Page 96 of More than Need

“Do you ever think maybe I keep things from you for a reason?” Seb asked dryly. “You’re a brat.”

“A loveable brat.”

“Another incorrect answer. You are astraightbrat who needs to stop yanking people’s chains. Three strikes and you’re out,kid. Also, do you really want Gabe to get here and see you like that?”

Eli immediately let go and took a step away from Dawson. “Why are you like this?”

“It’s fun,” Seb said, deadpan.

“You know, I think I hear someone calling me,” Dawson said. Could everyone hear the panic in his voice? “Um. Inside.”

“Inside?” Riley asked, raising a perfect eyebrow. That simple look lit Dawson on fire, and he knew he had to get away from here before he did something stupid. Even more stupid than starting something with the man in the first place. Were they out? Would Riley say they were together right here, in front of everyone? Did Dawson want that?

Yes.Another reason to get out of there. They hadn’t had this conversation yet. Also, he needed to find Sadie and get her away from here. Lure her to her car with the promise of ice cream.

“I have really good hearing,” he managed to get out. He almost tripped in his haste to get away from them.

He vaguely heard, “I think you scared him, Riley,” and his ears burned in embarrassment.

Even the air conditioning in the narrow passageway leading into the main area of the hall didn’t alleviate any of the heat in his cheeks. He’d acted like an idiot, no subtlety or finesse whatsoever. If he’d been trying to keepanythingon the down-low, he’d failed.

“Dawson.”

Dawson winced. He should have known that Riley would follow him in here. He stopped, going no further than his own pride would allow him to run. That didn’t mean he’d turn around and face it, because his pride really didn’t go that far.

Heat flared at his back as Riley crowded him against the wall. Riley brushed his hair away from his nape, and then lipswhispered across his skin. A forearm appeared in his periphery as Riley leaned it beside Dawson’s head.

“How long?”

“How long what?” It sounded belligerent, but he honestly had no idea what Riley meant.

“How long have you worked for them?”

“Jay and Eli? I don’t know. Something like six years.” He couldn’t think enough to formulate more than that. He could have said twenty years, and he’d believe himself.

“And Eli?”

“I just told you how long I’ve worked for them.”

“You and him?”

“Oh.Oh. God, no. He really was just kidding. He doesn’t like men, firstly, which kind of rules him out of the selection pool in the first place. He’s also way too young for me and…” Dawson lost his train of thought as Riley turned him around. He gripped Dawson’s chin between his thumb and forefinger, and the look in his eyes made Dawson’s stomach flip; the intensity of that gaze was impossible to ignore. Dawson had no idea how he’d ever thought those eyes were cold. If anything, they held too much emotion in them to ever be able to figure out what Riley thought at any given moment.

“Are you jealous?” he asked, the idea of it laughable, and yet he couldn’t think of another explanation. He arched his throat, reaching for Riley’s tantalising lips. Riley splayed a hand over his collarbone and kept him in place.

“Do I have a reason to be?”

That wasn’t a no. Dawson’s knees weakened under the implication that if Dawson saidyes,then Riley would be? It shouldn’t make Dawson flush with need, and yet it did.

“No,” Dawson breathed truthfully, not even able to lie to get Riley more worked up. He was so consumed by Riley and Gideonthat there wasn’t room for anything else. They took up all of the space he had, every nook and cranny and all the tiny gaps.

Riley kissed him then, and Dawson moaned loudly, twining his hands around Riley’s head, digging his fingers deep into soft hair. Riley’s body pressed against his, andfucking yes. Dawson had bulk on Riley, and it never seemed to matter; he always made Dawson feel cherished and delicate.

“I am,” Riley said, kissing along Dawson’s jaw and dragging his teeth along it. “I don’t want anyone else to touch you. Gideon and I are the only ones who have permission.”

“Y-yeah, yes.” They were all he wanted. He dragged Riley’s head back up for another kiss, tangling his fingers in his hair and arching up into him. A hand skimmed down his back and over the curve of his ass.

“Say it.”

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