Page 163 of Shadowman

“Good morning,” I say to his back as my eyes flutter open, but he doesn’t respond. Stretching out my sore muscles, I hum, “Fucking hell… Did last night really happen?”

Byron is still quiet, and it puts me into an abrupt and immediate tailspin of dread. Grabbing his arm, a gust of relief breaks from my lips.

He’s warm.Thank God.

Rolling over, he faces me, his drowsy expression inquisitive. “What’s wrong?”

“You weren’t answering…” I mutter, swallowing the lump of bad memories in my throat. “And I just… I thought…”

His brows lift, and I sigh, “Never mind. Sorry…”

I know Icouldtell Byron about Alice. Easily. In fact, he’d probably be thebestperson to tell, about all of it. He’s so calm and nonjudgmental.

But I can’t. Whether I can see him or not, Leo is stilltechnicallyhere, within the walls of my fearfully marred mind. And I can’t ignore the truth behind his precautionary advice.

There are certain things about you that no one will ever understand, Trevel. It’s best to keep those things to yourself.Because when you’re vulnerable with people, someone always ends up getting hurt.

There’s a curse on your heart; like Pandora’s box. The only way to protect yourself and those around you is to never,everopen it up.

“You thought what?” Byron asks, interested, and much less prying than I was with him, which makes me feel like a real knob.

Forcing a gentle smile to ease his mind—and hopefully change the subject—I brush my thumb along his perfectly angled jawline. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright. After last night…”

I think it’s worked. Because his eyes widen, indicating that his attention is refocused on our sexcapades.

“Ifeelalright,” he murmurs, chewing on his lower lip. “I’m not sure if that means Iamalright…”

“Well, that’s better than feelingnotalright,” I hum. “Don’t you think?”

He stares at me for a moment, dark eyes softening as his lips twitch. “Definitely.”

Without another word, Byron scrambles out of bed. There are so many things I want to say to him; questions I want to ask, words I want to speak and hear in return. But I’m distracted from all of it by the sight of his naked body strutting around the cell. Hard slopes and contours of muscle draped in creamy skin I could eat like butterscotch—my hands-downfavoriteice cream topping, by the way—adorned with splashes of black ink that give him just the right amount of edge.

It’s remarkable to see something so physically stunning surrounded by rot and decay. Like a flower, sprouting up between a crack in the weathered pavement.

I mean, look at his ass… Look at it! All high and round, with those dips in the sides… He must do a lot of squats.

I still can’t believe I got to creampie that booty last night. Best DNA swap ever.

Byron grabs his pants and hops into them quickly, much to my dismay. He seems a bit dodgy, which is to be expected. This is new for him, I suppose—not just the bottoming, but admitting that he’s having sex with a man because hewantsto, rather than pretending it’s out of prison boredom. Just because we crossed another line, I don’t for one second think he’s going to abandon his aloofness.

He’s going about his morning business while I’m still in his bed, blanket draped over my waist, staring at him. Eventually, he grumbles, “Are you just going to lie there all day?”

Flopping back, I grin. “Come here and help me up, then.”

He rolls his eyes, though his lips are quirked. I’mdesperateto kiss that cocky, hesitant little smirk off of his mouth, but I know he’ll likely need some more warming up to it.

Don’t ask me why we can fuck and suck each other dry, butkissingis considered too intimate. It’s an odd notion, but on some level, I get it.

Byron picks up my underwear and tosses them at me. “Put your panties on. I don’t want to find out what these guards do if you’re naked in my bed when they show up.”

“My guess is absolutely nothing.” I sigh, crawling out with little enthusiasm.

“Must be nice to be you, huh?” he rumbles while I slip on my underwear, clearly forcing his eyes away from my nakedness as he goes on with his routine.

“Possibly,” I hum as I sidle up to him. “I’d say it’s pretty bloodyawesometo be me right about now…” Wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, I seal my front to his back, making sure to rub my dick on his perfect ass.Just a bit.He stiffens while I pout on the nape of his neck. “You don’t like my knickers?”

He peeks at me over his shoulder. “They’re cute. You always wear skimpy little undies like that?” He arches a cocky brow.