My heart drops and my breath catches. Not the response I was hoping for. I blink away the sting in my eyes and push the sketch away. Whatever. Maybe Nox doesn’t need anyone after all. I’ll be sure to fix that right after I eat. I should have known better.
Troy returns with his plate, and we eat our food in silence, the tension stretching like a rubber band until it feels as if it’s going to snap, taking everyone out with it.
Troy clears his throat twice, and I know he’s going to say something. I don’t want to hear it. I really don’t, because I’m way too exposed for the “this is only casual” conversation right now. Swallowing hard, I try to come up with some sort of sarcastic comment that will pull us out of this hellish tension. He sets his fork on the table and clasps his hands with a determined expression.
“I need to say something,” he starts, his voice breaking, then he clears his throat again.
I cringe inwardly. Fuck my life. I don’t answer. I can’t.
“I don’t want this to be casual, Micah. I’ve wanted more since the beginning and I’m tired of pretending I don’t,” he blurts out.
Stunned by his confession, I just sit there, forkful of food hanging in the air.
Wait what?
“Look you don’t have to be at the same place as me. I know that doesn’t always happen but I want you to consider this. To consider more. We can go on a few dates. Talk through things. You know, if you’re willing to try it on and see how it fits. Well, me, I mean. See how I fit. With you.”
I’m still waiting for my brain to catch up because Troy just said he wants to date me.
“Anyway, think about it. You know, if you want,” he finishes in the awkwardly adorable way he has.
That’s when it hits me hard. I do want this. I’ve been low-key envying Arlo for what he has with Tier, but I already have it. It’s morning coffee and carpooling to work. It’s Sunday family dinners and James working on my car. It’s hot couch sex and casserole for dinner. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and couldn’t admit to, and it’s right here. With him.
Troy clears his throat again, looking far more worried than he should. I need to tell him.
“I want to,” I say, my voice cracking. “To try I mean, with you. I think I’d really like that.”
I can feel the warmth of Troy’s smile from across the table, and it’s beautiful.
“That’s great. That’s really great,” he says, his low voice rough with emotion.
We continue eating, grinning at each other like a couple of fools, but who cares. It’s just us.
Chapter 11
Micah
By the time dinner’s done and we’re doing the dishes, the weight of everything we’ve said to each other has morphed into something else entirely. The small touches and heated glances we share during cleanup wind us both up until the sexual tension is a taut wire.
Finally, the last dish is washed, and he’s leading me down the hall with eyes full of filthy intent. I’m barely into the room before he’s spun me around and pushed me against the now closed door. The weight of him, instead of causing panic, causes heat. That’s never happened before. He cages me in, his hands holding my wrists above my head. My breath quickens, and the pressure of his body grounds me in the moment. The tension of muscle against muscle lasts only for a second before a shiver runs down my spine and I melt into him.
“You like this, don’t you?” his rough voice asks against my ear, making me tremble in his arms.
“Oh, God, yes,” I breathe out, my words practically a moan. This side of him is unexpectedly hot. I never would havesuspected he had it in him. But fuck if I don’t love it. New kink unlocked.
“I don’t want to be gentle tonight, Micah. I need you. So much,” he growls against my neck before his mouth moves down to the hollow of my throat, sucking the skin into the heat of his mouth. His voice goes straight to my dick, and suddenly it’s straining against my pants. That’s gonna leave a mark, which should bother me but somehow doesn’t.
“Good. Don’t be.” My voice is just as rough. I’ve wanted this for more than a week. The only thing that would upset me at this point is if hedidn’tdick me down.
“God, Micah. The things I want to do to you.”
“Oh fuck, now you have to tell me.”
And that sexy bastard looks me right in the eyes and tells me.
“Once I get you out of these clothes, all bets are off, because my cock has been aching for this sweet ass. I’m going to take you apart until you’re begging for my cock. Then I’m going to fuck you so good and so deep you’re gonna be ruined for everyone else. And that’s okay because I’m all you’re gonna need. You’re mine, Micah.”
My cock throbs with every word. That filthy mouth of his is going to be the death of me.
