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Yeah…but he might also want it…

I tried to shut off my internal monologue.This wasn’t right.Phillip was a guest in my home.I didn’t have the right?—

He advanced toward me.

I held my ground.In the dark light of the hallway, I spotted only a bit of those stunning green irises.He was a handsome man, but that wasn’t what attracted me to him.Well, not all of it.He had a mixture of innocence and wariness that drew me in.I wanted to show him all the good that life had to offer.I wanted to make him smile.

He stood before me, gazing up.

On impulse, I stroked his cheek, much as I had earlier.Then, the gesture had been born out of endearment.My way to thank him for taking care of the nibblets.For taking care of my sister from afar.For just being a good person.

Now, though, the gesture was tender, to be certain, but also with the knowledge of my attraction to him.

He grasped my hand and held it to his cheek.

The contrast of his cold hand and his warm cheek brought the moment into sharp focus.

He blinked.“Will you kiss me?”

“Anything you want.”I’d deny him nothing.Realizing I needed to lead this, I lowered my mouth.

His eyes drifted shut.

I pressed our mouths together.Just a light brush.An assurance I wanted this.

He grasped the back of my neck to bring me closer.He opened his mouth and licked the seam of my lips.Naturally, I opened.Never, in my wildest dreams, had I envisioned he might be the one demanding ardor.That he might be the aggressor.

I fucking loved it.

When he pressed himself against me, with his erection nudging against me, I allowed myself to share my reaction.I’d been hard at various times over the past week in his presence—and had tugged a couple out in the shower at the memory of those stunning eyes and solid body—but this was the first time I let him see my reaction.I ran my hands down his flanks, eased them around to his beautiful ass.I grabbed the globes and pressed him against me.

He angled himself to get more friction.

Which was just fine with me.We’d been doing an odd dance for a week.I’d suspected he had feelings—physical at least—but that he’d hidden them.Maybe hadn’t wanted to recognize them.Certainly hadn’t felt right in acting on them.Whether that was because of his past with that asshole Hank or because he didn’t even know how to come on to another man, I wasn’t certain.I hadn’t pushed.Now I was extra glad I hadn’t.

He pulled back, his eyes a little glassy as they met mine.“I…this feels like it came out of the blue.But I want…” He bit his lower lip in that way I found so endearing.

“Yes?”

“I want you.”

“You have me, Phillip.Whatever you want, I’ll offer it up.But you have to be sure.Because I’m just fine with taking things slow.I mean, I haven’t even had the chance to tell you how much you mean to me.How happy I am that you’re here.How I want to protect you and keep you safe while also wanting to kiss you for hours and hours.And a lot more than kiss, but… You’re exhausted.I’m tired.But, for you, I’d give you the moon.”Is that romantic or just weird?I’m too tired to care.He seems pretty bright…he’ll figure it out.

“Could we…?”His gaze drifted away from mine.

I wanted him to look at me.I willed him to find the strength.“Just ask, sweetheart.Whatever you want.”

He turned back to me.“I don’t want to be alone tonight.But we’re both exhausted, and…”

“Would you like to sleep in my bed with me?Just sleep?We can give Wally his dog bed.Do you think he’ll sleep there?We can bring the stairs in case he needs comfort as well.”

“That’s a lot.”He gazed down at himself.“I’m a lot.”He rubbed his stomach.

“Hey.”I pressed a kiss to his forehead.“Please, none of that.I love your body.I love how you feel in my arms.And if that changes—if you change—that’ll be okay too.Your mind is what I’m attracted to.Your body is just a bonus.”Am I saying the right things?I want him to know I’m okay with how he is now, and if he loses weight, that’s okay too.

He held my gaze.“You’re not just saying that?”

I shook my head.“Ask Marcie.I’ve dated skinny guys, big guys, short guys, and a guy who was about six inches taller than me.”