Page 73 of Voices

Picking him up, I carry him into the bathroom, turn the shower on, and step in once it’s warm. I get us as clean as I can with him attached to my front. By the time I step out, his arms are loose around my neck and he’s breathing deeply.

I dry us off, making sure to get his wild hair, and walk back to my bed. We’ve somehow managed to keep the blankets clean so I climb in with him still in my arms. Laying back, I’m instantly relaxed with his weight on me and fall fast asleep.

I wake up to light strokes on my arm. Slowly opening my eyes, I see Charlie tracing my arm tattoo with his fingertip. When he sees me looking at him, he smiles sheepishly and hides his face in the pillow.

“I see the wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours.” I run my fingers through his messy hair and lightly scratch his scalp. He peeks at me with one eye, looking all types of cute.

“Why don’t you have color on your tattoo? It’s so pretty but my mind is telling me it should be in color.”

I sit up and kiss his bare shoulder. “Stay right here.”

I get out of bed and go digging in my closet for the care package my family sent a few weeks ago. Finding it, I pull out what I need and return to Charlie.

“Scootch over to my side.” I lay down in his spot and toss him the box of washable markers my mom sent.

“Why do you have these in your closet.” He holds up the unopened box.

“My mom sends random stuff she thinks I’ll need at some point.” I shrug. “Go ahead, Picasso. Make me pretty.” I roll onto my right side, facing him so he has full access to my left arm and shoulder.

He bites his lip as he pulls out the blue marker. “Are you sure?” He flips the marker around in his hand. “It’s childish. I-I shouldn’t.” He drops the marker in his lap and starts bouncing his knee.

I grab the marker, uncap it, and put it back in his hand. “I’m more than okay with it. It’s washable so it’ll come off in the shower. There’s nothing childish about coloring in a design. My sister colors those books that are full of these mandala designs and she’s twenty-five.” I point to the large flower on my shoulder.

Nodding, he starts on the outer leaves of the mandala flower. I watch his face as he concentrates on following the design. He switches out colors and goes around again, then again with a different color. He sticks his tongue out a little as he adds color to the middle part.

He's absolutely adorable. Relaxed, I start to dose off.

Waking up sometime later, I stretch and look over to where Charlie was sitting, the sheets are cool. I sit up and see the sun high in the sky.

What time is it?

As I climb out of my bed and put on a pair of grey sweatpants, I look at my phone and see that it’s almost noon.

As I walk out of my room, I hear clattering coming from the kitchen. I find Ryder with a recipe book open and a bunch of random ingredients on the island. He looks up and does a double-take.

“Nice artwork. I’m digging all the colors.”

I look down at my arm and see more than the twelve colors that came in the box of markers.

“What the hell are you making with all of this?” I walk up to the opened book and see a recipe for veggie burgers. “Is he still here,” I ask as I look around.

“One, I’m making the best damn veggie burgers ever, even if it calls for beans.” He makes a fake gagging noise. “And second, yes. He’s sitting outside. Been out there for almost two hours. I figured since your lazy ass wanted to sleep all day that I should at least feed the little guy.”

“Don’t call him that.” I turn to the sliding doors but stop and look back at him. “And measure those spices with a measuring spoon. Don’t try to eyeball it, they can get overpowering.” I give him a pointed look before walking out to the balcony.

Chapter Twenty-One

Charlie

Ilike how peaceful it is out here. You wouldn’t expect it when you’re living with a bunch of college students but the few that I’ve seen walking through the courtyard talk quietly amongst themselves.

I lean back and close my eyes, tilting my chilled cheeks towards the sun. Images of last night flash behind my eyes. The way he felt in my hand and on my tongue was better than I ever thought it would be. His salty flavor mixed with the softness of his silky skin was the best aphrodisiac, giving me the confidence I needed to play with his nipple and balls. The sounds he made when I had him in my mouth had me on the edge of coming. If he lasted any longer, I’m pretty sure I would have came in my pants.

Then the way he looked at me when he took my hoodie off. There was a bit of concern in his eyes at first but the further down he kissed the more worked up I became and forgot to worry about what he thought of my body. And holy shit, the way he swallowed me without hesitating at my size had me all out of sorts. I clench my ass as I recall the way he worked me over as he kept hitting my prostate through my orgasm. It was better than any high I’ve had with drugs.

A smile touches my lips at howgoodI feel. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been able to just breathe and not feel like I’m drowning.

A warm blanket is draped over my shoulders followed by a kiss to my cheek. I open my eyes and turn my head to kiss Shaneon the lips. He lets out a low groan as his arms tighten around me.

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