Page 93 of Never Will I Ever

“It’s more than just Elijah, though. A lot of the other kids have been singing your praises too. And especially when it comes to you and Kaleb as a leadership team. Which is why, pending the next few weeks go well, I hope you consider coming back next summer.”

I blink in shock. “Are you serious?”

He laughs one of those deep, feel-it-in-your-stomach laughs. “Of course. I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.”

Truthfully, I haven’t been thinking past tomorrow, let alone all the way into next summer, and the idea of coming back here for another summer sure as hell hadn’t crossed my mind. But, damn, the thought of having another summer like this with Kaleb does have a lot of appeal.

“I’ll definitely consider it. Thank you, Colin.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he says with a nod. Leaning back in his chair, he steeples his fingers in front of him and studies me. “I can tell you’re far more at peace than when you first got here, you know.”

My lips twitch and I glance away, hating that I’m so easily read by the man sitting across from me. Because he’s right.

Somehow, nothing’s changed, and yet everything is different at the same time.

This place that felt so much like a prison when I first set foot in it has turned into a refuge. A place of enlightenment, providing me with a sense of freedom I’d never imagined. My fathersending me here against my will ended up being the best thing that could’ve happened to me. To the struggles I’d been facing when it came to accepting myself.

The irony of it isn’t lost on me either.

Returning my attention to Colin, I offer him a shrug. “I guess this place gave me something I didn’t realize I needed.”

Or rather someone.

“Would you like yourI told you sonow so you can lick your wounds, or would waiting ‘til you’re naked in my bed take some of the sting out of it?”

Glancing up from where I’m spearing marshmallows onto roasting sticks for the kids, I level Kaleb with an unamused stare.

The entire day passed without him inquiring about my meeting with Colin, even after I asked about how his went. I should’ve known he was lying in wait, ready to use it as ammunition when he saw the chance.

Apparently, now is that moment.

“You’re so fucking smug,” I reply, not dignifying his question with an answer.

Of course, he gets a kick out of that too, if the grin spreading across his lips is anything to go on.

“Oh, absolutely. Smug is my specialty that follows an appetizer of being right. Both pair well with stubbornness, or so I hear.” He lifts the s’more in his hand in cheers toward me before adding, “And s’mores too.”

I blink at him in equal parts awe and disbelief. Leave it to Kaleb to get a kick outta my PTSD when it comes to authority figures.

“I can’t stand you.”

He takes another bite of his dessert before murmuring, “Mmm, I’ve heard that before. Of course, I had you coming with my name on your lips right after, so…”

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter under my breath while shooting him a glare. I don’t know what the hell’s gotten into him this evening, but if he’s trying to turn me on by bringing back filthy memories of us in bed together, it’s sure as shit starting to work.

All I get in return is another grin before he pops the rest of his s’more in his mouth. Part of the melted chocolate bar drips from the bite as he does it, landing on his lower lip.

“You’ve got chocolate…”

I reach up to wipe it away, only to remember we aren’t alone. So I settle for pointing to the spot, allowing him to take care of it himself. Of course, doing it myself may have been the safer option, considering Kaleb wipes it with his thumb…only to stick it in his mouth and lick the chocolate off.

Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.

Kaleb’s eyes take on a playful glimmer when he pulls the digit from between his lips, now completely clean. He’s well aware of what he’s doing, and pairing his lewd gesture with a hellish smile, I know I’m in deep shit. Especially when my cock starts stirring behind my zipper.

I clear my throat and glance away, doing my best to tamp down the lust threatening to take over. Consequences be damned.

“Problem there, Reynolds?” He asks it like he’s the picture of innocence.

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