The Confidant

Chapter Seven

Adelaide

I wake up to a photo from Poe.

My raccoon plush is sitting at a table with a sweet roll on a plate in front of it. I burst into laughter at the sight.

Me: Two helpings. Don’t be stingy.

The photos continue throughout the day, delighting me. He must be dragging it everywhere. There’s a picture of a cab ride with it looking out the window. Sitting in a chair with a couple of makeup people fussing over it. Sitting at lunch with several people working on the crew. They’re all facing the stuffed animal like it’s telling a great story. People pose with it, making all sorts of faces for the camera. A male model cuddles it, peeking over its face as if they’re in an embrace.

Picturing stoic Poe convincing people to do this just for me has me rolling with laughter. They must think he’s completely lost it.

They’re hilarious and keep me from feeling abandoned while he’s out working. It doesn’t help that no one comes into the shop to distract me. Damon took the day off to meet someone important to Grace.

I’m all alone, and my stuffed raccoon is living a great life without me. I’m pouting as much as I’m laughing.

I close the shop early and pick up dinner. After a debate, I take a picture of it with two plates set out, one full and the other as empty as the chair behind it. It’s the only photo I’ve taken in return. How sad is my life that this is a pity picture?

Me: I miss you.

Before I can second-guess, I’ve sent it to Poe. Then I sweat as I overthink it. He’s busy. There have been models all around him all day. The picture is pathetic. Why would he miss me, too?

My phone beeps with a return text, making me wince.

It’s a photo of the raccoon with a bottle of wine propped up against its side. There’s a glass half empty next to it. For some reason, it seems sad, as if it’s lonely, too. Drinking alone and staring at nothing.

Poetry: We miss you too.

It makes my heart burst with happiness. It looks like he’s back in his hotel room, having as lonely a dinner as I am. There’s no hesitation when I call him.

“Hi, siren,” he answers before the first ring finishes.

“Hi, yappy. I’m collecting all of these photos to use so I can win back custody,” I tease, playing with my fork.

“Oh? I’ve adopted Racer now?” He chuckles.

“Illegally. Stealing it away. Introducing it to shady characters. Setting it up on a blind date with a model. Now alcohol? You’re shameless.”

“I’m only doing what it wants,” he says innocently.

“Sure you are,” I laugh. “The judges won’t agree with you.”

“If I bribe them enough, they will.”

I bark out an unattractive laugh over that assurance.

Once I’ve settled down and his chuckles have faded, we sit in silence, both eating our lonely meals.

“I really do miss you,” I blurt out, playing with my food.

“I really miss you too,” he says, sounding thoughtful. “I’d rather you were here than the raccoon.”

I fake a gasp. “Don’t say that. You’ll hurt its feelings.”

“It needs to know that I only have one person I’d rather be taking photos of.”

“That model,” I sigh as if I’m depressed. “I knew it was too good to be true. Can I be your beard for a little longer?”

“ You ,” he chuckles. The assurance brings a spreading warmth through my body.

“Why aren’t you in any of the pictures?” I ask curiously. “I’d like to see you too.”

He makes a thoughtful hum of sound. “I can arrange that.”

“See that you do. Is everything going ok there?”

“Yeah. One more day, and then I’ll be home.”

“That sucks,” I pout. I was hoping for a miracle and that he would be on his way tomorrow. I’m selfish as hell.

“Yeah, it does,” he agrees in a grumble. “They added on another model after her schedule cleared up.”

“ Her ?” I ask with sly emphasis. “Do I need to worry about Vegas?”

“No. Racer has better taste, and so do I.”

I laugh at how firm he sounds. There isn’t much room for doubt with his adamant reaction.

“If she makes any moves, the raccoon knows what to do,” I tell him in a grim voice. It’s hard to stifle my laughter.

“What’s that?”

“Knock over her trash cans,” I whisper in mock terror.

The robust laugh he lets out makes my lips curve in a silly grin. We stay on the phone a lot longer than we should. Sometimes talking and other times quiet. It’s almost as if he’s here with me. If only he actually were.

“This is sad,” I protest with a sigh. “I shouldn’t miss you this much. It’s not like we live together.”

“I have enough room for all your raccoons, siren. Be very careful, or I’ll box them up while you’re at the shop so you’ll have to move in.”

I stop on my way to the trash, my feet sticking to the floor. He doesn’t sound like he’s teasing or making a joke. He’s very serious. Despite all his assurances, it’s surprising. No giving me room to make a joke about it. He’s laying it out there.

It betrays the knowledge that he’s just as in this as I am. We haven’t done anything more than kiss and fool around a bit. Now he’s letting me know that he wants me with him in a permanent way.

“Are you really serious?” I whisper faintly, my brain whirling while my heart spins happily in the other direction.

“Yes.”

He has no doubts in his tone. It’s a done deal for him.

“M-maybe we can discuss it when you get home?” I wince, afraid to push but so damn happy. I don’t want to jinx it. I also don’t want to force him into something he would regret. “Or we should slow down.”

“No.” He barely lets the last sentence finish before he refuses. “We go at our own pace. What feels right for us . No one else matters. I want to be with you all the damn time. Ever since I first saw you, I’ve wanted that. To me, we’re moving at a snail’s pace already and it’s my own damn fault.”

“What happens if it doesn’t work out?” I toss the trash in the bin with a huff. “We’re setting ourselves up to hurt each other at breakneck speed. Aren’t you scared?”

“I will do anything it takes to make sure we work out, Adelaide. Anything .” His voice is hoarse and almost panicked. As if he’s afraid that I’ll hang up and never speak to him again.

“Hey,” I say gently. I don’t like how scared he sounds. Like he’s two seconds away from hopping on a plane without any thought to what he’ll leave hanging. “We’re talking, that’s all, cher . This is new, and we’re still figuring it out. I like the word compromise , don’t you? It takes some talking to do it, though.”

He lets out a rough sigh. “I’d rather have this conversation face to face.”

“Then we will,” I tell him with a faint laugh. “I’d like that too. I might be scared, but I know you can talk me around it with all your perfect words.”

“Good.”

“You better use that power for good. We’ll have plenty of witnesses to back me up if I get mad,” my laugh gets brighter as I look around at all the raccoons.

His low chuckle sends a pleasant shiver down my spine.

“Alright. I’m holding you to that conversation,” he warns me, his solemn mood returning. “We both need sleep for right now.”

“Awwww,” I pout, glaring at the raccoons around me. “Don’t be an adult right now. Stay on the phone with me all night.”

“Go get ready for bed,” he tries to sound stern, but I can tell he’s smiling. His firm tone, turning gentle, clues me in.

“Fine,” I grumble, making a big fuss over it. “You and Racer don’t have too much fun without me.”

He chuckles, but the sound is cut off as he hangs up.

I blink at the phone in surprise.

“Rude,” I try to ignore the tiny sting of hurt and clean up my dinner mess. Afterward, I look around for something else to do. Nothing comes to mind, so I head for my bedroom. If he’s going to be like that, I might as well get some sleep.

I’ve just passed the doorway when my text alert goes off. I narrow my eyes at Poe’s name. Since my heart is fluttering and confused, I open it up.

A picture of Racer with a towel wrapped around its head forces a little chuckle out of me. It’s positioned in front of a wide bathroom mirror with a toothbrush in its paw. How did he manage that?

Not to be outdone, I text back.

Me: Junkyard dogs that don’t say goodbye are on my bad list. Night.

I set the phone on my dresser, determined to ignore anything else he sends me. I’m not putting up with that type of sass, and he can learn it now. I deserve a sweet goodbye and some reluctance to get off the phone.

I look around me, unsatisfied with my own determination to punish him. I’m punishing myself by proxy, and it’s ticking me off.

The first thing I see is a pile of plushies.

I look at my bed with a frown. If I want Poe anywhere in it, I need to get rid of some of them. It’s late, but I’m too anxious to settle down and sleep. I get to work on finding new locations for stuffed raccoons.

My phone goes off with a text. When I see it’s from Poe, my heart jumps with excitement. He took a long time to reply. I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to sit with my decision all night with no relief.

When I open the message, my knees go weak. I have to sit on the bed as I lose my breath.

“Bold man,” I whisper with a wide smile.

It’s a picture of the hotel bathroom. The angle of the shot takes in both the shower stall and the foggy mirror. Poe is in the shower with his hands in his wet hair. I can see the smooth strength of his back and his butt. His strong legs. The curtain isn’t pulled to cover anything. He’s facing away from the camera. The mirror has his front reflected with frustrating fog covering everything I want to see. The colors of his tattoo are smudged through the moisture. The only thing not shrouded in fog through the mirror is his face. He’s staring right at me with such a hungry look that I can feel it.

Oh, I want to do something back, but what?

I’m surrounded by ridiculous stuffed animals. My bed isn’t made. I’m not a damn professional photographer. Crap.

I chew my lower lip as I stare at the picture until my screen goes black. My heart is racing as I open it again. I can’t even think up a witty response to the picture. He’s literally stunned me textless.

Another picture comes in while I’m frantically searching for something to put on. I’m not one for pretty lingerie, and it shows with every pair of pajamas I toss to the floor. I don’t think I can take another picture like that without spontaneous combustion.

Like a masochist, I open it anyway.

It’s a frontal shot of him propped up in bed with an arm behind his head. His hair is still wet and hanging over his forehead, taunting me to brush it back. If I weren’t over a thousand miles away, I’d do it now. He doesn’t have a shirt on, so I can see his tattoo clearly, along with his mouth-watering abs. His expression is still hungry as if he can see me looking at him. His lips are parted like he’s saying something to me.

I have a response this time.

Me: Why are you torturing me??????

A few seconds later, I get his response.

The camera angle has moved down, so I can see the sheet barely covering his erection. I’m either building him a monument or strangling him to death the next time I see him. My heart is racing at the sight of the tented blue sheet.

The phone beeps as a video comes through.

“Oh, you devil,” I choke out with a whine.

I settle back in bed, trying to catch my breath before I hit play.

The video picks up where the photo left off. I watch his hand trail over his stomach. Fingers dip under the sheet, leaving him covered as he grips his erection.

“You thought I wouldn’t break and call you back? I knew saying goodbye was going to be a lie, so I didn’t say it. I despise that word in association with you. Send me something, siren. I want to see you.”

The video stops, and I groan sadly. Him and his perfect words are going to kill me.

I’ve never done anything like this before. I have no idea what to send him. I don’t like the thought of pictures of me out where anyone can see. Then again, I doubt Poe wants that either. He’s trusting me with them, which is a nice stroke to my ego. Am I brave enough to return the favor?

I drop my phone and whip off my tank top. I take the same position he’s in, resting against a pile of pillows. I take a few pictures, cringing at the results. After some debate, I pick the one that looks the best, emphasizing my tattoos and my breasts plumped up enough to be seen but not really revealed because of my bra. I send it with a mortified groan. Even in the pictures, my face is on fire with a blush.

The picture I get back is a close-up of his sternum. There are still droplets of water there, waiting for me to wipe them away.

Poetry: More here.

I take off my bra and focus the camera on my tattoo. It begins under my collarbones, easily hidden under my normal shirts. The unfurled butterfly wings are made up of abstract swirls inside solid lines. The black effect on my pale skin is a dramatic backdrop for the blooming rose in the center. I chose a bright, eye-catching blue for the color to make it pop, with a few hints of darker blue and light pink throughout the wings. I squeeze my arms so my breasts keep the trailing ends of the wings hidden. I send the picture off without looking this time.

Poetry: You’re beautiful.

He sends me back a close-up of his tattoo. I sigh as I take in the familiar art, cupping his abs the same way I want to. If I were with him, I wouldn’t have any mercy right now. There’s no way I would let him walk out this time.

Me: I wish I was with you. I never should have let you leave.

A second later, I get another video.

The sound of his deep, rough breathing, paired with the sight of his hand moving below the sheet, has me biting my lip. When his fist reaches the tip, the sheet slides a little, giving me a glimpse of his erection with a bead of precum. He lets out a soft groan before the video stops.

I close my eyes, my core flooding with heat. My nipples are beaded and aching. My hand moves up to cup the flesh and squeeze as if it would help. His hands are bigger than mine but imagining them there has to be enough for now.

My fingers slip over my stomach and press over my clit outside my pants. The pressure is almost enough to have me cumming. I’m so ready for him that I can feel the damp spot on the fabric.

The sounds he was making echo in my head as I slip the button open on my jeans and shimmy them down. I’m too impatient to take them all the way off. My panties drag with them.

I carefully cover my mound with my hand and snap a picture. This time, there’s no hesitation to share with him what he’s doing to me. I’m not embarrassed anymore. There’s no room for it with how eager I am to have this. That doesn’t mean I can’t tease him a little. He deserves it.

The phone falls to my belly as my fingers spread the building moisture over my lower lips. I’m so sensitive that each caress almost feels like too much. I want the feeling to linger, not reach the edge so soon.

The ringer doesn’t startle me. I manage to pick up before I realize that it’s a video call.

I’m treated to the sight of Poe with his hair hanging over the sides of his face. It’s as if he’s on top of me. His cheekbones are sharp and a dull red. He licks his lower lip, his eyes staring hard into mine. His breathing is still rough, his voice gravelly with want.

“Show me,” he demands with a harsh breath. I can see his arm bunching and relaxing as he works himself.

I bite my lower lip with a lazy smile.

“You wish you were with me, yappy?” I tease. A finger slides over my clit, making my breath catch and my eyes fall closed.

In the darkness, all I can hear is his panting breaths. The subtle sound of his wet hand stroking his cock. A rustle of the sheets. It makes the sensations build as if he’s right in front of me, watching everything. My motions get faster to match his.

“Look at me, Addie.”

The firm tone has my eyes fluttering open. A soft groan leaves my lips when I see he’s repositioned the camera.

I have a full frontal shot of him on his knees. Completely, unashamedly nude. His fist is working his cock in hard strokes that give me a glimpse of his length. He’s long and thick. His abs are tense as he moves, his teeth gritted, and his eyes intense enough that they feel like a touch over my face.

“Give me this,” he bites out, his other hand moving from the camera to clench in the sheets. “Show me what’s mine.”

A chill spills over me at the words. I am his. Hearing him say it solidifies something inside me.

I stretch my hand up as far as I can so he can get a good look at my heaving chest. I can see myself in a little square off to the side. The way my breasts tremble and how red my nipples have gotten is something I never get to see.

“Shit,” he groans, getting closer to the camera as he falls to brace himself on his elbow. “Those beautiful tits are mine. I’m going to spend all day sucking them until they’re sore. Can you take a little pain, siren? I want to give it to you.”

“Please,” I mutter, the camera shaking on my end as I lower the view to my hand buried between my thighs.

“You want me that bad? Your pants are still on,” he chokes out.

“Poe. I’m so wet for you,” I whisper as my fingers delve inside. My hips jerk when he moans.

“That’s it. Take care of my pussy until I can get home.”

My lashes flutter at the wicked grin he gets. His eyes are hazy, and that smile is so possessive that it has me gasping. There’s no doubt that he knows I’m his. Not in this moment.

His mask of manners has fallen away to give me a glimpse of the man beneath. One who relishes every inch I allow him while taking a mile as if I wouldn’t notice.

He watches everything with an intensity that’s devouring. I’ve never felt so dirty and beautiful at the same time.

My skin is warm and covered in goosebumps at the same time. I’m panting as my fingers move inside me. I can’t help moaning his name. The sound makes his smile get bigger. His eyes move to mine.

“What’s the matter, siren? Are you missing me?”

“Yes,” I nod weakly.

“Don’t worry. I’m coming home soon.” He licks his lower lip.

His hand moves away from his cock, letting me see it fully for the first time, to reach for something.

“I want to taste you,” I whisper, staring at the glistening stalk of flesh. He’s so hard that the veins are throbbing.

“Do you?” His hand comes back into the shot with something he dangles for me to see. A pair of panties. They look small in his hand, the green satin wrinkled and very familiar.

“Did you,” I gape, my fingers stilling in surprise. “Are those mine ?”

“You shouldn’t have fallen asleep.” His wicked smile increases as his eyes narrow. “You gave me an inch, and I am taking it all .”

“Poe,” my voice is weak. I’m trying to protest, but my heart isn’t in it. He’s so sly, thinking he got one over on me. “I would have given you the pair I was wearing. Wet just for you.”

His eyes widen as his nostrils flare. He looks stunned to hear it. My fingers start moving again, and I sigh.

“You have them in your pocket? So you can touch them whenever missing me gets too bad?” I whisper.

“No,” he says calmly, his expression darkening as he moves onto his knees. “For this.”

He wraps the satin around his cock and begins stroking again.

“This is as close to your pussy as I’ll let myself get for now. I can’t mess this up,” he grunts, his hips moving restlessly. “Do you know how hard it’s been to wait? Feeling sick at the thought you’d say no forever? Craving you every single second of the day. And the nights. Fuck, it’s like I’m in pieces without you next to me. I’ve pictured you in my bed so many damn times it’s branded in my head.”

My face flames as I watch. An orgasm is slowly building back up. My clit throbs for attention, but I won’t give in. I want to see him cum first. I slow down, teasing myself as he begins to lose control.

“Are you going to cum in my panties, Poe?” I ask him with a faint gasp.

“Shit,” he groans. “Yes. With you watching me this time. I can feel how hard this one will be. Just from seeing you like this.”

I chew my lower lip as satin slides over his length. “You look good in green.”

His eyes glitter as his teeth clench. “I’ll look better in pink.”

The way he’s focused on my moving fingers says it all.

“Come home, and you can wear pink all night,” I taunt him as his fist moves faster.

“You better start fucking those fingers, siren. I’m going to cum,” he grits out. “Drive them in deep and hard. And know it will never be as filling as my dick inside you. Just like these panties will never feel as good as you wrapped around me.”

His hips are writhing, his control shot. Watching him transform into this possessive beast has me soaked. My fingers start moving as if he had control of them. I can’t keep teasing myself with him watching me.

“Poe,” I gasp at the first hard thrust, my hips rising off the bed. I keep going as my thighs shake at the sudden shift of rising pleasure. The low simmer I was maintaining is quickly building up with each harsh plunge inside. I whimper as my clit throbs.

“That’s better,” his grim triumph is distant as my fingers work my flesh into a frenzy. I can’t stop the sounds I make. The whimpers and groans of his name. This orgasm is going to break me. I can already feel it. Nothing has ever felt this good before.

“Watch me make a mess, Addie,” he demands, forcing my fluttering eyelids to stay open.

The way he’s thrusting into his fist matches my speed. His abs are flexed and straining.

“ Faire du désordre ,” I gasp as the peak comes closer. I’m sweating and out of control as I beg. “Please, cher . Make a mess.”

A guttural groan rips from his chest as his hips jerk. I watch him cum, some spurting past his fist and the rest soaking into my panties. My fingers move in time with his erratic movements as if he’s inside me. The sight, the feeling, I can almost imagine he’s right here.

I make a choked sound as I cum, the sensation so hard I feel myself tighten over my fingers. Pleasure cascades through me until I’m breathless and muttering.

“Oh God. Poe,” I whimper, my eyes closed tight at the fierce rush of ecstasy.

“Addie,” he moans. The sound is almost in my ear. My thighs clench over my hand to try and keep still as the orgasm slowly starts to fade into a dull pleasure.

“Poe?” I open my eyes and blink.

He isn’t above me like I imagined. I’m alone in this room. I dropped the phone at some point.

“Yeah?”

I turn my head and see the phone on the pillow next to me. I take my hand away, sucking in a breath at how sensitive I am, and roll to my side to prop the phone up.

He looks just as wrecked as I feel. His arms frame the camera as he leans forward, his hair hanging down. He’s panting lightly as his eyes move over my face.

“There you are,” he breathes out a sigh of relief.

“Come home,” I blurt out the plea without thinking.

“You think I won’t?” He smirks.

“I want your arms around me when I wake up.” I sigh, exhaustion slowly sapping my strength. The phone tilts even though I’m trying to hold it steady.

“As soon as I’m home, siren,” he promises, his expression easing into tenderness mixed with happiness. “Plug your phone in before you fall asleep.”

I make a thoughtful sound and reach blindly for the cord. I’m too busy looking at him and wishing he were with me.

I watch the room spin around on his end before the phone gets set next to his pillow. He lies down facing it with a smile that’s sleepy and innocent. He looks nothing like the beast from seconds ago.

“I’m not hanging up,” he tells me firmly. “I’ll wake up with you.”

I don’t know what the time difference is between here and LA, but I don’t care. If this is what I can get, I’ll take it.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say I love you. I have to fight myself not to say it as I finally strip out of my pants, position the phone, and lie down. Instead, I give him a weak, “Good night, yappy.”

“Night, siren. See you in the morning.”

I fall asleep smiling, eager for a new day with this man.