I fall off the edge without even knowing that it’s coming. It’s like standing on safe ground one second, and the next,finding all that safety crumbling under your feet and you’re falling. It’s a good falling.
I cry out his name while my climax rocks me. Every single thrust is a new dimension, changing the shape and form of the pleasure.
He pulls out before the pleasure tapers off completely, and I watch him jack his dick a few times before hot splashes of come erupt. They jet out over both of us, covering us, scalding hot with every spasm.
“Wow,” I wheeze, leaning forward so that I can bring my forehead to his. I let it rest there, sticky skin to sticky skin. I keep my eyes open the whole time, so I can watch the ghost of a smile that turns up his lips and finally transforms into a full grin.
“Wow,” he agrees. “Wow as in we probably need a shower.”
His face falls, eyes scanning behind me. I turn and look over my shoulder, half expecting someone to be standing there. Fear prickles the nape of my neck and my fingers immediately tighten on his arms like I can protect him. There’s nothing. No one.
Ghosts?
“What’s wrong?” I hug him tight, smearing come all over the both of us. I’m probably a weirdo, but I think that’s hot. There’s no way I’m going to let him think anything else about what we just did.
“I only take cold showers.”
My lips are right by his ear. So cute, perfectly shaped, the lobe just enough to take between my teeth and such. I can’t resist. I’m rewarded with a feral growl.
“Fawnie…”
I kiss my way across his face, playfully skimming over his lips until I reach his jaw. “I’d love to have a cold shower with you. Don’t people say ice plunges are supposed to be good for your health?”
“You wouldn’t,” he challenges me.
I pull away so he can see how serious I am. “Do I like cold showers? No. Would I like one with you? Absolutely. Even if it’s frigid, I know you’ll take me right back here and warm me up,” I pause for a moment, not sure whether to say what’s on my mind, afraid of ruining the moment. But what we have is special, and if he’s going to heal then he’s going to have to face up to the past. “The shower thing…” I start. “Is that because it hurts, or was it before…”
His eyes flutter closed and when he opens them again, they’re shiny, but also glowing. Those dark depths have a thousand gold sparkles alight. It’s like he brought the stars down in the sky just for me to look at in here.
“It’s a bit of both. As a kid, we often had no power. I guess I got used to showering in cold water. Then after the accident I tried, but it hurt. Lukewarm should be okay though,” he says.
“Whatever is comfortable for you,” I say. “If I’m freezing my ass off, I’ll just step out and jump in once you’re done.”
“I’d love that.”
I close my eyes and sigh, drinking in the sound of that word. I rub the tip of his nose with mine, then drop my lips to his. “I’d love that too.”
Chapter 25
Shadow
Two Months Later
The sun’s high and hot, and the yard behind the clubhouse is teeming with life on this Saturday afternoon. I’m standing in the shadows watching. Not because I need to be there this time—but because it’s fucking hot and my popsicle will melt. Yes, a popsicle. Fawnie and Willa went on a mercy mission when it looked like everyone was gonna come down with heatstroke.
The energy’s different on days like this. Saturday afternoons when the club turns into something almost normal. There’s a couple of grills going which sure as hell don’t help temperature-wise. But no one’s gonna forego a cookout just because the mercury’s almost in triple digits. A folding table loaded with food is set up in the parking lot. There are kids running around like they own the world, and brothers posted in loose clusters laughing, arguing, talking shit like it’s a sacred ritual.
I’m here.
Not inside with the lights low, not on my couch staring at a wall, not letting my head chew through itself until there’s nothing left but bones. Here. Outside. In the noise. If Lockwood asked me to point to progress, this would be it.
I flex my jaw and take a suck on my popsicle, half expecting someone to make a crude remark.
“Shadow!” Stone’s voice cuts through the air like a firecracker.
I look up just in time to see the kid barreling towards me with a football tucked under his arm, his grin all teeth and confidence like he’s never had a bad day in his life.
“Hey,” I say, because Stone’s the kind of kid who expects you to sayheyback like it’s law.
