of his fingertips over his loose opening was electric.
A storm was gathering in his body, and he couldn’t let himself think too much about how it would feel when the havoc began.
Travis will be there. I’ll give myself to Travis.
The thought made him feel safe, giddy even.
The scones were heavenly. Micah overdid it with butter, but he figured if there ever was a good time to indulge in fatty food, it was now.
“I washed and dried your clothes,” Travis said. “From your rucksack. I hope it’s okay.”
“Thank you.” Micah had forgotten about his gear. He’d spent the past few days in Travis’s clothes or naked, and he liked it that way. Maybe he could just continue wearing the things Travis had given him. Travis wouldn’t mind, would he?
“Do you want something from those?”
“No. It’s only hiking stuff. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable in them indoors.”
“That’s true. And your skin is sensitive, isn’t it?”
Micah nodded. “Everything itches.”
“I thought so. I’ve turned the heating up so you can be naked if you want.”
Micah should have felt strange, but Travis’s words held only concern and care. Slowly Micah stripped off his T-shirt and hung it over the chair’s backrest. He kept the cropped-off sweats. He was slick constantly now, and the possibility of leaving a wet spot on the kitchen chair made him cringe.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. The relief was immediate.
“And I found this. I charged it in case you wanted to use it.”
He pushed Micah’s phone to him on the table, and involuntarily, Micah flinched. It was turned off, of course. Travis didn’t have Micah’s PIN code, and even if the device had been unprotected, Micah was sure Travis would never violate his privacy like that.
He felt Travis’s eyes on him and knew he must be acting strangely, looking at the phone as if it were a snake about to attack. Wiping his hand on his sweats, he tried to school his features. Then he shoved the phone to the side. He had no intention of turning it on. Not until several days after the heat. He kept his eyes on his plate.
“Nobody knows you’re here, Micah.” Travis spoke softly, his tone reassuring. “I spoke to my omega dad the first day. He’s an extraordinary man. He helped me to see some things clearer. But he doesn’t even know your name, and he’s discreet. The bakery might wonder why I ordered more, but they probably only assume one of my brothers is visiting.”
“You spoke to your omega dad about me?”
“Yes, only to ask for advice. I haven’t told anybody else.”
Instead of feeling concerned, Micah smiled inwardly at the confession. Travis was close enough with his omega father to ask for guidance in something intimate.
“What kind of advice?”
Travis took a deep breath. He spoke carefully, laying out word after word. “I was worried that I’d assaulted you.”
Oh, Travis. “And what did he say?”
“To listen to you, to make sure you have other options, and to trust your judgment.”
Micah’s heart squeezed. What wouldn’t he give to have a living parent like that on his side. “He was right. Thank you.”
Micah already trusted Travis implicitly. The man was helping him through the most intense, disruptive time of his life, and he hadn’t done anything to make Micah the least bit uneasy.
“I want you to know I’ll help you, Micah. If you need anything, now or later, I’ll help you. In every way I can.”
The lump in his throat didn’t allow Micah to reply. He nodded again. Travis meant it. Micah knew him enough by now to be sure of that. But after the heat, there would be no need. Micah would have to rebuild his life, but he’d have to do it alone. He thought of his childhood home, the pictures of his dad on his nightstand, and his old books, which made him choose an English major in college. Would his father let him pick up his things? Micah suspected he’d have to make do without keepsakes.
Travis interrupted the downward spiral of his thoughts. “Do you want to take a bath after breakfast? It’s supposed to prevent cramps and help with muscle soreness.”
“Yeah. A bath sounds wonderful.”
“I’ll fill the tub for you.”
“Will you join me?”
“If you want me to.”
Micah lifted his eyes to Travis’s and met tenderness and desire. His belly warmed. “Yes.”
Travis smiled, the dimple deepening. “Then I will.”
Micah could easily fall asleep again. Surrounded by warm water up to his collarbones, cuddled in Travis’s embrace, head on Travis’s massive shoulder, he