Page 57 of Reaper Razed

I sigh and drop to the bed. “Sorry, thanks for the help, man. I appreciate it.”

“No worries.” He takes a step to leave “Can I offer you some advice?”

I glance up at him, dubious about what he will say. “Guys like Dane don’t come around very often. Don’t let him slip through your fingers because you’re too proud to admit you’re into him.” He tips an imaginary hat and heads out the door, softly clicking it closed as he leaves.

I strip off and flop into bed, pulling the covers up around us both. He’s lying on his front, but he’s facing me. His dirty blonde hair has flopped over his forehead, giving him a surfer guy kind of look. I can see where he’s lost weight. The angles in his face are sharper. I rub my thumb across his cheek. “I’m so sorry, Dane. I wish I could be the brave man you deserve.” I get as close as I can, wrap my arm around him, and close my eyes.

Dane

I wake up groggy. Where the fuck am I? Ouch, that fucking hurts. My head is spinning, then I’m suddenly aware I’m wrapped in someone’s arms, and I freeze. Fuck, I’m in my room at Ray’s. I don’t remember coming back here. Who the fuck did I bring back? Shit, shit, shit.

Arms tighten around me. “Shhh, babe, go back to sleep.”

That voice. I recognise it. My skin pebbles as he kisses my shoulder softly, and my dick starts to stir. The smell of him engulfs me, and it’s too much. I scramble out of bed, falling into the drawers as I grab for the door.

“Get your fucking hands off me. Where is she? Where’s my sister?” I spit and slur as I stumble out into the living room.

“Dane, she’s fine. Come back to bed?” he says from behind me.

“Fuck you! Stay away from me.” I stagger further towards her door as it swings open, and Steel is there in his boxers. Fuck, my mind goes blank. Dude is ripped and hot, and fuck, I’m drunk. That’s my sister’s husband.

“Dane, what the fuck?” he mumbles at me, half asleep.

“Where is she?” I slur again, and he nods into his room and takes a step back, allowing me to stagger past him, heading to the empty side of the bed.

He tsks at me. "That's my side, dickhead.” He nods to the other side of Ray. She's not quite in the middle, so I climb over her and snuggle in behind her, grabbing her and pulling her into me so we’re facing each other.

“Go back to bed, man. Things won’t be so bad in the morning.” Steel speaks out into the living room. I’m assuming he’s talking to Dice. Fucker can fuck right fucking off.

Steel slides into the empty side and slides as close to Ray as he can, resting his head on one arm and reaching over. He puts his hand on my cheek and pushes my jaw up so I’m looking him in the eye as best I can, but I’m pretty sure he’s really blurry. “You okay?”

I pinch my lips together and shake my head.

“I love you, ya know.” he whispers, and my eyes shoot to his. “I know you wanna protect her, but I’m here, okay? I’ve got you both. You just sleep.” He reaches down to my waist and pulls us all closer together, then relaxes his hand, leaving it there, burning a patch just under my ribs as my eyes flutter shut. “He loves you too, ya know.” My eyes fly open to meet his. “He just doesn’t know how to be that man yet. Be patient, okay?”

“He doesn't want me.” I slur again.

He huffs out a breath. “Dumb ass motherfucker, doesn’t know how to tell you he wants you. Give him time.”

I shake my head. “No. I… can’t.” I shake my head again.

“Get some sleep, kiddo. Things won’t look so bad in the morning.”

He tugs at me again, stopping me from pulling away, and closes his eyes. I relax into his touch, feeling safe for the first time since we got back.

When I wake, I try to open my eyes, but fuck me, it feels like they’re welded shut. I feel a twitch of a big hand against my waist, and my eyes fly open before meeting Steel's grey eyes and sighing in relief. He chuckles at me and smiles. “How’s the head?”

“Fuck,” I gasp as I realise it’s pounding and the brass band has just started the encore.

“Tablets and water on the bedside table. When was the last time you two ate?” Steel gives me a sad smile, and I just shrug. “I’m gonna go sort some food out. Shower’s in there if you wanna use it, and help yourself to anything out the wardrobe, K?”

“Thanks, Steel.”

He smiles as he walks out of the bedroom in his boxers. Fuck, his arse is… “Ouch…”

“Stop drooling!” The scratchy voice from lack of use crawls through my mind, making my head snap back to her gaze. There's no emotion on her face at all, just a tight lip.

I pull her in closer, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

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