Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
As I’m getting everything ready, I keep glancing over my shoulder to check on him, taking seriously the duty his brother entrusted me with. When I get the first batch in the oven and turn to check on him again, he’s right behind me. I see more of that brightness when I look into his eyes, but it’s still dulled. He leans toward me, and I wrap my arms around him, pulling him close for a hug. He keeps his arms around me tight, the way he’s clinging bringing me back to life.
“You’re shaking,” he whispers.
I hadn’t noticed, but it makes sense. “A part of me is trying to keep from driving back to your dad’s place and showing him how I feel.”
He chuckles, but I hear the pain behind it. “Yeah, maybe baking cookies is a better idea than kicking his ass.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
He chuckles again. He’s coming back to me, but I sense how vulnerable he still is, and I hate it.
He stirs against me before pulling back and looking me in the eyes.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. “That’s a stupid question. You can’t be feeling good, and I don’t expect you to. Don’t answer that. You should get in bed. I’ll finish these and bring you a cookie, if you’re still awake. I’ll take care of you.”
“I know you will,” he assures me, and my chest swells with pride. Not that I’m happy he’s in this state, but I’m pleased he knows I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. He rests his hand against my face, caressing his thumb across my flesh. “As painful as it was to learn the truth, it put a lot of things into perspective. Helped me understand why things have always been this way with him. That it wasn’t just in my head that there was something wrong with our relationship.”
“I can’t imagine how he could feel that way, not just about his kid, but you specifically. How could someone know you and treat you like that? Or not understand why you were so emotional from hearing that.” My rage flares again, my trembling intensifying, and I try to steady myself because what’s important now is to be here for Dax, which for some reason, involves making cookies.
Dax is quiet for a few moments, just looking at me. He’s more present than he was on the drive back, and my thoughts scramble again.
“I’m having a hard time reading you now, and I don’t like it,” I say. “It scares me.” I realize that’s one of the reasons I’m trembling, one of the reasons I’m trying desperately to cheer him up with cookies—like some part of me thinks if I could have just made Mom some cookies, nothing would have gone so wrong. She wouldn’t have left me.
Picking up on my meaning, Dax says, “Don’t worry, Miles. I’m not going anywhere.”
My eyes water as some of this tension in me dissipates. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that. But this isn’t about me. “Tell me what you need. Just say it and I’ll do it.”
“Kiss me.”
It’s the easiest request to obey, and I don’t hesitate to take his mouth, instantly feeling that familiar relief. It melts the remaining stress, and my body can’t get enough as I push him back against the wall beside the island, running a hand under the hem of his shirt, caressing his abs. His muscles relax, and the more we lock lips, the more I think we both realize we need this.
When our lips part, Dax whispers, “Tonight’s another night where I need you to not stop touching me.”
“Done.”
There’s relief in hearing him tell me what he needs, and we continue kissing on our way to my room.
This isn’t one of those frenzied encounters we shared when we first started fucking. There’s a calm to the way we strip down, crawling into bed together. Our kisses are relaxed, easy, each one promising me that another is coming, and then another. I sense in the way he touches me how much he needs me to be here for him. To be present, sharing this moment with him. Just as he won’t leave me, I won’t leave him.
Now that I’ve learned this man’s body, memorized his pleasure points, I’m determined to use that to help him escape, if only for a little while. I work my way inside him, nibble at his neck, and he arches his back, moaning.
“Miles, you know what I need.”
“Yes, I do,” I assure him as his body welcomes me, his muscles loosening, as he lies there, ready for me to pleasure him with my all. I push in steadily until I’m in deep, offering subtle thrusts. He looks into my eyes, really looking at me, his gaze letting me know this experience is pulling him from the events of tonight.