now go call that handsome man of yours, then get some sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
I watch her leave, the softclickof the light switch marking her quiet exit. Darkness settles around me, giving me space to breathe, to climb out of my head… and to call the man I truly love.
Outside, the wind howls past the window in thick, moaning gusts. Oddly enough, it soothes me. There’s something calming in its rhythm, like nature is keeping watch while my thoughts begin to slow.
I strip down to my boxers, crawl beneath the blanket, and curl into the familiar feel of its softness.
Settling in, phone in hand, I let out a long steadying breath and bring it to my ear.
God, I was so stupid. I should have never walked out on him. He deserved a chance to explain. But I let my anger speak for me instead. Unleashed my fury. And then left.
“Hello?”
He picks up on the third ring, and my cock gives a twitch at the sound of that rich Spanish accent. I’ll never get tired of hearing it.
“Elijah.” I breathe out his name, already melting into the familiar warmth of his beautiful baritone voice. Wrapped in my blanket, I pull it tighter, cocooning myself in comfort.
Teya was right—thisisexactly what I needed.
“Alex?” he asks, tentative.
“Yes, Elijah. It’s me.”
I close my eyes, letting his voice wash over me like silk.
“Are you still in my bed?” I ask, already picturing him there—naked, gorgeous, stretched out across my white sheets, waiting for me.
I crave the way he holds me, those strong, possessive arms anchoring me to something real.
I want to feel his breath on my skin.
I want him.
Allof him.
“Um, Alex? This is Gabriel.”
Jesusfuckingchrist!
My eyes snap open. My jaw drops so hard, it cracks. The once-comforting wind now roars like a siren through the window, suffocating me.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t fucking breathe!
“Alex? Are you still there?”
I bite down on my tongue, hard—definitely drawing blood—as I choke back the rising sting of tears.
“Please don’t tell me you’re at my house?” I growl, voice low and shaking.
“Of course not, Alex. We are back home.”
