Page 227 of By His Play

I hesitate as I close the door behind him, wondering if Kieran was lying about returning tomorrow.

Tingles erupt at the thought of him surprising me.

I’m wearing a sappy smile as I walk through my apartment and to my bathroom to shower and get ready for bed.

It’s not until I crawl between the covers that I finally wake up my cell and see what’s waiting for me.

I haven’t turned my social media notifications back on, and to be honest, I prefer it that way.

After the news articles about me and Kieran broke, it was crazy. I never want to experience that again.

Now, I open my socials when I’m ready, not because I’m being bombarded.

A wide grin spreads across my lips when I find a whole stream of messages from Kieran.

I still haven’t confessed to what I was doing tonight, and despite him not really mentioning it, I know it’s driving him crazy.

Kieran: Is it my turn for your attention now?

Effie: I guess that depends on what you have in mind.

Kieran: Seeing as I’ve been waiting hours to hear from you? All kinds of things...

Effie: Kinky Kieran…

Kieran: You have no fucking idea.

54

KIERAN

All week, all I’ve wanted to do is jump in my car and drive back to the city to her.

Whenever I’m away, I miss her. But this is different.

Now, I really know what I’m missing.

My dick aches just like it has done all week, but as much as I want to wrap my hand around it and find a release, I don’t. Instead, I ignore it as I shower, readying for my last morning with this group of kids before I head home to my girl.

My girl…

Fuck. I really hope that’s true by the time the sun sets tonight.

It’s terrifying, and every time I think about it, anxiety knots my insides, but it’s right.

I know it is.

Effie Campbell was made for me. I refuse to let fear ruin this for us anymore than we already have.

She wants to talk first, and as frustrating as that is, I can’t help but agree.

I need to tell her what I want.

I need to tell her all the thoughts that have been in my head recently, and not just the dirty ones.

I need to go out on a limb and hope like hell she’s on the same page.

If she’s not…

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