Page 101 of Now Their Starlet

Maybe this prescription won’t be all that bad. I certainly feel more relaxed.

Leo returns with a warm washcloth in hand and gently wipes away at the evidence of his release coating the inside of my thighs. It’s a soft and intimate gesture that I’ve never experienced before.

I think these prescribed orgasms have actually helped with my Omega Stress Syndrome. I actually feel a lot lighter and more regulated than I did before, like a small bit of the weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Beck and Leo take turns getting changed into their pajamas, so one of them is holding onto me at all times. For the first time in a month, I don’t struggle to fall asleep. Surrounded by a cloud of sweet caramel and the comforting scent of warm paper, I nod off almost instantly.

CHAPTER 21

Cameron

I’m sipping coffee, courtesy of Edison’s fancy espresso machine that reminds me of the ones they have at Starbucks, while he rummages around in the fridge. It’s bright and early. So bright and early that no one else is awake yet.

I guess one of the benefits of being an early riser is getting the opportunity to spend more time with Edison. I would say everyone has a deep appreciation and respect for him, especially after seeing how hard he was willing to work to ensure Andi’s safety over this past month, but my admiration for him runs deeper.

Andi called me a fanboy that first day we were all introduced to him—and she was right.

“What are you looking to make?” I ask, taking a sip from my coffee.

“French toast,” Edison answers, straightening and shutting the refrigerator door behind him. “I’ve never been particularly good at cooking, which probably explains all the takeout containers in here... but I do know how to make French Toast. It was Andi’s favorite as a kid.”

“That’s really sweet of you.”

The attentiveness with which the guys tend to Andi’s needs and the sheer volume of effort Edison is putting in for her, makes me feel a little insecure about my own contributions. It’s a feeling I’ve grappled with for a while now. I know what I told her last night, that I didn’t want a consolation kiss and that we would take things at her pace—and I meant those words when I said them—but I can’t help but feel a little like I’m falling behind.

I should be doing more, shouldn’t I? Not necessarily doing more with her, but doing more for her, right?

“Do you think she’ll like it?” Edison asks, reaching up and massaging where his neck meets his shoulder. The sweater he’s wearing blocks the view of his bondmark, but I’ve noticed ever since the court case yesterday when he saw Gina that he’s been touching his bondmark like it aches.

“I’m sure she will. Even if French Toast isn’t her favorite anymore, I know she’ll appreciate the effort.”

Before Edison has a chance to respond, Andi appears, her feet padding softly against the wooden floor. She stifles a yawn behind her hand before offering the two of us a smile and a little finger wave. Her hair is messy around her shoulders, like she just rolled out of bed—probably because she has.

She’s wearing a baggy t-shirt that I’m pretty sure she borrowed from Beck, considering the lingering scent of his caramel perfume, and a pair of pajama shorts.

“Good morning,” I say, returning her wave with a far more awkward and significantly less cute wave of my own. “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, totally,” she nods. “I just couldn’t go back to sleep after I woke up to the sun in my face. None of us remembered to close the curtains.”

“Ah, yes, that room does get a lot of sun,” Edison says. “I’m sorry, breakfast isn’t ready yet. I expected you to sleep in a little later.”

“Oh, that’s okay, no need to worry. What were you thinking for breakfast?” she asks, perching herself beside me on one of the barstools.

She’s so close I can practically taste the soothing chamomile of her perfume at the back of my throat. The sight of her, all sleep-rumpled and beautiful, feels incredibly domestic.

“I was planning on making French Toast,” Edison says, starting to pull out the ingredients.

Andi freezes beside me. Edison likely doesn’t notice, considering the way he’s moving around in the kitchen, but I catch the way Andi’s hands clench into fists in her lap.

“That—Thank you,” she rasps. “Was that—Am I going crazy or was that something you made for me as a kid?”

“It was!” Edison’s face splits into a bright smile.

“Let me make you some coffee,” I offer, pushing my barstool back and standing.

Since I’m unable to shake the itch that I should be doing more for her, this is a good start, isn’t it?

Why in the world am I so insecure around her? I wouldn’t exactly call myself a confident guy, but I’ve never second-guessed every single action or thought I have in this fashion for a very long time. Not even when my ex-girlfriend cheated on me.