Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
It took a minute for Tam to catch his breath, when he did he fisted Driver’s shirt. His chest felt so full it could explode. “Home?”
“Is that okay?”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I want to live with you. If you think it’s too fast, I can stay here at Harrison’s until he gets back, but I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning. I want to share my life with you. I want it all. I know I might be asking too much too fast, so if you need more time, I’ll wait.”
“Driver.” His hands were still holding on to the fabric as he lowered his head to Driver’s chest. “Every time I think I’ve got you all figured out, you find another way to astound me. I don’t think I will ever get used to being in constant awe.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t sound it, though, and his tone made Tam smile.
Tam stepped away and linked their hands. “Come on then, let’s go home.”
Driver grabbed his crutches first, then his bag, which was hidden behind the couch. They said goodbye to Mikey and locked the door as they left. Across the hall, Tam unlocked his door and flipped on the lights. He took Driver’s bag and brought it into the bedroom. His closet wasn’t huge and it was already stuffed with his shoe collection and various costumes, but he’d make room. He’d rearrange his whole life to keep Driver in it.
For now, though, he tossed the bag into the closet and shut the door.
When he turned around, Driver was leaning against the crutches in the doorway. “I kind of needed my toothbrush.”
In three big steps, Tam was in front of Driver. “Use mine tonight.” He kissed him, then nuzzled his scruff-covered cheek with his nose.
“Later.” He maneuvered Tam toward the bed, and the crutches clattered to the floor. They fell together, still fully clothed, though they didn’t stay that way for long.
* * *
“Will you really stay?” Naked and still sweaty from their lovemaking, Tam was splayed across Driver’s chest. He traced the intricate tattoos of all the places Driver had seen and all the amazing things he’d done.
“For as long as you’ll have me, maybe longer.” Driver’s eyes were closed. His heartbeat was slow under Tam’s ear.
Forever would be good. Tam never wanted this feeling to end.
“You might need to pinch me every day just so I’ll believe I’m not dreaming,” Tam said.
Driver’s calloused hand smoothed down Tam’s bare back, sending his lax muscles into a coma. He was made of nothing but Jell-O and fantasies in that moment, so relaxed and happy it felt as if he were floating on clouds.
“Keep dreaming, precious. I’ll be right beside you.”
Tam lifted himself into a sitting position and studied Driver’s face. Beneath the bruises and cuts and beard he hadn’t had time to shave were wrinkles and scars and beauty marks. Tiny imperfections that made the whole picture undeniably Driver. One of a kind, he was. Driver opened his gray-blue eyes as if he were waking from a good dream, sleepy and soft. A pleased smile played around the corners of his full mouth, but never quite formed.
For the millionth time since he came home, Tam’s heart flipped. Would he ever get used to the way Driver looked at him? Like he was a wish that had come true.
“Thank you,” Tam said.
The wrinkles on Driver’s forehead deepened in curiosity. “For what?”
“For giving me back things I thought I’d lost forever. For making me feel things I thought I could never feel. For being my safe place. For loving me.”
Driver sat up and leaned against the headboard. “You are you because the light inside is brighter than all the darkness you’ve had to live through. You never lost your light, your sweetness, no matter what terrible shit life threw at you. You’ve no idea how amazing you are, and that just makes you more appealing.” Driver grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Falling in love with you was the easiest thing in the world. I think I was a goner the minute you walked into the laundry room and knocked me on my ass. You shouldn’t thank me for loving you. It’s the other way around. I crave you with every cell in my body. And I swear, I will worship you for the rest of my life.”
With a gentle tug, Driver guided Tam until he was straddling Driver’s lap.
“I know it will take time for you to believe me with all your heart, but please never doubt how incredible you are.” Driver stretched up to kiss him. “Okay?”
Tam nodded because forming words right then was impossible. His throat was tight with emotions that were too strong to voice. He snaked his arms around Driver’s neck, buried his head in his shoulder and held on.