Pretty Boy (Perfect Boys #1) - K.M. Neuhold Page 0,30

exact moment to growl loudly, and he ends the kiss too soon.

“Sex can wait, I need to feed my boy,” he says, peppering a few more kisses all over my cheeks. It feels so sweet it almost hurts my heart to know it’s only for now. “I’m anxious to get you home, let’s get on the road and we can pick something up on the way.”

It doesn’t sound like my input is required, which is surprisingly freeing. I spent so much of my life taking care of mama, taking care of gran when she got sick, taking care of myself when nobody else would, it’s nice to be taken care of by someone else for a change. I nod, just so he knows I’m good with his plan, and then we get out of bed.

I feel all out of sorts getting dressed and brushing my teeth. As always, I avoid looking into the mirror, and in a weird way, that makes me feel a little more normal in this whole crazy situation. I may be in some fancy hotel with a handsome, rich man who’s taken a liking to me for some reason I can’t figure out, but I’m still the ugly boy who can’t look in the mirror. I’m still me.

Barrett

While Sterling gets dressed and ready to go, I shoot a text to Lorna and Kiernan, letting them both know I’ll be back in Vegas by this evening. What I don’t mention is that I’m not traveling alone. I’d rather not have my phone blowing up with texts and calls all day from the both of them.

Lorna: Perfect. Then it’s your turn to host Sunday brunch this week. I’ll bring the mimosas ;) See you tomorrow, drive safe, love you.

I’d lost track of the days this week and didn’t even realize it was already Saturday. I reply to the text, letting her know I’m looking forward to it, and then put my phone away and get dressed.

The second half of the drive to Las Vegas goes smoothly, but the closer we get, the more nervous Sterling seems to become. By the time the city comes into view, he’s practically vibrating in his seat.

“Doing okay?” I check.

“Yeah, this is just…” He shakes his head, his eyes fixed on the buildings in the distance. “I ain’t never done anythin’ like this before. I can’t decide if I’m brave or crazy for up and leavin’ the only place I ever lived.”

“It’s an adventure.”

“I guess it is,” he agrees, seeming to calm him down some. I’m hoping once he sees how nice my house is, that will convince him he made a good choice. I find my own heart beating out an uneven rhythm, the fear that he’ll decide to leave too soon making me uncomfortably unsteady. I can’t stop him if he decides he hates it here and wants to go home, but I can do my damndest to make sure that doesn’t happen.

When we pull into my driveway, I glance over to check his reaction and see him staring, wide-eyed at it. Unfortunately, I can’t tell if it’s the good kind of blown away or the kind where he’s going to decide in short order that he doesn’t belong here.

“Come on, let’s go in so I can show you around.”

Sterling nods slowly, like he’s in a trance before unbuckling and getting out of the car. We leave our bags. I’ll get them later; right now, I’m anxious to show him around.

We step inside, and he stops in his tracks inside the entryway. I try to see the place through his eyes, the dark wood floors, high ceilings, and large windows. Lorna has teased me more than once for how inexpensive and simple my house is. Then again, she’s happily bought three extravagant mansions with her trust fund, so she’s probably not the best judge of what’s reasonable.

“Wow,” he mutters.

“Let me show you your bedroom,” I suggest, grabbing his hand and leading him to the stairs.

“My bedroom?” he repeats. “I’m not stayin’ in your bedroom?”

I stop on the landing at the top of the stairs and turn to look at him. I’m feeling so out of sorts, and I don’t like it at all. It’s not me. Second guessing and uncertainty isn’t how I operate, and frankly, I don’t care for it at all.

I blow out a harsh breath, attempting to expel all of the nervous energy that’s taken up a place inside me against my permission. “I’m out of my element