Page 84 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
What woke me?
Water, running in the master bathroom, and the sound of voices, Molly’s and Sebastian’s, drew me like a magnet. Morrigan followed.
“There’s nothing there I haven’t seen before,” she said hotly.
“Argh.Just give me a hand towel.”
“Even if you get a boner, I promise I won’t get ideas.”
“Molly—”
“Hey. It’s me.” I tapped on the door before entering.
Sebastian’s face caught fire.
“Thank God you’re here, Stone.” Molly gave an exasperated sigh. “I didn’t want to wake you, but yon hothead doesn’t think it’s appropriate for a gently bred young lady such as myself to see his manly bits.”
“Molly,” he groaned.
“I’ve got this,” I told her. “You can go.”
“With puh-leasure.” She stopped in the doorway. “I will be having a glass of wine and reading one of your Armageddon books.”
“Morrigan.” I got the dog’s attention. “Out. Go with Molly.”
“C’mere, Morrigan.” Sending a wounded look my way, Morrigan followed Molly out, and the door closed behind them.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I said I would help you.”
“I know. Molly mentioned that my dad promised to support the sanctuary in return.”
“Shit. So of course you think that’s the only reason.”
Sebastian gave a shocked gasp. “I do not.”
“See? Even you don’t believe that shit.”
Sebastian bit his lip.
“Think about it for a minute,” I said before retaping one of his plastic sleeves. “Did what happened between us last night seem to be about money to you?”
“No.” He plopped into the plastic shower chair, head down, expression adorably pouty. “But no one likes a pity fuck.”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure some people do.” I turned on the water and adjusted the temperature, but before turning it on him, I kneeled so we were eye-to-eye. “I know that what I said last night hurt you. I’m sorry if it felt like some kind of rejection.”
“You were just being honest,” he argued. “I’m the one—”
“Let me finish, please.” I searched for the right words. “What happened between us was spontaneous and special. You made me see myself in a new way. It changed things for me. But I never in my life considered being someone’s Daddy in a romantic relationship—”
“I’m sorry I brought it up. I won’t ever—”
“Do I have to wedge a washcloth in your mouth to get you to be quiet and let me finish?” Sebastian shook his head. “Right now, thinking of myself as someone's romantic Daddy makes me feel horrible about how badly I handled things with my kids. The wordDaddybrings up a truckload of emotions that aren’t at all compatible with…whatever this is.”
He lowered his lashes. “I’m really sorry, Stone.”
“On the other hand, there are things…certain nurturing type things…that I truly enjoy with you. Very much.”
