My heart hurts, but I also feel so fucking happy. I’m buzzing with pent-up energy. I need to expel it in some way. I’d love nothing more than to shred Night Giant to little pieces, but that’s not an option…yet.
Right now I have one option.
Him.
Cove motherfucking Gale.
“I think we’re going to call it a night,” I grunt out, faking a yawn.
Cove rolls his eyes at me, always a sassy bastard, but stands as well. My parents take turns fussing over me and then my brothers each give me a hug. Once we’re done with the affectionate shit that I’ve apparently really missed, I clutch onto the back of Cove’s neck, guiding him through the house to my old room.
“I can honestly say when I woke up this morning, this is not where I expected to end up,” Cove says. “Seriously, how are you not freaking out?”
We stop in front of my closed bedroom door and I release my hold on him.
“I am freaking out,” I admit, frowning.
He takes my hand in his and squeezes. For as much as I love when Cove is super bitchy, I also like this tender side of him. It makes me feel things I have no business feeling, but Jesus, does it feel good to actually feel again.
“We’re going to get Mitch back,” Cove assures me, “and you’ll have your family again too.” He grins at me and then stands on his toes to brush a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m happy for you.”
I capture his jaw in my strong grip, backing him up against my door. “And I’m happy to see you.” To prove my point, I grind my body against his, letting him feel how hard my dick is. It’s been stiff for him all day. I don’t understand why I’m so damn addicted to Cove, but I am. I really fucking am.
My lips crash to his and he moans against my mouth. His hands are greedy, tugging at my shirt and pulling me to him. I suck in a gasp when his fingertips glide over my abs. His touch is addictive.
“We gonna fuck in the hallway?” I ask, nipping at his bottom lip.
“We’re freaks, but not that freaky.” He bites me back.
I grin against his mouth. “Go before I do something regrettable out here.”
He smirks but manages to find the doorknob. The door creaks on its hinges as he pushes backward into my room. As soon as the scent of my old Abercrombie cologne hits my nostrils, I’m flooded with bittersweet memories. Cove tugs me into the room and closes the door behind us.
“Whoa.” He lets out a whistle. “That’s not creepy or anything.”
She was telling the truth. Everything is as it was. I mean, the bed’s been made and it’s obvious the cleaning lady has been in to dust, but all my stuff is still here. My bookbag sits on the desk chair, still open with books tucked inside. Pictures of me and my friends are tacked all over the place.
The room blurs and I hate the way my heart clenches painfully in my chest.
I lost all this. In the blink of an eye. Because of one stupid fucking mistake. I believed a predator. Walked right into a trap. Told me I could be a model. I fell for that shit and lost…everything because of it.
I land on my knees hard and dig my fingers into my jean-clad thighs, trying desperately to suck in more air. No such luck. My lungs are on fire as I choke, trying like hell to breathe. Everything spins and the room goes dark. Tears streak down my cheeks like rivers of regret.
“Shhh,” a voice whispers. “You’re okay. Everything is okay. Breathe, Dragon. Breathe.”
Someone sobs and it reminds me of the boy who woke up in a warehouse, chained to a pipe. Lost. Terrified. Alone.
Soft hands cradle my cheeks, rubbing the wetness on them. I manage to make air flow into my lungs and gasp for it.
“That’s it,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”
Cove, though smaller than me, manages to pull me against him in a comforting embrace. I cling to his shirt, my tears soaking the material. His fingers stroke through my hair, soothing me with such a simple maneuver.
“Come on,” he croons. “Let’s get into bed. It’s been a long day.”
Somehow, though in a daze, I strip and find my way beneath the covers. Cove does the same and curls up against me. I like feeling his bare skin on mine and his hot breath tickling my chest.
I like him here.
I like him everywhere.
His lips press to my skin near my nipple and then he scrapes his teeth over it. “I have a packet of lube in my wallet. Stay right here.”
He sits up, his erection bobbing, and climbs over me to fetch it from his jeans. After opening it with his teeth, he sets one knee on the edge of the bed and smears some lube on his fingertips. I take my throbbing cock into my hand, watching as he brings his fingers to his rear.