Page 41 of Shiver
I chuckle. “Yes.”
A beat passes. “Will you hold me all night?”
The vulnerability in his voice cracks something in my chest. Like he just slammed a sledgehammer into my sternum. I suck in a breath before putting my weight more fully on top of him, pressing him between me and the bed. “All night, Egon. I’m not going anywhere.”
I’m in so much trouble.
FOURTEEN
EGON
I’min so much trouble. There’s a part of me that’s losing control; losing my sanity. The questions ringing in my ears are so loud, I can barely hear anything else. The confusion, the excitement, the fear, the horror, the pleasure… they all war with each other loudly.
So loudly that there are times I can’t catch my breath and have to pause whatever I’m doing and close my eyes. In those moments, all I want is for Rake to take me in his arms and tell me it’s alright. That he’s there.
And then that only further adds to my panic. Lights dance in front of my eyes as blackness makes me sway on my feet. Afraid I might fall and break something, I sink to the floor and lean against the wall. My fingers shake. I’m going to be sick.
Not knowing what else to do, I take out my phone and dial Rake. I haven’t ever called him. Usually, I send him a random text. But I don’t dare open my eyes for fear that I’m going to lose the contents of my stomach as the world around me spins.
He made me breakfast this morning. It was ready when I got out of his shower. Then he sent me on my way with more food for lunch. Snacks. Drinks. He’s done the same for me every morning this week. Each night since I crawled into his bed and he made me come so hard my entire body seized, I’ve been there, in his bed, waking in his arms, and starting each day with him.
He answers and his voice moves down my body like a caress. A shiver overtakes me as I let out a heavy breath. It settles me.
“Egon,” he says, his voice louder this time. I realize I haven’t answered him.
“Hi,” I say weakly. “I-I need you to talk to me for a minute.”
“Where are you?” he asks.
I don’t remember. And I don’t want to open my eyes. I’m biting my tongue so the helpless sounds building inside me don’t escape. The pain helps to clear my head a little, too.
“Wolf?”
My eyes snap open as my body stiffens. Cory Dempson stands over me, frowning. We’re in the same program, so we end up sharing a lot of the same classes. Some days I like him fine. Others, he’s like nails down a chalkboard, even when he’s not speaking. Today is one of the latter.
“I’m fine,” I say, though my voice sounds weak. I wave him off. Hoping he takes a hint. “Just not feeling well.”
He frowns and looks around. As if someone or something will appear with an answer.
“Really, Cory. I’m fine. I just need to catch my breath.” The irritation I have that he’s the one I’m talking to instead of Rake on the phone replaces the panic that had settled over me. I suppose that’s one way to make it go away.
“Okay,” Cory finally says. He leaves me with a skeptical look before walking down the hall. But as I’m watching him, I see Rake coming toward me.
The relief at seeing him combines with the way my stomach flips and I think I’m going to be sick as the contents surge to my throat. I try to close my eyes, but I can’t look away.
Then he’s there, sitting on the floor next to me. His shoulder against mine. We don’t speak as the hall empties. While I’d like to just lean in and smell him—yes, I’m creepy like that—I don’t. I don’t want questions.
Only when we’re finally alone does Rake rest his hand on my thigh. It doesn’t matter how messed up my head is, my dick likes his touch. It strains against my jeans. “Freaking out?” he asks. As if he knows.
It’s been two days. And yeah, I’ve freaked out a little each day. Though not quite like this. Not to this extent.
I nod. “I’m sorry.”
He chuckles. “Don’t be. Completely normal.”
He hasn’t touched me like that in two days, either. Despite my dick begging for it. Despite feeling how raging hard he is against me. Instead, Rake holds me against him. Whether we’re on the couch or in his bed, he just holds me.
As if he’s been waiting for this moment. Knowing it’s coming. “I didn’t know—” My words cut off as I laugh, leaning my head back against the wall. Then I grip his wrist tightly, leaning more heavily into his side. “I guess there’s a lot I didn’t know about myself.”
