Page 87 of Praising Haru

Same. We’ll find something soon.

Kinda have to! Is anything new with you? Are you enjoying being home?

So much more than I thought I would. Leaving London to move in with my parents felt like a giant step back, even if it was only meant to be temporary. But if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Kyle face-to-face. The time we’ve spent together has been intense and amazing. Is that why I’m hesitating to send this email? Not because I’m afraid it won’t work but because I’m afraid it will work.

It’s great.

I’m not going to elaborate. I’m not close enough to Hayley to share details about my love or kink life. I blink and stare at the wall above my desk. Love life? I meant sex life.

It must be nice having support while you find a new job.

It is.

Now I feel guilty. I shouldn’t, but I do. Hayley is waitressing while searching for something in fashion, and I’m sitting on my arse, designing a clothing collection to pass the time. I need to get a job. Something, anything so that I can contribute to the household bills. Would my parents accept money from me if I offered? Probably not. I’m so damned lucky to have them.

Kyle

Hey, gorgeous.

I smile. He must be on a break.

Hi. How’s work?

Good. The sun is shining, and we’ve got lots done. We’ve pulled ahead of schedule this week, so unless the weather turns awful, we’re going to get our bit done early.

That’s wonderful.

Have you sent those emails yet?

I’m working on them now.

But have you sent any, beautiful?

Not yet.

Want to talk about it? I have a few minutes of break time left.

Can I come over this evening? I’ll bring dinner.

Of course. I have rugby practice after work, but I’ll be home, showered, and dressed by seven.

Don’t feel the need to get dressed on my account.

LOL. You want me naked?

Yes.

My phone pings with an incoming email. I switch apps long enough to read it, take a screenshot, and then return to the messaging app.

My test results just came through.

I send him the screenshot.

Mine too.

He sends one in return. I take a deep breath. The results give us the green light to go bare if we want to. I’ve never taken that step with anyone before. Even Tam, who introduced me to kink. We were together for the best part of two terms before he left. A lot longer than Kyle and I have been screwing around, so why is everything so much more intense with Kyle? Why do I want so much more with him?

We don’t have to go bare right away. Only when we’re both comfortable with the idea.