“I don’t know why it’s like this,” I say, mildly alarmed.
“My guess is your body is playing catch-up. You have ample testosterone that never gets used because of the connection your sex drive requires, but has been lacking,” Hanlon says, slipping his glasses back on.Makes sense, I suppose.With a cocky grin, Hanlon says, “Next time you come hands-free, you’re going to be on your back because no way am I missing that again.”
I smile sleepily, and Hanlon kisses my cheek.
“I’m going to clean you up. You did so fucking good, baby.”
If you’d asked me before, I never would have pictured myself as enjoyingbabyas a term of endearment directed toward me. But something about it makes sense when Hanlon says it. Like only he knows that I feel like my carefree childhood got cut a little short when he entered my life, and by him calling me baby—and our roles being reversed in the bedroom—it somehow balances the cosmos.
When he returns from the bathroom, he places the warm washcloth against my skin, and I fucking melt. He makes me drink a glass of water and forces me to endure him putting Aquaphor on my asshole, even though it doesn’t bother me.
“It might not now, but trust me, no one ever complains about extra lube.”
“Yeah, but you’re not fucking me,” I point out.
“But tomorrow, you’ll be glad I thought ahead,” he says with a wink.
It isn’t until we’re lying in bed, my head on his chest, hisfingers trailing up and down my arm, that Hanlon allows his insecurities to come to the surface.
“What if this is too fast?” he asks.
I pause to consider the question seriously. He deserves more than just some bullshit platitude or subject change.
“Han, if we had been total strangers when you showed up here, then maybethiswouldbe considered fast. But people get into bed all the time with strangers they’ve just met in a bar or somewhere else, and that feels like a much faster pace than six weeks. Besides, I’d argue that our foundation is sixteen years old. To some, it’ll be fast, fucked up, and a whole slew of other f-words. To me, it’s exactly what I want and what I’ve needed. The more I think about it, Hanlon, the more I realize it makes total sense that it’s you. It’s only everbeenyou, even if the wholehaving sexpart of the equation is new.”
As the words leave my mouth, their brutal honesty settles in my bones.
Hanlon is who I want, consequences be damned.
Chapter 28
Hanlon
Things between Stone and me continue to be all gas, no brakes. How I ever managed to survive without knowing what his ass feels like as it strangles my cock is a mystery to me.
Work has definitely picked up, and I’ve had my eye on several storms that are predicted to dump a combined forty-three inches of snow on us over the next seven days. The Christmas crowd has been replaced by the New Year’s crowd, and I will honestly be glad when this week is over.
Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and I have big plans for Stone. At least, I do if I can wait that long.
Deacon has been our team pilot ever since Logan caught Stone and me at the Christmas party. It’s been nice not being in the office with Logan, but Deacon asks a lot of questions and is confused about Logan’s request to change.
Stone and I just play dumb.
“Han, are you almost done?” Stone asks at five-thirty.
We’ve already done the end-of-day mountain sweep, but I’m still going over a few things.
“I really think we need to check the snowpack on the western ridge. With the snowfall we got last night on top of the tests I ran last week, it’s a recipe for disaster, especially since we’re not supposed to blast there again for another three days. Are you up for a ride?”
“Last light is in fifteen minutes,” Stone says, pointing out the obvious.
“I know, but if we don’t look tonight, tomorrow it’ll be too late to do anything about it,” I argue.
“Yeah, okay,” Stone agrees with a sigh. “Does your vest still have battery life left? It’s negative twelve up there with the windchill,” he says, glancing at one of the digital thermometers on the wall, always watching out for me.
“Yeah, it should be fine. And if not,” I say, taking a step closer and dropping my voice so Deacon doesn’t overhear, “I’m certain you can find a way to warm me up.”
Stone’s eyes flash to Deacon and then back to me in warning.
