Then again, Teo has been sick, Miles bullied, and Dad is gone God knows where. I read somewhere stress will do that to you.
A sledgehammer is beating against the insides of my skull. Makes me want to hit my head on the wall to stop the pain. I frown, glancing back at the empty bed. Was Tessa really here last night, or was it a wishful dream?
I don my pajama bottoms and drag myself to the bathroom, where I splash cold water on my face. I stare at my bloodshot eyes in the cracked mirror, then turn to look at the shower. Did we really fuck in there last night, or was it yet another fantasy?
Can’t be. My brain’s fuzzy, filled with cobwebs, but the memory of Tessa moving on top of me on the ceramic floor of the shower burns like a flame.
She was here.
I swallow a couple of Advil and spin on my heel, heading out to find her. If she hasn’t left already. Maybe she decided this was the worst mistake of all, that she’ll never let herself be with me again—and who would blame her? I can’t even tell her I love her—and I do, goddammit, that much I’ve always known.
It’s as if the words are stuck in my throat and won’t be spoken. But I can show her. I want to show her. Actions speak louder than words, right?
And what have you shown her so far? That you can fuck her even when you’re about to pass out? Impressed her with your amazing dick? She wants to hear you say that you want more from her, that you care for her. That she’s not wrong, putting her trust in you.
Because she’s not the one who should be put to the test. Stop waiting for her to fail, to run. It’s you who shouldn’t be trusted.
You who should prove himself to her.
I walk into the living room, but it’s empty. Willing the damn headache to recede, I rub my eyes. Hopefully, the Advil will kick in soon.
Coffee, that’s what I need to clear my head, so I turn toward the kitchen. Lately I feel as if I’ve been living on pills and coffee. Worry and adrenaline. As if stress is the only thing keeping me upright.
A shout catches my attention. Miles? The hell is going on?
Teo screams, and I start running. What the fuck? What if Dad is back? What if he’s hurting them? In my haste, I knock into the wall by the kitchen door, then I burst inside, my heart booming.
I blink at the scene before me, my mind going blank. I stagger back a step, hitting the doorframe.
Tessa is bent over my little brother and seems to be in the process of tickling him into tear-inducing ecstasy. Miles is sitting nearby, laughing so hard his face is red. The remnants of breakfast litter the table—mugs and plates with… pancakes?
They aren’t in danger. No danger. Oh shit. Relief hits me like a punch to the chest, stealing my breath.
Tessa’s laughing, too. She turns to look at me, and her blue eyes are bright, her cheeks dimpled. Her gaze glides down my bare chest and lingers. Her eyes darken, and she sucks in a sharp breath.
My body immediately responds, tightening, my dick hardening, and dammit, I’m standing inside the kitchen with my little brothers. Fuck.
I drag the only other free chair and sit, clasping my hands over my crotch, hiding my hard-on. “Hey, Tess.” I swallow. “I see you guys are getting along fine.”
“Hey, yourself.” She bites her lip, which distracts me so much I miss what she says next, as I imagine myself tugging on that softness with my teeth, teasing her, then kissing her… “Dylan.”
“Sorry, what?”
Miles snickers. His is mouth is stuffed with pancake, and jam is dribbling down his chin.
“I said, would you like some coffee?” Tessa says, smirking, and I’m back to staring at her small, pretty face, her neck, the curve of her breasts…
“Yeah.” I tug my lip ring into my mouth, release it again. My dick is like a monolith inside my pants. Since she likes archaeology, maybe I could ask her to dig it out… Dammit.
She turns to grab a mug, which only means I’m now openly staring at her heart-shaped ass and long legs, my jaw slack. What if I’m drooling? I sweep my hand over my chin to check.
Miles is snickering like a demented banshee, and I glare at him. That doesn’t stop him, of course.
I don’t want him to stop. Damn. When was the last time I heard him laugh?
“No milk, right?”
“No. No milk, no sugar.” I lick my lips. “I didn’t think you’d still be here when I woke up.”
“Of course I’m here.” She glances at me over her shoulder. “Told you I left my castle.”
“You did. That’s true.”
She turns and places a mug of steaming coffee in front of me. I put my hand over hers, around the warm mug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She flashes me a quick smile and steps away. She’s gone quiet again.