Page 44 of Obsessed

“No, she’s been on an information diet for a long time.” Rain made a face that said he was an expert at deflection. “I think her pervert boyfriend might know where I work but there’s a big chance he doesn’t remember anymore. He’s an idiot too.”

“Where is your biological father?” Mason couldn’t help but be curious.

“I have no idea,” Rain snorted. “My mom was dating five or six people at the time and I came out looking exactly like her so...”

“Do you want to know?”

“Nope. I don’t care, I had Tristan.” The corner of Rain’s lip quirked as if he wanted to smile but was too worn out to do so.

“Who is Tristan?” Mason had heard that name several times before and always in high regard.

“He was kind of my stepdad. He’s the one who used to take me to the state forest.” This time Rain smiled, the relief in it heart-wrenching. “We moved in with him when I was ten. It was nice not having to sleep under the bed anymore.”

The image of a young, terrified Rain hiding so that his mother’s boyfriends wouldn’t molest him hit Mason like a punch to the gut. No wonder Rain had panicked, he’d been harmed again tonight, and the incident had dredged up all of his trauma, making it feel fresh and present. So, once Rain had gotten away, he’d tried to lock himself in the bedroom and get under the bed like he’d done as a child, but Mason’s had storage underneath, which explained the dresser. If Rain couldn’t hide, then he could barricade himself in.

Wanting to be that barricade for Rain, Mason opened his hand, the rumble in his soul growing louder as their palms came together like magnets, their fingers instantly interlocking.

“You can stay here as long as you want. She doesn’t know where you live or work. Cut her off and see what happens.” Mason squeezed their joined hands. Rain looked down at them and then back up at him, the clouds in those gray eyes less heavy with storms, the screaming not as shrill.

“Thanks. I feel safe here.” He tried to chuckle but it turned into a yawn, as if the day was catching up to him. “This is the first place I’ve ever felt safe.”

Mason’s eyes stung and he blinked a few times, his heart both full and breaking for Rain.

Even though more needed to be said, Rain’s eyes began to droop. He’d been up early on probably little sleep and had dealt with a triggering situation; they could always talk more in the morning.

Slowly, Mason rose, bringing Rain with him and helping him get ready for bed. Quickly double-checking the locks and pushing the dresser back in its place, Mason crawled onto the mattress next to Rain, Mouse joining them on the end. For a moment, Rain stared at him, biting his lip, and Mason intuitively knew what he needed, opening his arms again. He’d found comfort in Gran’s hugs too many times to count and since Rain trusted him and felt safe around him, he should offer that comfort even if he hadn’t processed or analyzed what it meant.

With a small smile, Rain dove in, snuggling up against Mason, and he was out within five minutes, twitching here and there. However, Mason didn’t sleep for a while. His mind kept him up, whirring over everything Rain had revealed, and once he managed to bank his anger, he found a fierce need to protect Rain beneath it.

Pre-dawn light had begun to sneak into the room before Mason finally dozed off and he woke to Rain still in his arms, but now those gray eyes were wide open, studying him. He’d never slept holding someone before - he’d never wanted to - but Rain’s warm, lithe body fit just right in his hold, smelling like the ocean with a hint of lavender; Mason had enjoyed every minute of it despite the drooling and jolting.

“How are you,” he mumbled, trying to wake up.

“Okay for now.” Rain’s reply told Mason that he’d been awake for a while. “Um, thanks for last night.”

Mason made a noise that said he didn’t need thanks and Rain gave him a wan half-grin in return. The silence that stretched between them wasn’t uncomfortable but Mason could tell that Rain wanted to say more, so he rubbed Rain’s arm, encouraging him to continue.

“I lost my virginity when I was thirteen,” Rain eventually said in a tone so low that if they weren’t close, then Mason wouldn’t have heard it. “I’d been fighting men off for so long I guess I gave in. I was curious about sex and I wanted to make my own choices about who to touch.”

“You wanted control,” Mason stated.

“Yes.” Gaze shifting to the side, Rain sighed. “And the more sex I had, the more I felt in control. I’m not saying I’m ashamed because I’m not. It’s just…confusing. Because lately? I’m not interested in having sex with other people. I get whatever I need here. That’s never happened before.”

Mason blinked, wanting to reply, to tell Rain that sex with him was perfect, something he never thought he’d experience, and that he felt honored to be good enough to have him exclusively, but his brain checked out. Rain grinned at him, somehow knowing that Mason had become tongue-tied.

“How about breakfast?” He played with the end of his braid and Mason gave him a stilted nod. A part of him felt like they needed to talk more but Rain had such a hopeful look in his eyes that Mason couldn’t bear to wipe it away. Besides, Mouse perked up at the mention of food, letting loose a chain of meows that had them reluctantly pulling apart, and after a quick morning routine, Mason fed the starving feline while Rain cooked up some eggs and toast.

They ate standing up by the counter, shoulder to shoulder in silence. Something had shifted, bringing them even closer together, and Mason had a hunch that they were both trying to figure it out because he certainly was.

Finishing his plate, Rain cleaned up and faced Mason. “I have another question.”

Chewing the last of his toast, Mason quirked a brow, telling Rain to go ahead.

“Can I see the darkroom?”

The toast turned to ash in Mason’s mouth and he swallowed, nodding once. He couldn’t say no. That would only hurt Rain and Mason didn’t want those gray eyes to scream anymore. He wanted them to sing.

Putting his own dish in the sink, Mason wiped a sweaty hand on his pants and unlocked the door, turning on the light as the smell of vinegar and other solvents washed over them. Rain put a hand around his nose, stepping inside.

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