Page 26 of Iridescent Lust

“Where am—“

The darkness shrank as a door opened, light flooding the room,myroom. Standing in the doorway, I could see the outline of a man. The sparkling glint from the uniform gave away his identity. EO had come to my rescue. It was becoming the foundation of our relationship.

“You were shouting. Is everything okay?”

The light pouring in was brighter than a lightbulb. I had been out cold long enough for the sun to rise. Nothing made sense. All I wanted to do was curl into a ball and pull the blankets over my head. I appreciated him saving me, but something in my heart hurt and I wanted to be alone.

“It’ll be a little while before his powers wear off.”

“Thanks,” I whispered. I don’t think the words quite did the situation justice. He had saved me from a snake, a jerk at the bar, a horrible date experience, and now he swooped in and protected me against myself. Thanks didn’t quite seem to convey my appreciation.

“What happened? I remember—“

“Hellcat happened. She’s two parts fearless, one part crazy. She had a hunch that something was going to happen tonight. Nobody dies on her watch.”

“The train?”

“I teleported the two of you out just in time. I thought you’d be more comfortable in your own bed while you slept off his powers.”

“Thanks.”

“You already said that.”

With the light behind him, I couldn’t make out his face. But I imagined the crooked grin growing. The man in white had reached into my brain and weaponized my worst fears. I hadn’t realized how much it ate at me. I had great friends, a decent job, and with this bear of a man in my doorway, there were possibilities. But some part of me expected them to walk away and leave me alone.

“I’ll be out here if you need me.”

Always the gentleman, EO turned around, ready to close the door. It might be the villain’s powers, but space was the last thing I needed. The feeling of dread was like rising waters, and if I didn’t get a lifeline, I wasn’t sure I’d survive.

My lifeline pulled the door closed.

“Don’t.”

“I can leave it open.”

“Don’t go.”

He paused.

I fought back tears. He had gone above and beyond. First, he saved me, and then he stood as a vigilant protector. Despite that, here I was with an even bigger ask. I could hardly make sense of the emotions causing my heart to tighten. But one thing was for certain, I didn’t want the man who brought me roses to leave.

“Are you sure? You almost died… again. That can make a person—”

I cleared my throat. “I want you to stay.”

He walked closer as I sat up in bed. I crawled to my knees, looking up at him as he stood at the side of the bed. The moment my hand touched his neck, it became clear that I needed this. Be damned the villain’s powers. I needed to feel EO.

He dipped down, lips crushing against mine. Holding the sides of my head, there was an eagerness to his actions. His beard brushed against my stubble. The taste of cinnamon hit me as if it were an intoxicating aphrodisiac. As he backed away, teeth pulling at my bottom lip, I didn’t want to stop, not there.

“EO,” I whispered in a breathy gasp, “that suit would look better on the floor.”

He chuckled at my poor excuse for a pickup line. Resting his forehead against mine, he wrapped his arms around my chest, pulling me tight for a hug. The man’s strength chased away the dark thoughts. He kissed my forehead before giving me another squeeze.

“Theo.”

“What?”

“My name,” he whispered, “it’s Theodore.”

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