Page 79 of Dissonance (Unrequited 3)

Gentle fingers stroked my hair and up and down my back, settling me. After long moments of me practically purring, Alex said, “I learned something about you today.”

“What?”

“You’re sweet after you come.”

“I’m sweet other times,” I argued, propping my chin up so I could scowl at him.

“I’m not saying you’re not.” He took hold of my chin, his gaze roaming my face. “I’m saying you’re different after. Definitely more vulnerable. I like you this way, but I really like knowing not too many people get to see this side of you. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll be the only one seeing you this way for the foreseeable future.”

My pulse kicked and stomach twisted, both from nerves and the thrill of the idea of having Alex all to myself. “I would be amenable to that.” Then I poked his chest and deepened my scowl. “No parades.”

“There were never parades.” With two fingers, he pushed my scowling mouth into a smile, albeit wonky and lopsided. “If I were to have a parade, you’d be the grand marshal.”

“Do I get a baton?”

He nodded. “Yep. And a sick hat with a feather in the front. You’re going to look super fly, Yael, grand marshal of my parade.”

I patted his cheek and laid my head back down. “Go to sleep, silly.”

“I’m not tired, Boo. I need to keep looking at your fine, naked ass.”

“Fine.” I wiggled closer and snuggled my cheek against his chest. “Then lie still so I can sleep on you.”

“Anytime.” His arms wrapped around me, and I let myself exist only in this bed, with this man. Tomorrow, I’d think of Mo’s reaction, of the band’s reaction, and most importantly, my own. But that was for another day.

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