Page 28 of Yorkie to My Heart (Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue #6)

When he pressed himself against me, with his erection nudging against me, I allowed myself to share my reaction.

I’d been hard at various times over the past week in his presence—and had tugged a couple out in the shower at the memory of those stunning eyes and solid body—but this was the first time I let him see my reaction.

I ran my hands down his flanks, eased them around to his beautiful ass.

I grabbed the globes and pressed him against me.

He angled himself to get more friction.

Which was just fine with me. We’d been doing an odd dance for a week.

I’d suspected he had feelings—physical at least—but that he’d hidden them.

Maybe hadn’t wanted to recognize them. Certainly hadn’t felt right in acting on them.

Whether that was because of his past with that asshole Hank or because he didn’t even know how to come on to another man, I wasn’t certain.

I hadn’t pushed. Now I was extra glad I hadn’t.

He pulled back, his eyes a little glassy as they met mine. “I…this feels like it came out of the blue. But I want…” He bit his lower lip in that way I found so endearing.

“Yes?”

“I want you.”

“You have me, Phillip. Whatever you want, I’ll offer it up.

But you have to be sure. Because I’m just fine with taking things slow.

I mean, I haven’t even had the chance to tell you how much you mean to me.

How happy I am that you’re here. How I want to protect you and keep you safe while also wanting to kiss you for hours and hours.

And a lot more than kiss, but… You’re exhausted.

I’m tired. But, for you, I’d give you the moon.

” Is that romantic or just weird? I’m too tired to care.

He seems pretty bright…he’ll figure it out.

“Could we…?” His gaze drifted away from mine.

I wanted him to look at me. I willed him to find the strength. “Just ask, sweetheart. Whatever you want.”

He turned back to me. “I don’t want to be alone tonight. But we’re both exhausted, and…”

“Would you like to sleep in my bed with me? Just sleep? We can give Wally his dog bed. Do you think he’ll sleep there? We can bring the stairs in case he needs comfort as well.”

“That’s a lot.” He gazed down at himself. “I’m a lot.” He rubbed his stomach.

“Hey.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Please, none of that. I love your body. I love how you feel in my arms. And if that changes—if you change—that’ll be okay too.

Your mind is what I’m attracted to. Your body is just a bonus.

” Am I saying the right things? I want him to know I’m okay with how he is now, and if he loses weight, that’s okay too.

He held my gaze. “You’re not just saying that?”

I shook my head. “Ask Marcie. I’ve dated skinny guys, big guys, short guys, and a guy who was about six inches taller than me.”

As I’d hoped, Phillip’s eyes widened.

“And a trans man. He was a sweetheart. Moved away and we drifted apart.” He drew in a breath.

“Just…I’m not really into women. I find some of them attractive—and I certainly love the intelligent ones.

” My mind flashed to both Norah and Shayna and how they’d been brilliant today. “But you’re the one I want.”

“For now.”

I drew in a breath. Forever was on the tip of my tongue.

But he wasn’t ready to hear that and, if I was truly honest, I wasn’t ready to say it.

Not because I couldn’t envision him here for all time…

but because I needed time, patience, maybe some conversation with folks who saw me clearer than I saw myself.

To make sure I wasn’t making a mistake. Wasn’t pushing Phillip so hard that I might make him turn tail and run.

“I’m okay with taking things one day at a time.

You’re here. You’re safe. That reassures me.

That makes me feel like we’re on the right track.

So come to my bed tonight. Let me hold you.

Or you hold me. Or we snuggle with Wally.

Whatever works. We can sort the rest out tomorrow or the next day or a week from now. ”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“It is. You don’t want to be alone tonight. I’m happy to invite you to my bed.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I offered my hand.

He took it.

We walked back to his room.

He coaxed Wally off the spare bed, then grabbed the little guy’s padded bed from the floor.

I nabbed the stairs.

We made our way to my room.

As Phillip settled in, I had a quick shower, then changed into pajamas in the ensuite bathroom. Thank God I had a pair—something to wear when I was around the nibblets. Otherwise I was like Raphael—no clothes, thank you.

Phillip had chosen the unused side of the bed—clearly noting my phone, clock radio, charger, and reading glasses on my side. Well, hopefully he hadn’t noticed the glasses. I only needed the damn things when I was super tired and scrolling on my phone at night in bed.

My optometrist kept admonishing me.

I kept disobeying her orders.

And my eyes were getting worse.

Tonight, though, I ensured no alarms were set and crawled into bed. “Why don’t you turn away from me? Then I can snuggle you.”

“Yeah, okay.” He pressed a hand to his belly.

I laid my hand over his. “Don’t, okay? I like having something to hold on to.

Something other than a skinny guy who’s all angles.

” I didn’t mention how good one skinny guy’s blow jobs had been.

Or how he’d taken off for Colorado not long after we’d started seeing each other and how I really hadn’t missed him.

Because those things didn’t matter. No one before Phillip mattered.

“Wally’s asleep down on his bed.”

I glanced over to find the pup with his head lolled back, his tongue stuck out, and a light snore coming from him. “He’s had a long day.”

“Yeah, those kids really wear him out.”

“You too.”

He grinned. “Yeah, me too. But I had fun.”

“Great. Now?—”

“Turn over. Yes, oh bossy one.” Yet, after giving me an impish grin, he did just that and turned away from me.

I shut off the lights, then positioned myself behind him. After a bit of adjusting, I fitted my thighs against his, pressed my front to his back, and slid my hand around to his chest. Then I laid my hand on his sternum. “Sleep, Phillip. I’ve got you.”

And I don’t want to ever let you go.