Page 29 of Father Figure

He grinned like a total brat, looking for trouble.

“I hope you aren’t packing that Speedo for our next trip.” Nicky laughed. “Don’t forget to pack clothes, too, or were you planning on going sans clothes again?”

“Fine, I’ll pack clothes,” he said, huffing playfully.

“Maybe throw in a shirt that actually fits,” I suggested, raising my brow.

“Don’t push it,” Nicky giggled.

“Have you thought about what you want for your birthday?” In the ten years I’d known him, I’d never failed to spoil him rotten on his birthday.

The grin fell from his lips and Nicky became serious, clearing his throat. He dropped his voice low. “Cass, you know what I want.”

I did?

“Maybe say it out loud, since my mind is drawing blanks.”

“I want you, Cass.” If Bozo the Clown had strolled down the dock on a purple spotted dinosaur singing jazz tunes, I wouldn’t be more shocked. When I remained silent—and slack-jawed—Nicky supplied hand motions, making a ring with his thumb and forefinger and with his other hand, sliding his forefinger through the ring.

I swatted his hands. “Cut that shit out,” I hissed, checking to see if anyone was watching. “I asked for an explanation, not a demonstration.”

Nicky shrugged, his grin returning.

“What are you saying?”

“I said?—”

“I fucking heard you,” I bit out, cutting him off before he could repeat himself. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Not at all. I’m turning twenty, and I’ve never, you know,” he said in a stage whisper, glancing around, “and I’m positive I want it to be you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Why not? You’re perfect.”

Fuck, he was looking at me all doe-eyed again!

“Nicky,”

“Please don’t, Cass. Don’t make me out to be some silly boy who can’t make up his own mind. I know what I want, and I know what I feel.”

My heart hammered in my chest. I wiped my damp hands on my shorts.

“Go ahead, Cass, tell me it's one-sided. I dare you,” Nicky challenged.

When had my sweet boy become so damn bold? “Have you thought this through?”

“I've thought of little else. I'm sure, Cass.”

Well, I wasn't! I could still call the whole messy debacle off and save myself. But would I? God, he was so sweet and gentle, so smart, funny, loyal, beautiful, tempting…I was fucked so badly.

“Would you tell your dad?”

He sputtered. “Are you kidding me? Hell no!” Nicky toyed with his straw. “Not that I would tell him, no matter who I was with.”

Good point. “If we did this.” Christ, I can't believe I'm seriously considering it. ‘If,’ I stressed, “It would only be a one-time thing. No repeats, Nicky.”

“You can't go twice in one night?”

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