Page 68 of Tripped Up

“I want it. Want that.” My words come out in a whisper. “I just…”

Wyatt’s eyes are kind as he peers at me. “We take this at your pace. Whatever you want.”

“And if I’m never ready for sex?”

He shrugs. “Then we never have sex.”

“Really? You’d stay in a relationship without getting laid?”

“Yes. Because it’s not about getting laid for me,” he states. “It’s about you, and us, and what we can have together. It goes beyond it. Can sex be an important part of a relationship? Yes. As long as we’re working toward a future where we trust and respect each other, I’m confident that will come with time. When you’re ready, you’ll let me into your heart.”

Marveling at his words, I shake my head. “You sound so sure.”

“Confident.” He kisses me, a quick, hard kiss. “You’re worth putting in the work.”

Swallowing my fears, I exhale slowly. “Will you stay the night?”

“You… want me to stay?”

“Yeah. I want to fall asleep in your arms. I want—fuck, I want you to hold me and tell me it will all be okay. Right now, I think I need that.”

Wyatt pulls me in, wrapping my arms around his neck and his around my waist. My face tucks perfectly onto his shoulder.

“It will all be okay.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’re right, I don’t know that.” His voice is a soothing rumble. “But I believe it. And that’s what means it’ll come true.”

We stay like that for several moments, loosely embraced, before I feel ready to pull away. Rising to my feet, I offer him my hand, and he takes it without hesitation.

“Come to bed with me, Wyatt.”

In the bathroom, we brush our teeth side by side. Thank goodness I bought extra toothbrushes. He finally takes off his suit pants and his undershirt, leaving him in navy-blue boxer briefs.

Fuck, he fills them out well. His quads stretch the fabric, his slim waist and cut abs on display. And his cock…

The longer I stare at him, the more the bulge grows, and he shifts, covering his crotch with his hand.

“None of that,” he says, sharp, but with a smile on his face.

“None of what?” I ask innocently.

“You look like you want to devour me.” He smirks at me. “There’s a time and a place, but we’re going to bed. To sleep. Come on, let’s sleep.”

Pulling back the covers, I slide into my favorite side, facing him. He slips in the other end of the bed and draws me close, his arms around me.

“Hi,” I whisper, unexpectedly bashful.

“Hi.” His smile stretches from ear to ear. “I’m really looking forward to this.”

“To sleeping in the same bed without having sex?” Each word has my skepticism rising higher.

“Yeah. Because I get to hold you.” He kisses my forehead. “That’s enough for me.”

Rolling over, I turn out the light, then scoot back to his side. I rest my head on his chest and wrap my arm around his waist, my fingertips tracing the lines of his abs.

Wyatt catches my hand, pressing it flat against his stomach.