Page 73 of Sass

Cheeky, sexy underwear designed for a range of customers from post-surgical to those needing packer support or stand-to-pee options. There were G-strings, lace, fishnet, boy shorts, and regular briefs and boxers. Not to mention some leather harness ideas that had binder attachments with sexy lace-ups or chunky silver zips. They were creative, sexy, and they’d sell like fucking hotcakes—and not just to his own community.

I rapped on the glass and waved him in. He was a pack of nerves, the red bloom on his face spreading south down his throat and under his shirt. I figured his balls were glowing. And telling him I thought his designs were great didn’t seem to help.

He gaped. “They’re... good? Really?”

“They’re amazing,” I corrected him. “And yes, really. I’ll be taking the ideas to Rhys, if that’s still okay with you?”

“Oh.” And as it finally sank in, he couldn’t hide the shining smile. “Sure. Wow. Of course. And... thanks, Kip. I can’t tell you what this means to me.” He blushed furiously and disappeared with a spring in his clever little step.

And when Leon’s parents still hadn’t come down by the time I was ready to close the store, there was nothing for it but to head back to my apartment and chew on my nails.

And text Leon.

A lot.

I checked the microwave, prodded the lamb, reset the timer, and pretended I wasn’t checking the clock every minute or so as I counted down the time until Leon arrived. When his knock finally came, I almost jumped out of my skin and raced to let him in. I grabbed his hand, hauled him inside, and tugged him over to the breakfast bar. I pushed him onto a stool and shoved a beer in his hand.

“You can talk while I cook,” I told him.

He blinked and then laughed. “And hello to you too. Don’t I at least get a kiss?”

I narrowed my gaze and huffed, “I suppose, if I must.” I sidled over and he opened his legs for me to walk between them.

“Mmm, come here.” He circled his arms around my waist and pulled me close, and there was no denying just how damn good that felt to my frayed nerves. “There, that’s better.” He nuzzled his nose into my hair, sending shivers rippling over my skin. “I need this a lot more than I need to talk, baby. I needyou.”

Well, shit.I let the warmth of his words fill my chest, and for once I didn’t try to fight it. Instead, I slipped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his hands travelling up and down my back and his soft murmurings of pleasure. Pleasure at holdingme.Not for sex. Not for making out. Just me. And for the first time, I wondered if maybe I could get used to this.

“I was worried about you.” I tightened my hold around his neck. “I was ready to storm those stairs if I’d heard any raised voices while I was at work, and I’m not sure what that says about me, nor do I want to know.”

He pressed a line of kisses down the slope of my shoulder and back up again. “My hero.”

I tried not to smile, even though he couldn’t see me, but lost that battle pretty quick as he nuzzled beneath my ear—a spot I had a particular fondness for.

“I love that you care, but I’m okay,” he reassured me with a little nip to my earlobe. “A little battered and bruised—” Another nip. “—and with some serious thinking to do, but okay.”

I leaned back and cradled his face, studying his eyes until I was sure he was being honest with me. He was. “That’s all well and good, but I’d still like to know what happened. I know I should be all, ‘you only have to tell me if you want to.’ But that’s not me. And since we’re trialling thisthingbetween us, you should know that about me. If someone I care about is hurting, I am relentless.”

Leon grinned. “Pretty sure I knew that part.”

I rolled my eyes. “And why the fuck am I blushing?”

“Because you know that I see you, Chris.You.And that makes you nervous.”

I stared at him. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

He shook his head and the smile faded, and I immediately wanted to claw it back. “Not in the slightest.” His brows knotted. “I guess I’m just... hopeful.” He pulled me close and kissed across both my cheeks until he found my lips, and I sank into his taste like he was a cool glass of water on a hot day.

And oh my god, I was starting to sound like a fucking romance novel.

And when Leon was done licking the lining right off the inside of my mouth—not that I was complaining—he stood me back with a happy little sigh and a sweet look that I couldn’t quite meet because... melting issues.

“I’m sorry for the command performance,” I told him. “But I’m glad you came.”

“Me too.” He softly knuckled my cheek. “Then again, you had me at wilted carrot. You know I can’t resist a challenge.”

I snorted. “Well, that’s tough luck, because my carrot is currently out of commission. It has... anxiety issues.”

He smirked. “If I promise to talk, do you think it might feel more... social?”

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