Page 92 of Necessary Space

He opened his mouth to answer, but licked his lips and snapped them closed. Opening them again, but still no sound making its way out.

“I’ll take that as a no,” I answered my own question on his behalf.

“I’d like you…”

“I thought you loved me,” I interrupted him with a small smirk and a flush that I could feel on my cheeks as the words left my mouth. Why was I blushing at something as simple as confirming an emotion I already knew to be real?

“So much,” he whispered, clearing his throat and blinking quickly, as if to clear his vision. The can lights in the ceiling reflected like rings around his pupils, shiny as pools of rippling water.

Was Hendrix about to cry?

“How about, I’ll only talk if I think I have something helpful to say?” I offered.

He snorted, the reflections of the lights in his eyes shifting as he turned his stare toward the sliding glass door that led to the back yard.

“Our mom called to tell me Wes had dropped out of school,” Hendrix said.

Personally, I didn’t think that was earth-shattering news. Wesley was practically a kid, his older brother—whom he clearly idolized—had moved across the country. It made perfect sense that the unrest would make him restless…hungry for something more.

“How many people live in the city you’re from?” I asked.

“Hardly a city.”

“How many?”

“Fifty thousand, maybe.” He shrugged. “Why?”

I didn’t want to tell him that proved my point yet. I would wait to see what else he had to say about his brother before answering back.

“No reason. So, Wesley dropped out?”

“Withdrew for the trimester.”

“So he’s going back in the fall?” I swirled my wine, letting it whirlpool before taking another drink.

“I have to talk to him. But he freaked out when Mom called, so I assume that’s not his plan, no.”

“Can you tell me why this is a bad thing?” I made sure to soften my tone, to ask the question gently. The subject matter was obviously something that upset him, even if I didn’t understand entirely why.

“He’s too smart.”

“And yet, you just implied what he’s doing is stupid.”

“It’s careless,” Hendrix corrected, mouth tightening around the edges.

“Are you going to try to talk him out of it? Without even understanding his reasons?”

“Of course!” he snapped, setting his wine glass down on the counter a little harder than necessary. Wine sloshed over the rim and onto the top of his hand. He cursed under his breath and I took his hand, slowly raising it to my mouth. I waited until he made eye contact, then I used my tongue to lick the drops of Chardonnay off his skin.

Hendrix almost immediately quieted, his protestations turning into choked whimpers when I nipped at the webbing of skin between his thumb and first finger.

“You’re predictable,” I murmured, taking one of his sticky sweet fingers into my mouth.

“Last time this scenario ended with your cock in my mouth.” His eyes were closed, the tension around his mouth finally starting to waver.

“That was a good night.” I kissed the tips of his fingers and returned his hand to the counter, giving it a gentle pat before pulling my hand away. I went for my wine, taking a sip and waiting for him to return to himself.

“What was I saying?”