Page 54

Carefully, I climb onto the bed next to him, thinking back on what I told him. I’ve never told a soul about what happened to… I won’t even think his name. I’ve learned the hard way that it opens old, barely healed wounds.

If I let myself, I can still hear his happy giggle as he called me Daddy and ran from me in our tiny apartment. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. Barely old enough to drink, we thought the world was at our feet. It should’ve been. We had so much going for us until we didn’t.

My chest tightens as more memories threaten to burst my contented bubble. I’ve told myself a thousand times that it was just bad timing. If we met now, maybe…

“You okay?” Blush asks, his voice scratchy with sleep.

“Great. You?”

He stirs, flipping onto his back. My eyes move down his body, appreciating every edge and curve. His dick, soft now, lies tantalizingly across his thigh.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep. Sorry.”

“I don’t mind. You obviously need the rest.”

“Guess so.” He sits up on his elbows. “Something smells good.”

“I made tea. It helps me relax. Otherwise I’d be a ball of tension.”

“Weight of the world?”

“Something like that. You?”

“Nah, just sleepy.”

I want to ask about his family situation, but that would mean telling him that Colson told me, and if he doesn’t want to offer the information, I won’t push.

Blush drags his fingers across my thigh. “You made a weird noise.”

“Huh?”

“Just now. Like a sad grunting noise.”

“Oh. I’m fine.”

He narrows his eyes. “You have secrets. Lots of them, I think.”

“Don’t you?”

He releases a humorless laugh as he looks away. “Suppose I do. Can’t tell them to you. It’ll ruin the mystique.”

“Is that what you think keeps me coming back?”

“No. It’s my incredible ass and stellar dick-sucking skills.”

I chuckle, aware that he’s using humor to hide behind.

“We’re just hooking up, Whisper. No need to get into the ugly parts.”

“I doubt you have any.”

He locks his gaze on my face, his lips parted as if he’s thinking about telling me something, but he doesn’t. He just smiles as he slides out of bed and saunters to the bathroom.

While he’s gone, I sip my tea, glancing at the clock. Should I offer to let him stay over? He’s been here most of the day, sleeping for hours. What would that feel like in the morning?

I hear the toilet flushing then the water runs briefly before the bathroom opens. He leans against the doorframe, smiling seductively at me.

“I should go.”