Page 68 of Sliding into Love
No doubt we'll be the talk of the town soon with people speculating why we're together so early in the morning and grocery shopping.
I would say it's upsetting, but I don't really care, not when my little menace seems so utterly happy to be out and about withme. If anything, I would say that he feels even more comfortable outside of his house.
We load up on protein and veggies, much to Kenny's dislike. He stares at the candy and sugar-filled treats with longing. I'm reminded of my brother Jake and his affinity for things that would rot his teeth as a kid.
I manage to sneak in a few small items while we're at the register as he chats with the cashier. Just some bits that won't absolutely ruin his appetite later. Besides, what kind of Dom would I be if I didn't spoil my partner somewhat?
Once we have all the bags loaded into his car, we take off towards my place. Kenny knows exactly where it is. No surprise there. He's clearly a better stalker than I am. It makes me think about how invested he's going to be in our relationship. He made it clear he had been fighting against himself to push for more. That his feelings were deeper than he'd let on.
Am I only setting us both up for heartbreak if I allow anything to happen between us? Or am I just doomed either way?
I can't imagine going back to a time when I didn't know what he tasted like or how good his body felt wrapped around me. I can't picture not fucking him until he falls asleep, then lingering inside his body as I try not to fall apart from the pleasure.
At my place, I invite him inside so he doesn't wait in the car and get nervous. He was jittery the whole way over.
"This is my place," I tell him as I unlock the door and step in. "Just wait here. I won't be but a second."
I move down the hall to my home office and gather a few things I know I need. I also pick up the phone that's for my other business purposes. I see a missed call from Carver, and I bristle. There's no time to call him back now, not without Kenny coming to check on me. But I also need to figure out what Carver's deal is. Maybe he has another project he needs help with. That'susually why he calls. Then again, ever since he met Gideon, I've been a friend as well as a colleague.
Royce: Is what you need urgent? I’m preoccupied but could stop to call.
I move back into the living room in time to see Kenny staring at my bookshelves and pictures.
"See anything you want to borrow?" I ask as I move closer to him.
He whips around, guilt in his expression. "I was just looking," he rushes out.
I place a hand on his cheek. "I can tell you were. I'm not upset. I was just asking if you saw anything interesting."
He bites his lip and turns back to the shelves. "I'm not sure. I don't recognize most of these," he admits.
"That's understandable. We can always look at it more later. Besides, you've got cleaning to do. No reason to grab any recreational items when you've got a busy afternoon ahead of you. Let's hurry up before the food ruins too."
He nods hastily and follows me back out. We're in the car in no time and heading to his place. As he drives, he sings along to the radio, and I contemplate what decisions lie ahead for me.
If things with Kenny and I progress and become serious, there are several issues at hand. The first being our past. I'll have to either let it go, and let bygones be bygones, or we'll have to work through it together. It can't linger if we have any hope of maintaining a solid relationship.
Second issue would be my career. Not my job with the team, but everything else. Kenny has no idea what all I do. Even at his level of stalking, he couldn't possibly know, which brings me to the third thing. Carver and the role I play in helping survivors.It's not a job that I advertise at all. In fact, I don't consider it a job at all. More of a calling.
But it's also one of those things that comes with danger. My life is never 100% safe because it only takes one person connecting the dots, and I could be at risk. Now, I don't believe that it'll ever happen. I've had enough layers of security put between me and everyone else to prevent it. But I can't say that it wouldn’t ever occur.
Am I willing to put Kenneth in danger for this? Am I okay telling him the truth and letting him decide? There's a lot at stake no matter which direction I go.
As if he knows I’m thinking about him, my phone vibrates in my lap. I look down to see Carver’s reply.
Carver: Nothing urgent. Gideon wanted to chat about some clothes he found. Call when you can.
I smile thinking of the young man who tamed the big bad biker. They’re an unlikely pair. Their story also isn’t for the faint of heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KENNETH
The office feels different today.
Maybe it's because Royce is sitting across from me in one of the visitor chairs instead of beside me. Maybe it's because every time our eyes meet, I remember exactly what they look like naked, what they sound like when they come, how it feels to fall asleep in their arms.
Or maybe it's because for the first time in months, I don't feel like I'm walking on eggshells around them.
