Page 83 of Hunt Me

He lets out a laugh at that, soft and raspy. ‘You started it. You his boyfriend?’

‘We…’ I almost sayfuckbut then remember how annoyed he was when I told Mellie that, so I add, ‘We’re friends.’

‘Only friends?’

I stare at him long and hard, but he doesn’t seem deterred. He rests his elbows on the desk, and although I’m not anywhere close to meeting his eyes, I can feel his on me. His patience is a thing that should probably be studied.

Taking a breath, I decide that I want to opt for honesty this time because I don’t want to lie about what Denver means to me. We haven’t had any kind of talk yet about what we are, but I don’t care. ‘Not just friends. He’s my boyfriend.’

The word settles nicely in my chest. I like how it feels there.

Fayid’s eyebrows rise, and he huffs another laugh. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen Denver with a boyfriend before.’

I like that a lot. I want to be the only one in his life, past, present, and future.

‘What happened to your face?’ he finally asks, dragging a finger down his cheek, indicating my scar.

I don’t mince words. No point, and I’m not in the mood to play nice. ‘Knife.’

‘Interesting.’

‘Yes.’

He tilts his head and then pushes the book open on his desk toward me. ‘Okay, enough chat-chat. I need to work. Have deadline. Go ahead, read if you want. Give me any thoughts you have.’

‘Lazy?’ I wonder, head tilted as I stare down at the open page.

He grins wider. ‘Efficient.’

I take the thick book and place it on my lap before glancing back to Denver’s office. He’s still in there. I can hear the sound of his beautiful voice as he speaks with the student who wandered in a minute ago.

He’s safe, I remind myself. I can read and let myself enjoy the silence while also knowing that if anything happens, I’m right here. No one will ever touch him again.

At least, not if I can help it.

When Denver finally wanders out of his office, he looks exhausted. His tired eyes shift between me and Fayid, and he tilts his head. ‘You okay?’

I smile and nod, reaching out to pull him closer. I am okay. Denver was safe, and Fayid and I spent the last two hours discussing burial rituals and the art depicted on tomb walls—not just in Egypt, but all over the ancient world.

And Fayid, being a doctor in his subject, knows more than I do, and once he finished his research, he was more than happy to share his knowledge. He didn’t make me feel stupid either. He answered all of my questions and listened to some of my theories, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was unwelcome or didn’t belong.

I think if Denver is his friend, maybe Fayid can be my friend too. Eventually. Once I know he’s someone I can actually trust.

Denver clears his throat and then touches my shoulder softly, bringing my gaze back to him. I missed his hands on me, and I want nothing more than to wrap myself around him and hold him for the rest of the day.

‘Can we go now?’ he asks.

I nod and then set my phone down for Fayid, pointing to it and signing, ‘Phone number. I want.’

Fayid peeks over at Denver, who is frowning, but he lifts the phone off the desk and quickly types in his number. I’m happy to have someone to send my random thoughts to, and I have a feeling he’ll appreciate it.

‘I will text you,’ I tell him.

‘I look forward to it.’ Fayid smiles and shoots me a wave before peering over at Denver. I feel immediate confusion because Denver doesn’t look happy about this. He’s pursing his pretty lips, and his brows are furrowed in what looks like anger. I don’t understand, but I’m tired, and I’m not sure I want to play the game people seem to like so much where they pretend like nothing’s wrong until you dig, and dig, and dig.

When I say nothing, Denver huffs loudly, rubbing at his temples as we wave goodbye to Fayid and move toward the elevator. I want to put my arm around his shoulders, but he looks as if he doesn’t want to be touched.

He keeps an arm’s length away from me as we make it down to the street, and his pace is faster than normal, so we don’t walk together as we head for the car. The longer it goes on, the more anxious I’m becoming because I don’t understand what the problem is, and Denver doesn’t seem interested in telling me.