Page 46 of Honorable Convictions
“So do you,” Pierson murmured, setting down the remote and relaxing against the pillows.
“Hey, get back here.”
Pierson’s head whipped to the side. “Huh?”
“It’s time to snuggle.”
With a chuckle, Pierson allowed himself to be tugged into Mitchell’s waiting arms. “Is it now?”
“My plan is to become a fearsome snuggler. I’ll need your cooperation to fulfill my goal.”
“This is unexpected,” Pierson said, and to Mitchell’s delight, he rested perfectly in his embrace.
“No complaints, Blondie. We need to work together on this,” Mitchell remarked. Although he meant so much more than holding him close, they weren’t ready for that kind of discussion. So, he didn’t protest at Pierson’s lack of response. They simply focused on the sappy movie, and Mitchell enjoyed the intimacy of being in Pierson’s bed. Vowing that he wasn’t going to sleep alone again, his nights of missing him were done whether Pierson understood it or not.
Chapter 24
Aweek of sharing a bed with Mitchell and Pierson was growing accustomed to waking up with their bodies pressed close. One thing he’d learned quickly was that Mitchell wasn’t kidding when he’d professed to become a champion snuggler. After crossing the line from a sort of friendship into lovers, Mitchell rarely went long without touching Pierson in some way. The other Juris Knight was very tactile, and Pierson had never expected to find that side of Mitchell.
It soothed him somehow. For Pierson it was almost as if the jagged edges he’d grown so accustomed to in his life were less sharp if Mitchell were around. If he got distressed or anxious, there was Mitchell, ready with a hug or kiss. Although it helped level out most of his emotions, he grappled with fear once he was alone. Was Mitchell ever going to consider breaking their matebond now that he was so invested?
While it was a valid question, it hurt to think about the possible answers. Yearning for a mate who understood him, he’d wanted someone that could talk about his job with interest and who wasn’t afraid to show a tender side. It was rather shocking to find that Mitchell lined up so well with the image in Pierson’s mind of what he wanted in a partner. Even though Pierson was unafraid of being wrong, he was terrified of giving away his heart and getting it broken.
Since he couldn’t figure out what had unlocked this new avenue in their relationship, he was unable to determine if it would last. Although it was tempting to delve into the topic again, he was at work and in a meeting, so Pierson shoved it aside. His workload might be small, but that didn’t mean he wanted to get distracted by weighty matters that had nothing to do with his job.
“You have your assignments; let’s have a good week,” Ella said, dismissing them.
Pierson stood and had to nearly jog to catch up to the fast walking fallen knight. “Ella?”
Stopping, she turned sharply to face him. “Yes?”
“You didn’t give me my cases.”
“Pierson, I think your energy is better spent working as a liaison until you return to Vegas.”
“But I enjoy working on cases; it’s integral to being a Juris Knight.”
“I suggest if you miss it, ask for a transfer to Vegas.”
Without another word, she pivoted and strode away, leaving Pierson adrift. The liaison job was something he loved and Juris Knights, as well as fallen knight supervisors, were calling him now from cities all over North America. It was wonderful to make contacts, and with each one his trepidation bled away, but it was repetitive.
No longer garnering any new requirements, he’d put together his proposal for the final list, which was awaiting approval from the VKs and RKs once he had the gumption to submit it. There was no reason to believe they’d want him to be the person to train everyone and continue as liaison after he did. Without it, what would he do?
Feeling lost at the idea of going forward for so many months without a single case, Pierson managed to get to his office. Picking up the phone, he dialed the one person who, strangely, always understood him and made him feel both better and worse about things.
“JK Brooks.”
The crisp, businesslike greeting was an odd balm to his soul, and he reminded himself not to chase after dreams. It was important to take whatever it was they’d built a day at a time. “It’s Murphy.”
“Hello, Blondie. Let me guess, did you get another case involving one of my clients? Give me the case number, and let’s see if we can avoid going to court.”
“It’s not about a case.”
“Well then, what’s wrong?”
“I didn’t know who else to call.”
“I’m happy to be of service.”
