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I nod, it’s the exact thing I needed to hear. Well, almost. What I needed was for him to say, “Take out your cock and let me take care of you.”

I know, I know.He touched my dick once and I’ve turned into the neediest, most desperate version of myself to ever exist, and I’m not even sorry. I can’t find it in me to feel bad at all.

He lands on a sitcom rerun, the kind with horribly annoying canned laughter and bad jokes, and I try to let it pull me out of my head. Yet as the minutes tick by, my focus keeps slipping back to Logan. He’s a magnet now,mymagnet. I’ve always wanted to be around him, but this feels different. I’venever felt this drawn to someone before. I didn’t know this type of connection or level of desire was possible.

Even when I saw him jerking off in the shower, it was more so curiosity. But knowing what his hands felt like on me changed something in me. He must have some magic touch because it’s all I can think about. It’s all Iwantto think about.

I don’t even realize I’m blatantly staring at him until he catches me. “What?” he asks, lips quirking into a grin.

“Nothing,” I say too fast, looking away as my cheeks heat up.

“Sure,” he says easily. Then he shifts closer, his tone softer. “Come here. Let me hold you, Ry.”

About damn time.

I scoot closer without hesitation, turning to face him instead of the TV. His arms wrap around me, and I melt into him. I didn’t even know how much I needed this until I had it.

“There,” he murmurs against my ear. “That’s better.”

I exhale a shaky breath, my head tucked beneath his chin. His fingers start tracing slow, soothing circles on my lower back, and I feel myself finally letting go of all the weight I’ve been holding.

13

LOGAN

It’s finally Friday, and even though it hasn’t been a whole week since we last stepped outside the apartment, it feels like the walls are closing in. Not because of Ryder—being with him feels easy—but because I’m not built to sit still and wait. Especially not when we’re being stalked by someone who isn’t planning to stop.

We’ve already decided to go to Pine Bar tonight to see if Kyle shows and if our theory holds up, though I’d bet almost anything it will.

If he is the one behind the emails, I doubt he’ll be able to resist showing up, hoping for some interaction with Ryder. Guys like him don’t like to be ignored. They want a reaction.

Even the thought of him talking to Ryder makes my blood boil, but he still wants to do this, so we can only hope it’ll give us something to prove it’s him.

Matt’s still working on it, and we sent the latest message to the cops too, like we’ve done with all the others, and got the same halfhearted response: “Thanks for keeping us updated. We’ll have our cyber consultant look into it.”

So helpful.

Either Kyle—or whoever this is—is a master at email encryptions, or the police aren’t taking this seriously enough to dig into it.

The most I feel I can do, besides calling Matt and the police, is to stay close to Ryder and try to keep him grounded. But none of it’s enough.

He hasn’t complained about being in the apartment yet or how long anything is taking, but I know the cabin fever’s getting to him, too. We’ve been living in artificial light with the blinds sealed shut and food delivery all week. We finally ordered groceries last night, though, and, as promised, lube. I’m grateful for the door peephole and the ‘no contact’ option to have your delivery driver leave the food at your door.

While we haven’t jerked off together again—or jerkedeach otheroff—since the other night, I still want to be prepared, just in case. Ryder did seem eager to do it again, but I’m not going to pressure him, and he hasn’t initiated. I want him to be the one to make a move because I never want him to feel like I’m taking advantage of the situation we’re in or his emotional state. I also want to make sure it’s what he wants after he’s had more time to process.

But first, we need to go to the bar, and I really do need to talk to Mia. It’s strange being close with people at their workplace, but still not having their phone number. I know I could’ve messaged her online, but I decided it’d be better to ask her in person about Kyle. See if he’s ever asked about Ryder or said anything alarming. She’s always been observant, so if anyone picks up on something, it’ll be her.

We get in the car to drive to the bar, and we’re there in no time. I pull up to the neon glow of Pine Bar’s sign right by the door before turning to look at Ryder.

“You good?” I ask, grabbing his hand to give it a quick squeeze.

“Not even a little,” he admits. “But I’m ready.”

“Alright, remember, don’t leave me,” I say, cutting the engine. “Not even to go to the bathroom.”

He laughs, low and suggestive. “Bathroom together from now on? I think I can get on board with that.”

I laugh at that and let go of his hand to get out of the car. When we walk in, I scan the room but don’t see Kyle yet. Although he’s had a habit of coming in after us the last few weeks.