Page 89 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
I’d stayed local, partly because of money, partly because my family needed me. Also, if I’d gone away everyone would assume I was running away from what had happened with my high school girlfriend.
My stomach twisted more. Was Gwen seeing him? Had I missed my chance?
The front door opened, and I headed back into the living room as a barefoot Gwen in her pajamas walked in.
“Clark, you’re back early. It’s only Saturday.” She threw herself into my arms, the look on her face bringing me joy.
“Hi, Gweny.” I swung her around, holding her tight, relieved she was happy at my appearance.
I put her down, but held onto her. Another alpha’s scent coated her, which made my belly clench with jealousy. At the same time, something about the woodsy yet citrusy scent turned me on.
“Where did you go?” The fear, anxiety, and tears underneath the other scents all made me worry.
“I was at Tens’ place.” She shrugged.
“Oh.” My heart fell.
“None of that.” Gwen’s look turned fierce.
I shook my head, swallowing the bitter taste in my throat. “You’re an adult. You can do what you want.”
“I had a nightmare. A bad one.” Her face buried in my chest, though my arms went slack. “I couldn’t sleep. He held me on the couch and I cried myself to sleep. I didn’t fuck him. I’m not ready to date–and he’s not either.”
My arms wrapped around her. “I’m so sorry you had a nightmare. If you want to talk about it, I’m here. Also… you canhave sex with whoever you like. Also, fucking and dating can be different things. I also understand not being ready for that. I’m happy you have a friend like Tens to go to when I’m not here.”
It was hard to say, but true. Ugh, I wanted to punch him. Cuddling Gwen wasmyjob.
She clung to me like a burr. “Change of plans? Though I'm so glad you’re back.”
“Yeah. I have a meeting tonight. If all goes well, maybe I’ll have a new sponsor,” I told her, unable to hide my excitement.
“I’m so happy for you. I’m going to make some coffee. Want some?” She padded over to the kitchen.
“Please?” I plopped down on a stool at the breakfast bar, then texted Ma, letting her know I’d gotten in safely.
Gwen started the coffee.
“Apparently the Knights are gettingthe Yeti? Shit, he’s imposing, but I get this sense that he’s a good dude.” I changed the subject to something neutral. “He’s also so sexy.I mean, I work with some good-looking people, but something about him sort of does it for me.”
Not quite as much as her.
“Have you met him?” Gwen leaned against the counter as the scent of coffee filled my kitchen.
“We did the calendar shoot together last year. He was that guy–the one that walked in on me,twice,while I was changing,” I admitted. “I think I still have a crush on him.”
“That’s the guy?” She got down two mugs. “If you feel something, go for it. He’s nice.”
“You’ve met him?” Hmmm. She’d look cute between the two of us. I’d be fine with that if he was good to her and into it.
“I have.” Her eyebrows waggled.
He probably already moved here, and she’d met him at the rink.
Someone knocked on the door. Maybe she ordered groceries?
I opened the door and there, filling my doorway, was a six-foot-eight,shirtlessAsian guy, with a tattoo of a fish on his bicep, holding a pair of purple flip-flops.
All sorts of butterflies filled my stomach.
