My breaths grow quieter.
What was that?
I listen intently for more details. Sebastian wouldn’t come in here. Why would he if he told everyone to stay out? That wouldn’t make sense.
Unless someone else is using Colson’s room as refuge.
My stomach swoops thinking about a stranger being in Colson’s space. I have this sudden urge to kick them out. To protect his vulnerability just like I wish I could protect his heart. I don’t because the sound passes by the closet door.
A moment passes.
Then another.
I think I’m in the clear but then the worst thing imaginable happens. The person walks into the closet, an almost inaudible sigh leaving them. The energy shifts, curling around me like a cloak. I can’t tell if it’s good or bad. But I do know that it’s uncomfortable in its own way. But also, maybe it’s not uncomfortable at all just…different?
The person bumps into one of the large trash bags. Then something knocks into the basket on my lap, and it shifts off me, one end of it sliding to the floor. I don’t reach out to catch it, thinking it’ll blow my cover, but my breathing is now erratic as the person invades my space.
And then I feel it.
A hand colliding with my knee.
A palm spreading over the bone.
My heart, the traitor it is, drums inside of my chest. My stomach hops into the same boat, going crazy like a fish out of water. I’d berate myself over having a reaction as strong as this with someone other than the person I truly want, but I can’t move. I don’twantto move. I don’t want to be found. I’m a whole hunk of stone. Even my mind freezes. The warm palm slowly coasts down my leg in the most delicious, drive-your-stomach-insane kind of way.
And.
I.
Am.
Not.
Okay.
A finger traces the bracelet clasped around my ankle. A dainty piece of jewelry I ordered from one of my favorite online boutiques. I can almost remember it like it was yesterday. Me on the edge of my bed, Colson watching from the other side of the room, his hair a wet mess after getting out of the shower. His towel so, so low that it made my belly burst with that same kind of need I’d always get when I saw a little too much of him. More so when he walked over and crawled his way up my body on the bed before he grabbed my ankles, yanked me down, and made himself at home between my thighs.
I didn’t get to submit my order until the following morning.
The person unclasps the anklet, and I’m so close to berating them for it.There’s no way I can give it up so easily with the memories it holds. But my words are stuck in my stomach, burning away from the flame that ignites when fingers circle my ankle and squeeze in a way that is all too familiar.
My stomach and heart switch places.It can’t be.
I look up as if light suddenly streams into the closet, giving the person away. Hehung upon me last night, and we’re fooling ourselves if we think we’re okay, so why would he be here now?
He wouldn’t.
Not unless Sebastian invited him.
Wait…did he?
I reach a shaky hand up in hopes of finding a face. I end up touching a shirt instead. I breathe out a nervous but hopeful breath and whisper, “Is it really you?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.”
Relief moves through me at an unnerving speed when the voice sounds a lot like the man I got to know. I scoot over when he pats my leg in a way that asks me to make room for him. His warmth fills the space next to me, his arm brushing against mine. Seconds pass before his hand moves to my knee again, and it stays there, his thumb brushing back and forth tenderly.
It reminds me of the Colson I was lucky enough to get before his mom overdosed. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t crave more of it. If I said I’d be okay with never seeing that side of him again. Because truthfully, I’m dying for it.
