Page 42 of Rough

“Garret…” I trailed off and clutched his hand, roping him back in so that he couldn’t leave.

“What?” He made eye contact with me and gave me an expectant stare.

“I just want what’s best for you,” I admitted.

Garret scoffed. “Yeah, right. That’s what they all say.”

“Well, I’m saying it and I mean it,” I said. I wasn’t like the others, and it was my responsibility to prove that to him.

I could tell that Garret only partially believed me, a shimmer of doubt in his eye, but he appeased me anyway.

His features softened and he squeezed my hand. “Later tonight, when the club closes and everything is quiet, we can go upstairs and talk privately. I need things to wind down here first.”

I smiled. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

As long as he was willing to hear me out, I wouldn’t feel as uneasy about the situation.

__________________________

Later that night, just as promised, we were sitting above the club in Garret’s living room. We were sharing another bottle of red wine, and Garret seemed to be as relaxed as he was going to get. He was still behaving a little stiffly, but at least he was willing to listen to what I had to say.

I slid over on the couch and cradled his hands in mine, making sure to make penetrating eye contact with him that would resonate in his mind. We shared a deep connection, but we weren’t on the same wavelength as far as the Nelson buyout was concerned.

“This Nelson guy is dangerous,” I said. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself,” he said, then he grinned. “Do you want to see how big I am? I can prove it.”

I gave him a look of slightly humored chagrin. “Don’t try and change the subject now.”

Garret groaned and gazed up at the ceiling for several moments without responding or saying anything.

“Garret?” I gently pressed.

He continued staring at the ceiling. He didn’t look at me. “What?”

“Don’t shut down on me,” I said.

“I’m not.” He still refused to even so much as glance in my general direction.

“I’m not trying to cause problems between us,” I mentioned tenderly.

Garret turned and locked eyes with me. “Then maybe you should let me fight my own battles.”

I decided to back off. Garret’s tone was brash. I wanted to stay with him, and I didn’t want him to be upset with me. I knew where the invisible line in the sand was, and I wasn’t willing to cross it, especially this new into a relationship with him.

“I need stress relief,” Garret said and began to kiss my neck and shoulders.

“Okay.” I managed to give him a conforming smile.

Garret began undressing me slowly. When we were both fully naked, he stood up. I was laying there on the couch, peering up at him expectantly. He was hard. His erect cock pointed at the ceiling.

“I’ll be right back,” he said.

“What?” I propped myself up on my elbows. “Where… are you going?”

“I just have to get a few things,” he explained.

“Get a few things?” I swallowed hard.

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