Page 27 of Finding Michael

Chapter Eight

Michael had no fight left in him. Tristan’s words struck a chord deep in his soul. He needed to come clean with Tristan. The only way healing would take place was if he talked about the summer with Al. “Fine.”

“Yes?” Tristan tipped his head again and met Michael’s gaze. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” A chuckle bubbled in Michael’s throat. He wasn’t happy, but he’d finally accepted his fate. He’d talk about his past.

“Good.” Tristan snagged Michael in his arms and kissed him. “Besides…that tingle between you and me isn’t fake.”

“But—” It had to be. He couldn’t be so excited to see Tristan. Couldn’t lose his heart to someone who’d leave. It wasn’t possible.

“No buts…except mine.” Tristan’s eyes sparkled. His breath warmed Michael’s cheeks. “I want you in my ass.”

“Even after—”Holy fuck.

“Yeah.” Tristan kissed him again. “I’m tired of over-thinking. I know who I want and I’m willing to risk temporary heartbreak in order to get the prize at the end.”

Michael shook his head. He had no words. Nothing to combat Tristan’s tangy sweetness.

“I’ll be out in the truck. Want to follow me home or are you allowing me to come over?” Tristan slid his hands down Michael’s sides to his hips, then back to his ass. “I don’t know where you live.”

“Let me close the library, lock up and then you can follow me.” Michael licked his lips. He wasn’t sure what he was getting into, but he couldn’t see another way out.

“Deal.” Tristan squeezed Michael’s ass. “I said we’d be epic. I wasn’t kidding.”

“I know.” Michael lingered another minute in Tristan’s arms, then wriggled free. He didn’t understand what had just happened, but he wasn’t arguing. He went into the library and stopped short.

Dicey folded her arms. “Well?” She cornered him. “You’re going out with him, right?”

“We’re taking things slow.” He ducked out from around her and did a quick walk-through to ensure there weren’t any lingering patrons. The computers were already turned off. He checked the bathrooms were empty then closed the doors. He keyed the security code into the keypad, then switched off most of the lights. “If you’re ready… I am.”

Dicey didn’t move. “Only if you’re going to go with him.” She poked him in the chest. “I know I’m being wishy-washy about him. I’m just… I worry about you, but listening to you out there…” She sighed. “You need to stop thinking about the past and go forward. You deserve a break. A catch. Don’t let him get away because you think you’re unworthy. You’re very worthy. He might not be the one I’d pick for you, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t good enough.”

“Message received.” Michael rounded the counter and retrieved his bag. “You’re right.”

“Good. Let’s go. I heard him say he had dinner for you.” She winked. “I hope there’s actual food involved.” Without another word, she left the library.

Michael sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot of late, but he wasn’t sure how else to handle Dicey and Tristan, among others. He turned the rest of the lights off, then locked the doors. He started toward his car, but paused. Tristan sat in the rain on the hood of the truck.Jesus.Michael’s heart hammered and his dick hardened. Tristan, slick with rain, could be a model. He knew how to work his assets.

“There you are.” Tristan sat up. “Sexy as ever.”

He should’ve told Tristan to keep his voice down, but kept quiet instead. Michael strode over to his car. “I can’t get too far. You’ll catch a cold.”

“I won’t, but if I do you’ll make sure I get better.” Tristan slid off the hood and waved. “Bye, ladies.”

Dicey laughed and the sound rang out in the silence. Cilla waved, then left.

Michael shook his head. He’d never live any of this down. He wasn’t a showy person, but Tristan was and he kept forcing Michael out of his comfort zone. Michael slid his gaze over to Tristan. “Are you sure you’re not going into politics? Running for mayor? Maybe you’re trying to encourage reading in Sullavan. Something.”

“I’m only trying to sway one voter. You. Is it working?”

“Could be,” Michael confessed. He leaned against the fender of his car. The rain had stopped, but water splotched all over his hood. “I’m just a couple of blocks from here.”

Tristan crowded him, pushing his damp crotch against Michael’s hip. “I really want to kiss you again.”

“I can tell.”Damn.Was that his dick shoving into Michael’s thigh?

“You don’t want me to.” Tristan splayed his hand on Michael’s chest. “You’re fighting me.”

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