Page 48 of Innocent

How could his “partner” love him and yet let him remain this lonely?

That’s not love—that’s possession. It’s cruelty.

He pauses, staring into my eyes. “Youhaveto be okay sharing me. And you can’t be with anyone except me. Not to be an asshole, but we can’t risk it for a lot of reasons.”

Victory spikes my pulse again—I don’twantto be with anyone but him. “Yes, Sir. I’m okay with that.” I take a chance and whisper, “It’s Elliot, isn’t it?”

His non-answer confirms it. “You signed an NDA.”

I nod. “Yes, Sir.”

“I cannot confirm anything yet. There are a lot of secrets for you to keep if you stay with me. I’ll always protect you. But if you burn me, or anyone else involved in this administration, I can and will ruin you and your reputation, for life. I’ll never threaten you to keep you with me. I have no interest in that. You are always free to leave, because I have zero interest in forcing you to stay. But trust has to be earned, just like I expect to have to work to earn and keep your trust. Show me you mean what you say. Let me trust you by your actions.”

“I keep my word, Sir. No one will ever find out from me, I swear. I know words are worthless, but I’ll prove it to you, that you can trust me.”

More kissing and tasting and teasing, some washing, and then I end up shoved against the shower wall with Leo on his knees in front of me.

Holy…fuuuuck!

Okay, for the record, a blowjob will silence every other thought in my head.

Good to know.

I didn’t realize justhowfucking good that felt, and I can’t wait to reciprocate.

Except he slides a finger up my ass and gets me over and once my orgasm’s finished, my knees literally unhinge as I slide down the wall to collapse in front of him.

I’m finally, officially empty.

We end up in his bed, snuggling and falling asleep, when he asks one final question.

“Just out of curiosity, why do you think it’s Elliot?”

Well, he’s asking—and he’s just confirmed I was right. “You’re gay. That eliminates the president-elect. I think if someone so much as breathes too close to Kev that Mr. Bruunt would rip their nose off. The president-elect might, too. And Kev seems totally into the two of them.” I yawn. “Mostly, it was the head tips.”

I feel his body tense. “Head tips?”

“Yeah.” I snuggle closer, trying to relax him, because even though I’m nearly asleep I can feel he’s stressing about this. “I’m used to watching people closely. Survival skill when I was a kid. Plus for my artwork. The two of you have head tips you do with each other that you don’t do with anyone else. Like a code. No one else sees it, though. I mean, I haven’t seen anyone else look like they’re watching you that closely. Maybe Secret Service but I doubt even they noticed.” Another yawn. “It’s okay, Sir. I think he’s hot, too.”

He massages the top of my head even as he leans in for a kiss. “Neversay anything to him about noticing that. Okay?”

“Yes, Sir.” It feels perfect calling him that.

Sir.

MySir.

If Elliot wants Leo, he’s going to have to fucking fight me for him. Yes, I’ll share him, because I know Leo loves Elliot. But dammit, doesn’t Leo deserve a chance to be happy?

Don’t I?

Elliot can live in fear if he wants, but there’s no reason Leo and I should have to suffer because of it.

We fall asleep. When I awaken sometime in the middle of the night because I heard—

gunshots

—a noise outside, I realize Leo’s awake, too. I roll on top of him and we make love again, less frantic this time. Slower, sweeter. He lets me set the pace and asks me to come for him.