Page 135 of Outcast
“Gonna come,” I rasped.
He took me deep, a challenging look in his eye, and I came down his throat, vision whiting out as my climax slammed into me. I slapped one hand to the wall to hold me up as I curled forward, my whole body shuddering with the release.
Emory rose to his feet and grabbed the soap, using it to scrub me down. “We should probably actually wash before the hot water’s gone.”
We took turns soaping up and rinsing, then got out. Emory handed me a spare towel from the cabinet, and we dried off.
I picked up my clothes from the floor, and Emory held out his arms. “Let me wash those. We can cuddle in bed while the laundry does its thing.”
“See? You are perfect,” I said.
He took my bundle. “Glad you think so, anyway.”
His bedroom was next door to the bathroom, and I let myself into his bed while he started the load of wash. He joined me only a few minutes later.
“I really didn’t expect my day to end up here,” he mused as he laid his head on my shoulder. “But it’s a pretty good place to land. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
I combed my fingers through his damp hair. Kissed his forehead. My heart was full to bursting, despite the shitty argument with Holden, so I knew what he meant.
I didn’t want to disturb his relative peace, but I couldn’t leave it unsaid.
“I’m always going to be glad to be with you, but I don’t want it to be at the cost of your family.”
He tensed, and I stroked a hand soothingly down his spine. “Just don’t give up on them, Emory. You fought for me. Maybe it’s time you fight for yourself too. Because being without your family…” My throat tightened. “Well, it’s lonely even when you’re not alone.”
He shifted, brow furrowed. “But you have family, Gray. You and your brothers are so close.”
I nodded. “And for too long, I was without them. I regret those missed years.”
“I don’t know if my parents will love this version of me,” Emory said in a small voice. “I’m not the son they raised. My dad the same as said so.”
“I can’t speak for them, and I wasn’t there, so take it with a grain of salt, but…they’ve never gotten a chance to know this side of you.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Unless you give them the chance, they never will.”
“Maybe.” He sighed. “I’m just so exhausted right now. Can we just stop thinking and maybe take a nap?”
“Sure. Go to sleep, golden boy.” I kissed his forehead. “I’ve got you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Whatever Holden said, whatever my own fears about how to make up for letting them down or whether I could be everything Emory needed, I couldn’t run away.
Not this time.
Not ever again.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Emory
“My clothes are done,”Gray called from the hall, where my stackable washer and dryer units stood. “I could run out and pick up some movie snacks, if you want?”
I rolled out of bed, where we’d napped and cuddled all afternoon. I wasn’t feelingbetter, exactly, but wallowing with a sexy man you loved definitely made it easier to cope.
Or at least to avoid thinking too much.
“I’ll go.” I opened my dresser drawer and pulled out a fresh pair of boxer briefs, then shorts and a tee. “Bad enough I borrowed my mom’s car without asking. I probably shouldn’t lend it out.”
Gray returned to the bedroom just as I finished dressing. He’d pulled on his jeans and tank top that I’d run through the laundry.
“I grabbed your phone off the bathroom floor. It’s been ringing?—”
