Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Between that and my dick not cooperating, I was surprised he wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d been hard and aching practically all night, so I tried to stay as still as possible so he didn’t get the wrong idea or think I was trying to take advantage of him. The problem was, I’d never been this close to a man, let alone one I was attracted to—and those two things in the same thought were pretty heady. He felt so sleep-warm in my arms, and smelled good, and I was like some creeper as I kept sniffing his hair and brushing my scruff over the top of his head because it felt nice.
A couple of times he’d shivered and burrowed in closer to my chest, and it reminded me what Dane had said about Seth being a snuggler. He definitely was, and I liked it. A lot. Maybe too much.
I drifted in and out of sleep, and the next time I opened my eyes, Seth was yawning awake. Judging from the light shining through the window, it was probably midmorning.
I rubbed my hand over my eyes. “Morning.”
“Morning. I’m sorry about this.” He made a weak attempt of trying to break free of my arms, almost like he was embarrassed, and as soon as I applied the slightest pressure, he melted against me again.
“Don’t be sorry.” I was trying my best to read him, and for now, I somehow knew he still wanted to be held. “I’m not opposed to cuddling, and you’re pretty good at it.”
“You’re good at it too.” When he sighed into my neck, I held in a shiver.
“Feeling better now?”
“Yeah… I…” He burrowed his face into my shoulder and shook his head.
“No sweat. You’re not obligated to tell me anything.”
“It’s so stupid.” His voice was muffled, as if he couldn’t bear to look at me. “I shouldn’t be dreaming about something that wasn’t even…damn it…”
“Shh…” I pulled him closer. “Don’t you dare beat yourself up about whatever it is that’s bothering you.”
He stayed silent, but I could feel his soft breaths against my skin.
“You know,” I murmured, “when my mom and I got away from my dad, she had nightmares too.”
“Why did you leave?” he asked in a hesitant voice. “Sorry if it’s none of my business.”
“No, it’s okay.” I took a deep breath. It wasn’t as hard to talk about anymore. It’d been six years since I’d last laid eyes on that asshole, and if I never saw him again, it would be too soon. “My dad was abusive to my mom. I swore that when I turned legal, I would get us out of that house, and that’s exactly what I did. I owe a lot to Tucker and his family because I had money saved from working at the garage. As soon as I graduated high school, we took off and never looked back.” I could feel my pulse thrumming in my ears. Shit, maybe talking about it took more out of me than I’d admitted.
“Thank you for telling me.” He angled his head to look at me. “That must be why you’re so protective when it comes to Bonnie. You’re a good man.”
“I try to be.” I winced because I was no hero. I’d had my share of missteps in life. “And yeah, it’s always been the two of us, and even knowing this time would come, that she would move out…I don’t know…it hasn’t exactly sunk in yet.” I was actually grateful he’d stayed last night because it helped lessen the blow.
“Is that why you don’t have anyone in your life?” His tone was cautious. “I’m just thinking about what Bonnie said, about you finally being able to date or whatever.”
Was that the reason why? I didn’t think so. It wasn’t like Mom or the guys at the shop didn’t encourage me any chance they got. Besides, I’d hooked up plenty.
“Nah, I’ve just…never found anybody special or understanding enough. I mean, I’m a grown man who until yesterday lived with his mom. Think about how well that went over.” I snickered. “How about you? You’re pretty awesome, so why aren’t you taken?”
Even with the dispersed light in the room, I could tell he was flushing. “I, uh, the first time I thought a guy liked me was a pretty bad experience. It’s made me cautious.”
My whole body stiffened. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking,” he replied, but it didn’t make the knots in my stomach loosen. “I feel so stupid, but sometimes I feel like…I don’t know, it kind of broke me or something. Like it ruined me. For all I know, I was already broken.”
“Hey,” I said, lifting his chin with my thumb. “It’s absolutely not stupid. No one can predict how something will affect them. How big or small it might register. Your experiences are valid, and they make you who you are.”