Page 76 of Hits Different

When our lips part, he grabs me into a bear hug, crushing his body against mine.

“Hi”, he says, burrowed into my shoulder.

“Hi”, I mumble back. “I missed you”.

“I really missed you”. His eyes land on the open filing cabinet. “You don’t need to tell me anything else. Let’s just get your paperwork and get the hell out of here”.

“No, I want to be honest. To stop Dodgering”, I explain to him about the paper trail. About how even though it’s unlikely, and ridiculous, I’ve been raised to protect myself and my family from people who want to expose us. “I know I’m being paranoid, but I can’t help it”.

His hand finds my shoulder. “I understand”.

“Do you? I’m not sure I do”. He hovers. “I feel like my coming out has been one false start after another. Everyone in my life who matters knows who I am. I don’t know why that doesn’t feel enough”.

“I’m bisexual”, Parker says suddenly. A slow smile spreads across his face. “I wanted you to hear that from me. Before I tell anyone else. Because one day I will. I just need some time”.

“I’m proud of you”.You’re braver than me, Parker. You just don’t know it yet.“And there’s no pressure from me. It’s a lot, or it can be. I just want you to know I’m in your corner”.

“You shouldn’t have to hide who you are, but doing it to protect the people you love is classic Brandon. One of the many reasons that I’m falling even more…” Parker trails off, clears his throat. “And if anyone here ever leaked anything about you, I’d kill them”.

I make a show of consideration. “What if it was Sheryl?”

“I’d hurl her through the paper-shredder. No hesitation”.

“I know. That’s what scares me”.

“Do you want to know what scares me?” Parker says softly. “You. My feelings for you. This thing between us scares me. In-case you hadn’t noticed, I have a habit of losing things that are important to me”.

“I’m not going to get lost, Di Rossi”. For the first time in a long time, I feel certain about that.

“I’ll log in right now and update your file”, Parker boots up the computer. “Just say the word. Do you want me to?”

My whole life, I’ve been programmed to protect my parents. I’m not an idiot. I don’t really imagine that someone out there is going to hack into Summit’s files and expose me. That I’d even be important enough to do that to. Even if they did, so what? Maybe they’d be doing me a favour.

Maybe it’s time I do myself a favour. “Brandon?” Parker nudges me.

I shake my head. “Leave it. Leave the files as they are. Whatever happens, happens”.

“You’re sure?”

“Nope”, I smile. “But that’s okay. Not having everything all worked out has led me to some pretty unexpectedly awesome places so far”. He fills my field of vision, big and strong. “I’m sorry you had such a rough day”.

He pulls me in for another kiss. “It’s looking up now”.

We stand there for a moment, just the two of us. “From one non-relationship expert to another”, Parker runs his hand up my chest, “What happens after two people who are seeing each other have their first mini-fight?”

“I thought you’d never ask”, I grin, “They mini-make up”.

Chapter 31

On the Edge

Parker

If I’d have known that almost losing Brandon would lead to being stripped, blindfolded, and tied to my bed, I’d have done it a hell of a lot earlier.

Brandon’s hands, bathed in massage oil, run firmly from my neck to my chest, circling my arms and hips, before gliding in and around my thighs. All whilst he whispers wickedly in my ear, and I strain in pleasure against the silky bonds wrapped around my wrists.

We’ve been going for over an hour. I’m harder than I’ve ever been in my life, and right now, I’m ready to blow.

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