Page 67 of Dignity

Chapter Nineteen

Like he did at the Florida house, Chris prowls through my townhouse, even checking doors and windows. I watch him, fascinated by this work side of him.

“What?” he asks when I outright laugh at him when he finishes.

“Nothing.”

“No, what was that laugh for?”

I shrug. “Do you even realize you dothat?”

His brow furrows. “Do what?”

“Exactlymy point. You basicallysearched my house and memorized my kitchen when you and Shae showed up in Florida. And you just did it again now.”

“Well, for starters, she’s a senator, and I do have a responsibility for her safety when she’s with me, even unofficially. Secondly, I was planning on cooking you dinner, so I wanted to know what you had on hand.”

“And now?”

“I want to make sure you’re safe. Get used to it, baby.It’s myjob.”

“I actually need to talk to Lauren. Today,” I add. “I can’t have this news break and she hears it from third-parties.” I know she’s in town because I texted her I was flying back to DC today, but to please keep that quiet. I know she will.

Something flashes across his features before he schools his expression. “She can come over here this afternoon.”

I’m joking, playing aroundas I pull him in close. “Can’t wait to introduce you as my boyfriend. I—”

“You aren’t. Youcan’t.”

“Wait, what? She won’t tell anyone.”

Full-on Sir mode—engaged. “No.”

“Chris, she knows I’m gay. The night of my meltdown, I told her—”

“I saidno, Kevin. You don’t tellanyone. Either you trust me, or you don’t.”

I don’t understand his reaction. “I have way more to lose than you do.”

“Youdo thismyway. No one knows anything about us except we’re good friends and now roommates. You tell Laurenthat. And that’sall.”

The longer I stand there, the more I realize that while yes, I love this man, I’ve fantasized about him, and I have agreed to submit to him—I really don’t…knowhim.

“What if I don’t agree to that?” I finally ask.

He shrugs. “Don’t make me go there, Kev.”

Cold dreadfills me. “You’d release the pictures of me?”

He walks over to me and grabs me by the shoulders, fingers digging in hard. “All you have to do is what I tell you to do. Is that so difficult? All anyone but the three of us needs to know is that you work for Shae, and you’re friends and roommates with me because it’s a cut in pay and you have to save your money.”

“And you still see Shae on theside. I don’t get any say in this one thing? That I tell her?”

“No, you don’t. You knew that when you agreed to this.”

I knew it, sure, but now that we’re in DC and the reality is hitting me in the balls…I’m not so sure how good I am with sharing him with Shae.

He releases me. “Set up the meeting,” he quietly says. “Here.”