I wasn’t alone in whatever I was feeling.

His body rocked into mine, his cock throbbing as he pounded into me.

That he stilled, went hard as stone as he pulsed inside of me, filling me with his seed.

His eyes locked on mine as he held me through my own climax, then pulled me close, whispered in my ear as I had done his.

“I love you,” he whispered.

I heard his words.

Thrilled in them.

But couldn’t shake the feeling that they were a good-bye.

Hope

“Have a good day at work,”Nico said.

“You too, Nico,” I whispered.

He’d been…different.

Sure, it had been less than twelve hours since he had confessed his feelings.

But I couldn’t shake the sense that he was pulling away.

I hated it.

But what could I do?

I’d told him how I felt.

He’d told me how he felt.

Now I just had to see how things would play out.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” Staci, the director of the rescue said when I arrived.

I smiled at her, eager to think about anything but Nico and I.

“Busy day?” I asked when I noticed she’d pulled extra cages from the storage closet.

“It’s wild! The phone has been ringing off the hook, and I have a ton of appointments scheduled,” she said.

“Then I guess we’ll get started,” I said.

I was grateful for the distraction. We had five voluntary surrenders and thirteen other drop-offs. A very busy day, indeed, but one that I appreciated, especially because I managed not to get bitten even once.

By the time my shift ended, I was exhausted.

I rode the bus back to my apartment, and found Sebastian waiting for me.

“You mind hanging out here for a little bit? Nico wants to pick you up,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I said, though it was a curious development.

Nico didn’t really deviate from his routine, so I was curious—and worried. But I tried to look on the bright side as I went back to my small studio.