Page 12 of Stirring Up Trouble
“You’re being far too quiet. I came up here itching for a fight, and now you’ve made want to hug you. Tell me what’s up, bestie.”
I snorted at her placating tone. “It’s complicated.”
“Good thing I’m a natural problem solver then. Lay it on me.”
So I did.
I explained my thought process about the whole situation, including my own want for a man I’d only just met. I felt lighter with each word. It was like telling my point of view alleviated some of the anxiety surrounding it all.
Unfortunately, it didn’t give me any answers. I was still a man who’d suddenly found himself between a rock and a hard place with no way out.
“First of all,” Leslie started, “kudos for not having a bisexual awakening meltdown. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. I just think it’s cool you’re all‘yeah, so I like dick now’about it all.”
“Leslie!”
“What?? I’m just saying, it’s great. Personally, I was always a bit hopeful it would happen. I think you deserve a good man in your corner. Especially when the assholes in town try to look at you sideways.”
I groaned as I thought of what she was implying. “They’re going to be homophobic and racist. It’s a great combo,” I replied, voice heavy with sarcasm.
“Eh, fuck ‘em. We don’t care.” She waved her arms around. “Besides, the bigger issue now is what you’re going to do about the man downstairs. You can’t just avoid him. He’s staying with you. Plus, what if he’s your person? You willing to give up a chance at forever?”
My heart lurched at the idea. Growing up, my parents had demonstrated what finding your person was like. They embodied love and commitment until the end. Watching my mama’s heart break when my pops passed made the lessons they’d taught all the more real.
I’d always assumed I’d find my other half like they did. I just never thought it would be a man.
It didn’t change how I felt though. The timing was still off.
Shaking my head at Leslie, I told her, “I can’t right now. Let’s get through the rodeo, then I’ll think about it more.”
Her expression dropped. I could tell she was disappointed in my reply. It wouldn’t change my decision. I needed to protect my legacy first. My heart could come in second.
“I guess I’ll go help them get settled then. See you in the morning.” With that bitter goodbye, she left me to my own devices.
Locking the door was my first order of business. The second was climbing in my bed to research Robin. The internet was a gold mine if you had some of the basics about a person.
Within seconds, I had a webpage pulled up showing the veterinary business run by the man staying with me. I scrolled through their services and history. It was hard not to smile when I got to the section detailing each of the partners.
Griffin seemed like a good enough guy to be in business with. Knowing he was taken made me feel better too. There wouldn’t be any wandering hands in the office.
And then I saw Robin’s picture.
Fuck.
He was gorgeous. Different from anyone else I’d ever dated—obviously—and far more intriguing. While I sometimes wanted only to get someone in bed for a night or two, the way I wanted Robin was different.
I wanted to wrap him up in my arms for cozy nights by the fire. I wanted to tuck him into bed after a night of making love. I wanted to feed him by hand since I suspected he didn’t always get a good meal each day.
Well, damn.
Based on those thoughts and the dozens of others in my head, I wanted to be Robin’s Daddy. Thinking of the dynamic we could share had my dick hardening.
My phone was still on the page with Robin’s smiling face. Knowing I couldn’t have him didn’t deter me from taking my dick out, spitting on my hand, and stroking myself. I stared into his bright eyes as need surged through me. It was like he was watching me come undone. Like he knew he was the reason.
It made no sense. I was looking at a photo of him on the internet. He was down the hall somewhere, likely headed to bed.
And yet my body didn’t care. The minute I pictured him spread out on a bed smiling up at me, the dam burst. Cum shot from my crown, coating my hands and the bottom of my shirt.
I would have been embarrassed if I weren’t so relaxed from the letdown. If anything, I wanted more.
