Page 62 of Beneath the Scars
“Right back atcha.”
“It’s good to see you again, Zane,” Ryan says, his cheeks slightly pink. I love my shy, adorable brother.
“You too. How’s your soccer team doing?”
Ryan seems surprised that Zane remembers he plays on an intramural team. It’s indoor, so they play all year round. “We’re still at the very bottom of the league, but we have fun. Now that you’re sticking around for a while, do you want to join us?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, we’re always looking for more players. It sucks when we don’t have any subs, and that happens frequently. I’ve tried to get Addie to play, but she refuses.”
“Look, I don’t run unless I’m absolutely forced.”
Ryan and Zane laugh. “If I’m still here when you haveyour next game, I’d love to play. It’s been forever though, so please don’t hold it against me.”
“It’s not like our team could get any worse,” Ryan teases. “We play on Sundays, so when you want to play, just let me know.”
“Thanks, man. I will.” They exchange phone numbers, and Zane seems to settle into being around my family. It makes me happy to see him getting along with them so easily. Zane hasn’t had anyone in his life for a long time. It’s one of the many reasons I’ve been trying to get him to come to Sonoma. He needs a family he can count on, and mine is just the one to do it.
“Areyou sure you don’t want me to come with you?” I ask again.
“No, Moooom,” Zane groans, his lips tipping up in a smile. “I’ve been to your house. I’ve even slept in the guest bedroom before. I’ll be fine. Go snuggle your man, and we can grab breakfast in the morning before you go to work.”
“That sounds perfect.” I hug Zane before getting into the passenger seat of my car.
“All set?” Michael asks. Ryan’s in the backseat, scrolling on his phone.
“Yep. I hate that he’s stuck having to couch surf. He’s been through enough as it is.”
“Mom and Dad will get him settled and make him feel welcome,” Ryan says.
“I know they will. I just wish there was more we could do.”
The three of us are silent as we drive back to Michael and Ryan’s. It’s late now. Our sleepy town is tucked in and still for the evening. In all the time Michael and I have been dating, Ihave yet to sleep in his bed. I’m oddly nervous about it. When we camped at the lookout, it was a matter of necessity. There was nowhere else to sleep but together. Tonight, he invited me to stay when he didn’t have to.
How is this going to work? Will he have to sleep on top of the covers? Will I? Cuddling feels out of the question, but what happens if we end up snuggling like we did last time?
My spiraling thoughts are brought to a halt as Michael pulls into their driveway. He holds my hand all the way inside and up the stairs to his bedroom.
“Good night, guys. Try to keep it down over there. I’d rather not have to sleep with noise-canceling headphones.” With a wink, Ryan slips into his bedroom.
“Oh my god,” I whisper, palming my flaming cheeks. Michael laughs while pushing me into his room. “He’s such an asshole.”
“You know he was just doing it to get a rise out of you, right?” Michael walks across his minimally decorated room, grabbing the back of his T-shirt with one hand and pulling it over his head. I get tongue-tied for a second, watching his muscles flex as he bares his tan skin to me. Damn, he is one fine specimen. I want to lick him.
“That could be arranged.”
Oh, shit. I said that out loud. “Wait…really?”
“I’d let you do just about anything you wanted.” He gives me a cocky look as I unapologetically watch him work the button and zipper on his pants. He reveals black boxer briefs that are molded to his body. “I seem to be the only one getting ready for bed right now.”
“I’m not sure what you expect me to do when you’re putting on a show over there,” I sass.
Michael stalks across his room until he’s looming over me, his dark eyes sparkling. “Shall I help then?”
“Mm-hmm.Definitely.”
He reaches for the hem of my shirt and gently pulls it over my head. Then he works on my jean shorts until all I’m left in is my underwear. I unhook my bra, baring myself to him. His hungry eyes eat me up. It’s a heady feeling, having this man’s full attention on me.
