Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
“Ev?”
I looked up at Dixon.
“You had a restraining order against Andrew Sims. He wasn’t allowed within a hundred feet of you or the shelter at any time. That’s a matter of public record.”
I shook my head. “I’m too tired to argue with you.”
“I bet,” he said with a grunt, leaning forward, both hands taking my one. “Hard to debate the truth.”
“Knock it off,” I murmured, closing my eyes but not pulling my hand free.
He was quiet, and I felt his fingers sliding between mine.
“Let go.”
“Make me.”
“Why don’t you go home?”
“Sure. Why don’t you come with me?”
My eyes drifted open. “What are you talking about?”
“Evan, you are in desperate need of me.”
I scoffed. “Oh? How do you figure that?”
“Look around.”
I didn’t say anything.
He put a hand on the side of my neck, and his thumb slid over my jaw, under my chin and down, stroking my skin. His hand on my neck was warm, and I was getting sleepy.
“You always were a sucker for me petting you.”
I grunted because my energy was gone. My eyes would not stay open.
“I have something to say, all right?”
“G’head,” I agreed, and my voice was deep and raspy.
“Okay,” he said huskily, his thumb sliding up and down my throat. “Now, I don’t want you to get up on your high horse and be offended. I just want you to listen.”
“I make no promises.”
“I just need you to hear me out.”
“Fine.” I sounded a bit petulant, but I was tired.
“I think we can both agree on the fact that any guy who isn’t me isn’t going to last with you.”
“Oh?” I smiled, opening my eyes to look up at him. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” he groused at me. “And stop being a wiseass.”
I groaned. “Fine. Why is that?”
“Because no one but me is strong enough to take your bullshit on a day-to-day basis.”
“My what?”
“You heard me.” He stood up then, walked several feet away from my bed before turning around to look at me. “You are so much work.”
And it clicked then how he had no idea who I was anymore. “I used to be work, I’ll give you that. The way we fought and made up and the stuff that got broken when we went at it… whole lotta drama back then,” I agreed. “But I’m not that guy anymore, Dix. I’ve learned stuff from everybody I’ve been with. When I was with you, I had no clue who I was. I’m different now, hand to God.”
“I’m sure you’re different in some ways, but not in the way that matters.”
“Like?”
“Like you need someone to remind you to eat and take your vitamins and go to bed. You used to forget to sleep for days at a time until I came home and held you down and fucked you so hard and so long that your body gave up and you passed out.”
Jesus.
I remembered when he used to walk in the door after working back-to-back shifts at the restaurant for a few days and I was still awake. If he wasn’t home to lie down with, I forgot to go to bed, and then I was so wired I could barely even breathe. I would listen for him, for his return, with my whole body. I was tense, overwrought, and vengeful, picking a fight with him the minute he stepped through the door. He would shake his head like I was ridiculous before he’d throw me down, manhandle me like I wanted—needed—and bend me over the bed and take me hard. I would crack and crumble and collapse under him. His arms tight around me, holding me close… I had never slept better, so safe, so loved.
Crap.
“You put everyone else before yourself, you always have. And it’s a great quality and scary as hell at the same time.”
I smiled and let out a sigh. “I’m a big boy now, Dix. Nobody has to take care of me anymore.”
“Oh yeah? Who’s at home to take care of you now?”
“Are you listening to me?” I asked irritably. “There’s no one. That’s the point. I’m good with it being just me.”
He was silent a moment. “Are your folks coming in from Dallas?”
“They were here five days ago. They’re actually on a cruise for the holidays now.”
He nodded. “That was nice of you to make sure they got their vacation.”
“They didn’t need to change their plans on my account, I’m good.”
“And your brother, Craig, and his wife?”
“Craig was here at the same time as my parents, but Marissa is in her last trimester at the moment, so they’re not traveling this year. They wanted me to come to Atlanta, especially since my folks are on said cruise, but… I have a lot to do at the shelter.”
“You mean you had a lot to do at the shelter. Who’s taking over for you?”