Chapter 36
I’ve never really had an anger problem—or at least, I don’t remember being this mad this often.
The name Michael sparks something ugly in me. It makes me want to be violent. The sheer number of illegal thoughts that flood my head could put me behind bars without question.
We’ve moved to sit on the couch, and though every part of me wanted him in my lap, I gave him space to sit beside me instead.
Ayden just finished telling me about the call with his doctor friend at SF General. The fact that Michael would report him for that makes me sick. He has no evidence of anything, and we’re not even doing anything illegal.
“Have you told Alysa?” I ask, my thumb rubbing small circles behind his ear as I hold onto the back of his neck.
He shakes his head.
For some reason, him coming to me first makes me ache for him even more than I already do. It has me greedy. I want this—want him to turn to me, to talk to me, to hand me every piece of himself. To fill me with his wants and needs. To let me protect him.
“You should, tonight or tomorrow morning,” I say. “I don’t know what it might mean for her professionally, but probably not much, considering where she is. Still, she needs to know.”
I place my hand onto his jaw and pull his attention back to me, away from the blank space he’d drifted into. The moment his eyes find mine, his pupils flare.
“We’ll get this sorted. It’s all lies. There’s no evidence—”
“I’m honestly worried, Keo.”
“Tell me why.”
“For so many reasons.” He attempts to shift away, but I follow, sliding closer.
“What’re you doing…” The bashful way he tries to hide the smile tugging at his lips is so cute.
By the time he reaches the end of the couch, I’ve squeezed in right beside him. “Forcing you to talk to me. Up close.”
He leans back, head sinking into the cushions. “It’s just… nothing happened. But in the context of what was reported, and what I’m about to say, it sounds terrible.”
I rest my arm along the back of the sofa, fingers slipping through his hair.
“Alysa was in a hotel here for a week after the funeral, and I stayed with her. Michael always told his friends he didn’t trust me to go anywhere—said he thought I’d cheat.
It was always a fight after we hung out with them…
” He doesn’t turn his head, but his eyes flick to mine.
“I told him I was staying with her. If I’d had a key to the cabin, I would’ve stayed there.
I’m worried he’ll twist it, use that to lie. There’s… no proof we…didn’t…”
It makes me sick just thinking about the picture Michael might try to paint. Imagining Ayden and his sister in that way, it’s unfathomable.
But, I get it. I’d imagine someone believing him, seeing him dating his stepbrother, and asking ‘Why not cross the other line?’
“Sunshine, it’s all hearsay. I’m no lawyer, but I know enough.
We’ll go after him for defamation against your name—and for assault, on both of us.
We reported it but didn’t press charges.
That changes now.” I lean in to brush a kiss against his cheek.
“Alright? I promise nothing’s going to come of this.
It might get ugly for a while, but I’ve got you. ”
His chest rises with a long breath before his hand comes to my jaw, thumb dragging gently across my lips. “Thank you.”
I smile. “No need to thank me.”
He sits up and presses his mouth to mine. I love kissing him. If it weren’t for where we are, I’d stay like this for hours. Tasting him, devouring him. But we’ve already been talking for nearly an hour, and I have things to get done.
Leaning back, I rest my forehead against his. “Stay here. Call your sister. There are snacks in the fridge. Dom mentioned food—so it looks like you and Britt are invited for dinner.”
His fingers trail to the back of my neck as he nods. “Alright. I’m really sorry. I don’t want to be a burden in your life.”
I scoff. “Please, Ayden. Don’t make me spank you.” He sucks a sharp breath in, and I can’t help but chuckle as I stand. “I’ve got a surprise for you but you’ll have to wait.”
“Wait! That’s so mean. Why even say anything?”
I don’t look back, just wave as I disappear down the hall to find Britt. She can keep him company while I handle what needs doing. I’m grateful to Dom for so much already, and I won’t take his kindness for granted.
Several hours later, we’ve all eaten dinner and showered, and not a single call for assistance has disturbed the evening.
Before the incident at the hotel, it felt like everything in this town went wrong. Now, it’s quiet. Almost like whatever god there is decided to give us a break—especially since we’re all still mourning Corey.
A little after ten, Britt headed out, making sure Ayden was set to get home. I told her I’d take care of him. Although she gave me a coy, cat-like expression, she didn’t question it.
I told her in our last session that he’s my boyfriend, and, unsurprisingly, she wasn’t shocked. She was supportive, exactly as I knew she’d be. She even apologized for pushing Kali to flirt with him, swearing it was only to get me out of my own ass and into his.
I didn’t quite buy that. I’m positive she was trying to get a rise out of me.
Everyone has since drifted off toward their rooms to get ready for bed when Ayden stretches his arms over his head and begins to stand.
“I guess I should get going.”
It’s closing in on eleven now, and that is just not happening.
“You’ll stay here tonight.”
He freezes mid-motion, then slowly sinks back into his chair, eyes wide. “What?”
Propping my elbow on the armrest, I lean into my palm. “I didn’t stutter. You’re staying here. I’ve already cleared it with Dom and the girls.”
God, he’s so fucking cute when he’s surprised. It’s the same look he gave me when he found out my cock was pierced. Now that I think about it, I really regret not getting more piercings back when I wasn’t having sex. The healing time is going to be a bitch—assuming he likes this one, that is.
“Is that allowed?”
I shake my head. “Technically, no, but… perks of a small town. It can’t be a regular thing, but given the circumstances, Dom said it’s fine.”
“How can someone that scary-looking”—I throw my head back with a laugh—“be so damn nice?”
Hearing him join in on the laughter, I shake my head and grin. “He’s a softie, he just has to keep the appearance up.”
His soft nod accompanies his growing blush. The fact my dick instantly reacts to that, has me inwardly groaning.
“Where are we sleeping?”
I’m one second from calling him a good boy for knowing we’ll be sharing a bed, but my cock can only take so much torture. “Men’s common space. Dom has his own room, and the girls have theirs.”
Slapping my hands onto my knees before standing, I get up and reach down to help him up. He grabs my wrist, and I pull him to his feet.
We walk down the hall to where I sleep: four bunk beds and a solo on the furthest wall. I’ve not moved from my spot, bottom left, even after what happened. All of them are custom double built for length.
But I think for tonight, we’ll take the largest against the wall without the bed on top.
Kicking off my boots, I gesture toward it. He strides over slowly, removes his shoes, and tucks them under the frame.
“Forgot to ask,” I say while undoing my pants, then move to the free hanging closet where my clothes are hung and folded. “How’d Alysa take it?”
“As you’d expect. She’s furious and disgusted.” In the dimly lit room, he starts to undress, pulling his shirt off first. “She even tried to joke… about how she’d fuck you before ever touching me. I had to force myself to laugh.”
I let out a low “Yikes” before tugging off my own black tee.
“Pretty sure she noticed how uncomfortable I was, or something else, and quickly apologized. It’s going to be so hard to tell her when she comes.”
I’m not going to comment, I don’t think it will be, personally, but I like to see him squirm a little.
“We’ll address it when the time comes.” Dropping my pants, I glance over my shoulder to find him staring. He quickly looks away, strips his jeans, and slips into bed. I’m pleased he doesn’t ask for anything of mine to wear—him in just his boxers is both torturous and beautiful.
I reach for sweats but think better of it. Small space, warm bodies; I’ll be hot enough.
Letting them drop, I switch off the last light and cross the room to the bed. Sliding in behind him, I wrap an arm around his stomach and pull him flush against me.
“Thanks,” I whisper against his ear.
“For?” He shifts his hips, inadvertently rubbing his ass against my abdomen and cock that’s slowly hardening.
“Not suggesting another bed.”
A soft, almost moan-like sound escapes his throat. “Remember, I’m the smart one. Why the fuck wouldn’t I want this?”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of his shampoo—vanilla and honey. Sweet but not overpowering. I want that smell, him, everywhere I am. On the sheets, on my clothes, my truck—imprinted in my nose, etched in my brain.
Yes, I’m obsessed.
“Good…” I bite my tongue, not letting the boy slip out. It isn’t just me who likes this. The small bumps rising on his skin tell me so.
“We should sleep.” His voice is uncertain, unconvincing. I run my fingers up and down his stomach, tracing the line between his boxers and his belly button.
“Definitely… not…”
My fingers dip just under the elastic, the only barrier between me and what I want.
Then, he lets out a soft, broken whimper.
A whimper. Oh, fuck me.
“Sunshine,” I croon. “You keep that noise up, I’ll fuck you right here for our first time, and I don’t know if you can be quiet enough for that.”
In a hushed whisper, he says, “Keo, please… touch me.”
I drop my mouth to the curve of his neck and suck on his pebbled skin. My hand slips beneath his boxers, wrapping around his already hard cock.