Page 68 of The Star in Room 7

“Is that enough?”

“I think so. Do you?”

“I want to, but… There are so many obstacles, Daddy. And they’re all coming from me. I’m not sure I can change enough to be the right person for you.”

“I don’t want you to change for me. The only person you should change for is yourself. You need to do what makes you happy. I promise, I’m not asking you to come out now, or in the future. I’m not asking you to change, and I never will. I am falling for you now, exactly as you are. That’s all I want. It’s all I need.” I kiss his hand again. “I’m sorry if I’ve come on too strong.”

He shakes his head.

“If you want, we can eat, and I can take you back to Halo House.”

He shakes his head more fiercely. “That’s not what I want.”

“Then what do you want, baby?”

He grasps my shirt in his free hand, clinging on tightly. “You. But I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes, you do.” I put my hand on his nape and pull him close enough to kiss his forehead. “I hope, one day, you can believe that. I’m yours, sweet boy. If you want me.”

“I do.” He wraps his arms around my neck and kisses my hair. “So, so much.” He lets me go, bows his head, and kisses me.

I push up so I can command the kiss. We hold each other, our embrace quickly becoming desperate.

“I need you,” he whispers.

“What about dinner?”

“The only thing I’m hungry for is you.”

“Tell me how.”

“Tie me up, Daddy. Blindfold me. Make love to me. Make me yours. Help me surrender completely and utterly.”

We stumble into my walk-in closet, where Zach chooses the blindfold and restraints he wants to use. He picks wrist and ankle restraints, making me pause.

“Are you sure?” It’s not a step we’ve taken together yet. He’s always had his legs free.

“Yes.” He kisses my jaw. “I want to surrender completely.”

“And utterly,” I whisper, pulling him against me for a searing kiss.

“Uh-huh.”

“Use your safe words.”

“I won’t need them.”

My heart melts at the certainty in his voice. He has them. That’s what matters. He can use them if he needs them, but I also hope he won’t need to.

I take him to my bed, where I undress him slowly. I take my time peeling every item of clothing off, kissing every inch of skin as I expose it. It takes the tiniest of pushes to pitch him onto the bed, where he lies, exactly where he fell, staring at me with wide, love-filled eyes.

“Do you need me to narrate?” I ask.

“No, Daddy. I know what’s going to happen. Daddy…”

“Yes, sweet boy?”

“I want it to last. Make it last.”