Page 34 of Boy Issues

Donovan groaned and pressed his face into the pillow before glancing up at Silver again. “Pathetic, isn’t it?”

“Not in the slightest. Were you intending to go to work tomorrow? Because I was already planning on insisting you didn’t.”

Donovan’s features brightened. “You were?”

“Yes. You need another day to rest up after hitting your head.”

Donovan’s features went slack. “Oh.”

Silver mentally kicked himself. He should’ve made sure Donovan also knew he was hoping to spend time with him as well. Yup. It was going to take him a minute to get back into the Daddy swing of things.

“I don’t know enough about your job responsibilities, but if you can take the time off, I’d also like us to spend the day together. I make my own hours here, and my hands are tied on my current project until my boss makes some critical decisions about some car parts.” Silver smiled, hoping to reassure Donovan some more. “I don’t go into the diner until six, so we can have all day to hang out.”

Donovan seemed to relax. “I’d like that. Will I also get a deeper insight into the mysterious Silver Cruz?”

Silver chuckled. “I promise.”

Donovan grinned. “It’s a date then?”

“It’s a date.” He pointed at Donovan. “I’m going to grab that water for you then you’re going to get some sleep. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got it.”

Silver sucked in a sharp breath. If only the man knew.

He will tomorrow.

After trotting down the stairs to get Silver’s water then bringing it back up to him, Silver finally got in the shower. Since his robe was out of play, he’d grabbed a pair of boxers and some sweats. Normally he’d free ball it, but this way, he could drop the sweats before he crawled into bed, or rather, on the air mattress.

For tonight, as least.

If they were going to start up a relationship, keeping his hands to himself would be impossible. His only real hesitation, other than Donovan’s injuries, had been making sure that sex wasn’t the only thing Donovan was after. However, he was certain Donovan was silently pleading for so much more.

After finishing in the bathroom, Silver padded up the stairs, careful to stay quiet in case Donovan had fallen asleep already. The sound of Donovan’s soft snores greeted him as he entered the room. Silver smiled as he shucked off his sweats. He’d go ahead and allow himself a moment of satisfaction that he’d done good, that he’d cared for his boy well, and that he was now safely tucked away in bed.

Right as Silver was drifting off, small whimpers tore him from sleep, and he took a moment to ground himself. He sat up and waited. The whimpers turned to moans, and Silver couldn’t stand it. He made his way to Donovan, then kneeled next to the bed and petted Donovan’s head, shushing him.

Donovan’s eyes fluttered open, the irises barely able to be seen from the dim glow of the bulb hanging over the landing. His eyes remained hooded, as if he hadn’t completely wakened.

Silver didn’t stop stroking his hair. “It’s okay to ask for what you need. I’m here for you.”

Donovan’s lip trembled. “Don’t make me ask. Not this time.”

Silver pressed a kiss to Donovan’s temple. “Okay. Not this time.”

He lifted the covers then climbed in next to Donovan, and he rolled over so Silver could spoon his back. Silver slid his arm beneath Donovan’s then pressed his palm to Donovan’s chest. The thump of Donovan’s heart beat beneath his hand, too fast, as if whatever had invaded his dreams had ensnared him and wouldn’t let go.

At last, the beating slowed to an easy rhythm and Silver exhaled, only then realizing how tense he’d become, how deeply the demons plaguing Donovan’s unconscious mind had filled him with worry. Silver rubbed his nose against Donovan’s bare shoulder, inhaling him in, the combination of Silver’s own soap and Donovan’s natural essence instilling in him a strange comfort.

Yes, there was more to Donovan’s persona than his meticulously crafted playboy façade that he hid behind a mask of fear. And it would be Silver’s pleasure to rip that mask away to discover the beautiful boy beneath.

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