Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,62

chest, his arms wrapping around me. We stood there, holding each other for a long time.

“I don’t want to lose you,” I said against his temple, kissing him softly. “This is the first time in my life I’ve felt like I could be myself with someone. The first time I’ve let my heart feel anything for anyone since Alan.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Me neither.”

With Tomi locked in my arms, it was easy to let the world around us vanish. Finding his mouth, stealing a kiss, taking him by the hand, and luring him inside felt like actions that took place in an alternate reality. The cabin truly was our safe spot.

He rid me of my uniform, letting each piece fall to the floor. I chuckled, and he pressed a finger to my mouth, cocking a brow. “We aren’t going to mention the mess until after. We’re going to pretend it doesn’t exist.”

“You’re the only thing that matters right now.”

We fell onto the bed, wrapped up in this tender moment that was all ours. Bare skin to bare skin. Mouths fused. Bodies aligned and ripe with needs we couldn’t ignore or deny.

I found a condom and joined us, taking my time and drawing out the moment for all it was worth.

In bed was the one place where Tomi had learned to let go of his overly controlling ways. He trusted me to take care of him, and over the few weeks we’d been together, I knew him inside and out. I knew how to make him purr, make him writhe, make him gasp and moan and beg.

I braced myself on the bed, one hand on either side of his head as I peered deep into his dark eyes and took us to completion.

I didn’t know if we could merge these two worlds and survive, but each moment we shared was precious, and I would treasure them in case it all went to hell.

I must have fallen asleep after we made love. It didn’t surprise me since I’d been up all night. It was late evening when a light touch, feathering over my bare shoulder, woke me. Gentle kisses landed on my cheek. “You won’t sleep tonight if you don’t get up.”

I grumbled and peeled my eyes open.

“I made dinner. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah. I feel drained.”

“Well, anxiety, no sleep, and incredible sex will do that to a person.”

I chuckled and drew Tomi down on the bed beside me. When I tried to get close, he shoved me back with a laugh. “Sorry, no go, big guy. You’re covered in dry cum and desperately need a shower. We can cuddle after.”

I glanced down and wrinkled my nose at the mess on my lower abdomen. “It’s your cum.”

“Yeah, doesn’t matter.” He pecked my lips with a grin. “Go shower, I’ll make you a plate and grab you a beer.”

By the time I met Tomi outside, the sun was gone behind the mountains. The night was cooling off, and a soft breeze ruffled my hair.

Tomi handed me a plate with a homemade hamburger piled high with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, onions, and pickles. Mustard and mayo squirted out the sides when I took my first bite. I groaned. “This is heaven.”

He handed me a napkin. “Your heaven is dripping down your chin.”

I dabbed my mouth and set my plate aside in exchange for my beer.

“I was thinking.” Tomi fidgeted with his napkin, refusing to make eye contact. “Hear me out with this.”

A note of worry tickled my belly and turned my one bite of dinner to ash in my stomach.

“I was thinking of contacting my parents and telling them I’d like to come home and visit for the month of August. They’ll be ecstatic.”

I stared across the table at Tomi, waiting for the punchline.

He dashed his gaze in my direction once before looking away and continuing. “I’ll rent a room in town somewhere. That way, if I’m seen in Jasper, it won’t be some big secret. I can still come out here at night.” He shrugged. “What do you think?”

“I think that sounds like exactly what you didn’t want to do to begin with. Last time you were here, you were adamant you didn’t want to be among the Jasper crowd. Now you’d rather be out there than be here with me?”

“No. That’s not it.” His brows met as he adjusted himself on his chair. “I think it would be better if people knew I was in town visiting rather than that kid announcing I’m