“So, what you’re saying is you like me?”
Talon grins, and the tension is diffused, but only for a moment.
“I definitely like you, but I don’t know how to do this.” He waves a finger between us. “There are so many things to consider, like how I never want to do or say anything to make you feel trapped. I’d rather die than make you feel like you’re in the same situation you were before.”
“Talon, you and De?—”
“Please don’t say his name. I might break something,” Talon says through gritted teeth, causing me to slip from my stool until I’m standing directly in front of him.
“You and he are twoverydifferent people. I could never mistake you for him.” Reaching forward, I grab his hands. “Is this okay?” I ask, giving him the same chance to pull back that he always gives me.
“Yes,” he breathes as I wrap them around my back before placing my hands on his chest.
“Nor could I ever confuse your touch with his.”
Talon wraps his arms tighter around me, pulling my body flush against his. I breathe him in as he rests his cheek on the top of my head, elated at the sensation of his chest rising and falling against my own.
“I just want to do this right,” he says.
“You’re sure you want to do this at all?” I ask. “You mentioned upsetting your parents and risking your company. I don’t want to be the reason either of those things happen. Not to mention, navigating a same-sex attraction for the first time probably warrants at least a minor freakout.”
“Why don’t we just take it one day at a time, communicate with each other, and see where it goes? I can’t shelter us forever, but we still have some time to figure things out.”
I nod against his chest, squeezing him back.
Talon serves my plate and sets it on the table where we eat every night. I love that about him. He never eats with his attention on his laptop, phone, or the TV. When Talon gives you his attention, it’s undivided.
“Are you up for a glass of wine tonight?” he asks.
“Depends. Do you have anything sweet?”
He shakes his head, but he’s smiling as he produces a bottle of red liquid with a flourish.
“May I interest you in a glass of Lambrusco Dolce?” he asks, presenting the bottle to me over his arm like I’ve seen the servers do at Summit.
“You may, even though I have no freaking clue what that is,” I laugh.
“It’s a sweet sparkling red wine I picked up just for you,” he says, brushing a knuckle lightly across my cheekbone after setting the bottle on the table. My cheeks flame, and Talon catches it. “I love when you blush. I especially love it when you blush because of me.”
Jesus Christ.
“You know, for being into guys all of twenty minutes, you’re pretty good at it,” I tell him.
“You make it easy,” he fires back, pouring my glass of wine.
Chapter 21
Talon
It’s a challenge eating dinner next to Zeke and not touching him the entire time. My body thinks that because I’ve finally verbalized my attraction to him, I should have three points of physical contact at all times.
I can’t say I disagree.
Zeke eats more these days, which makes me happy, and he’s climbing back to a healthy weight. He’s also been asked to audition for a role at the theater soon, which I think would be great for him, but he’s hesitant, no doubt carrying trauma from the opening night of his last play.
I don’t push, but reassure him that whenever he’s ready, I’m here to help.
“I’ve got clean-up duty since you cooked,” Zeke says once we’re both finished eating. It’s a routine we adopted quickly, and knowing his need to contribute, I don’t argue.
