Sheldon walked up behind me, his mouth drawn down as I looked at him in the mirror. “I don’t have to stay. I can go home and give you space.”
Quickly, I rinsed out my mouth and turned, leaning against the sink. “Please don’t leave.”
He stepped forward so he could rest his hands on either side of my hips and his forehead on mine. His eyes squeezed closed. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but I refuse to make you uncomfortable.” This close, I could see every line on his face where it was pinched in pain, not the physical kind, the emotional.
Lifting my hand, I leaned away and used my finger to bring his chin up, hoping he’d open his eyes, which he did. “I’m not uncomfortable. I’m worried I’m going to fuck this up. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“There’s nothing you could possibly do to chase me away. Haven’t you realized I’m the kind of guy they write stalker romances about? I lurk in the shadows, know more ways than I can count to kill someone, and I’m completely obsessed with you.”
I smiled. His words shouldn’t have made me as happy as they did. I had power over Sheldon just as he did over me. “You don’t have a collection of my hair from my drain or brush somewhere, do you? There’s a line and that’s it.”
“First of all, that’s gross.” He shuddered. “Second, I would climb inside you if I could, just to feel your warmth, to keep you close. I’m the kind of guy who would move you in with me ifyou’d let me. I had a guard put on you, Forest, and yet you still want me.”
“Maybe not after everything you just said.”
He pulled back, but I didn’t let him go far.
“I’m kidding. Sheldon, I have screenshots of messages I didn’t have the courage to send you. I’ve been thinking about you for so long. You’re not the only one who isn’t on the right side of mentally healthy.”
“Well, you haven’t run, and I said I wanted to be inside your skin, so I’m calling it a win. Can I brush my teeth too?”
I turned and plucked his toothbrush from the holder.
“You saved it?” he asked.
“Of course. It’s yours. I didn’t strip your DNA from it or anything.”
“God, I didn’t even think to go there. Maybe you’re more fucked up than you let on.”
“I was into spy movies for a while. We won’t discuss all the shit I asked Hart if it was possible.”
“While I don’t like most of the shows out there, I’m willing to bet a lot of what you asked him is possible. I’ve seen a ton of shit.”
“I don’t want to know.”
“Good, because I can’t tell you.” He took the toothbrush from my fingers and brushed his teeth while staying close, one hand still on my hip.
I watched him, unable to take my eyes from his mouth. Would I get another taste of him tonight? Would I get to be the one putting my tongue in his mouth? I wanted that more than I could say.
When he was done, his eyes met mine again. “Where to next? I’ll go wherever you do, no questions asked.”
“I remember saying something about wanting to be in bed with you with no clothes on.”
Without another word, he lifted his shirt from his body, then stripped off everything from the waist down. I couldn’t do anything but stand mesmerized by the muscles on him. He wasn’t huge like Raiden or Reghan. Sheldon was on the leaner side with cut muscles on his stomach. His arms flexed as he moved, his body rippling with power.
He stood in front of me, not caring how I eyed him up and down.
“You’re very confident, aren’t you?” I asked. “I don’t mean it in a bad way. I admire you for it.”
“I am in most parts of my life. In front of you, I wonder what you think of me. If I’m going to be enough to keep you interested.”
I took a step, closing the distance between us. His gorgeous body in front of me, my fingers itched to touch him. He reached for my hand and brought it to his chest over his heart, my fingers splayed.
“I only desire you,” I told him honestly. “I’m not going to lie and pretend I’ve waited for this moment, but ever since we started talking again, there’s been only you.”
“It’s the same for me. Although, it was only you for a while. I tried to find someone else, but no one could compare.”
“Okay, that’s for me too.” I chuckled. “I tried as well.”
