Page 108 of Toy No More

I glance down at the plate of four sandwiches he’s holding. They look delicious; filled to the brim with veggies, cheese, and ham. Neither one of us are exactly gifted or motivated when it comes to cooking, so having Marci bless us with her creations is definitely a big plus.

“Don’t have to ask me twice.”

The balcony in our bedroom overlooks the sea and the promenade. It’s by far my most favorite part of the apartment. We bought a rustic little metal table and chairs that fit perfectly and lounge here often in the mornings and evenings. Any chance we get, really. It might get old in the future, but it isn’t anytime soon.

A soothing, peaceful existence… Living in the moment with nothing but the sound of the waves and the person I care about the most next to me. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted without knowing how much I needed it.

Smiling at each other, we sit down. Kobe leans back in the chair, letting out a tired sigh as he bites into the sandwich. The sun doesn’t feel as hot anymore, pleasantly tickling at my skin. I’ve gotten a bit of a tan since we’ve been here, though I’m not sure if it suits me or not. It at least gives me an excuse to buy more shades and kinds of foundation.

I pull out my phone while eating and scroll on the Gram. Mostly, my feed consists of a ton of make-up artists, but there is one person whose posts I look forward to seeing. A smile creeps up on my lips as soon as I see her new post. It’s a picture of Sadie and her kid all messy from face painting. Her wide, toothy smile is so bright it’s almost like she could be here next to me, and I can hear her laughter echo in my head.

“What got you so giddy?” Kobe asks with interest, cocking his brow at me from across the table.

I blink up, smirking. “Sadie’s post.”

“Ah. I’m glad you’re stillkeeping in touch. Is she doing okay?”

“Yeah,” I mutter, looking at my phone with a slight sense of melancholy in my chest. Things like the inconspicuous emoji under her photo that mean something to only the two of us is how we communicate now. “She started that pole dance training business I told you about. It looks like it’s going well.”

Jasper might be dead, and most of the organization locked up for the foreseeable future, but nobody is playing when it comes to safety. The feds couldn’t arrest everyone. There are still those who could have lingering loyalty to Jasper. These stupid new names, new identities, us moving across the country…it all took a lot of effort from a lot of people, so we’re serious about it. Unfortunately, that means keeping in direct contact with Sadie isn’t safe, were someone looking for revenge diligent enough to try to find us.

But…we can dothis. Put out posts and pictures and little hints that only Sadie and I recognize that let both of us know that we’re doing okay and thinking of each other. Maybe one day, we can see each other again. Hopefully, soon.

Until then, I’m content watching her life from afar. I wish her and the other dolls the same happiness I’ve found.

I shift on the chair and set my phone on the table with a sigh. As I bite into the sandwich that melts in my mouth with a satisfied groan, I notice Kobe has finished his. Spreading out his legs, he doesn’t say anything, but his eyes beckon me closer.

Smirking, I put the food down. I’m not that hungry, anyway.

“You want a cuddle, don’t you? God, you’re so needy,” I say with a playful frown and get up to walk up to him in an intentionally slow, provoking manner. Kobe watches me intently with that cute expression.

I sit in his lap, resting my legs over the flimsy metal armrest, and wrap my arm around his neck. Nuzzling against his skin and taking in his scent, I place a tender kiss there before he pulls me away to press our lips together.

“You know,” he mutters between our kisses, “there are these alphas at work that keep hitting on me.”

With a smirk, I run my fingers from his nape upward, brushing through his hair. It always makes Kobe tremble in the most delicious way. If he wants to tease me, I’m happy to tease him back. “Mhmm, really? I’m sure you can manage to fight them off,” I whisper.

He licks his lips and meets my eyes, a spark of mischief in his gaze. “Well, I don’t really want to draw attention to myself or cause trouble, do I? I thought,” pausing, his attitude shifts to something softer and more honest, so I perk up, “that maybe I could…get a ring. To symbolize that I’m taken,” he says hesitantly while his finger runs up and down my back, almost like he’s trying to soothe himself.

I narrow my eyes briefly, a little taken aback by the sudden suggestion. “I’ve never heard of only one person getting a ring without offering it to the other one.”

His body tenses up underneath me and his eyes dart somewhere across the floor. What is he getting all flustered about?

“I obviously thought of that,” he says slowly, thoughtfully, as his finger traces my spine through my shirt. It ends up rested over my hips, and then he finally looks up to meet my gaze. “But I know how much you dislike the concept of someone owning you or…tying you up into all of that, so I…”

My chuckle of disbelief quietens Kobe. He raises his eyebrows at me with a sharp blink.

You stupid idiot. Stupid,caringidiot.

“I appreciate you giving it a thought, but…I don’t hate the idea itself,” I say. With Kobe, it’s different. It doesn’t feel stifling, like with Jasper or all those men in my past who’ve tried to control or own me. In fact, the idea makes my heart flutter. “More of a sign of devotion than possession. I told you what I did at the beginning because…ah, I guess I had to think that way to protect myself. My independence. My worth. With you…it’s different. Everything’s different with you.”

The way something sparks in his eyes in reaction to my words has me all mushy inside. There’s that shy, careful Kobe again, and he’s insufferably lovable.

Sometimes I have to just stop to reflect on it and how mind-blowing it is. That I’ve experienced everything there is to experience, sexually, and yet every mundane moment with Kobe feels new and exciting and unique.

Like I’m experiencing life anew. Kissing, making love, doing couple things, existing together…all felt for the very first time wholly and truly.

Using his shoulder to prop myself up, I readjust until I end up straddling him. Kobe lets out a surprised huff that quickly turns to a shaky, aroused exhale as we face each other. Putting my arms around his shoulders, I lean in and kiss him. It’s a long, passionate kiss that’s supposed to say how thankful I am for him. For his consideration and thoughtfulness and care.

---