"I guess that depends on what you want."
"Doesn't it depend on what we both want?"
Apprehension comes through on his face in the form of a pinched brow and a tightening around his eyes. "I'm going back home once I'm done with the show. I'll be living on the East Coast."
I release a breath. This is it. Time to drop the bomb. "So will I."
Both eyebrows shoot up his forehead. "What about the show?"
"What about it?"
"I heard they offered you a contract renewal."
"They did, but I turned it down."
"Why would you do that? What about your brother and his medical bills?"
"Do you know how much they paid me for this season?"
I meant it as a rhetorical question, but when Scooter shakes his head and looks at me expectantly, I decide to break my NDA and whisper the amount to him.
His eyes widen in shock. "Holy fucking shit."
"Yeah. So I got what I wanted, a decade's worth of money in a short space of time. There's just…one loose end."
"What does that mean?"
My chest cinches with tension. "Riff is being Riff and threatening to release the images and video he has of me if I don't change my mind and return for two more seasons. I called his bluff and said that if he did, it would only hurt the show, and by proxy, him. That seems to have gotten him off my back for now, but I don't know if it's a permanent fix. Who knows what he'll do next? He's capable of anything."
Scooter glances down at the papers on the floor by his bed. "I'm going to get that guy. If it's the last thing I do…"
I don't get what he means, but I also don't want to be talking about Riff for any longer than absolutely necessary.
"I like you, Scooter," I say, changing the subject back to something I do want to talk about.
He smiles at me, schooching down the bed until he's close enough to cradle my face in his warm hands. "I like you, too."
We kiss softly.
"Loadsmouth isn't that far from Clovelly," I hint.
He grins. "No, it isn't. And I heard they have a great diner."
"With the best whoopie pies you've ever tasted."
His grin widens. "More delicious than your ass?"
I chuckle. "You'll have to tell me after you've tasted one."
"I wouldn't mind tastingyoutonight."
My cock throbs, my heart beats faster, and as much as I want to be with Scooter tonight, it's not sex I'm needing.
"Do you mind if we just…lie together? I feel like I need to be comforted."
"Of course. Sorry. I'm just so used to you coming in here to take advantage of my huge dick?—"
"Shut up." I kiss his shoulder, tempted to reach down and stroke his cock, which I can see is fully hard, but I decide against giving him mixed signals. His cock can wait for another night. Right now, I need cuddles and to feel safe.
