Page 38 of Stick Work

“Partly,” he murmurs. “And partly because I wanted to. T, if you need a place to stay, you’ve got a place to stay. Always.”

“I don’t know for how long.”

“As long as you want.”

I wave my hand back and forth between the two of us. “If you find someone, I’ll leave.” He stares at me and I continue. “Soon enough this charade will be over, and no more pretending. But for now, I’d like to give Kalen and Sahara privacy.”

He grins. “You don’t need a reason. My house is your house.”

Pushing back he starts his car, and I say, “The sex is over then, right?”

He doesn’t answer, he just grins and pulls into traffic. Does that grin mean it doesn’t have to be over?

What exactly do you want, Taylor?

Good God, I just don’t know.

“Elias, do you want help in finding someone?” He scrubs his chin and remains silent. “I met a few nice girls at college, and I’m sure any one of them would love to date you. They’re always asking about Kalen. They’re a bit younger, but still.” I go quiet and wait for a response, but when none comes, I add, “I’m assuming it’s hard to find someone with your busy schedule, and I’m guessing you’re not interested in pursuing anything deeper with one of the puck bunnies.” When he continues to stay quiet, my gaze rakes over his face and I note the tightness in his jaw. Shoot, I’m really over overstepping here. What was I thinking? This is not my business. I groan. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have offered that.”

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to be sorry. You have my best interests at heart and I love you for that.”

He loves me for that.

I gulp. “Okay,” I squeak out, my voice not quite steady.

Girl, he’s not saying he loves you, relax already.

He reaches out, rests his hand on my leg. The gentle squeeze sends warmth through me. “Let me think on it, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree, an uncomfortable knot tightening in my stomach. “Parking spot,” I blurt out as a car pulls away near Gina’s café, and I’m grateful for the distraction. He slows, flicks on his signal and effortlessly parallel parks. Impressive. Then again, I’m impressed with everything this man does.

“I don’t want to stay too late,” I tell him, stifling a yawn. “It’s been a long week, and I really need to buckle down and start studying for finals.”

“You’ll have my whole place to yourself. That should help you avoid distractions,” he replies.

“You’re a distraction,” I shoot back playfully, still working to ease that knot in my stomach. His warm easy laugh wraps around me and while he’s making light of the situation, I know he cares about my school and studies. He cares about me.

“I’ll be gone this week. You’ll get lots done.”

I tilt my head, deciding to test him. “You won’t be texting?”

“I’ll be texting.”

“You won’t be video chatting?”

“I’ll be video chatting.”

He grins at me and I roll my eyes.

“Then you will be distracting me,” I say with mock exasperation, all the while secretly liking it.

“I’m handing over my credit card, Taylor. I need to know what you’re doing with it,” he teases, though the grin tugging at his lips tells me he’s not worried. He did say I could spend freely, after all.

But that’s not what the calls and video chats are going to be about.

We’re growing closer. A lot closer.

Or maybe I’m imagining it. Maybe it’s just fun. Sex. Easy, uncomplicated sex. He likes the sex. I like the sex. Neither of us is seeing anyone else right now, and when you’re getting it regularly, why stop?

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