Page 26 of Deep Gap

“There’s someone out there for you.”

He steps back, grabbing the back of his neck and raking his fingers forward, messing up his hair. “There’s someone right here for me. I fall a little bit more every day and if you go, it’ll be like tumbling off a ledge.”

“Fall. For me.” It’s supposed to be a question, but the incredulity in my voice is apparent. My rigid spine hits the counter. “You said kissing me was a mistake. And that working together was a problem.”

“Because I didn’t ask if it was what you wanted, and you said you don’t have much experience, and I never wanted Mac and Karen to think that I’d use you the way Waylon tried to.”

“I had a girlfriend.”

“What do you want me to say to that? That it’s a turn on? A turn off? That it’s not in the back of my mind that I’m also shy of forty and making a goddamned fool of myself?”

“What I want is for you to acknowledge you’re not the first person to kiss me. And that maybe I liked it. And that maybe you hurt my feelings by telling me it was a mistake!” I grow louder. Since I’m already making a spectacle out of myself, I go for broke. “And for fuck’s sake, don’t ask me to stay and then expect me to split the water bill for all the showers you take!”

Byron slumps into a kitchen chair. A lazy grin overtakes his smart mug. A throaty chuckle escapes him. He looks at me and I laugh at how awkward we are. I should be making goo-goo eyes at him for asking me to stay.

“You’re so fucking beautiful when you blush. It’s the first thing I noticed about you.”

“It is not. I’m an ex-con and you’re freaked your harboring a criminal.”

“When have I ever said that?”

“I overhead you telling Trig you couldn’t believe you gave Tallulah to a criminal.”

“That was a good-natured ribbing between old friends. I was only trying to lighten the mood, and he took it on the chin. Trig’s got a guy working for him who is on parole, too. Morgan is younger than you, lives in their attic, and he dates Kimber’s daughter. On top of giving the kid the second chance he deserves, Trig is working though his own personal bullshit. If I didn’t think he could take the joke, I wouldn’t have mocked him the way I did. But I’m also sorry that you overheard and it hurt your feelings. Can you accept my apology?”

Byron stretches a hand out to me, bridging the gap. I reach toward him, accepting what he’s offering at face value since Byron hasn’t gotten angry that I was eavesdropping. This time, the laugh he releases is a guarded chortle. I walk closer to him until our knees press together.

“Now that we’ve put that misunderstanding to rest, tell me how to convince you to stay,” he pleads, placing a hand on my waist. His thumb makes small circles on my hip.

“For starters, stop holding back if it doesn’t feel natural.”

Byron guides me to straddle his lap. His thick, hard length punches up between my legs. “This is what you do to me, Greer. Hiding it so I’m not pressuring you is killing me. This is where I want you.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it? I tell you I’m falling crazy in love with you and all I get is Okay?”

“Can you just stop talking and kiss me, Byron?” I brush my lips against his and use my tongue to part his lips. He doesn’t hold back, falling over the edge and plundering my mouth.

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Last night we kissed. Then we made dinner and sat on the couch with Jovie propping our popcorn bowl while we watched a movie. Greer gave me the side-eye sneaking Jov bites. I tossed a handful in her direction. Jovie went after every morsel, tipping the bowl and devouring what was left.

Greer laughed until I pinned her to the cushions and rocked my hips in unison with hers. Her smile faded as her lips parted and her tongue darted out of her mouth in an invitation to kiss her some more. The strangled moan that escaped her when she peaked turned me into a horny teenager, coming in my pants.

My boxers slicked to my stomach, I walked Greer to her room and leaned her against the door, intending on giving her a single goodnight kiss.

Jov trotted in behind us. She laid down on the mat over the spot that used to be Tallulah’s, settling down for the night.

“Are you coming back to sleep in here too after you clean up?” she winked saucily.

“Need someone to tuck you in, honey bee?”

“Or ward off the chill. Whichever you prefer.” Her finger grazed the scruff on my chin.

I took the fastest fucking shower I’ve taken in months. Rifling through my drawers, I tossed on a looser pair of underwear that wouldn’t strangle my dick and make the blatant erection that I haven’t been able to get rid of less pressure for Greer. We can still take a slower pace.

“Byron,” she said before sleep overtook us. “I like being here. I like being with you. But what if I don’t know how to love you back?”

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