Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
It’s… a revelation. I still can’t believe he wants to offer all this love to someone like me, but if a person as pure and kind as Angel tells me I’m worthy of him, who am I to deny it?
“Come here,” he says, closing his arms around me while the hot water still rains over us, soothing aching muscles. “Can I be your home too?”
I can’t speak, too choked up by the tears that just won’t stop coming, but I nod vigorously as he strokes my hair. If he’s my home, I don’t need the cave anymore. I will make sure he’s always safe, and fed, and feels loved and cared for. Just weeks ago, I wasn’t even sure I was capable of that, but now I know I am. He’s made me believe in myself. I don’t even have to be embarrassed about the crying, because Angel understands. He wouldn’t mock me or tell anyone.
He’s perfect.
I don’t know how much time we spend just holding one another in the humid stall, but eventually I’m ready to face him again and help him back to his feet.
“Mmm, all I want now is bed,” Angel tells me, grinning as he takes careful steps out of the shower.
I’m so… cleansed. It’s been years since I’ve cried like that, and he gave me the space I needed. I don’t let him leave and rub the wetness off him with a towel even as he jokingly whines about how sleepy he is.
For the first time in my life I can see a future beyond the upcoming few months. A future with Angel. He holds my hand as we head to the bedroom, and this is what my life could be. Tomorrow, I’ll ask him if he wants pets, because I’m too tired for it now.
We don’t even bother to switch on the light, and I see his shadowy form settle on the bed before lifting his legs and stretching out on the mattress with a sigh of relief.
I give him a kiss before sinking to my knees on the floor to crawl into my space. I was expecting him to come with me, but I understand it’s been a long day and he wants comfort.
But the moment I kneel, his hand is on my shoulder, and he rolls to his side, seeking my gaze in the darkness. “I know tonight was… different enough already, but would you like to join me in bed?”
I freeze as my mind catches up to what he’s saying, and for the first time, I truly consider it. His fresh bedding, and his warm embrace. He makes me feel worthy of it. Maybe Creep wasn’t, but what if Creed is? What if Creed can sleep in a bed with his boyfriend and give him affection all night?
I glance down at the shadows beckoning me from below. Their only comfort is their familiarity. “Are you sure?” I ask, but I’m already sliding my hand over the bedding, and he lifts it, inviting me in.
I am welcome. Next to him. In his bed. In his life. And he wants to listen to my breath as we fall asleep.
“Come to our bed, silly,” Angel says sleepily, and I don’t wait any longer, crawling straight into his arms.
We slot in together like a beer cap and the bottle, and when my head hits the pillow, my whole body relaxes. I’m almost asleep when a whole new anxiety hits me.
“Angel?”
“Mmm?” he mutters with his eyes shut.
“But… we can still do the sleep play sex, right?”
He snorts and presses his face against my neck. “Of course we can. It’s fucking hot.”
I breathe out in relief and sleep takes me in no time.
Chapter 29
Creed
I’ve been away for only a few hours, and I already miss Angel so much it’s like an ache deep inside me. I was sure I’d always be a loner in one way or another, but he’s changed everything. He’s even given me my name back.
In the morning we picked up food from the canteen but then brought it back home for a lazy breakfast. He even brewed me some tea and added a protective mark as he was mixing it in. I don’t really understand how it works, but I appreciate his efforts regardless.
Angel sat in my lap as we talked, and I can’t get over how natural it feels to be touched by him. Instead of agitating my anxieties, he soothes them.
He’s invited me to be a part of his life in so many ways already and wears the property vest so proudly. We’ve talked about moving to a bigger cabin in the future, together with my spider. I was embarrassed at first when Angel pulled out the zip lock bag in which I stored his hair, but he then carefully put it into a decorative bottle closed with a cork, so it can be displayed on a shelf. He doesn’t think I’m creepy. He sees and accepts all of me.