Page 98 of Phantom Faceoff
“If you’re holding me, don’t stop. But don’t move either. If you’re not … stay close but don’t touch me. Wait for it to pass.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Me neither, but I think your Coach would really start to dislike me if you came to practice all banged up because I punched you.”
“I’d take it,” he says without a hint of humor or sarcasm. “If it gets you away from the memory, I’ll be a goddamn punching bag.”
Fuck, what am I going to do with this man?
“I love you.” Every time I say it, I feel lighter.
Those words used to hold something dangerous, used to hold my heart hostage with the threat that they might shatter it again.
Zander touches his fingers to my cheek, tilting my head so his eyes capture mine.
“I love you, Daddy.”
I feel raw, like an open wound in need or irrigation, and Zander’s words come at me like a flood.
His lips brush mine, a hand presses on the back of my head.
“I want to explore this,” he says. “I want to understand why this feels so …”
“Right?” I supply, voice crackling.
He smiles, fingers twisting and playing in my hair. It’s relaxing—comforting.
“You take care of me,” he says while his mouth lingers over mine, “and I’ll take care of you.”
It’s a strange notion, being taken care of. I’ve spent my whole life looking after others, but here Zander is—who undeniably needs more care than anyone I’ve ever known—wanting to do that for me.
“We’ll figure out where we fit. Together.” My arms around his torso tighten.
He beams down at me, every bit the cocky, sunshine boy that he is.
“Yes, please, Daddy.”
We might not know how this will work out for us or how far we want this to go, but it’s a journey we feel we can take on together.
With a little help from Julian, of course.
A Daddy and his boys.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
Zander
One YearLater
Six months in the making, and everything is finally coming together.
Planning isn’t my strong suit. I’m all about spontaneity.
If I’m in charge of date night, our plans are made in the moment.
When I suggest Malachi let me tie him up, it’s mid-sex with my cock in his ass.
