Fix It Up (Torus Intercession 3)

Fuck.

Putting down my fork, I leaned forward and put my head in my hands.

My mother chuckling did nothing for my mood.

I called Jared after dinner and told him what was happening with Nick. For his part, he was pleased to hear about the trip to Kentucky.

“It sounds like it should be very healing for him.”

“I hope so,” I said solemnly.

“Well, just keep me in the loop and let me know when you’ll be back.”

“I’ll be back,” I assured him irritably.

“Okay,” he told me and left it alone.

Walking into my bedroom, I found Nick passed out on the side of the bed closest to the bathroom, farthest from the door, which was where I would have wanted him if I were going to let him stay. As it was, he needed to get up and go back to his room.

Climbing on the bed, I went to shake him, to get him moving, but I couldn’t help myself. The man looked really good lying there with all his gorgeous tan skin and relaxed muscles. His hair was short on the sides and in back, the top longer and sweeping across his forehead. I brushed his hair back and then traced a thumb over his beautiful, thick eyebrows.

“You’re touching me,” he mumbled, not opening his eyes.

I felt like I’d been caught shoplifting or something, and quickly moved my hand away.

He rumbled his displeasure. “You think if you don’t touch me, don’t initiate anything, don’t let your guard down that this will go away.”

“I do,” I assured him.

“And now you’re going to do what, go sleep in my old bed?”

“I’m thinking about it,” I admitted.

“I have a counterproposal.”

“Hit me,” I said, leaning close, sliding my hand down his back, savoring the definition and the satin feel of his skin.

“Admiring your handiwork?”

“What?” I asked, distracted as he eased closer to me.

“You made me strong, nobody else.”

“Marisol and Felix made you––”

“I only listened to them because it was what you wanted.”

“You’re giving me way too much credit for all your time and effort,” I said, leaning over to kiss his brow.

The purr of contentment was not to be missed.

“Shit,” I grumbled, leaning back, ready to roll away.

His hand on my face stopped me.

“Until we get back to Santa Barbara, I need you to pretend that you’re mine.”

I tried to laugh, or do anything at all, but my mouth was suddenly dry and there was a lump in my throat.

“Just,” he sighed, easing me down beside him, sliding his hand into my damp hair. “Be all in. Belong to me until we get home.”

“And when I go, you’ll stick with everything? You’ll drink only in moderation, stay drug-free, eat right, exercise, do everything you’re doing now?”

“I promise,” he said, and the hopeful smile I got as he stared at me made my heart hurt. “Is it a deal?”

I sighed deeply. “Okay.”

“Good,” he said, rolling to his side. “Now, kiss me like you want me.”

“Listen to me,” I said firmly, lying down, facing him. “This, us, physically—only a monk could say no to you.”

Slow, lazy grin.

“Maybe,” I amended, because the man was temptation incarnate.

“You want me bad.”

“Yeah, I do, so what? I don’t care if you know that,” I griped at him. “Every part of you is gorgeous, and of course I want you. I just don’t think it’s right for you to settle when you have the whole damn world at your feet.”

His gaze didn’t leave me.

“Do you understand?” I pressed him, slipping my hand around his neck and holding tight so he had to meet my gaze. “You’ve had some horrible shit happen to you, and now you’re in a brand-new place, and you’re clean and healthy and ready to start this amazing new chapter in your life,” I said, my eyes filling for whatever stupid reason as all my hopes for him swelled in my chest. “And I want the best, the very best man, or woman, or person you decide on, and I don’t want to be in the way when you cross paths with that particular human being. It would fuckin’ kill me to know that I kept you from your happily ever after.”

He nodded. “And it would break your heart if you fell madly in love with me and then I tossed you aside.”

I shrugged and nodded.

“I get that,” he agreed, scooting closer, slipping his hand over the curve of my hip. “I do, and the fact that you care about my happiness that much says everything about the kind of man you are. But really, Loc, if you think about it, a man who wants only the very best for me, isn’t that the exact person I need?”

“You’re not listening to me,” I said gruffly. “I’m you’re fixer, and as such, I––”

“I want the kissing now,” he said, cutting me off, taking my mouth, kissing me again, taking his time, exploring, rubbing his tongue lazily over mine, chewing on my bottom lip, and finally lifting up, which was when I realized I was flat on my back. “Did I hurt you in the garden?”