Page 74 of For Fox Sake

My heart picks up speed. My mouth goes dry. My cock is immediately at half-mast.

Did she want me to find this?

I swallow, hard. I have to pull myself together and read Ari a story.

After taking a few deep breaths, I locate Shirley and The Velveteen Rabbit and make my way back across the living room to the bathroom by Ari’s room.

I stop outside the door, leaning against the wall. Ari is brushing her teeth while Ryan sings “Shake It Off” and they both shake their limbs, Ari giggling around her toothbrush.

My heart swells.

I have to convince Ryan to stay. What does she need to go back to Dull for? She hates it there. Her mother is gone, which is terrible, but true. She could live here, go back to school, work... anywhere, really. She wouldn’t have to worry about care for Ari—we have a damn village already in place—and every person here would bend over backward to help with anything she needs.

Did she bring those condoms because she’s hoping for the same thing I am? That we can find a way to be together?

They finish up in the bathroom, and I follow them into Ari’s room still holding Shirley and the book.

Ryan climbs up on the ladder to give Ari a kiss. Then she hops down and walks over to me.

“I’m going to get myself ready for bed while you read to her, if that’s okay?”

I hold the rabbit up in front of my face. “Shirley that’s a rhetorical question because of course.”

Ari giggles.

Ryan smacks me lightly on the shoulder. “Funny. And thank you.”

I clamber up the ladder and squeeze in next to Ari, the bed only squeaking slightly in protest. She hugs Shirley to her chest while I read the book, adding as many ridiculous voices as I can, making Nana’s voice deep and masculine, and giving the Boy the best British accent I can muster.

Ari giggles so hard she gets the hiccups.

We finish the story and despite my entertaining performance, her lids are already drooping. I kiss her forehead good night before climbing back down the steps and shutting off the light, leaving her door halfway open.

Out in the living room, Ryan is sitting on the chair in the corner, gazing out the window into the dark night.

“Hey. She’s out.”

She pushes herself to her feet, walking toward me.

“She seems pretty exhausted. I don’t think there will be any waking up wanting wat?—”

She reaches up, grabs my shoulders, and presses her mouth to mine, hard and quick, and then pulls back and searches my eyes. “Is this okay?”

I lick my lips. “It’s more than okay. But are you sure?”

In response, she takes my hand, leading me to her bedroom, thankfully located on the opposite side of the cabin from Ari’s room.

“What about Ari?”

“She’s a deep sleeper once she’s out.” She shuts her bedroom door behind us, turning to face me. “But try not to scream.”

I chuckle, but then she whips her shirt over her head and the laughter dies in my throat.

We’re less than a foot apart. There’s a lamp behind me somewhere, casting a soft, buttery glow over every dip and curve. My mouth goes dry.

She reaches for the snaps on her bra, and I stop her, resting my fingers on her hand. “Wait.” I swallow. “I don’t want to rush this.” I haven’t done this in so long, and never with someone I care about this much. I’m suddenly terrified I’ll screw it up somehow. “I want to unwrap you myself.”

And I want to make sure she experiences as much pleasure as possible before I take my own, because my cock is already throbbing against my zipper in time with the drumming of my heart.

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