“Are you sure?” I avert my gaze.
“If I didn’t like you for you, do you really think we would’ve survived the last few weeks living together in this shitty apartment?”
This apartment really is shitty. “I cannot wait to have my shower back. And my kitchen.”
Damon purses his lips. “Right.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m more than grateful for you letting me stay here, but I’m ready for my own apartment.”
“Of course.” He steps back and leans against the kitchen bench. “How’s Cheri’s treatment going?”
“She called yesterday and said they’ve finally got her levels to even out. She’s on the perfect cocktail mix of MS and nausea meds. She’ll be out of my apartment by Tuesday. I was going to tell you last night, but clearly I was more focused on other things.”
“Like getting drunk with my sister.” His tone has turned distant. Cold.
“Priorities,” I say dryly, trying to break the sudden freeze he’s directing my way.
Damon folds his arms across his chest. “So, you’re leaving.”
“Uh, yeah, but not until Tuesday. We still have the weekend. Unless …”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Unless what?”
“You tell me. You’ve gone all weird again. You want me to leave earlier? I know I’ve stayed longer than originally said, but—”
Damon’s jaw hardens. “That’s not why … Uh, forget it. We have until Tuesday. We should make the most of it. You know, when you’re less hungover.”
I’m too hungover to try to decipher his shift in demeanor. “What’s going on? Just tell me.”
“I was …” He breathes deep and gets his next words out in a rush. “I was kinda hoping you’d stay.”
I stare blankly at him, wondering if I heard him correctly. “Stay?” I croak, my throat dry and trying to constrict into a tight knot.
“Fuck, I’m freaking you out.” He leads me to his couch and sits me down. “It’s too soon. I get it.”
My mouth has forgotten how to work.
“Maddy, it’s okay. Forget I said anything.”
“It’s not that I don’t like being here. It’s just really soon to be thinking about that step. And it’s … you know … really, really serious.”
“Maddox,” he says slowly. “You don’t need to explain. It’s only been five weeks. I’m getting ahead of myself. I promise you, I’m cool with it.”
His words sound genuine, but that doesn’t stop the guilt from hitting me when disappointment clouds his eyes. I don’t want him to feel rejected, and this has nothing to do with him. These past weeks staying here have been great. I haven’t felt overwhelmed or crowded or trapped. Having said that, the thought of making it permanent makes this apartment seem extremely small. Did the walls just move closer?
“Wow, okay, you’re really freaking out,” Damon says. “I knew you wouldn’t like the idea, but I didn’t think it was that bad.”
“I’m not freaking out.”
His lips quirk. “Want me to take a photo of your face right now? You look like you’re going to faint.”
“It’s the hangover,” I lie.
“I’m not going to force you to move in with me. We’ll do it when you’re ready.”
If we did this now when I’m not ready, it’ll end in disaster. I’ll probably freak out and run away like I did with Chastity.
“And I still have you until Tuesday,” Damon says, leaning in to kiss my neck. His lips trail down. “If you go brush your teeth, I might show you how much I love having you here.”
I scramble off the couch as fast as my tired body will let me and rush to the bathroom, but even after brushing my teeth, I still smell the stench of sweated alcohol. “Just going to jump in the shower real quick.”
I’ve barely stood under the spray for thirty seconds when strong hands wrap around me.
“We can always get started in here.” Damon’s gruff voice has my cock hardening. “I only have two finals left before graduation,” he says in my ear. “You know what that means?”
I shake my head and shudder as tingles shoot down my spine. “Nuh-uh.”
“I’ve got barely any studying to do this weekend.” He reaches around and grips my cock, giving it a firm pull. “I hope you’re ready for a two-day fuck-a-thon.”
“Can’t wait.”
***
On Monday, Damon arrives home earlier than usual. “No naked cooking tonight?” he asks with a smirk.
I jump off his couch. “What are you doing home? I mean … hi. But I mean … I would’ve had dinner cooked already if I knew you’d be home early.”
“It’s our last night. Figured we need to make the most of it.”
I grin. “Pretty sure we made the most of it all weekend. I’m surprised Stacy didn’t pick up on me walking funny all day.”
“She probably did, but acknowledging it would’ve caused images in her head that she’d prefer not to think about. She can barely handle us kissing.”
“True.”
“Anyway, we have cause to celebrate. Thanks to you, after I graduate next week, I’m starting out with one more client than the other noobs.” Damon steps forward and kisses me.