Page 271 of Innocent

“That’s my good boy.” I kiss Elliot, focus on him for a moment before bringing my hand up to his lips.

Yeah, he’s still deep in the zone. With glassy eyes, he licks everything off my fingers while Leo watches. When Leo eventually withdraws and heads to the bathroom, that allows me to stretch out next to Elliot, my body pressed along his and holding him tucked against me. I hear Leo wash up in the bathroom. He returns a moment later with a warm, wet washcloth and a towel, cleans Elliot up, and I move so Elliot can turn around on the bed to lie the correct way.

He looks so peaceful right now, more relaxed than he’s been in weeks.

My mind flashes to Grace Martin’s jagged smile earlier.

How cavalierly she talked about ruining Elliot’s life on a lie, all because she wants to be in control.

No way in hell will I allow her to hurt my boy. Over my fucking dead body.

Or hers.

I head to the bathroom to use it and wash my hands. I’m finishing up and startle when I look up from the sink and, in the mirror, see Leo standing right behind me. I can’t believe I didn’t hear or sense him there.

“Jesus, Leo.” I laugh. “Fucking scared me.”

His gaze doesn’t leave mine in the mirror. “Want to talk about earlier?”

“What do you mean?” Oh, Iknowwhat he means.

Leo might be exhausted and in pain, but he’s still fast. Before I can process it, there’s a hand gripping the front of my throat. His other arm’s wrapped around my waist and pulling my body against his.

He presses his cheek to mine, coarse evening stubble lightly rasping my flesh. “Want to try again, baby boy?” The hand around my throat tightens, demanding compliance.

I want to confess everything. I want to hand this heavy load to Him and let Himfixit.

Except for one problem—Leo willalwayssacrifice himself for us.

Meaning I can’t risk telling him a damn thing right now.

“Executive privilege, Daddy,” I finally manage. “I had work errands.”

Finally, he eases his grip on my throat and nuzzles my ear. His other hand slips down, cupping my cock and balls. Which…

Yeah. Even as much as I’ve missed him and really wanted to do something, my body’s not willing tonight.

Not when I can see the exhaustion and pain he’s wearing like a thick, heavy blanket, and can still hear the borderline glee in Grace’s voice when she thought I was agreeing to help with her scheme.

Leo softly sighs even as his hand rises again, flat against my abs now. “What’s wrong, baby boy?”

I turn in his arms, letting him hold me, and I drop my head so it’s against his shoulder. This way, I don’t have to look him in the eyes. “I miss you, and I’m tired, and I don’t feel like I’m doing a very good job for him.”

I love his tight hugs. “Baby boy, you’re doing anamazingjob, and I’msofucking proud of you.”

Deeply inhaling, I soak in the warmth of his flesh pressed against mine. I love this man—both of them. It’s the only reason I’m here.

I love them enough to take whatever risks I must to protect both of them.

We return to bed, where Elliot’s sound asleep. Leo pauses before he gets in bed, smiling down at him. “Dammit, he’s so cute.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“I envy you, baby boy.”

“Me? Why?”

“You get to sleep next to him every night.”

As if my heart wasn’t breaking enough already. “One day, he’ll de-ass his head, Daddy.”

Or I’ll fuck up, one of the two.

“Eight years, at the most,” he says before slipping into bed.

I climb in after him. “At the most,” I echo.

Long after both of them are sound asleep, I lie there with Leo curled around me and Elliot spooned around him from behind, and I plan.