Page 28 of The Jorogumo

Someone needed to shut me right the fuck up.

Since there was no one around except the man I insisted on embarrassing myself in front of, I took a big bite of my sandwich to do it myself.

Haruto leaned against the desk just far enough away that we weren't touching, watching me eat with a soft smile on his face. Once I'd chewed and swallowed my bite, I nodded toward the paper bag. "Would you like some?"

He shook his head, eyes never leaving mine. "I ate at the Sanctuary."

Shrugging, I demolished the sandwich before pulling out the second one. I paused before I could start eating it, eyeing it with a conflicted feeling in my gut.

Growing up, I'd always been big for my age, and while I'd never been overweight or unhealthy, it hadn't seemed to matterto a lot of people, including my parents, who would eye every extra bite like it was the worst thing I could've ever done. I didn't want Haruto to think of me like that. I'd worked hard to reach a point where I felt comfortable in my skin, but a part of me would always be that little boy who'd been asked again and again if hereallyneeded that second helping.

"What's wrong? Did it go bad?"

"Huh?" I blinked up at Haruto, utterly confused about what he meant.

"The sandwich. You've been staring at it for the past minute. Has it gone bad?"

"Ah, no." Not wanting to explain my insecure thoughts to Haruto, I took a bite. Once I'd swallowed, I asked, "What did you do today?"

"Nothing fun," he said with a shake of his head, then explained how he'd worked at the farm where they grew most of their food, doing extra hours since he'd skipped his chores yesterday to spend time with me.

"I really like how you all run the Sanctuary, working together and everything. I don't even know any of my neighbors except Dawn and Saxon."

Haruto smiled. "Most of it is thanks to the headmaster. He created the Sanctuary and gave us a place to call home. In return, all he asks is that we live together peacefully and do our part to keep the place running. It's more than fair, especially since for most of us, it's the only home and family we have."

I mulled over that as I finished my second sandwich, then ducked into the small bathroom to wash my hands.

Haruto was right where I'd left him, and I stopped in front of him, unsure of what to do next.

"Do you need to open soon?"

I checked my watch, then shook my head. "I have twenty minutes."

"Perfect."

Still leaning against the desk, Haruto pulled me close, wrapping one arm around my waist while the other cupped my jaw. I gazed into his eyes, unable to look away as he leaned closer and closer, his lips barely brushing mine before he pulled back, then ducked closer and repeated the gesture.

"Please," I whispered, unable to take the gentle teasing. From the moment I'd gotten home last evening to the moment I saw him come in today, I'd thought of nothing but the way he'd kissed me. The way he'd owned me. The way he'd called mehis. I wanted that again. I needed it.

Groaning, Haruto slammed his lips to mine, and I made a sound of abject relief as I grabbed his hips, holding on for dear life as I kissed him back. No one had ever kissed me the way Haruto did. He knew exactly how to make my body sing, and I could feel my arousal sharpening as his tongue slid into my mouth, tangling with mine as if he wouldn't stop until he'd laid claim to every inch of my mouth.

I felt owned and worshiped all at the same time, and I wanted to give myself over to Haruto to do with as he pleased. I was surprised by how much I trusted this man already, but not enough to stop what we were doing. Hell, it made me want to continue even more.

"Haruto, please," I begged, though I had no idea what I was asking for. What did I want?

More. More of this. More of whatever Haruto was willing to give me.

Nothing existed except Haruto. The world around us could cease to exist, and I wouldn't notice as long as Haruto kept kissing me.

I was so lost in him, so lost in the things he made me feel, in the way he made my body feel like one giant live wire, that I didn't notice there was someone else in the shop. I certainly didn't remember that I'd forgotten to lock the door when I changed the signs.

All I cared about was Haruto and his body pressed against mine, until a familiar voice called from the doorway, "Liam?"

Eleven

Haruto

How had I notnoticed someone walk into the shop?

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