Page 54 of Voice to Raise
With a weak smile, he replied, “High praise—coming from you.”
Then he grasped my hands and urged me up. Instead of letting me retake my seat, though, he sort of tugged me onto his lap.
“I’m too heavy.” I had to protest this position—even as I encountered the intimacy of it. I’d never sat in someone’s lap before. The feeling was…extraordinary. Like someone wrapping me in a warm blanket. I wound my arms around his neck andnuzzled my nose into his shoulder as he held me. I might’ve been taller, but he was more muscular. Stronger.
Perhaps better able to face the world—despite his belief of a weakness. But where he saw a fault, I saw only strength. He’d endured the unimaginable and had come out the other side. Hell, he was a rock star. Perhaps only known in Vancouver indie circles for the moment…but he was going places. He had talent and a band who clearly adored him.
“Uh…can I ask a question?”
I pulled back from the embrace to gaze at his stunning dark-brown eyes. “Sure. You can ask me anything.” I envisioned some dark, deep secret. Something I’d never shared with anyone. I had a few of those.
“Well, since you offered—” He grinned. “I want to ask about that ex-asshole of yours. But first—” He gestured with his chin. “Is your cat allowed on the table?”
I turned and, to my horror, found Moses licking the butter off my uneaten carrots. “Moses.” Part exasperation, part annoyance, part pride. Mostly annoyance.
He kept right on licking.
Malik chuckled. “I think it’s cute.”
“You just didn’t want to finish your vegetables.”
His expression turned horrified. “He’d better not aim for my cheese sauce. It’ll be a duel to the death.”
I laughed. And, a little shakily, I slid off his lap.
Moses, possibly sensing the moment was over, leapt down from the table. I picked up my plate, moved to the kitchen, and dumped everything into the organic compost. “Well, that was interesting.”
“Mmm.” Malik appeared with his empty plate—and his mouth full of food.
I grinned. “Good, eh?”
He nodded vigorously as he put the plate on the counter.
“Are you, uh…” I let out a long breath.
He swallowed. “Are you asking me to? Do you want me to?”
I stepped into his personal space. “I’m asking. I want.”
He grinned. “Then I’m all yours. Do you need to take any meds?”
His question was as casual as anything. That he was thinking about my health—without being overbearing—meant everything. “I’m okay.”
“Cool. Now, do you have a spare toothbrush?”
“In a container in the drawer under the bathroom sink.” I was vaguely amused dental hygiene was a top priority.
“And lube? Condoms?”
“Small box of condoms—not expired. Big container of lube.” Because I was single—and still horny. I wasn’t going to mention that I’d been jerking off to images of him the past couple of nights.
“I like your priorities. And the cat?”
I eyed Moses who sat on my barstool, indolently licking his paw. “He can take the couch tonight. I’m not sharing my bed with youandhim.”
Malik glanced over his shoulder. “Does he know that?”
“Uh.” I bit my lower lip. “It might be that we’ve shared a bed every night since I brought him home.” To Malik’s raised eyebrow, I added, “Yes, I haven’t had sex since just before I rescued him. The ex I’d rather not talk about.”
