Page 90 of Take My Name

“No, I really, really do. Loathe you, actually. How dare you tease me after years of waitin’ for you? Do you know how many times I played with my vibrator to memories of us? You were always so good at givin’ me what I want and need. And now you’re danglin’ it in front of me and tellin’ me I can’t have it? So yeah, I hate you so much.” I’m a rambling mess, not even surewhat I’m saying, but he doesn’t give me shit for it or respond. Just an amused chuckle.

I give up trying to talk him into kissing me, but it’s not until he lifts me out of the seat that I realize we’re at his house. I must’ve fallen asleep because that felt like thirty seconds.

“Don’t be mad.” I tighten my arms around his neck, inhaling his scent.

“I’m not. Gonna tuck you into my bed so you can sleep it off.”

“Not about that,” I murmur, barely awake.

“Then what about?”

“Hayes Williams,” I blurt.

His body stiffens against me. “What ’bout him?”

I whine when he lays me down and lose his warmth. “He’s your favorite author.”

“What?” The word comes out harsh, probably louder than he expected since his next words are softer. “What’re you talkin’ about?”

“Hayden Wills,” I murmur. “That’s his pen name.”

I shift to my side, getting comfortable against his pillow. “Mm, this smells like you.”

“Maze?” His voice comes closer, but I can’t open my eyes.

“Hm?”

He curses under his breath. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Well…I’m not happy. But we’ll deal with it later.”

“Are you gonna lie with me?”

“I’ll be on the couch. Gonna put a bucket next to the bed in case you need it.” His voice is distant, and I reach out for him.

“No, stay. Please? What if I need you?”

“I’ll be in the livin’ room.”

“You can’t sleep on that tiny couch. You’re a big, big, big man.”

He huffs a laugh. “Fine, I’ll take the floor.”

I try to argue that the floor is too hard, but I can’t make my lips move as sleep threatens to take over.

I’m not sure how much time passes before the bed dips next to me and Warren’s hand brushes the hair out of my face.

“If you can hear me, I’m gonna sleep next to you because that floor is hard as fuck…”

Told ya.Well, in my head I did.

“So don’t freak out if you wake up and you find me up here.”

I’m too sleepy to speak, so I arch my back and rub my ass against him in response.

He groans. “Go to sleep, Maze.”