Page 27 of How to Trust a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #4)

Wilder had texted me, letting me know that he’d gone to check on all the boys, but he’d be back with breakfast before I needed to start work.

Yeah, that totally gave me warm fuzzies, because we’d had an amazing night. We’d talked, and we’d cuddled, and we’d watched shows, and we’d laughed over stories about our work.

And we’d had sex before all that. Like, really amazing sex. And it hadn’t been awkward afterwards, and Wilder hadn’t treated me any differently, either.

Because, let’s face it, I knew I liked things a little…

different. I knew there was nothing wrong with that, but just because I liked things one way in bed didn’t mean that was how I always wanted things to go outside of bed.

I was smart and competent and capable, and I didn’t need someone bossing me around or thinking I wasn’t worthwhile.

I think I’d let Rick make me question my value, but I was better than that asshole.

Was I trying really hard to ignore what else had happened yesterday?

Yes, perhaps I was.

That was shattered when I looked at my other texts, though. Toby had texted. About forty times. Because he was like a manic squirrel, and he’d type one line and send it and then type the next and send it… and why he couldn’t just put it all in one text was beyond me.

I scrolled to the end and groaned, because Toby was on his way over. Because of course he was.

I texted him to just come in and went to hop in the shower. I needed to be a lot more awake to deal with Toby’s energy.

By the time I was dressed and came out of the bathroom, I felt more human, and Toby was wandering around the living room, looking at my Lego sets.

“I remember you used to love doing these. I thought maybe you lost interest,” he said.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and started setting my computer up for the day. “Do you ever really outgrow your interests? I just got busy for a while.”

Toby gave me a stare, because we both knew that wasn’t really the whole story.

“So…” Toby trailed off, smiling gleefully.

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Toby?”

“Ohmygod! You and Wilder! And omg that’s so fantastic!

Because he’s totally hot in a dad vibe kind of way, even though Dexter is hotter, of course.

And did you know they’re literally hot, too, because of the hellhound thing?

And you thought I was being figurative when I said Dexter set the sheets on fire, but he actually set the sheets on fire, and oh my god, have you had Wilder’s knot yet?

” It all came out in a rush, and then Toby stared at me expectantly.

“Ugh…” Shit. I knew I was turning red, because I didn’t really talk about sex.

Toby kept going. “Yep! A knot! You thought it was some new dildo for research purposes, and I totally did use it for research purposes, and my sex scenes have gotten a million times hotter since I got together with Dexter, but of course I’m not just using him for his knot or tail or the fantastic sex. ”

“Tail?” I murmured, feeling a little dazed.

“Mmmhmmm. And it’s totally sexy. Not like a furry dog tail, but like a demon tail, apparently?

Think like tentacle sex, only tail sex, although maybe you haven’t read much tentacle porn.

Which you should totally do, because tentacles are hot .

Of course, I’m not complaining that Dexter doesn’t have tentacles, because knots and tails are even hotter.

And don’t worry about the whole torture basement thing, either. ”

“Torture basement?” I asked, not really wanting an answer.

I looked longingly at the bedroom. Could I still be dreaming? Could I go back in there and put the covers over my head?

Toby didn’t seem to notice my distress, adding, “Well, plural, I guess, because there are multiple torture basements, but there’s not one in my house, don’t worry, and I’m sure there isn’t one in the cabin, either, because I don’t see a foundation that could have a basement, unless they hid it somehow.

Oh, maybe they did. I’ll have to ask. That would be so cool if you had a secret torture chamber in the cabin! ”

Thank god, Wilder walked in at that moment. If he’d knocked, I hadn’t heard, and it kind of made me feel warm to think we were close enough that he’d just walk in. It was their cabin, of course, but all the other guys knocked.

I just looked towards him with an imploring expression.

“Toby, there’s no secret torture chamber beneath the cabin,” he answered, placing a coffee holder with two cups and a bag on the counter.

“Aww, bummer. I think it would make a great plot idea, though,” he said, and he started looking around. I knew where this was headed, and I was not giving Toby a pen and paper, because then he’d never leave. I had work, and I really wanted to have breakfast with Wilder.

“It’s okay, you can go jot down notes. We’ll catch up later,” I told him.

He looked at me. “You sure?”

“Totally. I promise. After work. I still do have work today,” I added.

“Oh, yeah! Of course! I have to write a chapter as well, and now I’m thinking about a hidden torture chamber. Maybe underground, maybe not. I wonder how hard it would be to add one to an already existing structure?” Toby muttered, half talking to himself .

“Ask Dexter. He’s done construction. He’ll be able to help,” Wilder told him. He looked amused by the whole exchange.

Toby left with a distracted wave, still sort of muttering about construction. Wilder looked after him fondly, like he was staring at a little kid who’d just done something cute. Then he turned to me, and his expression changed to one of concern.

“I’m okay,” I answered, even though he hadn’t asked.

He came over and kissed me, and I opened my mouth to him without thinking.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I just grabbed on as he led the kiss.

His mouth was firm and demanding, and I knew I was making little moaning noises, but I didn’t care.

He bit my bottom lip, and the sting had my dick jerking.

He gentled the kiss after that, though, eventually just wrapping me in his arms and holding me tight while I leaned against him.

As much as my dick might’ve been on board, now was not the time for sex. I hoped maybe later, but I had work soon, and there was still all that other… stuff. Which I was trying really hard not to think about, but of course Toby had shattered the hope that it had all been some kind of crazy dream.

Wilder hugged me tighter, as if he sensed my distress. How could someone’s arms already feel so comfortable? So much like home? I didn’t want to think about Rick any more, but he popped into my head, and I realized we rarely ever hugged.

“What are you thinking, Mei Ume?” Wilder asked.

“Rick and I never really hugged or cuddled,” I said.

I cringed a bit. Wilder was my new boyfriend, and it was a new relationship—hello, you did not bring up your ex and talk about him. I wanted to smack myself in the head, but Wilder just squeezed me again.

“That’s Rick’s loss, then, because you’re perfect to hug.” Wilder paused, then he added, “You know that none of that is your fault, right?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I know. I’m going to see Aiden’s therapist—did I tell you that? I already talked to her, and she seems really nice. I promise I won’t always be thinking about what happened, and I’ll try not to bring it up.”

Wilder pulled back and looked me in the eyes.

“Mei Ume, you bring up whatever you need to as often as you need to. I don’t mind when you talk about what happened.

You’re working through all of it, and I would rather you talk to me than keep it bottled up.

I want to know everything that you’re thinking, okay? ”

I shrugged, and Wilder kissed my forehead.

“I mean it. Everything that you’re thinking.” He looked into my eyes again, giving me a moment. Then he added, “Do you want to talk about?—”

“Nope,” I cut in.

It was Wilder’s turn to sigh, although he had a fond smile on his face. “Mei Ume…”

I leaned my head into his chest. “No, I don’t want to talk about all the super insane stuff that happened last night, because I have work today. And I really just want to sit down and have a nice breakfast with my boyfriend.”

I blushed at the last part, glad Wilder couldn’t see my face since I was cuddled into his shirt. It felt weird but really good to call him my boyfriend, and I hoped that he was okay with it.

He gave me a squeeze—that seemed to be his way to reassure me, and it really did work—and kissed the top of my head. “Ok. Let’s have breakfast, then.”

So we did. More of Aiden’s baked goods, and coffee that was made just the way I liked it.

We chatted about our plans for the day, and Wilder actually seemed interested in hearing about my work, which was definitely a first. Seb and Toby always listened to me talk about what I did, but I knew their eyes sort of glazed over.

And Rick… Well, he used to cut me off when I started talking about work.

But Wilder listened, asked questions, and laughed when I told him about the client who didn’t realize there was a difference between paying sales tax and state and federal taxes.

The guy had been shocked, and more than a little confused, when I tried explaining it all to him.

Some people had great products and were fantastic at customer service, but they were financially clueless.

You kind of needed to be savvy in everything to run a small business, or you needed to hire someone to fill in the gaps. Which was where I came in.

“You help people,” Wilder stated as we cleaned up breakfast. “You allow them to achieve their dreams with less stress in their lives.”

I laughed a little. “I don’t know if I would go that far. I’m just a finance guy.”

Wilder walked over and put his hand on mine. “Don’t sell yourself short, Josh. You’re smart and capable, and people depend on you. Some of these small businesses wouldn’t have survived without your help. You help people live their dreams. Don’t ever underestimate that.”

I mumbled a bit, but Wilder swooped in and kissed me, cutting off any protest to what he’d said. The kiss was scorching and passionate, and Wilder completely took control of my mouth, licking and nibbling and turning me into jelly in his arms.

He gentled it, though, bringing me down easily. It was amazing how he knew how to do that. He ended with a light peck to my lips.

“You’re beautiful, Mei Ume. Never underestimate your worth. I’ll bring dinner over later? Or would you like to go out?” he asked.

“Do you want me to cook?” I asked. “I’m not bad in the kitchen, and I’d like to cook for you.”

Wilder smiled. “Perfect. I look forward to it.”

With that, he kissed me again and took his leave. I sat down at my computer, ready to log in to work on some client’s books.

For the first time in a long time, I couldn’t wait until the work day was over.