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I shook my head even as I clung to him, trying to push the panic away. “You left,” I mumbled against his chest, my voice thick and hoarse. “Why did you leave?”
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. I went to get a cloth to clean you up. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize.” Scott held me tighter, and I let his words wash over me. He didn’t leave me. He was right there.
“I’m sorry. I thought—I thought you didn’t like it.”
“Oh, sweetie, that was the most beautiful experience of my life. I loved it, and I shouldn’t have left you so quickly. I’m sorry, baby.”
“It’s okay,” I mumbled against his chest, not willing to let go just yet. I knew he'd told me where he was going, and I just hadn't heard him. It wasn't his fault at all.
“Come on, let me clean you up,” Scott said as he laid me down on the bed before grabbing the cloth he’d dropped. I watched as he gently pulled my pants down to my thighs and wiped me clean with the warm washcloth with firm, gentle hands before covering me up again. He threw the cloth somewhere beside the bed before climbing in beside me and pulling me against his chest. He nudged my chin until I was looking up at him and pressed a soft kiss against my lips.
“Thanks for sharing that with me. I’ll always treasure this moment.”
“I—I don’t know if I can do anything mo—”
“Luke.” Scott’s soft but firm voice stopped me in my tracks. “No expectations, okay? I don’t mind if this is all we do for the rest of our lives or if this was the only time we ever did anything sexual. I’d still be just as happy as I would be if we were having sex. I’ve told you before—sex is not an important part of the relationship for me. It feels good, yes, but I don’t need it to love you, okay?”
I nodded, believing his words and letting them tell all my demons to go to hell.
For the rest of our lives…the words rang in my ears, and I smiled as I pressed a kiss on Scott’s chest, right above his heart. I could definitely live with that.
26
Luke
“Youokay?”Scottaskedme as he raised his hand to ring the doorbell. I nodded at him, taking deep breaths to keep my anxiety at bay. It was Thanksgiving, and there we were at Mike Sato’s house, about to have dinner with his family. I’d been hesitant about meeting Scott’s friends, but they were a huge part of his life, and I wanted to meet them, especially their six-year-old daughter, Zoey. I wanted them to like me, which was just another thing making me anxious. What if they didn’t?
“Scott! Luke! Come on in,” a woman greeted us as she opened the door. She was a few inches shorter than me, but then again, she was wearing killer heels, so she was probably much shorter. Her strawberry-blond hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at us. Her smile instantly put me at ease, and I smiled back at her. “You must be Rochelle. It’s nice to meet you.” Before I could extend a hand for her to shake, she pulled me into a hug. The scent of her perfume wafted into my nose, and I forced myself to not freeze up as I returned the hug.
“What, no hug for your favorite brother?” Scott pouted, and Rochelle pulled away with a chuckle to give him a hug. I smiled at him gratefully, and he gave me a wink as he hugged her.
“Uncle Scott!” a sweet voice called out before a little girl with black pigtails and rosy cheeks ran into the room and straight into Scott’s arms.
Like an expert, Scott pulled the girl—who I guessed was Zoey—into his arms, cradling her on his hip. “Hey, princess. Did you help your mom and dad with dinner?”
She nodded seriously before her eyes fell on me. She gave me a curious look, her blue eyes narrowing as she asked, “Who are you?”
I smiled at her and checked with Scott, who nodded at me with a grin, before answering her question. “My name is Luke. I’m Scott’s boyfriend. And you must be Princess Zoey, am I right?” I offered her a bow, and she giggled, which made me grin as I looked up at her.
She smiled at me as she gave me a once-over. “I like your hair. It’s the same color as mine.”
“It is, isn’t it? But I think yours is prettier.” I’d tied off my hair into a braid on my left side, but Zoey’s pigtails looked absolutely adorable on her.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Scotty!” a voice called before Mike stepped into the living room. He pulled Scott into a one-armed hug before moving back and looking at me. “And you must be Luke. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Thankfully, he extended his hand, and I shook it with a smile.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too. Thanks for having us over.”
“It’s our pleasure. Come on in.”
“Can I color before dinner, Mommy?” Zoey looked at Rochelle with her big blues, and it didn’t surprise me when she got a nod in return. She grinned before looking at me. “Will you color with me, Uncle Luke?”
I smiled widely at how easily she’d called meUncleas I answered, “I’d love to, Zoey.”
“How about this? Me, Luke, and Zoey will go color, and Scott and Mike, you can go into the kitchen and set the table?”
Scott rolled his eyes but set Zoey on the ground. He gave me a questioning look, and I nodded in reply. I felt pretty comfortable with these two girls, and I didn’t think that would change. Scott gave Rochelle a mock salute before walking away deeper into the house with Mike, already talking about something else.
Zoey grabbed my hand, and I looked around as she led me to the coffee table where her coloring books were spread out. The room was spacious and had a modern look to it. It was clear it was a family room with the walls all adorned with family pictures, many of which contained Scott, too. There were pictures of Zoey from the time she was a baby to now. There were even a few pictures of what I guessed were Scott and Mike’s university days. I made a note to take a closer look at those pictures later if I got a chance.
