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Jesse hesitated. “Are you mad?”
“Should I be?”
“I dunno.” Jesse shrugged. “It wasn’t a date or anything. But I think he still likes me.”
“Of course he does.” Emory smiled. “He’s only human.”
Jesse made an impatient noise. “You’re gonna have to help me out here, Emory. What are we doing? Just fucking? ’Cause if so…” He trailed off, unable to shape his own thoughts let alone find words for them.
“That’s not all it is to me, Jesse,” Emory replied. “But you need to remember being with me is not like what being with a human would be.”
“I know that, don’t I? That’s why it’s so fucking good.” He clamped his mouth shut.
Emory’s expression didn’t change but his eyes glinted. “I know you’re conflicted.”
“I’m not.”
“Jesse,” Emory interrupted softly, holding his gaze. “I’m not mad. But let’s not hurt Tom. He’s been through enough.”
Jesse scuffed his foot on the rug. “So this…between us?” He swallowed. “Not just sex, huh?”
“Not to me,” Emory said quietly after a pause. He stood and drifted close. His eyes locked on Jesse and stayed there. “You make me feel things I haven’t for a long time. I like feeling connected to someone. I think I can have that with you. I think our needs are similar.” His face softened when he took in Jesse’s expression. “But I’m happy for this to be whatever you need it to be.”
“I need sex,” Jesse stated. “Good sex. Sex that makes me feel things. I need that in my life, Emory, and I think you can give me that. But…” He held the penetrating gaze, taking a breath, letting it out slowly. “But I still work for you. That’s not awkward?”
“Is it awkward for you?”
Jesse hesitated then shook his head. “I want to keep you safe…and Dimity, too.”
Emory kissed his mouth. Jesse sighed, slid his arms around him and held on tight, taking the kiss deep into himself and feeling himself strengthen.
Emory broke away, pressed a kiss to Jesse’s forehead and stepped to the door. “Later,liebling. I have some business to attend to”—he opened the door—“but perhaps you could join Dimity and me for the puzzle?”
Jesse searched his face then dropped his gaze. “You should have her to yourself for a bit. I need to check the CCTV to make sure the coppers aren’t trying anything dodgy.”
“I appreciate that,” Emory said. “I’ll message you when it’s her bedtime. Perhaps you could help me put her to bed?”
Jesse smiled. “Sure. I could do that.”
“Lovely.” His lips curved. “Happy Christmas, Jesse.”
Jesse relieved the cover security engineer and sank himself into a full system review to avoid overthinking the rollercoaster that had been that day. All the systems were secure and all cameras online. There were still two police cars at the front gate and one at the delivery entrance. He tried to ignore the discomfort oiling over his skin and made himself focus on the work.
Some time later, a message pinged into his phone.
Putting Dimity to bed.
The nanny, Joanna, was standing outside Dimity’s bedroom, gazing through the door fondly. She smiled at Jesse as he approached and withdrew to the room next door.
Emory was in the small chair by the bed. His large body dwarfed both pieces of furniture. He was reading a story in a low, rhythmic voice. Dimity was curled in the quilts with her eyes half-closed. The sight sent something soft and delicate coiling through Jesse’s chest. Emory beckoned, not missing a beat in the story. Jesse stepped inside. Dimity rolled her head to look at him, smiling just as Emory finished and closed the book.
“Night-night, darling,” he whispered, kissing Dimity’s forehead.
“Night, Daddy,” she mumbled, then reached for Jesse. Emory nodded encouragingly. Jesse moved to the bed a little stiffly then bent and let her put her arms around his neck. He hugged her back. She smelled like chocolate milk and strawberry shampoo.
“Night-night, love.”
“G’night, Uncle Jesse.”
