Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Andy smiled at me as I took his hand and led him towards the building. He was at ease with my touch and allowing me to take the lead. Once we entered the complex, I asked, “Which floor are you on?”
“Six.”
We took the elevator to the sixth floor and walked down the hall until we reached apartment 612. Andy happily passed his key to me so that I could let him in.
The interior of his small apartment was clean but bare. It showed its age with cracking paint and warped floors, but it held all of the necessities. There were no photos, decor, or personal touches to make it feel like a home. While it saddened me, I knew that this housing was temporary. Soon, my mate would live with me in the coven house and I would make sure he had every creature comfort he wished for.
“What do you think?” he asked nervously as he looked around the space.
“It’s very nice.” Andy let out a relieved sigh at my reply. “Will you show me to your bedroom?”
He nodded and pointed to a wooden doorway. When we crossed the threshold, I turned on the light and looked upon a cramped room which held only a twin size mattress covered in a blue blanket, and a small dresser.
“Are your jammies in there?” I asked, pointing to the dresser.
“In the top drawer.”
It only took two steps to cross the floor. I pulled open the top drawer and saw a stack of clean underwear next to a few pairs of socks. On the right hand side were two pairs of cotton shorts and two white t-shirts.
They weren’t fun or pretty, but I wasn’t surprised; Andy lived with his disapproving brother, so he had to be mindful of what he wore. I lifted out a pair of gray shorts and one of the t-shirts and asked him, “Would you like some help getting ready for bed?”
Andy chewed on his lip as his eyes drifted down to the floor. “Is it okay if I change by myself?” As he spoke, his arms hugged around his stomach. I wasn’t sure if he was uncomfortable with me seeing his body, or me caring for him in that way, but no matter his reason, I would never push. “I’m sorry.”
I was in front of him again in the blink of an eye. I cupped his cheeks in my hands and tipped his head back so he was looking at me. “Duckling, I’m proud of you for telling me what you want and need. You never have to apologize for that. I told you that we’d take everything at your speed and I meant it.”
He gave me a grateful smile, making his pretty brown eyes shine. I was overtaken by his beauty and leaned in to kiss his forehead, but I stopped at the sound of his quiet gasp. Dammit, Tage; you just said you’d move at his speed! “Forgive me for being too forward; is this okay?”
“Oh yes,” he whispered, so I pressed my lips to his soft skin, outpouring my care and affection. It didn’t matter that it was on his forehead; it was the best kiss of my life.
When I pulled away, Andy’s eyes were closed and he had a dreamy smile on his lips, looking as satisfied as if I had ravished his body. He appreciated a gentle touch, and I was fulfilled by giving it to him.
“Once you've changed, may I help you brush your teeth?” I thought it was a good balance of helping him without crossing any boundaries.
“I’d like that.”
I kissed his forehead again and Andy hurried out of the room with his night clothes. A couple of minutes later, he called out that he was ready, and I followed the sound of his voice into a tiny bathroom, where he was holding a toothbrush and a mostly empty tube of toothpaste.
As he handed them over, I noticed a stack of envelopes on the sink and asked, “Are those the bills from earlier?”
He nodded. “I took them out of my jeans pocket when I changed so that I wouldn’t accidentally wash them.”
“I’ll write checks for them as soon as I’m back at my place,” I promised, hoping to ease his worried mind.
“I don’t know how to thank you for this.”
“No thanks necessary,” I told him with a wink. “Providing for you gives me joy.”
Andy slowly shook his head. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to find you.”
“I feel the same way.” The look of confusion in his eyes hurt my heart.
I spread toothpaste onto the bristles of the brush and Andy smiled widely, exposing all of his pearly white teeth so that I could gently scrub each one. This is why I was lucky; I got to care for my precious boy. By meeting his needs, I found my purpose.