Page 36 of C is for Comfort

Blake peeks at me. “We aren’t supposed to bring hook-ups home.”

“You just said they were your boyfriends. Just… no sex or anything? I don’t want Lexi to come down looking for you and…”

“I wouldn’t,” Blake says.

“You could watch a movie or something,” I say. “I know it’s not the same as… well… whatever you three had planned tonight.”

“No, it’s not,” Blake says bluntly. He lifts his head and rubs the back of his neck. “It’s a good thing I love you.”

I gape at him. “Is that a yes?”

He nods. “You need to get laid way more than I do tonight.” He points at me. “But you owe me big time. This is the second night in a row I’ve turned down sex for you,andI got up at seven thirty this morning.Seven thirty. That time literally should not exist.”

I laugh. “Trust me, it exists every day.”

“Well, it shouldn’t.”

“Thanks, Blake.”

“I know. I’m amazing.” He tilts his head. “Do you like this guy?”

“I don’t really know him. But I like the way he made me feel last week. He really helped me relax. I need that again.”

“You go and relax. Lexi and I will have fun. We’ll watch a film, and I’ll keep her up until midnight. Maybe give her so much ice cream she pukes.”

“Are you trying to get me to change my mind?”

Blake laughs. “No. I’m kidding. You know I’m joking, right? I am way more responsible than you and Archie ever give me credit for.”

“Popcorn, ice cream,andMcDonald’s?”

“Okay, maybe I’m not.” He puts his hand over his heart. “I promise she’ll be in bed by eight.”

“That’s good enough for me.”

Blake stands. “I’m going to make some lunch. Do you want anything?”

“Didn’t you eat with Lexi?”

“No,” he says in a miserable voice. “Daddy and Sir want me to eat healthily. They literally banned me from McDonald’s.”

“Bannedyou?” I frown. “That doesn’t sound like a healthy relationship, Blake.”

“It’s fine. I was able to say no to any of the rules they set me. I want to eat better. They’re just giving me a reason to do it. Knowing they’ll be pleased with me is enough motivation to turn down junk food.”

My frown eases. “They’ve set you other rules to follow outside the bedroom?”

“Yes.” He grins. “Great, isn’t it?”

While I’m okay to give up power for a scene at a club, I’ve never considered doing it in my everyday life. “Are you happy?”

He smiles. “Very.”

That’s good enough for me. “What else have they got you doing or not doing?”

“I’m not allowed to masturbate without their permission.”

“Too much information.”