Will this change once I have mine?
Oh, wait. His job! Nate must be at Chastain Castle, doing some kind of overtime. Maybe it’ll piss him off if I show up. Maybe it’ll be worth running into Julian just to see Nate squirm.
Well, if I can convince him not to tellSusieabout my visit. If he refuses, I’m kind of fucked. But the idea of seeing Nate, of this darkness receding and being able to fully beme, is enough to persuade me.
I’ve never been the one to make the smartest decisions.
And luckily for me, as I arrive, the gates to the estate are wide open. The closer I get in my rental car, the more I seeothercars lining the circular drive. They must be throwing some sort of party, not that I was invited. Assholes.
Over the front doors is a big sign that readsHappy Birthday, Atlas!and I stare at it for a moment, wondering where in thismassive house Julian must be. Probably with Atlas himself, wishing his boyfriend a happy birthday.
They are dating now, right? They must be. Nate made it sound like they were soulmates.
The wayIthought Julian and I were soulmates.
I’m expecting this experience to hurt, but as I climb out of my car and stare up at the banner, I feel nothing.
Well, other than the burning desire to find Nate and make him cry the wayIcried as he fucked me while my dick was trapped in that little cage he loves so much.
He’s only put it on me one other time, when I was especially bratty, but I can see his attraction to it. He likes owning me in that way, even if it is only temporary.
I walk into the castle, standing in front of the large oak staircase as music drifts down from above. Where would Nate be on an occasion like this? He’s much older than Julian and I, so he most likely isn’t partying with the young kids. So, the kitchen? Heisthe cook after all.
And me? I know exactly where that is.
I hang a left and head down the hall, hearing slight movement from beyond the door I once walked into months ago, right before Nate caught me using my gift. Before he showed mehis, the one I’m finding myself craving daily.
Those little stars—they make me feel warm. They make me feel safe.
I push open the door, immediately spotting him as he rifles through the fridge. I can make out his profile, the way his dark hair falls messily, and his back muscles ripple in his black button-up.
Nate is beautiful. Tall, strong, and handsome. He is exactly what you imagine when you picture an alpha male and has the annoying personality to match.
But those hands… they can be gentle too. They’re trained in dealing pain and pleasure in equal measures, a perfect conundrum.
“Not young enough to party with the cool kids, old man?” I ask, leaning against the closed door.
And yeah, I keep bringing up his age. But only because it makes mehorny. I like knowing that he’s wiser and more experienced than I am.
He was right. I love that he knows how to touch me.
Nate’s head snaps up, his honey-brown eyes meeting mine with shock coating his features.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Landon?” he snaps, straightening up as he faces me.
“You ignored me,” I reply easily, my eyes narrowing on his. “I tried calling, and you ignored me.”
“I’m working,” he counters, and his tone is bland. He talks as if I’m an impudent child whining at his heels. And maybe I am.
“You always come twice a month. You didn’t even tell me you’d miss this weekend.” I sound far too desperate, too hurt for my liking.
“Julian told me at the last minute that he was throwing this party. I had no time to warn you.”
“You couldn’t send a fucking text? It takes two seconds.” I cross my arms, slumping against the door as he begins to stalk toward me.
“Why are you acting like this?” he questions. “Do I owe you an explanation?”
Technically, no. He doesn’t owe me anything. All we do is hate fuck, with a tad bit of confusing coddling after the comedown. But as his hand lifts, his fingers brushing my cheek in a way thatdoesn’tscream hate, I can’t help but think otherwise.
