Page 25 of Under The Twilight Rainfall
“I’m supposed to be working.” As if he hasn’t taken a dozen sky and sea shots since we’ve been on the ferry.
“You gotta relax on occasion, Dex.” I brush back some of the hair that’s fallen out of his bun. “Find a safe place to rest for a while.”
Dex slides his shades up, half turning to face me and catching my wrist in his hand. “I suppose that’s your unsubtle way of saying that place should be here?”
His words are soft, expression softer if a bit confused, and I step into his space, our chests nearly touching.
“That’s my unsubtle way of saying that place is me. I’ll always be safe for you, Dex.”
I know he’s going to pull away before he does, huffing through his nose and letting out a gentle scoff as he releases me and turns back to the railing.
“I don’t need you to chase away the nightmares anymore.”
Because that’s what he has his photography for? For attention, validation, all the things he was deprived of growing up? Not that I judge him for it. If it makes him happy, makes him feel fulfilled, then I’m glad he has it.
That’s where our conversation dies, where I give him his respite, and when we exit the ferry a little while later, I’m rewarded by him searching out my hand, fingers curling around my own.
“Don’t wanna get lost,” he says, but his palm is warm and his eyes are openly honest.
Relief.
For what, I’m not sure, but if that’s what he’s willing to give me, I’ll take it and hold it close.
Withtheskyturningdark, Dex and I walk through a park in Dumaguete. He grabs my elbow and hooks his thumb over his shoulder towards a small set up of street vendors.
“Wanna grab a bite? Should probably get back before the fam gets too worried about us.”
I’m not sure he realizes what he said, but I cover my smile with my hand like I’m thinking it over.
“Food sounds good, but…” I pull my phone from my back pocket and check the time. “We’ve got places to be.”
“Oh?” Dex crosses his arms, and the way they flex in that tight t-shirt does something to the simmer of desire in my gut that never quite goes away when he’s around.
The smirk that follows is almost enough to make me grab him and kiss the look off his face, but I refrain.
“Kick it into high gear, Ashford. I’ll feed you when we get there.”
He laughs but falls into step beside me. Stars have started popping up in the darkening sky, and I catch Dex staring at them through our silent walk. When we finally reach the building I booked us time in, Dex raises his brow and cocks his hip on the door before I can open it.
“Karaoke?”
My smile is too big to cover as I shoulder him out of the way—ignoring his humored protest.
“Full Filipino experience, SpecDex.”
He groans at the use of the nickname, but he’s a solid, warm presence at my back when I get to the counter to grab our room info and snacks. It’ll be late when we make it home, but Lola will no doubt have saved us some dinner, so we don’t have to go overboard.
When Dex’s laughter in my ear abruptly cuts off and his hand grips my waist, I glance over to find his jaw tight and his eyes hard as he looks over my shoulder. We’re off to the side waiting on the food to finish up, so I turn to see what he’s staring at, only to have him tighten his hold and pull me closer to his side.
A few feet away, getting his own food, is Jonah, who hasn’t noticed us standing here, and I can feel Dex itching to get to our room before he does.
The possessive display is kind of hot, and I’m tempted to play along and lean into his hold, but just then Jonah catches my eye, a bright grin spreading across his face, and I feel Dex’s hand squeeze before falling away.
“Twice in one summer,” Jonah says with a playful wink. “We’re setting a record.”
Dex has schooled his face into a relaxed expression, but I see the wariness in his gaze. If he hadn’t crossed his arms out of my reach, I’d grab his hand to reassure him.
“You two on a date?” Jonah asks with a hopeful lilt in his voice.
