Page 56 of Quake

“Can we at least watch a movie for your birthday? Here or at your place? Just something quiet and relaxed.” Her eyes look almost pleading as she chews on her lip, keeping that tiny freckle just out of view.

My lungs expand, but I’m unable to blow out the breath just yet as I hold it in, waiting for the moment she changes her mind. When she just continues patiently waiting for my response, I release the breath in a low huff, squeezing her hand quickly. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” she says more cheerfully. “Then it’s settled. Now, do you have a favorite tattoo?”

A deep chuckle vibrates through my chest before I answer. I watch as her eyes turn bright with interest at my response to her question.

“Yeah…” I reach under the covers and pull off my left sock, exposing my foot to her.

Her mouth forms a perfect “O”, and her eyes widen, auburn brows climbing up her face.

“Gianni,” she breathes out. “Is that—”

“A tiny penis with angel wings and a crown? Why yes,yes, it is.” I smirk.

She sits up again, trailing a finger over it and taking a better look at it. “Why the hell is this one your favorite?” she asks, laughter bubbling out of her.

My lips curve into an easy smile as I think about that day. “Alex and I had an ongoing bet while we were in undergrad. At the end of every semester, the one with the lowest grades had to do whatever the other wanted. I almost always won, but there was one semester I’d been struggling to care about school at all, and things had gotten away from me.”

She hums beside me, encouraging me to keep speaking. “I lost, and that fucker dragged me down to the tattoo shop to get this little gem. The artist said he based the penis off his very own.” I groan.

A burst of laughter fills the room, and it feels good as hell to speak freely about dumb shit like this.

I haven’t really let myself be this at ease with anyone since Alex’s passing.

“I kind of love that.” She laughs.

“It was also my first tattoo,” I admit.

Her hand shoots out to cover her mouth. “Oh my god! He made you get a dick tattoo for yourfirst one?”

“Yep, he thought he was so fucking funny,” I grumble, trying to sound annoyed. “Turns out he actually was.”

She laughs at my expense but curls her body around mine, resting her head on my chest.

We continue like this for probably the next hour, talking about anything, and everything but keeping the conversation light. It’s nice, actually. Getting to speak to someone about things that aren’t particularly heavy but still gives them the smallest glimpse into theinner workings of my mind. Maybe if therapy were like this, more people would go. Though I’m not sure how helpful that would be.

“Okay, one last one, and then we need to take the dogs for a walk.” I nod, allowing her to pick the last question. “Did you mean it? What you said about helping me fulfill my fantasies? Did you mean that?”

“Yes,” I grunt out immediately, no additional thought necessary. Hell, I’ll probably be doing a whole lot of thinking about those fantasies in all my spare time.

“Why would you do that for me?” she asks in a soft tone.

“That’s two questions, little red. You only get one.”

“Fine.” She sighs, rolling onto her side and swinging a leg over me. “Can we do that again, then? Not now. I’m thoroughly wrecked, to be honest, but some other time? I’d like to keep seeing you.” Her voice is so honest, but she doesn’t really know me. Doesn’t know just how many demons I hide from the world, but I’m willing to give her as much of me as she wants until she finallydoescome to the conclusion everyone always does.I’m too broken and emotionally stunted for a romantic relationship.

“I’d like that too.” My voice almost cracks, but I hold back the emotion bleeding into the forefront of my mind.

She peers up at me, holding my gaze with her own, and I watch as her lips spread into a wide grin. “I know I don’t have any questions left, but…” She trails off, chewing on her bottom lip. “Would you havereallybeen my sub if I’d chosen that?”

Rolling my eyes at her, I grab her hips, pulling her farther on top of me. She plants her hands on my chest, straddling me. “I’d gladly submit to you any day.” Her hazel eyes widen in delight, but that smile still remains. My dick twitches, and she obviously notices.

Lark rocks her hips against me, heat coursing through me, but she jumps off, giggling as she works to get changed. “We’ve gotta walk the dogs!”

“I hate it when you’re right,” I groan out under my breath.

Chapter thirty

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