“Yeah, Buddy?”
“He makes you happy, right?”
Swallowing hard, I dip my head in assent. “Yeah, he does.”
“Cool.”
Cool, indeed.
TANNER: Can I come over tomorrow?
DEACON: Always
TANNER: Were you not going to tell me you met my ex-wife and kid?
Exhausted,I fall back onto the couch and rub my hands over my face as my phone buzzes on the cushion beside me. Briggs took longer than usual to settle in tonight, pulling out every bedtime-delay tactic ever used. He finally relented after I read one more chapter in his book and refilled his water bottle, but the back-and-forth wore me out.
DEACON: I was waiting until I saw you
TANNER: Briggs asked if you’re my boyfriend
DEACON: What did you say?
TANNER: I said it’s new and we’re getting to know each other
DEACON: Dating
My heart skipsa beat in my chest as I stare at the screen, the words so confidently sent, and yet, I can’t shake these feelings of unease.
TANNER: But still taking things slow
DEACON: Still dating
DEACON: Exclusively
I blush,my mind conjuring the sound of a possessive growl falling from his lips and the way that sound just reverberates through my body. And God,those lips had felt like heaven on mine.
I want them everywhere.
I wanthimeverywhere.
Is it too soon for that? It feels too soon, but haven’t I waited enough? Maybe it’s because I’ve been a ball of stress today, but I can’t let it go.
TANNER: I’m barely able to handle you
DEACON: You’re doing better than you think
TANNER: How can you say that?
DEACON: Because you’re hot as hell and watching you figure it out is sexy as fuck
DEACON: I’m hard right now just thinking about kissing you in my kitchen
I palmmy groin through my jeans and exhale heavily through my nose.I cannot do this here.Silently cursing, I turn off the lights and make my way up to my room.
TANNER: I am too
DEACON: Best thing I’ve heard all night
