Page 81 of The Star in Room 7

I quickly add my number to their address book and then use their phone to send myself a text message. “And I have your number.” I give them their phone back. “Will you be okay?”

“Hm-mm.”

I rake my lower lip between my teeth. “Do you give hugs?”

“Oh. No.” They take a step back. “Lollipop?” They grab another one from the pot and hold it out.

I take it, smiling. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” They sway from side to side. “Isn’t your Daddy waiting for you?”

“Yes. I just… Take care, okay?”

“I will. Don’t worry about me.”

I am worried, but there’s nothing else I can do except trust that Phoenix and Halo House will give Puck whatever support they need.

“Take care,” I repeat, stepping backward, away from their door.

Puck looks away, presses their lips together, and then rushes forward and gives me the fastest hug ever. I certainly don’t have time to even consider returning it before they pull away and backpedal almost all the way to their bedroom window. They hug their teddy bear extra tight.

“Bye, Zach. Thanks for being my friend.”

I nod. “Call me?”

“You bet.”

I gesture to Puck’s door, only closing it when they nod. I take a breath, wondering if I should or could have done more. Probably not. I put the lollipop into my pocket and walk down the stairs to where Zach is waiting by the car.

“All done?” he asks, wrapping his arm around me.

“Yes.” I kiss him softly. “Let’s go home, Daddy.”

22

NATE

I wake Zach with a kiss. “Merry Christmas, sweet boy.”

He opens his eyes slowly, hooks his hand around my neck and pulls me to him for a much longer kiss. “I miss waking up in our own bed.”

I chuckle. “Then you’d better make up for it while you’re home.”

He’s spent the last few months filming on location. I’ve flown out to visit him when I can, but I also need to spend some time here, in LA, overseeing the business. Right now, he’s home for Christmas, before jetting off again.

A lot has happened since he moved in with me. We enjoyed our first Christmas together. After webcamming with his family, I took him to the beach to see the Surfing Santas, and then we went to my parents for dinner. In January, he started filming his soon-to-be hit movie. A couple of months after that, his stalker’s case went to trial. She got jail time—ten years, for the combined crimes of stalking and breaking and entering. Zach’s relief was palpable, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He’s been a lot more relaxed since, not needing me to hold him to feel at ease. Not that he’s stopped asking me to hug him.

I’ve been helping him explore kinks, so he knows what he does and doesn’t like, but he asks for sensory play more often than not, and adores being bound and blindfolded when we make love.

While he was filming in the UK, we made time to see his family. They were warm, welcoming, and intensely curious about me and my business. And, of course, we’ve spent a lot of time with my family. Mom has been on her best behavior when it comes to asking about the possibility of grandkids. I think she’s realized it’s not on the cards for us right now, and might never be. I’m okay with that. Zach is all I need.

“I intend to make the most of being home,” Zach says. “I’m not going to leave this bed at all.”

“Umm… Slight problem…”

He smacks his hand over his face. “Right. Christmas Day. With everyone.”

“Regretting it?”