Page 70 of True Honey
“Say what you’re thinking Silas before you lose the nerve,” I whispered and he swallowed tightly, his eyes finally drifting up to meet mine.
“I’m adding a condition to our contract,” he said, reaching out and wrapping around me until I was slotted between his thighs and his palms were spread out flat against my back. The movement surprised me as much as his confession did. I was waiting for anger, more frustration or questions. Not that. I held my breath waiting for his newest condition.
“Anytime you feel the need to get small, come and find me?”
I opened my mouth to argue and he shook his head.
“Even if it's my fault, let me fix it.” He was practically begging me to agree as his fingers dug into my back and pressed me closer against him.
“That feels a little personal for a contract,” I whispered, tempted to run my hands through his unkempt hair.
“It’s my contract, I can change it whenever I want,” Silas argued.
“That’s worrisome.” I offered him a tiny smile and he finally took a breath of air, his chest brushing against mine. “And what about you?” I asked, trying to think of something that could help him wriggle free of his need to feel useful constantly.
“Me? Drew I’ve never made myself small for anyone,” he huffed and I laughed gently.
“No, I mean, if I’m forced to work on myself, so are you. Once a day, you have to do something for yourself. And only you. It can’t have motives. It has to be selfish.”
“Feels stupid,” he huffed.
“It’s just one thing, Silas.”
“It can be anything?” he asked me and I nodded.
He leaned forward, his hand coming up around the back of my neck as he brushed his lips against mine so gently it tickled. I hated how good it was, even sober, like the universe was laughing at me by dropping a man like Silas in my lap when it knew I wasn’t good enough for him. When he pulled back he looked satisfied with himself.
“That wasselfish, I’m sorry.” Silas’s voice was low and teasing, but he had a proud smile on his face.
COURTNEY
Eventually, I slipped from his arms, still dizzy from the unexpected contact but there was no tension or stress between us. Nothing left unsaid. It was a strange feeling to be able to argue with Silas and still come out feeling like I had won when the truth was no one did, we weren't even trying to compete. It was healthy despite being fake and it was infuriating that it was happening this way.
“Any fun scars?” He asked after some time, reaching for his second beer and offering me one. I shook my head, the last time I got drunk around Silas Shore I ended up naked.
“I grew up on a farm and we never wore shoes when I was little. We went from the house to the gravel to the grass without a second thought. I stepped on a nail when I was nine, it went right through my foot and now I have a perfect circle right below my big toe.” I told him and his head tipped back in laughter.
“That’s it that's your only scar?” He asked, absolutely bewildered by it.
No, but the others were from cleaning glass and accidentally cutting my hands and the soles of my feet. Scars that weren’t fun.
“Yup, I look small but I have surprisingly strong bones. Never broken a single one,” I beamed with pride.
“That’s impressive, not even a finger?” He asked, bringing the bottle to his lips as I shook my head no. “I don’t think there's a bone in my body I haven’t broken…” Silas thought about it.
“Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow and insinuated.
“Alright, alright…” he blushed, the man actually turned an adorable shade of pink. “You and I both know that bone has never been broken.”
“Hey,” I scowled, “don’t bring me into this, it was your story. I’m just double-checking the details,” I feigned innocence.
“Mmhm,” Silas hummed. Flirting, even for half a second, was a fatal mistake. I watched as Silas’s expression shifted and turned hungry.
“Is that why you aren’t drinking?” he asked me softly after a beat of silence. When I didn’t answer he smiled, shaking his head and setting the bottle down. “The whiskey might have instigated that first time Drew but I have been having very sober thoughts about it for weeks.” His eyes seemed to burn tingling circles into my skin that forced me to look away from him.
“Silas,” I warned.
“Drew,” he countered with a smirk.
