Page 67 of The Pretender

“Oh.” He drags his hand through his hair. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just talk to me.”

Deo exhales slowly, leaning against the wall near the hallway entrance. “It’s honestly nothing. I was reminding myself that, as great as this is, it’s fake.”

“No, Deo. Not fake.” I step towards him. “Temporary, but this chemistry is real.”

“I’d rather believe it wasn’t. It’s easier to decide you’re just using me and I’m using you and there’s nothing here to miss when it’s over.”

The urge to defend myself is strong. I’m not using Deo. It may have started out that way, but it’s different now. Maybe he’s right though and it’s better to believe that this is superficial and all this chemistry and attraction is a ruse. It will make it a lot easier to walk away when the time comes.

There’s a smile on his face that doesn’t quite reach his eyes as he runs his hands down my chest. “So let’s continue having fun. How about that bath?”

“Let’s do it.”

In the bedroom, Deo begins stripping out of his clothes while I head to the bathroom to start the bath. I find a small bottle of bubble bath in the cupboard and use it, pouring a hefty amount in then checking the water temperature.

When I step out of the bathroom, Deo is lying across the bed on his stomach, completely naked. His tight ass draws me closer, like a snake to a charmer, and I bend down to kiss his shoulder blade.

“You are a beautiful man, Deo.”

He turns his head, smiling. “Thank you.” Rolling over, he points at me. “Get naked.”

“Yes, sir.”

Deo watches me remove my clothes and drape them over the armchair near the bed. My cock grew with every article I took off, and now, under Deo’s sensual gaze, it juts out from my body.

“You’re a masterpiece,” he says softly. “I could look at you for days.”

“You’re welcome to.” I extend my hand. “Bath time.”

Deo takes my hand and follows me to the bathroom. I turn the water off and drag my hand through it to check the temp again.

“I think it’s good.”

Deo climbs in first, then I make an attempt, quickly realizing we’re gonna have to get very close to fit in this tub. I move behind him and lower myself down, pulling him between my legs. With my dick pressed against his back, he wraps my arms around his chest and settles into my embrace, both of us sinking deeper into the steamy water.

“Mmm, this is nice.”

I kiss the back of his head. “I agree.”

We sit in silence for long minutes. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but my thoughts are chaotic. How will I leave Deo and when should I? I still haven’t figured out how to handle Vin and his men. It’s such a fucking mess.

“What’s wrong, Balt?” Deo turns his head to see my face. “And don’t say nothing. I felt you tense.”

Searching his eyes, I nod. “I’m conflicted.”

“About?”

“Everything.” The desire to confess is strong, but I bite it back. I can’t risk putting Deo in any kind of danger, so the less he knows about my real life, the better. “I like you, Deo. I like being here. But…”

He nods. “I know.”

“It’s more than you think.”

“You can tell me.”

I think it over for a few seconds before I settle on a cowardly question. “What would you do if you found out I’m not the man you think I am?”