Page 41 of Bloom: Part 1

Bloom wasn’t like my one-night stands. They always knew the score and never returned for more. Bloom was like a parasitethat didn’t know when he was uninvited. A sexy little parasite I didn’t mind having around. But I couldn’t—shouldn’t—have him around.

The blow job would have to be enough for him.

I punched in James’s number and put my phone on speaker. I’d had a few missed calls from him when I’d been treating Bloom’s wound. Maybe I should keep him at the house for a few days to ensure he stayed off his leg. He was too reckless on his own, and those bikers let him run around doing whatever he pleased.

“Dr. Collier, you left already?” James answered my call.

“Yes, I had an emergency I had to handle.”

“That emergency wouldn’t be Bloom, would it? Don’t be upset, but I think I lost him.”

“You think you lost him?”

“When I returned to my seat after handing you the award, I didn’t see him. I searched everywhere. Maybe he’s with you?”

I should let him sweat, but I was too exhausted from handling Bloom tonight. “Yes, he is.”

“I knew it. My little plan worked, then.”

“If you mean did he aggravate his wound by dancing and I had to take him home to stitch him up, then yes, your plan worked fine.”

“Oh shit. All that happened?”

“Yes, it did. You owe me one for tonight, James.”

“I don’t mind. So did you and Bloom kiss and make up? You’re the hot topic in our group chat, and everyone’s desperate for news.”

“Then they’ll just have to wait longer. Good night, James.”

“But I—”

I ended the call, drained the remainder of the brandy, and washed out the glass. The counters were already clean, but I wiped them down anyway. I checked over every window anddoor in the house. After setting the alarms, I climbed the stairs. A peek-in on Bloom showed he was sleeping. I’d given him one of my shirts to wear, but he might as well have been naked. He didn’t lie under the covers, and the shirt was practically up to his neck. He must have been exhausted because he’d fallen asleep the instant his head hit the pillow.

His back was to me, and tattoos covered almost the entire expanse of his skin. His round ass was a stark and appealing contrast to his otherwise inked body. Desire rushed back in, tingling down my spine and pooling in my groin. I averted my gaze, mentally chastising myself for allowing the forbidden thoughts to creep in again.

He needed more than I could give him. He deserved to be happy.

Why did he refuse to find that happiness with someone more suitable?

I lifted the sheet and covered him up to his waist. For a few seconds, I let my imagination run rampant. Imagining me slipping into bed next to him, holding him in my arms, and sleeping through the night to wake up with him still next to me. Morning breath kisses, breakfast in bed, and a shower together. Shower sex—god, I was giving myself a boner.

Step away from the ticking time bomb.

I returned to my room, went through my nighttime routine, and crawled into bed, leaving the bedside lamp on. The Echo Dot picked up from where I’d left off in my latest dystopian audiobook, which lulled me to sleep.

Something brushed against me and startled me awake. Disoriented, I opened my eyes. Bloom stood at the foot of my bed. I regulated my breathing and focused on pretending I was asleep. Maybe he would go if he thought that.

The bed dipped, and I held in a groan. Bloom climbed up the bed and cautiously lay down on his side with his back to me.He scooted closer and closer until his ass pushed into my groin. He raised my hand and placed it over him, then settled down, wriggling his butt against my cock.

“If you’re going to sleep like this, at least keep still.”

He instantly stopped moving. “I was trying to get comfortable.”

“You shouldn’t be comfortable in my bed. If you keep squirming, I’ll kick you out.”

“I’ll be good.”

I let out a snort, but he didn’t respond. He lay quietly on his side with me as the big spoon. I half expected him to grope me, to continue wriggling his ass against my cock, but after a few minutes, his soft snores broke the silence in the room. With him asleep, I relaxed enough to move closer and settle my arm better around him. How could someone so small bring such energy and make so many people afraid of him?

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