Page 61 of First Kiss with a Mothman

ARIE

After we use the towels to clean up and I dispose of the condom, we move to the top of the bed. Without saying a word, Mort allows me to lie on his chest, and I listen to his heartbeat. My fingers trace his face, up to his antennae, down to his lips and back up. He occasionally wrinkles his nose, but otherwise permits me to see him with my hands, so to speak. I vaguely recall his handsome face the last time I used Reginald to gaze at him. But he’s so much more attractive now that we’ve gotten to know each other more.

And made love. His words, not mine.

“That was…so fun,” I say. My fingers trace his eyebrows, then up to the hair on his head.

“It was.”

“Did I do good?” I face him and try not to cool my eagerness to please. But at this point, Mort knows all about how I roll.

“Of course.” He rubs my back. “It was your first time, so it was a lot of pressure on me.”

“Oh, please. You’re sexy and awesome. You made me feel so…so fulfilled, so cared for.”

“Thank you kindly.”

I grin and bury my face into his neck. “Is sex always that incredible?”

“No. Not always.”

I recall that he has more experience than me, a past I have yet to push for. When I lie on my back, I can feel Mort looking at me. He must know I have something to ask, because he quietly waits for me to find my words. “Did you…hook up a lot in the past? I know you didn’t do boyfriends.”

“Right.” He clears his throat and lies on my chest, our positions now swapped.

“You don’t have to―”

“It’s okay, Arie.” His fingers travel up to my chin. “With you, I’m ready.” After a deep breath, he says, “I…lived with my agent when I was a teenager. She was my legal guardian, but she mostly left me alone in the apartment. My show That’s My Mothboy had just ended, but the hype was still alive. When I wasn’t doing auditions or studying, I had free time. So, I got invited to media events and parties.”

“Mhm,” I say, urging him to go on.

“There were a lot of drugs. And a lot of random hookups. When I discovered I liked men, I well…had sex with a couple of monster dudes. I must have been fifteen.”

“Wow. Young.”

“I only kind of remember those guys. That time of my life was a blur of disappointing auditions, hazy parties, and substances. None of the guys stuck around. There was definitely no dating or feelings involved. They just wanted the famous mothboy while he was going through puberty.”

His tone is laced with derision, so I rub up and down his back, avoiding his wings. I want to comfort you forever, Mort Rain. “Mhm,” I say.

“When I was turning eighteen, it was obvious this showbiz life wasn’t working out for me. I noticed I could get paid more manipulating bugs. And I kind of wanted to get a degree in production. So, I cashed out and came to Creelin. My latest agent was super helpful; she still is. And the OME helped a lot, too.”

He angles his head toward me, and I glance down at him. “Dorming at the house. Becoming Alpha Claw Omega. Befriending Caleb. All of it has been my fresh start.”

“I’m so glad you found…that,” I say. And me. I’m beyond grateful you found me.

“On occasion I get recognized, but life could be worse. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, and now I have someone who makes me as happy as you do.”

My eyes prickle with emotion, so I pull him in and kiss him slowly. I don’t want to blurt that I’m in love, not when we’ve only had one official date and one night of mind-blowing sex.

“You make me the happiest.”

“Good to know, Baker.” He lies on my chest again and casually traces circles around my nipple. I stroke the fur on his skin and attempt to memorize his scent. Still, since he’s in a divulging mood, I have more I need to know.

“I…appreciate you telling me all this, but…”

“Hm?”

“You said so many times that you, like…don’t deserve a boyfriend. Is it because you lost your virginity in a drugged-up haze? Because that’s hardly a reason.”