Page 5 of The Year of Us: July

Cory

I loved him so fucking much, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to shake him sometimes.

I also wanted to find out who the person was who’d hurt him.

Who had taught him that his best wasn’t good enough?

Somewhere along the way, he’d learned that whatever it was he had to offer wasn’t good enough, when in reality, he was perfect.

When I heard the water turn on, I ordered breakfast. Before my departure, Reese had taken me on a little walking tour of the neighborhood, and I knew exactly what he liked.

I ordered a fresh fruit salad from a nearby vendor, with a side of tajin to sprinkle on.

And from a place around the corner, I ordered a couple breakfast fajitas.

I didn’t feel like faffing around with his coffee maker, so I added a couple of drinks to the order and offered a large tip to ensure prompt delivery.

Reese lingered in the shower, and I pulled on a pair of his pajama pants. I loved the way they were slightly too long for me, and I loved the way he looked at me when I stole his clothes.

By the time Reese came out, the food had arrived, and I set everything up on a lap tray.

“Better?” I asked him as he climbed into bed next to me. His apartment really wasn’t big enough for two people, but I sort of loved it anyway. It felt like a private bubble where the two of us were all that existed. Well, the two of us and the delivery driver who’d happily accepted my tip.

Reese leaned over and stole a kiss, but I didn’t miss the sheepish look in his eyes.

“Better,” he said.

I put one of the orders of fajitas in front of him and one of the coffees. I kept the fruit to the side for last. “Eat before it gets cold.”

Reese gave me a little side-eye, but did as he was told. After he’d powered through his first fajita and drank some of his coffee, he glanced at me.

“About earlier,” he started, but I cut him off.

“You asked your questions and, after you eat, I’ll answer. But I was serious, you need food and coffee.”

Reese’s mouth flattened into a thin line, prompting me to reach for him and cup his cheek. “I’m exactly where I want to be, Reese. Now, be my good boy and eat.”

His anxiety somewhat eased, Reese turned his attention back to his food.

“Thank you for breakfast,” he said a minute later, his demeanor a little sweeter than it had been.

“It’s my pleasure.” I’d do far more for him than buy him breakfast. If he let me, I’d look after him in all the ways, but that wasn’t what he wanted. Reese liked his job. He valued his independence, and he was still a bit unsure about his worth as a submissive.

“I want you to understand, Reese,” I said as I popped the fruit salad open. I sprinkled the tajin on top then grabbed a bite of watermelon and offered it to him. He reached for it with his fingers, but I pulled back and lifted an eyebrow.

It took him a moment to gather himself when he realized what I was asking. There was nothing stopping him from reaching into the container to get his own piece. Nothing except the desire to please me.

When he finally leaned over and took the bite from my fingers, his lips brushing against my skin, I smiled at him.

“Just because it doesn’t come natural to you, that doesn’t mean you’re not good at it.

Just because it’s hard, or that you’re unsure, it doesn’t mean that you don’t please me.

No one has ever pleased me more. And even if we never move beyond what we have right now, I need you to understand that it’s enough.

You’re enough. Just like this.” I popped a grape into my mouth, then offered him another bite of melon.

“And for your second question, I’d still want to move here.

In case you haven’t heard, I’m sort of in love with you. ”

I fed Reese another bite of fruit. “Now, the question I have for you is did you want me to move here?”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course I do.”

“Then it’s settled. Kale gave me the name of an acquaintance who does real estate. I’ll get in touch with him and get the ball rolling.”

I still had to list my place in New York, but then I thought about keeping it so if Reese and I ever went back there, we wouldn’t have to stay in hotels. The longer I got to stay in one place, the more I had started to loathe the nomadic lifestyle.

“You have a friend named Kale?” Reese said. “Like… that gross lettuce?”

“He’s a good friend,” I said. “Though some might say he’s an acquired taste like his namesake, but he means well, and he’s toned down over the years. He’s a dom too, but no one bothered to tell him that being one didn’t make him the boss of everyone.”

“Are all your friends kinky?”

I shrugged. “I suppose that depends on what you think is kinky, but yes.”

I set the lap tray aside and pulled Reese into my side.

He curled up there, and for a moment he seemed smaller than he was.

“Because I travel a lot, when I have down time, I usually went to kink clubs to find someone to unwind with when I got the itch. And from there, I got to know some of the members, of course. Kale is the one I’m closest to.

What about you? Are all your friends forces of nature like Morgan? ”

Reese laughed for the first time that morning, the sound like music to my ears.

“Morgan is unique. She’s a pain in the ass unlike anyone else.” Reese looked at me. “I’m glad you like her.”

“Me too.” I stole a kiss that tasted of fruit and spice. “So, where should I live?”