That is so far away, but also, I don’t hate that. In the meantime, maybe Dex and I can do other things. Domestic things. Maybe I can get his horrible cat to like me a little, or at least stop chewing on me every chance it gets.
Maybe we can go shopping together or cook dinner at home.
Those thoughts make my heart pitter-patter in excitement. Fuck, when did that happen?
My mind turns to the way he felt inside of me earlier, the way my ass still aches a little from his cock. I don’t need the A+ to fuck him anymore. That train has gone, and I’m not upset about it. But I want the A to prove to both him and myself that I can do it. That I can be the boyfriend I was never willing to be for anyone else in my past.
That he’s worth it. He’s important. Even if I suck at showing it sometimes.
I’ve given Dex more than I’ve given anyone before. Even Robbie, and sitting in front of his ex right now, watching her watch me, I realize that I want this with every fiber of my being.
‘Let me give you my email,’ I tell her. ‘I can pay for the tickets.’
She waves me off. ‘My gift to you both.’ She drags her eyes up and down me one more time. ‘I like you.’
‘Even after everything Dex has told you?’
She laughs again. ‘I always knew there was someone else. You were the third person, the ghost in our relationship. You were the reason I was okay getting back together with my ex. Because Dex was never going to love me. Not the way he’s going to love you.’
My hands shake as I sign, ‘He doesn’t love me.’
‘Maybe not yet,’ she answers. ‘But he will.’
I don’t know how to respond to that, so I curl my fingers into my palms and tuck my thoughts away with all the other feelings I’ve hidden behind the beat of my heart.
Eight days until this A+ date, and I can show Dex I mean fucking business. Eight days, and then maybe I will find the courage to tell him exactly—honestly, brutally—how I feel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DEX
I knowI’m moving a little quickly and that we’ve only just become boyfriends, but I’m already planning. I want my condo to be accessible for him. In every way.
We’re lounging on the couch after working out at the gym. Dennis is scowling at us from his hammock attached to the window, licking his paw occasionally, but he hasn’t made contact with either of us yet.
He occasionally hisses in Rome’s direction, but he hasn’t hopped down to bat at his ankles so far today. Rome looks wary and expectant, like he thinks Dennis is going to come down and bite him for no reason.
I mean, it’s safe to say that it’s a strong possibility.
But Dennis is a problem for a later time. Right now, I need to make sure that everything here is perfect. I wave at Rome, getting his attention. His eyes move to meet mine, and his eyebrows rise.
‘What do you need for my apartment?’
Those eyebrows lower. ‘You mean more lube?’
I pinch the inside of his calf, and he grins. I love that look on him. He seems more carefree, and I want to give him a lifetime of those smiles.
‘No, I mean, you Deaf. Me hearing. What you need to make this more like home?’
He stares at me for a long time without blinking.
‘You okay?’ I finally ask. ‘What’s wrong?’
His eyes turn away, and he sniffles loudly. ‘Nothing, just allergies.’
That makes me roll my eyes, but I let it slide. ‘Come on. Tell me. I wanna know.’
‘Fine. Well, if you want this place to be more accessible for me, then you need a doorbell with light.’
