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“Well, that’s the hope.” A warmth spread through my chest at his shy smile.

Then something happened. His pupils widened, and he cocked his head. “I feel like…” He shook his head.

“Feel like…?”

“Like I know you. Which is ridiculous, because of course I know you.”

Ah, recognition. Finally.

“You’ve been around for more than a week, and we’ve seen each other several times. We just spent three hours at a restaurant together. Best time I’ve had in a long time. A very long time.”

Crap. Say something now or let it ride? Does it matter if he never puts the pieces together or will me broaching the subject make him feel more comfortable to be himself?Oh, what I wouldn’t do for a crystal ball that would let me see into the future. “I had a good time as well. I’m glad you were able to relax.”

Except I was anything but relaxed with him holding my hand.

“I want…” He swallowed.

“Want,” I prompted.

“To kiss you.”

Oh thank Christ. It’s not just me.“That would be perfectly acceptable—thank you for asking.”

He smiled that boyish smile that always dazzled me.

That still brought a hitch to my breathing. My pup was still in there. I was certain of it. Maybe someday I could help him find a new home. Somewhere secure and far away from harm.

He went up on tiptoes.

I bent my neck. My eyes drifted shut.

Our lips brushed.

As soft as I’d imagined.

He let go of my hand, grasped my cheeks, and tugged me closer. He opened his mouth and ran his tongue along the seam of my lips.

I opened for him on a sigh. A week of wanting. Six years of waiting.

Finally.

I slid my hands down his sides then over the globes of his perfect ass. I squeezed.

He moaned.

I dragged him against me.

Our erect cocks brushed.

Yes. This. One hundred times this.

He pressed against me—trying to bring us as close together as possible.

I had no argument for this and melded our bodies together so I couldn’t tell where he left off and where I began. My immediate reaction was to drag him to bed. Three things held me back. First—supplies. I didn’t have condoms. He might…or I might be able to get some from the front desk…but that didn’t feel right. Secondly—I worried he wasn’t in the right headspace. We’d talked a lot about some pretty intense subjects tonight. I didn’t want him hopping into bed with me to alleviate some of the pain I’d witnessed. Finally, I hadn’t come clean with him. I’d yet to tell him I knew about his true self. But if he’d hung up his pup costume forever, he might not want that reminder. I was making excuses because I didn’t want to drive Jai away, and bringing up the past might do just that. “Can I give you a blow job?”

He giggle-snorted. “Not where I expected this to go.”

“Is that a yes?” A grin split my face.