Page 24 of Trick of the Flesh
“Okay,” he murmurs. “We’ll figure it out. One step at a time.”
We cross into the house together, completely ignoring the loud music and the laughter of the drunk partygoers.Our parents.The hallway to our rooms feels tighter, the shadows long and suffocating, wrapping us up in their embrace. I try to keep my gaze level, but my pulse is hammering. Every creak of the floorboards is a reminder that I can’t hide from him anymore.
When we reach my old bedroom, the door slams shut behind us. Childhood posters, basketball trophies, and the faint scent of my teenage years feel like a fragile shield against the storm I’m walking into. But it doesn’t matter. Miguel doesn’t notice, doesn’t care.
He spins me around, pressing me against the door, his body so close to mine but not touching. His hands trace along my shoulders and down my back, teasing, claiming, and making itclear I am no longer allowed to resist. My breath hitches, chest rising and falling too fast.
Nowhere to run.
It’s justmeandhim.
“You wanted this,” he whispers into my ear, voice wet with dark amusement. “You wanted me to ruin you.”
I want to deny it, but the truth shreds me from the inside. Every inch of me is already undone. “Yes,” I admit, voice small, almost lost. “I want it. I need it.”
There’s this small part of me that wants the ruin just so I can feel… something.
Wanted?
So I won’t feel broken inside for not being like everyone else.
Miguel whispers low, the sound vibrating against my spine. “Let go, Caleb. I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but just know this isn’t just about me. This is about you, too. I want you. And not just to get off.”
He turns me around and presses close, chest against mine, hand moving to my jaw again, tilting my head up. His gaze is fierce, unmasked now, but there’s a hint of softness to it.
Though there’s also hunger.
Possession.
The promise of ruin.
My body shakes with an involuntary shiver, like the surrounding air just dropped ten degrees.
“You’re trembling,” he says, eyes darkening. “Am I scaring you, little brother?”
I shake my head, but it’s a useless gesture. “No—” My voice catches. “I’m?—”
“Shh,” he murmurs, hand sliding down to grip my hip, holding me still. “You don’t get to hold back from me anymore. Not tonight. Not ever again. I’ve got you now, Caleb.”
I swallow, the knot in my stomach tightening. My pulse isfrantic, and my chest feels ready to burst. I hate how much I want him, hate how desperate I am, but I can’t stop it. I can’t stop myself from shivering against him, waiting for him to take control.
I hate that I don’t hate him at all.
I hate myself.
That I can’t be happy in my head.
I sag against him. Giving in.
I deserve this. I deserve to be happy. To feel wanted, even if it’s with Miggy.
Especially with Miggy.
His lips brush my temple, soothing. “That’s it,” he murmurs. “Stop holding back. You’ve been starving for this, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” I whisper, weak, broken. “I’ve wanted it forever.”
He chuckles softly. “Me too. Now I can give you all of me.”
