Page 26 of One Touch

My brain wanted to argue he was only doing it because he got something out of it—a place to live. But that argument was flimsy at best. I’d forced him to live with me. He had other options, butIcouldn’t stomach the thought of him elsewhere. So, no. Miller wasn’t being friendly to get something from me. It was just who he was.

It was refreshing and terrifying.

“What happened?” he asked once my breathing calmed.

I glanced up and noticed James’s eyes in the rearview mirror watching us. Shaking my head to Miller, I kept myself from speaking until I knew we wouldn’t be overheard. Granted, James could already report what he’d seen to my mother, and that alone was damning, but I didn’t want to add to it. If I was going to give in to Miller, I needed to keep it between us for as long as I could.

Thankfully, he didn’t press, and we sat silently as James drove us back to the apartment. Neither of us spoke as we made our way into the building and rode the elevator. The moment we stepped across the threshold, I knew my time was up.

How did I ask for what I wanted? How did I explain what I needed?

I fumbled with my code on the door and had to enter it three times before I got it right. I could feel Miller’s gaze as we took off our shoes. I walked to the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. I managed a few sips before he broke.

One hand landed on my hip and squeezed, while the other carefully took the glass and placed it in the sink. When it was free, it joined his other hand on my opposite hip. He stepped closer and removed any space between us as he crowded me into the kitchen counter.

I gulped and found the courage to tilt my head up to meet his eyes. Gold swirled in their depths, and the blue and green were so bright that I couldn’t look away.

“Talk to me. Tell me why you’ve been avoiding me when we’re alone but watching me like you can’t get enough when we’re in public. Make it make sense, Silver.”

I swallowed. “I… I’m scared. I can’t have this, but I want it, and I hate you for that.”

“What do you want, Lathan? I need to hear you say it. I need to know I’m not alone in this.”

“You’re not.” I swallowed again and licked my lips. His gaze followed the movement. He groaned and pressed his groin into mine. The contact had my dick perking up instantly. “I want you. I want what we did. I want more of that. I’m…” I swallowed again. This next part was more difficult to admit. “I’m not experienced. Sexual acts don’t appeal to me. Or at least they hadn’t.” The implieduntil youwas loud. “I’m not used to feeling this way. I don’t know how to do this.”

Miller searched my eyes for a long time before speaking. “You’re making it too complicated, Silver. Did you like what we did?” I nodded. “Then we keep doing that, and if we do something you don’t like, then we stop.”

“And you’d be okay with that?”

“Yes. I’d never make you do something you don’t want. I don’t get off on forcing people.”

“I didn’t think you did,” I rushed to say. “I don’t want to be a disappointment,” I admitted in a whisper.

“Oh, Lath. You have no idea how hard you make me just by looking at me. If what we did was all you’re comfortable with, then I’m good with that.”

“And if I want to try other things?”

“Then we talk about it. No more running away and avoiding me.” He bit his lip, his eyes searching mine. “I want to set some rules.”

“Rules.” I nodded, feeling more at ease. “Okay, I can do rules.”

Miller smiled, and my breath stalled in my chest. “I’d like to revisit that being clothed while in the apartment rule.”

I frowned. “The one you vetoed? I don’t want you to put on more clothes.”

He chuckled. “Not for me. You. I want to have access to every inch of you while I can. Go back to how you were that first night.”

I gulped but nodded in agreement. “I can do that.”

“Good.” He smiled again, and I hated how my heart nearly flipped over itself as if it could reach out to him. Stupid heart. “There’s also no running or hiding, and we talk about things.”

I nodded again. That was mature and acceptable. I’d been acting like a child, and I knew it.

“Is there anything you’d like to add?”

My mind whirled, but I knew if tonight was any indication, I couldn’t deal with him seeing someone else. “No one else while we’re doing this…” I waved between us. “Whatever this is.” It wouldn’t be a hardship for me, considering Miller was the first person I’d had a genuine attraction to, but I knew, based on conversations with my teammates, this might be a deal breaker.

“Exclusive situationship. I’m good with that,” he said casually. My heart calmed at his words.

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