Maybe I should crawl out of Ren’s lap, but I just lay my head back on his shoulder and listen to Willits and Dasan exchangerumors they’ve heard. I mean, they’re just rumors. Rumors rarely hold any truth to them.
Ren’s fingers continue to smooth through my hair, and I sigh, letting their familiarity and peace, accompanied by the soft chanting of the wind chimes, soothe away all the panic that worked its way up.
Dasan’s right. I need to redefine what family is to me. These guys have always felt more like family than anything that concerns my parents’ presence.
TWENTY-ONE
REN
I can tellmyself I check in on Felton so often because I’m worried about him. It’s not a lie. Iamworried about him. But the truth is I want to be in his presence. I want to be the one he turns to when he’s upset. The one he looks at for comfort and affirmation.
He trusts me.
Since the night that all the little pieces of this weird puzzle fell into place, the words flutter through my head like a record on repeat. Being trusted isn’t something to take lightly. We like to think that trust is given until broken. That it’s standard to trust someone right away until they give you a reason not to trust you.
In reality, it’s the opposite. We now live in a world where you must earn someone’s trust first. That trust is always fragile and can easily be broken.
Felton has basically given me a delicate glass orb to protect and take care of. I should be terrified of shattering it, but the more time I spend with this man, the less likely I’m able to even scuff this precious glass orb he’s given me.
How can someone hurt him? I just can’t fathom it.
And this is why I find myself on his doorstep at eight in the morning, knocking on his door. I’ve reached the limit on being able to stay away. It’s stupid. I should just spend the night.
The thought of that makes my cheeks burn and I scoff internally. I’ve seen this man naked. I’ve seen him get fucked by multiple men.
And I was jealous the entire fucking time!
There’s no reason to be embarrassed about something as silly as spending the night.
The door opens and my eyes drop immediately to Felton’s naked torso and then lower to his barely concealed dick his the tight underwear. He’s not a small boy. Like, not at all. After seeing this man naked, I can confidently say that he’s a rare breed—a groweranda shower. Honestly, it’s impressive.
And he’s half fluffed right now, as one is when just waking up from sleep. Speaking of which, his hair is a mess and there are bags under his eyes.
My heart sinks. He doesn’t look like he’s slept.
Felton steps back to let me in and I shut the door behind me, locking it as I do. Then I slip out of my shoes and wordlessly lead him back into his bedroom. I’ve learned my way around his house by observation, mostly. I’m not sure he’s ever given me a tour. Usually, I follow where he goes or watch where he goes, depending on what’s going on.
I tuck him back into bed, but his hand catches my wrist before I can walk away.
Ishouldn’tcrawl into bed with him. There’s a part of me that thinks I’m taking advantage of his vulnerable state right now. Not that I’ve done anything at all that could be considered inappropriate.
But I want to. The need, the deep want, grows every day.
Without a word, I crawl into bed with him. He tucks himself in close and when I roll onto my side to wrap my arm aroundhim, Felton presses tightly against me. The blankets separate us, for which I’m both irritated and relieved.
I bring him close, wrapping my arm under his head so he’s laying on it and I can keep my fingers in his hair. The other is around his back, keeping him close. Because I’ve apparently lost all control of myself, I also sling my leg over his hip, hooking my calf and ankle over his sexy round ass.
When Felton sighs, most of my concerns melt away. He wants to be right here. Right where I’m holding him. And I want him right here.
“You okay, Fel?” I ask quietly.
He nods and I feel his lips against my collarbone. I’m thankful for the layers between us since his mouth on me, even as innocent as it is, speaks loudly to my dick.
“Yes. I just… being alone is very noisy sometimes.”
“Maybe it’s the wind chimes,” I tease.
I feel his smile and this man snuggles in closer. “I can’t really hear them in here unless there’s a storm, but I usually take them down if it storms so they don’t break.”
