Raising it over his shoulder, I settle back against the pillow.
My fingers skim through his hair.
And soon my eyelids grow heavy as I fade in and out of consciousness.
the twenty fourth chapter
MARCO
Iswitch my phone to silent.
Sam and I have only met five or six times in person.
But it’s getting serious.
My whirlwind schedule only allows me to carve out brief moments of relief. Maybe once a week, sometimes twice.
I never tell anyone from work where I’m going, obviously.
They wouldn’t understand.
Some things are best kept discreet.
Still, I’m nervous as I make my way up the stairs.
I’ve never gone this deep with someone before, not even Amos.
Sitting on the edge of the couch, I remove my shoes and blazer.
“You okay after last time?”
Sam’s eyes hold an intensity and level of care that makes me feel so seen.
“Twice in one week might have been too much. Not too raw?”
“It’s okay, I just… I really needed to see you,” I smile.
Laying back on the pillows, I loosen the collar of my shirt.
“You know how to handle my dark side. I feel like I can finally be myself.”
Sam steps closer, causing our shadows to merge.
“Things got pretty intense in here. I wasn’t sure if I pushed too hard?”
I shake my head.
“I asked you to. I needed it. And you always make sure I feel safe when we...”
“You can stop any time you need to, remember that.”
“I know. And I will, don’t worry.”
I try to lighten the mood.
“The grin on my face when I left on Tuesday? That makes it all worth it.”
“It does get easier, I promise,” she says.
