Page 59 of Puppuccino
His smile is guileless. “Yes.”
“Happy?”
“Yes.”
I kiss him once more. “Do you trust me?”
His lips stretch even wider. “Of course.”
“Move in with me.”
He freezes, and if I didn’t have a hold of him, he’d try to squirm away.
“Move in?” he says.
“Here. You and Athena. You practically live here anyway. I know you wanted to take some time, but Charlie...” I kiss him again, hoping he’ll hear me when I know the panicked voices in his head are clawing for attention. “I love you. We’re ready. Move in with me.”
He clings to me for a long time, and I let him. Trust goes both ways, and just like we’ve had to learn to trust that Athena won’t take off after every squirrel she sees, I also have to trust that Charlie will overcome his own fears and hesitations.
When he finally lets go of me, he leans back on his elbows, practically displaying himself for my inspection. His shirt rides up, exposing the dark trail of hair that runs down from his belly button. The tip of his erection peeks out over the top of his briefs. He’s so perfect like this, ready and open.
“Will you read my book?” he says.
I freeze, halfway down to his lips again.
“Now?”
His smile is pure brat, and this playful side of him is something that’s still growing, but I love it. “Maybe later. After I’ve cleaned it up. But it’s almost ready.”
I push him down, spreading the pile of paper farther apart. “Leave the mess.”
“But—”
“It’s part of you. You created it, so I already love it.”
The table creaks as he reaches for me, but I’m willing to take my chances.
Whatever mess we make, we’ll clean it up together.
* * *
