There was a long silence.
He felt Rutledge’s gaze on the back of his head.
“I’m no good at comforting people,” Rutledge said, irritably.
Shawn turned to him and forced a small smile. “It’s okay. I’m surprised you haven’t kicked me out yet.”
Rutledge’s lips thinned. He had a very sour expression on his face. “Come here.”
Shawn had never moved so fast in his life.
He climbed into Rutledge’s lap, put his head on his shoulder, and closed his eyes. Rutledge’s strong arms tightened around him, and Shawn sighed in pleasure.It felt so good. Just what he needed. It scared him—that he needed this—but he did. It almost felt better than sex.
“You’re going soft, Professor,” he murmured with a smile, breathing his scent in. It was familiar and oddly comforting.
“Shut up, Wyatt,” Rutledge said, sounding even more annoyed, if that was possible.
Shawn brushed his lips against his neck. “Fine. You’re very evil and nasty.” He nuzzled into Derek’s neck. “Five minutes. Then you can kick me out and we’ll pretend it never happened.”
Rutledge sighed. “Show me the assignment.”
Shawn’s mouth fell open. He lifted his head and stared at Rutledge. “Really?”
“I won’t do it for you,” Rutledge said, fixing him with a glare. “But I’ll explain what you don’t understand.”
Shawn grinned and kissed him.
Chapter 20
Usually Shawn was a light sleeper.
But when the door to his room creaked open that night, Shawn had trouble waking up, his mind groggy. He burrowed deeper into Rutledge’s warm shoulder, his hands tightening around Rutledge’s arm.
The voices seemed to be coming from far away.
“Your brother is asleep,” Rutledge said. “Go back to bed.”
“But I had a bad dream! I’m scared. Shawn always hugs me when I’m scared!” It was Emily.
Shawn tried to open his eyes. It didn’t work.
“Emily,” Rutledge said sternly. “You’re a smart little girl. You can’t sleep with Shawn because the bed is too small for the three of us.”
“I’ll sleep with Shawn. You can go sleep with Bee!”
Rutledge chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll fit in your bed, midget.”
Emily pondered it. “I can sleep on you. You’re big, and Shawn likes to sleep on you.”
Shawn certainly did, though he was disturbed that Emily knew that.
“You can’t sleep on me.”
“Why?”
“Because—because… Fine,” Rutledge bit out at last, to Shawn’s surprise.
Squealing in delight, Emily climbed onto the bed and onto Rutledge’s chest.
