Had Wade?
As Jonah walked out of the room, I lookeddown at Wade and thought about how everything had been before. Matthew mighthave known. He’d always been perceptive about that kind of stuff, but I didn’tthink Wade had known. Nothing in the way he’d looked at me said he saw anythingbut friendship.
I didn’t know how long I held him, buteventually, I heard whispers coming from the other side of the room and Wadestarted to shift. He was coming back to reality, so I reached over and grabbedthe water. Opening it, I brought the bottle to his lips.
After a few long sips, he seemed to realizesomething was up because he stopped drinking. He opened his eyes and looked upat me with a confused expression.
Before he could speak, I whispered quietlyand kept my hold light. “I wanted to be the one to take care of you. Pleasedon’t be mad. I was so proud of you when I saw you up on the stage.”
I couldn’t decide if I was oversharing ornot, or if I was making things better or worse, but I continued. “You werebeautiful.”
I knew I’d crossed the line, but instead ofgetting offended, Wade smiled and blushed.
Maybe I hadn’t fucked things up completely…
Chapter 3
Wade
The first thing that came to mind was toask him why he was there. But thankfully I realized how stupid that was beforethe words came out.
Him seeing me nearly naked was one thing,but I didn’t want Griffin to think I was an idiot.
I could put on clothes, but fixing stupidwas harder.
“Say something because I’m starting to givemyself a heart attack here.” His whispered words sounded like he was startingto panic, which made me giggle for some reason…and thankfully the laughterhelped chase away most of the need still coursing through me.
I wasn’t ashamed of what I was wearing, butan erection might make things more awkward. “Hi.”
His grip on me tightened into a hug, and hefinally smiled. “Hi.”
I could feel how hot my face was, but Irefused to feel embarrassed. If he was there, then neither of us had anythingto be worried about.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” I musthave looked confused because his smile widened.
“Austin let me take care of you. He decidedI was trustworthy, but he did threaten to kill me if I upset you. So if youwould tell him you’re happy when you see him, I would greatly appreciate it.”There was a mix of laughter and seriousness in his voice that said he found itfunny, but was also a bit worried about pissing off Austin.
Smart man.
“Deal.” Since he was already holding me, Irelaxed back against his chest. I liked being cuddled and he didn’t seem tohave a problem with it, so I wasn’t going to move unless he said something. “Isthis weird for you? I mean, knowing Matthew and seeing me like this?”
I probably shouldn’t have asked, but Iwanted to know.
A few months ago, I wouldn’t have asked,but something in me had changed. I smiled again as Griffin made a low groan.“I’m not sure I’d have been able to look Matthew in the eyes for a while afterseeing that if he’d been the one to flog you, but no, it’s not weird.”
Giggling, I shook my head. “No, he’d haveteased you and would have loved to know that you were in the lifestyle too. Healways said he thought you’d be a great Dom.”
And he’d loved to tease me about doingwicked things where Griffin could see us…but I wasn’t sure pointing that outwas necessary.
Griffin chuckled. “It wasn’t until I sawyou that I realized what he meant. He laughed a few times and said he was surewe had stuff in common, but I never connected the dots.”
“Matthew’s stay-at-home omega wouldn’t dosomething like that?” I smiled wider as Griffin laughed quietly.
“Yes.” I heard the smile in his voice as hegave me a hug. “But I’m not shocked or anything negative. I think you guysmust’ve had a great relationship.”
There was something in his voice that I couldn’tplace, so I sat up enough to see his face. His expression didn’t help me pieceit together either, but he seemed happy so I tried not to worry. “We did, butit’s been a while…I mean…I—”
His teasing interrupted my rambling.“Austin, Jonah, and the guy…Tristan, I think, all made sure I understood thiswas the first scene you’d done since Matthew.”
