Page 39 of Paradox
“Eden?” His voice is so soft I can’t resist looking at him.
He's let go of the towel and is holding onto my clothes with both hands, those dark eyes of his looking up at me in the same way a puppy would when trying to please his owner. Like he’s asking,“Have I been a good boy? I did everything you asked.”
The socks fall to the floor as I dart back to the kitchen.
I’m hungry.
He’ll be hungry.
Of course we’re hungry.
Eggs?
He’ll want eggs.
I need to use up the last of the fresh ones anyway.
I’ll have to make a loaf of bread soon. I’ve only got a few slices left.
Does he like tea, or is he a complete weirdo?
Will he want sugar?
How about milk?
There’s none fresh—
“There’s no underwear.”
He’s at my side again, with the towel back around his waist.
I can see shame weigh down his body when I step away, but he's too close. Whatever he needs to say he could have said from where I left him.
“What is it?” I ask, more gruffly than I should, then walk the griddle pan to the stove so I can hide the pang of self hatred that’s pinching at me.
“There’s no underwear. I mean, I should wash mine. They won’t take long to dry, that way I don’t have to wear your pants—“
“Do you have some exotic dick disease you don’t want me catching?”
“What? No!”
“I mean, I knew you got around, but I didn’t realize you were that much of a fuckboy.”
“I’m not. I’ve never—“
I bow my head and look at him with a raised brow as if to say,you’re full of shit. “I quit listening after the second cheerleader Tek told me about. But I know there was more.”
“There were,” he responds quickly with a tinge of,that’s right.You’re not the only one women want.
“Are you trying to impress me?”
“I’m trying to not be naked as soon as possible.”
“You’re not naked.”
“Eden,” he gripes.
“Just put the sweats on.” Jin opens his mouth, but as I walk past him, I hook my thumb into my pants and tug them down baring half of my ass cheek. “I never wear any. So unless you’ve got crabs, put the damn pants on, and shut up about it.”
