too many details about my mama’s troubles.
“No local lll-library?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“My town was too small. There was one a few towns over, but I didn’t have no way to get there.”
“That’s so s-sad. There should b-be a way to get books to kids; it’s like a human right or something.”
I chuckle. “I wish,” I agree. “Like, if the library could come to you, bringin’ books right to your doorstep.”
He hums in agreement, nodding for a second before whipping his head up and looking at me like he just had the idea of a lifetime. “Mobile libraries,” he says.
“Mobile libraries?” I repeat. “Like, in a car?”
“Or a b-b-bus,” he explains.
“Oh my lord, like an ice cream truck but full of books?” I gasp, absolutely in love with the idea as soon as I understand it.
“Exactly.”
“Dang, wouldn’t that be somethin’?” I muse, imagining how different my childhood woulda been if I’d had books coming right to my door like that.
“W-we should do it.” Em laughs even as he says it.
I snort and shake my head. “Right, I’ll just pull a buncha money outta my butt…” I trail off, the realization hitting me that I may not be able to spend money like it’s nothing, but Barrett certainly can. More than that, his whole life is about investing in worthy causes. Would he think this is worthy enough?
“Y-you look lll-like you just had an idea.”
“I may have.” We share a grin.
As promised, we order a pizza after that and eat it on the expensive, white couch in the living room while watching Day of the Dead and laughing through it.
When Barrett gets home, he comes into the living room with a big smile on his face and gives me a kiss. I introduce him to Em, and after they chat for a few minutes, he goes upstairs to shower, leaving the two of us to finish our zombie movie binge.
When I walk Em to the front door a little while later, my heart feels so light and full. It always seemed like it would be amazing to have a friend, but this was even better than I imagined. He surprises me by throwing his arms around me and hugging me tight when we reach the door.
“I’m g-g-glad we met, Sterling. I really like you,” he says, as earnest as can be. My face gets hot and my throat tightens, and I squeeze him a little tighter.
“I like you too, Em. I’m glad we’re friends.”
The way he’s smiling when I let him go, makes me think that maybe I ain’t the only one who was desperately needing a friend.
I watch as he trots down the outside steps and gets into the car Kane has waiting for him. Once it pulls outta the driveway, I head upstairs to find Barrett reading in bed. A warm feeling fills me up from head to toe and I strip down before grabbing one of his t-shirts from the dresser and putting it on. I crawl onto the bed and put my head on Daddy’s thigh, his fingers finding their way into my hair and his strong, mellow voice washing over me as he starts to read.
Is this what love feels like?
Chapter 18
Barrett
Waking up early with Sterling snuggled close like he tried to climb inside my skin during the night has quickly become my favorite part of the day. He’s completely nude, save for the cock cage, his skin soft and warm against mine. He has one leg hitched over my hips, his face pressed into the crook of my armpit, which I wouldn’t imagine is comfortable, but he’s fast asleep and seems happy enough with how he ended up. His soft snores bring me an odd sort of comfort, his face relaxed in a way it isn’t usually in his waking hours. I run my fingers through his already mussed hair, sticking up in all directions from having my hands in it last night, holding him in place while I kissed him stupid and fucked him into the mattress.
He makes a sleepy sound and rolls onto his back, his head staying tucked into the crook of my arm. Flakes of dried cum are still crusted on his belly, the cock cage looking pretty as ever wrapped around him, the diamond studded metal glistening among the tuft of dark hair.
I have plenty of work I need to get done today, but the thought of staying right here in bed with him is a siren