Chapter 7 #2
“Are you cold?” I threaded my fingers in his. A part of me wanted him in my bed tonight to keep him close. But the other part was terrified as fuck of what might happen.
“No.” He shook his head once and took a sharp inhale. “Lucas…” He leaned against me, hooking an arm around my waist. “It’s hitting me. All the bullshit I tolerated the last year.” His breath hitched. “I let it happen.”
“It’s not your fault.” I skimmed my lips across his hair, breathing in the musky scent of him. My balls tingled with warmth. Shit, now was not the time.
“But it is my fault. A healthy person wouldn’t tolerate his shit for this long.” He rested his cheek on my shoulder. “Something’s wrong with me.”
“No, it isn’t.” As I brushed my hand up the soft skin of his back, my breath quickened, and heat burned low in my belly. I nuzzled his hair, creeping my lips toward his cheek. God, he felt amazing in my arms. I wanted to touch all of him. “Tate manipulated you and left you lonely.”
He lifted his head, his darkened gaze locking on mine, his brows tensing. In a whisper, he said, “Lucas, what are you—”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” I freed him and stepped back, a chuckle springing from my throat. “I-I don’t know.” I was out of line for sure. Twisting away from him, I bit my thumbnail. What the actual fuck was wrong with me?
“I should go to bed.” He padded from the room, a soft click echoing as he shut my door.
A few hours later, I lay in bed, staring at my ceiling. I felt possessed. It was the only way to explain what was happening to me. Ezra possessed me somehow. I rolled to my side, tucking my hand under my pillow. Maybe I should talk to Mason’s friend, Rowan. It couldn’t hurt.
Was Ezra asleep, or was he lying there, thinking about things too? If he was awake, maybe he needed to talk? Fuck it. I threw my covers off and stepped out of bed. I’d just check and if he were asleep, I’d come back to bed. Pursing my lips, I opened my door and padded to the couch.
In the faint glow of the light in the oven’s hood in the kitchen, Ezra lay on his side with the blanket drawn to his chin, eyes closed and breath soft and even.
He’d been able to fall asleep. I knelt beside him, my gaze roaming his pretty face, the piercing in his brow, the strong nose and angled cheekbones.
No wonder Tate wouldn’t let him go. Who would?
He was more special than he gave himself credit for.
I touched a lock of his hair, hanging over the blanket.
With his eyes fluttering open, he startled and propped on an elbow. “Lucas? Is everything okay?”
I tore my hand away. Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you could sleep. Guess you were, but I woke you.”
“I was having bad dreams, anyway.” He rose to sitting and swiped hair from his face. “Come sit with me.” He patted the cushion next to him.
With a nod, I climbed in beside him. I had to keep my cool. “What were you dreaming about?”
He edged to my side, leaning against me. “Do you mind if I do this?”
“No, hell no.” I draped an arm over his shoulders. But didn’t this get me into trouble earlier? I refrained from sniffing his hair. But fuck, I wanted to.
“The dreams were a mess of images, but I remember being outside a garage and Tate showing up. I tried to run away, but my legs wouldn’t work.” He rested a hand on my abs, heat sparking to my dick.
Fucking hell. I breathed in deeply. I had to pretend this wasn’t turning me the fuck on.
My cock filled and lengthened toward my hip inside my briefs.
I glanced at my groin. He couldn’t see it, could he?
It was too dark. “Uh, yeah? I think that’s a standard dream for someone in your situation. ” I was spewing gibberish.
He brushed his cheek against the top of my chest. “Yeah, guess so.”
“Do you miss him?” I winced. If he said yes, then what?
“No. The dreams weren’t about missing him. They were anxious. I never want to see him again.”
My cock jerked. He was killing me with the touching, but I was so damn happy he didn’t miss Tate. I grabbed his hand and held it to my thigh. “What will you do if you see him?”
“Tell him to leave me alone.” He huffed a breath. “I doubt he’ll listen, but it’s worth a try.”
“What if tonight was it? What if he never shows up again?” I could hope. I brushed my thumb over the back of his hand. How much time does he need to heal from the abuse?
“Then I’ll start living again.” He inched closer to me. “I want to be with someone who treats me well.”
My heart twinged. Would he date right away? “Do you think you’ll go on a dating app?” Fuck, I might have to figure my shit out, and fast.
“I don’t know. Maybe a hookup app?” He lifted his head, his dark gaze finding mine. “I like sex. I don’t see a need to go without it.” He raked his teeth over his lower lip.
Holy fuck. My chest constricted with heat. I couldn’t think about him having sex with anyone…but me? My gaze dropped to his plump lips. “Wh-who doesn’t like, uh, sex?” My voice cracked. I sounded like a high schooler.
He held our tangled hands in front of his face and turned them. “This is nice, Lucas. I can’t thank you enough for helping me.”
“Of course.” As my gaze flicked to his, I wetted my lips.
What would happen if I kissed him? Would he push me away, or would it be the best fucking kiss I’d ever had?
Was his kiss hungry and hard, or was it wanting and soft?
My aching cock pulsed and dribbled precum into my briefs.
With a hard swallow, I rested my forehead on his.
No one had ever made me this hard before. No puck bunnies, no one.
He closed his eyes, and his breath puffed against my cheek. “It’s late. We should both go back to bed.” His fingers unwound from mine.
Do you want to sleep with me? I bit the words back.
“Yeah, good idea.” Who was I fooling? If he came into my bed, I’d…
well, I’d do something sexual with him. We’d share orgasms, for sure.
I was not straight. Oh, God. Covering my boner with one hand, I stood and combed my fingers through my bangs.
“See you in the morning.” I glanced at the bulge in his pajama bottoms and dropped my mouth open.
He was hard, too. But he’s gay, Lucas. Fuck.
“Yes, see you.” He threw the blanket over his lap and lay on his side. “Thanks again.”
“Sure.” I ambled to my bedroom, shut my door and climbed into bed. I was a fucking mess. I needed to discuss this with someone before Ezra made a profile on a hookup app. Fisting my bangs, I resumed staring at my ceiling. My feelings might be clearer in the morning. I forced my eyes closed.