As Andre put the dishes in the dishwasher, I watched him. He had a gorgeous body, but that wasn’t what spoke to me. He had a genuineness of spirt that called to my protective nature. He was fully an adult and yet also naïve to the ways of the world.
He glanced up to meet my gaze when he finished. “Do we take Daphne out now or…might we…”
For the briefest of moments, I thought he was going to saysexor something like that. I cleared my throat. “The show you want to watch? Absolutely we can do that. I walk Daphne as the last thing. She’ll hunker down and sleep on her bed while we watch this show you want to see. How many episodes?”
“Six.”
“Ah. Well, we’re not going to do all tonight.” I considered. “Well, you can if you want.”
He shook his head. “I want to watch them with you.”
“That’s a lovely thought.”And if we only do one or two a night, thenyou have to stay longer.I liked that idea. Unless he was overcome with the desire to move in with Demetrius, he needed a safe space to work through his issues. Here was as good a place as any—if he trusted me to take care of him. I rose. “Now, do you want to watch as Solo or as Andre? Either is fine with me.”
His eyes lit. “As Solo. Then I can cuddle.”
“You can cuddle anyway, but it’s too soon for that.”
He cocked his head. “What if I don’t want it to betoo soon?”
I offered a measured smile. “Let’s get through tomorrow and then we’ll figure out where we stand, eh? Does that make sense?”
“Yes. And you’re right. I just…don’t want to think about tomorrow right now. I know I should, but—” He bit his lower lip. “It’s too much.”
“I understand. So we’ll watch the show tonight and deal with the rest tomorrow.”
He nodded enthusiastically—his puppy clearly shining through.
We moved into the family room, with my comfortable couch and the recliner I sat on when I watched television. Tonight, obviously, I chose the couch. I sat on one end and patted the spot next to me.
Andre held my gaze as he slowly approached.
“It’s up to you, Solo. How comfortable you are or aren’t.”God, I hate that name. You might feel alone, but I don’t want you to. I want to promise that you’ll never be alone again—even though that’s beyond me to promise.
He sat beside me, shifted himself, and put his head on my lap.
I was running the ceiling fan, and the room held a slight chill. “Do you want me to turn the fan off?”
He shook his head.
“Would you like a blanket to cuddle under?”
He nodded.
I grabbed a blanket my grandmother had crocheted for me and tugged it over Andre. I was a little chilled myself, but soon his warmth,where he pressed against me, seeped through my pants and a sense of rightness permeated. I picked up the remote with my right hand as I gently scratched his scalp with my left
Within just a moment, I had the show up and running.
He sighed.
I gripped him a little tighter. Then I settled in and worked very hard to pay attention to what was before me instead of the incredible man whose heat warmed me. Soon, though, he was snoring gently. Possibly he was still on eastern time. Possibly he’d had a rough night’s sleep. Just as likely, he was overwhelmed by everything today—from meeting his brother to puppy play to just…being able to be his authentic self. That could be overwhelming at times.
I turned off the show and selected a music station with soft jazz. I lamented, for a moment, that my phone was attached to the charger in the kitchen.You have an amazing man in your arms…sort of. Why do you need your fricking phone?In truth, I didn’t.
I glanced over at Daphne, who lay quietly sleeping with her chin on her paws. Sometimes she joined me on the couch. I wasn’t a stickler and Torah, our trainer, said sometimes letting the dog on furniture was acceptable. Since Daphne slept on the bed with me all night, I sort of figured the couch was okay as well. Tonight, though, she was clearly happy in her bed.
Andre shifted. And then groaned.
I willed myself not to react. Because, really, after more time than I cared to remember, my body was finally waking up and sayinghello, still here. Still wanting attention. Maybe even sex— I shut that thought down. Instead, I stroked his cheek. “You okay?”
