Page 94 of The Guy Next Door

I laugh. “The vet said she’ll be fine unless it’s below freezing. And I won’t just kick her out. I need to know that her wings are getting better. I can’t imagine she wants to spend her life all cooped up in that cage.”

“You’re a good bird daddy. But ask your parents if they’ll check on her, and go to the animal rescue center tomorrow. Stay in bed with me today. I’ll keep you safe right here.”

He tightens his hold even more, and though I know this has more to do with his brother than me, I can’t deny how safe I feel in his arms.

After half an hour, he finally relaxes his hold, and while he checks on the news articles about Jason, I get out of bed and take our dishes downstairs.

Zane brushes his teeth and showers up first, and then I do the same. When I finish washing shampoo out of my hair, I hear, “Leif, Leif!” coming from the bedroom.

Tension rises within me.

Did he read something about Jason? No, he doesn’t sound upset. Almost…excited? What the fuck is that about?

He draws the shower curtain. His eyes are wide, and he looks me over as though it’s the first time he’s seen me naked.

“Fuck, I’m feeling guilty for not violating you this morning.”

He’s changed. This isn’t the guy who was so full of melancholy all morning. He’s more like his usual self, but I can’t make out why.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“I got a message from Dman281.”

I remember the name from when he was explaining how he’d wound up in my parents’ place, but it hasn’t come up since.

“The guy who was on that subreddit. He reached out this morning.” He turns to his phone and reads: “‘Hey, man. Sorry I didn’t see these. Just caught the news about Kilbourne, which made me check this account. If you want to talk some more, maybe we could meet up.’”

“What are you gonna tell him?”

“Hell yes I want to meet up with him.” He must read the concern in my expression because he says, “I’m not assuming this is magically going to solve all my problems, Leif. But I must do fuckingsomething. I can’t lie around this place and sulk. And who knows? He could know something the police don’t yet. They never followed up with him since Roth thought I made up the damn account myself. I’m gonna see if he’s free today.”

“I get that. I’m more concerned about you meeting a stranger from some online forum. But as long as I’m invited to tag along, I’m fine with that.”

He smirks. “My boyfriend coming along to keep me safe?”

“You’ve worked so hard to protect me; it’s time I return the favor.”

Despite being playful about it, I’m dead serious. I’m not letting my boyfriend meet some online rando who might be more of a psycho than Jason Kilbourne’s killer.

Zane’s smirk expands into a grin, and he leans over the side of the tub. “I think that sweet comment deserves a kiss.”

I lean toward him, and he takes my lips. He jerks away briefly, setting his phone on top of the toilet before seizing my lips once again.

I feel him pushing forward as he takes steps toward me. “Zane, what the hell?” I ask as he steps into the shower with me, water racing down his body, soaking his sweatpants. But he doesn’t stop kissing.

I welcome the fresh taste of Listerine on his tongue as his hands probe my body, gravitating to my ass.

It’s clear this news has cheered him up. And I’m happy to see him so frisky, but I’m worried too. This Dman guy might not have any answers for Zane, and it’s entirely possible that after we chat with him, Zane will be just as sad as he was this morning.

But I accept it’s not something I can control; the best I can do is take advantage of this moment with him.

He urges me to spin around and pushes me up against the wall. In no time, his cock is sliding between my ass cheeks. As he nibbles and bites at my shoulder blades, I enjoy the way he humps my ass with his fat cock.

“I want to fuck you right now,” he says. “Can I fuck you, Leif?”

“At this point, I’ll be pissed if you get out of this shower without fucking me.”

He snickers as he grabs a bottle of lube off the caddy, which we’ve used for a few fucks since we started messing around at his place.

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