Page 77 of Innocent

He immediately sits up, scoots in, and buries his head against my stomach while his arms encircle me.

One of the bonuses about this arrangement?

I don’t have to tell Elliot what I expect. He and I both know what I want him to do.

I’ve adopted myself a pre-trained pet.

Or, more accurately, I guess he adopted me.

With one hand buried in his hair and massaging his scalp, I feel for his necktie with my other and wrap it tightly around my fist, holding him in place.

He shivers before all the tension drains from him and he lets out a soft moan.

Buddy, believe me, Iknowthe feeling.

Here’s me, a nobody.

Never expected my path to careen through the guardrails like this. When I walked away from Leo, I figured I’d eventually find love again, once I got the rest of my shit together and got a handle on this adulting crap.

Some day.

Once it stopped hurting so much.

“Have you eaten today, boy?” I ask, already suspecting his answer.

He barely shakes his head and I hear a muffled, “No, Sir. Coffee this morning, and a couple of bottles of water.”

I didn’t think so. Elliot’s bad about taking care of himself when he’s working and stressed. Without a dedicated body man of his own, and without Leo around to hound him, it’s easy for his personal needs to slip through the cracks.

“How long since you’ve been able to spend quality time with Leo for play or sex?”

I feel him swallow, and I’m reminded that it’s a tell when he’s upset and trying to hold it in.

I’ll have to remember that.

“Over three months, Sir,” he finally admits. “Our schedules haven’t lined up. He’s stopped by my office a few times, but…it’s difficult to find private time to be alone together.”

Yeah, I know howthatfeels, unfortunately.

It also leaves me shoving back a wave of anger threatening to swamp me. I left so Leo could focus on Elliot. Why’d he drop the fucking ball?

Why did he practically abandon Elliot when Elliot needs him?

“You said you talked before he left.”

“He stopped by my house for a couple of hours. All we did is talk and I…”

After a moment, I prod him. “Say it.”

He sighs. “I cried myself to sleep. He left during the night. He was gone when I woke up.”

We have five minutes before I hear a light rap on the door.

Elliot doesn’t move.

I lightly tap his head and release his necktie, and he sits up so I can stand. “Stay.”

I go get the food, careful to barely open the door. Then I lock it and return to the couch.