Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Rayne gripped his temples. There’s no rush, remember that. He was just beginning to understand what he felt when he was around Mike and that he did want to explore more. Being a recovering sex addict didn’t mean he was prohibited from ever having sex again. Actually, maybe he was, but regardless, he didn’t want to fuck anymore; he had to be with someone he could connect with on a deeper, less physical level. Just talk to him like a normal guy meeting another guy and see how he responds.
Rayne opened his eyes, and Chelsea was standing directly in front of him with a teasing glint in her eyes and a coy smile playing across her lips. “What?” he asked.
“Are you done giving yourself a pep talk?”
“I think so.” His mouth felt dry, but his palms were drenched. He hadn’t been this nervous to talk to a man in… Rayne frowned. Never. He’d never been worried or anxious. He was always the one in control and working the angle on an easy mark. But Mike was no sucker, and Rayne had no game plan. It was just him and his raw, damaged emotions.
He inched toward the canopy of branches and pulled them aside. Rayne’s breath hitched as he watched Mike tug his son into a strong, one-armed hug while clutching a sleek, black motorcycle helmet in his other hand. Fire streaked between Rayne’s legs. Holy shit. “I can’t do this.”
“Oh yes you fuckin’ can,” Chelsea bit out. “Look at me.”
He was already looking at her.
“You can do this. You’ve been centered on yourself for almost a whole year. Completely celibate and focused on healing your mind. Now that you feel you’re in a good place, don’t let the doubt in.” Her smile was somber. “It’s not easy for us, y’know. To get people to understand this illness we have.”
Rayne smiled inside. Mike already knows, and he doesn’t seem to care. He was only basing that on a look and a couple of quick conversations, but he’d take it.
“Okay, it’s time to eat!” Rayne heard Edison announce.
“Where’s Rayne?”
“He’s asking for you,” Chelsea whispered with enthusiasm.
“I heard him,” Rayne breathed around his need.
If they weren’t being so damn incognito, Rayne would’ve laughed at the way his and Chelsea’s eyes widened to the size of silver dollars when they heard Mike’s throaty voice ask for him. If they were in junior high school, this would be the part where he and Chelsea held hands and jumped up and down in a circle, squealing with excitement.
“Did you jackasses leave him at home alone on a Friday night while you come over here and eat a gourmet meal?” Mike growled, his eyes on Wood.
Hot damn, Chelsea mouthed. “This guy ain’t no joke.”
Rayne smirked, his dick getting thicker in his skinny Kenneth Cole jeans.
“He seems a bit… aggressive.” Chelsea gave him a side-eye as she peered through the branches a few feet away from him. “Your roommate Wood looks a bit terrified.”
A wild sentiment shot through Rayne as he imagined just how angry Mike could get, and he knew he was in trouble. Because the thought of Mike’s fierceness thrilled him inside and out.
“Back off, Mike. We didn’t leave him home.”
Rayne and Chelsea both jerked away from where they’d been spying.
“He’s right over there somewhere.” Wood must’ve pointed in their general vicinity. “Or he was over there with his friend a minute ago.”
“Where… and what friend?” Mike demanded.
Damn that voice. Rayne shuddered.
“I believe it’s time you make your entrance.” Chelsea winked, giving Rayne just enough time to adjust himself and his clothes before she pulled back the swath of leaves like curtains opening at the start of a show.
Chapter Ten
Mike
Mike grimaced when Wood pointed his thumb over his big shoulder toward the middle of the property. If Rayne was close, he’d probably heard him being all controlling and shit. That wasn’t the impression he wanted to give either. Why did he keep screwing that up? How many first chances was he going to be allowed with Rayne? Mike turned around but didn’t see anyone. Then as if it was choreographed, a wide swath of feathery leaves was pulled to the side on the weeping willow, and Rayne stood beneath Edison’s family tree as if it was his own personal stage. He raised his head slowly and made direct eye contact with him and only him as he emerged from under the canopy. Mike’s heart was pounding so hard behind his thin shirt that he was sure it was visible to everyone.
Caught up in Rayne’s theatrics, it took Mike a moment to notice there was a woman walking a step behind him. His sole focus had been on the man who was almost gliding across the lawn with a grace he’d never seen before. A dangerous slash of desire cut through Mike’s stomach as he boldly allowed his gaze to roam down Rayne’s body.