Page 61 of Trigger

“Yes,Mom. I’m sure,” he replied, grinning. “Will you tuck me in bed, too?”

Mygaze slid to his mouth, and I knew I was a second away from kissing him. And wewere on the balcony of a four-story building. It was a long way down.

“I’mfine, Tye,” Carter said with a sigh, ruffling my hair. “Chill, yeah?”

Thenhe pulled away and, stumbling across the balcony, disappeared into the bedroom.

Afterhe left, I leaned over the railing, stuck my head out under the ice-coldtorrent of rain, and prayed.

God,if you make this feeling go away, I’ll go to a Mass every Sunday for a month.Thank you and amen.

Aneternity later, when I was semi-sober, I decided it was safe to go inside. Iclosed the door behind me, leaving the storm, the darkness, and the moon todeal with their own demons. I paused before the bed where Carter lay asleep,dressed only in his boxers. The tattoo of a black raven on his back made mybreath hitch in my throat, and I couldn’t stop staring.

Leave,asshole.The voice in my head said, but my feet wouldn’t move.

“Can Isleep here?” I asked the silent room more than anyone else. “And can I leavethe candle on?”

Ididn’t expect an answer, but I got it, nonetheless.

“Yes,and yes,” Carter murmured, sounding half-asleep. “And set the alarm for six.”

Istripped down to my boxers and got into bed, rolling onto my side until I wasfacing him.

“Dom,”I said, placing my hand on his waist. “I have to tell you something.”

No,you have nothing to say to him.

“Hmm?”he hummed, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Tellhim, you coward. Tell him how you feel.

“Dom,I… I like you. I really like you.”

“Mhm,”he murmured, and I took it as encouragement.

“And…um… I want to… I want to kiss you more than anything. Just one kiss… to seewhat it’s like. Wha… What do you say?”

“Mhm,”he murmured. “We’ll buy it tomorrow, Vic.”

I rolledonto my back and covered my face with my arm, stifling a groan. I was an idiot.Why? Because I was lying here and pining for a man who wasn’t only taken andstraight but who also had a gun and knew how to use it.

So,when he rolled onto his side and snuggled against me, what did I do? I cursedthe day I was born. And when he placed his head on my chest? I hugged him,praying for a fast and merciful sleep.

***

“Whatthe fuck?”

Iflinched and opened my eyes, only to see Carter bolting upright in bed. Underthe faint light of the moon, his chest glistened with sweat, and his breathingwas erratic.

“It’sokay,” I murmured, rubbing my eyes and sitting up. “You had a nightmare.”

“Ithought we were in that bunker again,” Carter said, sounding alarmed. “Fuck.”

Irested my hand on his bare chest. “We’re not. It was just a bad dream.”

Hisskin was hot and smooth under my fingers, his heartbeat frantic.

“Goback to sleep,” I said, pushing him gently back down. “It’s not morning yet.”

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