Chapter 22 #2
“You’re thinking something that’s giving you that stupid look on your face, and it’s one of your least attractive looks, so you might as well spit it out.”
“I don’t have any unattractive looks,” I snap.
“Well, I love to tell you this, but you do, runt. And this is definitely one of them. You don’t look cute when you’re thinking, so you should probably stop whatever it is that’s got you looking constipated.”
“Fuck you.”
“Now, we know that’s not gonna happen, baby. But nice try.”
That makes me snort, which in turn has Peris’s lips quirking up into a grin.
“Seriously, Abel. No more secrets,” Peris says seriously, and I swallow and look around. More snow has started to fall, so I start pulling him toward the front door.
“Let’s go inside. I’m freezing.”
“You’re not getting out of—”
“I’m not trying to get out of anything,” I snap, feeling defensive as I stomp up the stairs. A hand reaches out and snatches the back of my neck, halting me in place as he jerks my head back. My breath catches in my throat as Peris breathes against the side of my face.
“You’re always trying to get out of shit. I don’t know who you’re trying to kid, Abel, but it sure as shit ain’t me.”
And, well… that is true.
“I know.”
“Good. Now, let’s go inside. You can make me some of your stupid blood tea and tell me what’s got your panties in a twist.”
“When the hell did you get so well-adjusted?” I mutter as he pulls the door open for me and then proceeds to shove me inside.
“I didn’t. I had to talk myself out of drinking a whole bottle of tequila when I got home because Jordan pissed me off at practice, but progress, right?” And then, he walks into the kitchen, leaving me to process that information.
“What the fuck?” I say into the empty room, throwing my cold hands into the air.
“Get the fuck in here, runt. I don’t know what I’m doing!
” A cupboard door slams, and so, with a sigh, I follow Peris into the kitchen warily.
When I enter, he’s standing at the counter with the container of tea in front of him with two mugs and the electric kettle in his hand, filling it with water.
He places it on its stand and flicks it on. I walk up beside him and place two tea bags in the mugs as we wait for the water to boil. Once it’s ready, I pick it up and pour, relishing in the spicy, sweet aroma that fills the air as the tea starts to steep.
“That’s it?” Peris says after I’ve dumped the excess water, and I nod, rolling my eyes.
“That’s it. I added sugar last time, but you can drink it without it.”
“Fuck no. I need sugar—and I know you do, too.” He shivers, and then, he goes to the pantry and pulls out the sugar container and hands it to me.
I quirk my brow but take it and spoon sugar into each cup and stir it in until its dissolved.
“Thank you, puppy,” Peris says from right behind me, and I jolt, not having expected it.
The warmth of his breath ghosts over the back of my neck, and I shiver.
“You’re welcome.” I lean back against him and revel in the hardness of his body. In the way I’ve always fit perfectly against him.
“You gonna tell me what was on your mind now?”
I stiffen at the reminder.
“It wasn’t anything, really,” I mutter. I can’t tell Peris. Not when everything has been so good between us. So right. And it’s not like I regret anything—I can’t.
I’m just…
I’m scared.
“Abel,” he says, voice low and threatening, and I shiver.
“What?”
“Don’t lie to me. Not again.”
I drop my head back between my shoulders. “Fuck.”
“That’s what I thought.”
I turn around and pick up my mug for something to do with my hands. The warmth is nice, and I savor it for a moment. Eyes closed, I finally work up the courage to murmur, “I’m scared.”
There’s a long pause.
“Is that all?”
My eyes snap open. “‘Is that all’? Are you kidding me? That seems pretty big to me.”
Peris rolls his eyes, and I want to smack them out of his head. I almost do, but he beats me to it and grabs my wrist before I can. “Let me go.”
“Don’t fucking hit me again, runt. You’ll regret it.”
“I already know that,” I snap back. Because I will, but right now, I just don’t care.
“Abel, you’ve been scared your whole fucking life. What’s so different about now?”
“What’s different? What’s different? Nothing is like it was, and I just gave up the one thing that gave me my freedom—so I could be with you.
So, forgive me for being a little fucking terrified of what that entails!
” By the time I’ve finished, my chest is heaving, and my eyes sting with a fresh wave of tears I refuse to let fall.
“You didn’t have to do that for me!” Peris yells back, and I lose it. The teras fall, and I let him fucking see them because fuck him.
“Of course, I did!” I scream. “How could I let you go again when you’re right here, and you fucking love me, Peris!
And I love you, damnit! And you’re here, and you want me, and I can’t say no again.
I can’t leave you again. It’ll fucking kill me this time.
So, yes. I’m scared, but I didn’t really have a choice…
I’m just…” I drop my head between my shoulders and rub the tips of my fingers into my temples to ease the ache.
“Freaking out because I hate change, is all. But damnit. You’re a pain in my fucking ass,” I snipe when I feel his fingers lift my chin back up.
“Only you can make saying I love you sound so angry,” he muses, and I bare my teeth.
“It’s a special talent,” I snap back—literally. Peris chuckles, and the sound warms me from the inside out.
“Not the only one you’ve got, though,” Peris says with a lifted brow, and I roll my eyes.
“You fucking know it. Now, am I the only one making huge confessions, or are you gonna spill some truths tonight, too?”
“What would you like to know, runt?” Peris says with a sigh, like he’s so bothered, and I can’t help but smile as I take a small sip of my blood tea, as Peris called it.
“Do you love me?” I ask, holding my breath for the answer.
It’s quiet for the length of three heart beats, and then he says, “Too fucking much.”
I don’t waste any time setting my cup on the counter and jumping right into his arms. He catches me with ease, and our mouths find each other’s like they were always meant to.