Page 13 of How to Hide Your Angel Kid

“Cross my heart.”

Pinks watched the giant until he thought maybe he could trust him. He grew increasingly aware of Galent’s hand on his shoulder, its warmth soaking through his shirt. Galent hadn’t taken his eyes off Pinks.

“Is it okay if I hug you?” Galent murmured.

Pinks couldn’t remember the last time an alpha-type had touched him with intent. He swallowed hard, and finally nodded. “Fine.”

Galent raked his gaze over Pinks’ face. Then he scooted closer and spread his legs, pulling Pinks between them, enveloping Pinks in a big, strong hug.

“I’ll clean up,” Galent said into his hair. “You should get some rest.”

Pinks held himself taut, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But nothing happened. Galent kept holding him, rubbing his back. Ever so slowly, the tension seeped out of Pinks. He slumped against Galent’s sturdy chest, shivering when warm breath puffed against his ear, then down his neck.

“Are you sniffing me?” Pinks muttered.

“You smell good. Like forest and damp earth.” Galent buried his nose in Pinks’ hair and inhaled again.

It was a lot more intimate than Pinks was prepared for. He squirmed, then stopped when he realized he was rubbing himself against Galent’s front. Including the places between Galent’s legs.

“Do you need help relaxing?” Galent’s voice was lower, more intimate now.

Pinks couldn’t help but shiver. “What kind of help?”

“A massage.”

Pinks blinked rapidly. Who offered massages for free? More importantly, who said no to them? A full-body massage was a hundred and fifty dollars at the mall, and Pinks always stared longingly at the massage place. “This is a trick, isn’t it?”

“It’s not a trick to put my cock in you,” Galent said in his ear. Pinks’ hole squeezed. Then there came a wet sound, like Galent was licking his lips. “But I can’t promise not to think about it.”

“Are you going to burst if you don’t?”

“Would you like to see me explode?” Galent whispered.

Pinks’ breath hitched. He sucked his lower lip into his mouth, torn between staying mad at Galent, and letting the giant touch him. Pinks hadn’t come his brains out in a long time, either. Maybe that would help him sleep?

If he could trust Galent enough to sleep in his presence.

“Maybe when Zarrie’s asleep,” Pinks mumbled.

“Is her name really Zarrie?” Galent leaned back to look Pinks in the eye.

“It’s a nickname.”

“What’s her real name?”

“I don’t trust you enough for that yet.”

“Yet.” Galent’s smile was warm, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “At some point, I will learn it.”

“Maybe.”

“Good enough.” Galent gave Pinks another squeeze. Pinks shuffled a little; his ass was starting to hurt from sitting on the floor. Without warning, Galent hauled Pinks to his feet—except this broke his embrace. Pinks felt suddenly bereft. “There. Do whatever you want with Zarrie. I’ll wash the dishes and clean the floor.”

Galent would probably break his word. Pinks wasn’t going to hold him to it; they were practically strangers.

He took off Zarrie’s bib and brought her to the bathroom to clean up. By the time she was asleep, Pinks was so tired that he just stared into space. He left his bedroom door unlocked and kicked off his jeans, flopping face-down on his bed.

The thing about exhaustion was, it didn’t promise sleep.

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