Page 13

POE

W hat is this little shifter doing to me? I’ve always wanted someone to take care of, but I never pursued the idea because of who I am. Hookups were easy enough, people are okay with fucking someone they didn’t deem worthy enough to get to know any further, but in my punishment I’ve even denied myself that.

I want to pamper Beau, and the thought of going through with exposure therapy actually worries me. I want to be the one to hold him and make him feel better, but I also feel it’s my duty to help him over this hurdle and let him go.

He settles into the chair again.

Creamsicle watches us from the bed and Beau pats his lap. “Come on, you won’t scare me this time.”

Slowly Creamsicle hops off the bed and into his lap. Beau takes a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

I retrieve the hairbrush.

“I think...” Beau presses his face to Creamsicle’s fur a few moments before sitting back up. “I think we should go for three minutes.”

“Are you sure?” He continues to surprise me.

“You’ll stop if I say red, right?”

“Absolutely.”

He nods and pulls Creamsicle closer. “Let’s do this.”

I drag the brush along his hair. “Breathe Beau.”

He chuckles and slowly starts to pet Creamsicle who purrs in his lap.

I don’t let too much time pass before I start a low rumble of thunder. Beau immediately tenses.

The brush glides so smoothly through his hair. I let more thunder build until the poster bed shakes. His eyes dart to his blanket. His breaths come faster, but he’s not tapping out. I check my phone. It’s only been thirty seconds. His heart pounds and he cries out when I let the illusion of lightning brighten the sky.

Creamsicle rubs her head under his chin.

“You’re doing so well, sweetheart. Just a little longer.”

He starts to rock. “Ye—Yellow. Yellow. Yellow.”

One minute and forty-five seconds. Almost half way. I slow down the thunder and walk around the chair to kneel in front of him. He’s pale and shaking. Creamsicle gives me a sad look and I scratch her on the top of her soft head.

“Would you like to talk about it?” The thunder still rumbles softly around us.

“It’s scary, but there’s a key factor missing.” He nibbles his bottom lip and refuses to look at me.

“What is it sweetheart?”

“The atmosphere. The pressure of the storm squeezing me. Real storms feel like they’re choking me when I panic.”

I nod. “Hadn’t thought of that. I’m not sure I can do it, but let me try.”

I start to push to my feet, but he holds my hands. “Stay here?”

“Of course.” I shut my eyes and concentrate on bringing the feel of a real storm to the bedroom.

Beau squeaks the moment the pressure shifts. My eyes pop open. Moisture drenches the air. Beau shakes his head and grips the chair arms, digging his nails into the velvet.

“I’m here, Beau. I’m here.”

He nods in acknowledgement. I check my phone. Thirty seconds left.

“Not much longer, sweetheart. You’re doing so, so well.”

A sob rips from his throat and he curls up in the chair just as the time finishes.

I stop the storm and release the pressure, making him curl up tighter.

“Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.” He chants.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You lasted the entire three minutes.”

“I said yellow. I messed up.”

“What? No. I’m proud of you for calling yellow. We stopped the clock. You told me what you needed to, then I restarted where we were. You did fabulous.”

He opens one eye. “Really? I did okay?”

“Yeah, you did amazing.” I want to hug him so badly.

“Then... then I deserve a treat. Right?” Slowly he uncurls from his position.

“Anything you want.” I’d steal a piece of the moon if he wanted it.

He looks down, then back up. “I think I’d like to go to Flutter and Fangs. I keep shooting Sparkle down because I don’t want to go alone and the only other person I’d know would be him and he’d be working.”

That’s not at all what I was expecting. “Sounds perfect. It’ll surprise the fuck out of Sparkle, too.”

“I know.”

“You’ll be okay? It’s storming in Hex, and there will be that whole atmosphere, even inside.”

He looks down again. “That’s another reason. I should be distracted, right? It shouldn’t be so bad. Maybe.” He goes back to petting Creamsicle. “Or is that whole idea ridiculous? Should we wait until after the storms pass?”

“I’m happy to take you and you decide. If you want to shout red to the rooftops, I’ll bring you right back.”

“Okay. I need to put on a better outfit.” He looks down at himself and grimaces.

“I should probably change, too. This isn’t exactly club attire.”

“You always look good.” His cheeks grow pink and he looks away from me again. He’s just too cute.

“Meet you in the hall in ten?”

“Sounds good!” He grins at me and keeps Creamsicle in his arms as he climbs from the chair and heads to his room.

“We can’t take Creamsicle.”

“She’s going to help me decide on an outfit. Sparkle probably packed me something good.”

I have to wonder what the cat shifter snuck into the bag.

When I meet Beau in the hallway, he's swiping his hair from his eyes. There's a bit of glitter on his cheeks and in his tresses. He's in a bright purple crop top, black fishnets with a pair of black shorts over them. He looks less shy than before and stands tall.

"You need some boots."

He frowns at his sneakers. "I know, but I'm happy with these." He wiggles his white shoe. "I can walk in them. Have I told you how much I hate shoes?" He shivers and makes a face that’s more cute than annoyed.

I hold out my hand. "Ready?"

"Yep!" He places his tiny hand in mine.

Like usual, the transport is a blink, and we're right inside Flutter and Fangs.

Beau stiffens, and his jaw tightens. His nostrils flair. His hand turns clammy.

I bend to whisper in his ear. "You're doing so well. Would you like to go up to the bar?"

Sparkle and Gabe are both smiling and making drinks for the crowd. There are a lot more people than I expected to be here.

Beau nods and squeezes my hand, but doesn't let go.

"BB!" Sparkle squeals when he notices us. He hops over the counter, making a few people grumble about losing their bartender. "I won't be long," he flirts and finger waves. He pulls Beau into a hug. "I can't believe you're here!"

"I was good and got a reward."

Sparkle cocks his brow and leans in to whisper, "I would have asked for a kiss if I were you." He winks and sashays back to the bar. He swings himself back over the countertop and gets back to work with a wink and a smile.

Beau swallows and looks up at me, then back to Sparkle. Would I give him a kiss if he asked?

Yes. Yes, I absolutely would.

He squeezes my hand and starts for the bar.