“Yes, a boy needs his proper caffeine fix.” Then he grimaced as he hugged me. “I’m so not looking forward to the drama though.”
I could understand that. Then, because I could be devious, too, I asked, “Hey, do you think River knows you didn’t sleep in your bed?”
Lake groaned long and loud, then gently punched me in the side as he stepped back.
“I was going to give you another kiss, but now I won’t.” He stuck out his tongue and turned away in a theatrical flounce.
I laughed and enjoyed the view of him pulling on his sneakers by the door.
“I’ve never used this line before, but I got to say I hate to see you go but love to watch you leave.”
He glared at me over his shoulder, harrumphed, and then smiled. “Remember, you promised to save me later.”
“I will.”
“Good.”
And then he was gone, and I stood there, smiling like an idiot. I wondered if this was what the beginning stages of love felt like.
Chapter 17
Lake
Despite the walk of no-shame-in-sight, I was smiling widely when I entered the house. I tried to close the door quietly, but it still made a sound that made me wince.
I was putting my sneakers in the shoe rack, when River rounded the corner from the kitchen.
“Where were you?” he asked, looking upset and exhausted.
For some reason, his question that sounded like an accusation, pissed me off.
I was afraid to open my mouth, so instead, I went into my room, not bothered if he followed me. I started to undress for a shower.
“Seriously, Lake. Where were you?”
“I was sleeping next to someone who I’ve actually communicated with about our relationship.”Kinda.
River’s sharp inhale was loud in the morning hush.
“What did you think? That I’d found a guy and went hooking?” I threw over my shoulder, then winced at his expression. “Look, I’m sorry—”
“No, no it’s…” He deflated and leaned on the doorframe, barely inside the room. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I just…”
“I know. I’m sorry for snapping.”
We’d almost lost a friend in our escort days, when a client had beat him up pretty badly, then left him at a remote rental cabin without his phone. Nobody knew where he was for almost two days until the cleaning crew came by.
“Hug it out?” He was a bit teary, likely from the relief that I was fine, and it made me feel like shit.
I held out my arms, and he walked into my embrace, then chuckled wetly when he realized I was only wearing my underwear, even though he’d been standing right there while I undressed.
“I cuddled with Theo all night,” I whispered against the side of his head.
Sniffling, he asked, “How was it?”
I let out a long, happy sigh, and he snickered in understanding.
“I felt so…safe.”
