Page 38 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

“Sorry,” Elliot blurted, his cheeks burning. The apology was still warm on his lips when his eyes returned to their original position, locked on Alexander’s hole.

“Do you see something you like?”

Elliot nodded, feeling a bit lightheaded. “Very much.”

“Good. I’m glad you enjoy the view.” Alexander stood and made his way back to the bed, his cock bouncing with each step.

“You haven’t come yet,” Alexander said, sinking to his knees. He placed his hands on Elliot’s hips and carefully whirled him around, staring hungrily at Elliot’s penis. “Would you like me to make you come?”

“I’ve never actually ejaculated before,” Elliot whispers, ashamed. “It wasn’t something I was allowed to do. Now I’m thinking it was so I could save my first time for when it’s special. I want it to be with someone . . . with someone I love.” He quickly looked away. “I just mean, I want to know for sure. Is that okay?”

Alexander nodded, quirking a teasing smile. “And do I know this mystery man?”

Elliot had to hold back a smile. He wanted to toy with Alexander, though not unkindly. “I believe you may.”

“Yeah?” he asked, rising to the bed and carefully guiding Elliot onto his back before straddling his lap. “And just who might he be?”

“Mayor Beau Rivera.” Elliot tried to keep a straight face, but it felt impossible. The moment Alexander’s eyes widened with shock, Elliot lost what little self-control he had left and cackled loudly, feeling absolutely giddy.

Alexander blinked at him.

Elliot rolled his eyes. “I was only teasing.”

Alexander glanced out the sliding glass door that led to their small balcony. Beyond, the sea rocked and roared, waves reaching impossible heights. “I wonder if Ms. Broussard is lonely out there. Maybe Mayor Rivera would want to pay her a visit.”

Elliot cocked his head to the side, confused. “She’s probably on the seafloor now, Alexander. There’s zero probability that she’s still alive.”

Alexander snorted. “Exactly, and if Mr. Mayor even thinks about giving you your first orgasm, he can join her.” Elliot grinned like a madman. Alexander wanted to commit murder in Elliot’s name, and it made his heart thunder in his chest with appreciation. “I would say that I’m joking, but I don’t think I am.” He sounded surprised by the admission as well, and slightly horrified. “Dear God. I’d toss him overboard in a heartbeat.”

Wanting to put a smile on Alexander’s face again, Elliot tapped the tip of his nose. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“Yeah?”

Elliot nodded. “I’m yours.”

Jarringly, a half-formed memory of Jared Price lying on his back snapped into Elliot’s vision, and for a moment—the briefest moment—it felt like Elliot was back there, wherever ‘there’ was. Elliot could feel wetness on his hands. He could smell a familiar pumpkin spice scented candle. He could even feel a dull throbbing sensation across the back of his head. Elliot didn’t understand what was happening, and his body shook with nerves. It was real. It felt so real, Elliot thought he’d woken from a dream, only to land in his former hellscape. He slammed his eyes shut and focused on his breathing, just trying to bring himself back to the reality he’d been living on Mother’s cruise ship. He wanted to go back to Alexander, but he couldn’t make the memory stop.

As Elliot rocked back and forth, he stared down at Jared, never blinking, not once. He sat there for what felt like hours, unable to move, unable to speak.

“I’m right here,” he thought he heard, but he couldn’t be sure. When he opened his eyes, Jared was there, still on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Elliot shrieked when Jared’s neck twisted suddenly, and they were staring into each other’s eyes.

His lips moved, but no sound escaped Jared Price’s mouth. Elliot could tell by his red face that whatever he was saying wasn’t kind. It was more of his horrible hatred. More of Jared’s venom, seeped in through Elliot’s skin and penetrated his newfound sense of freedom.

Had he ever even escaped? Was his entire journey down to Elliot’s overactive imagination?

Something warm and wet touched his forehead, but there was no one in front of him. No one behind him. Only Jared Price and his hateful expression. Behind Jared, there was a small blue table. On the table were trinkets and tchotchkes scattered about with no real rhyme or reason for their placement. A few were tipped over, and some were scattered on the marble floor. There was a familiar golden picture frame Elliot knew he remembered, but couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.

Jared’s body shook like there was a low-stage earthquake happening outside, then his body practically snapped up like a mousetrap being triggered. His head jerked in Elliot’s direction. Elliot tried to remind himself none of this was real. He was still in bed with Mr. Alexander Davenport of Dallas, Texas. He was locked in his arms, and Elliot knew it was true, because he could feel him all around.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Jared growled, which confused Elliot, because his mouth hadn’t moved.

“Alexander,” Elliot whimpered, unable to look away from Jared. Elliot blinked, and in the time it took to open his eyes, Jared had moved closer, leaving only three or four feet between them.

“Did you really think I’d let you get away? Are you that stupid?” Again, his lips didn’t move, but that only frightened Elliot more. Elliot didn’t mean to blink, but he couldn’t stop it from happening. Jared couldn’t be back. He was gone, wasn’t he? Elliot was supposed to be safe.

“Alexander,” he whined, his voice taking on a high-pitched, shrill sound that Elliot knew Alexander wouldn’t care for. When his eyes opened, Jared was less than a foot away. “Please?”

“You thought you could take my kid? You ungrateful piece of—”

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