Page 257 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I don’t know.”

“Neither do I.”

There. Honest. Ronan’s shoulders lowered slightly. Elliot looked toward the door.

“You can sleep alone.”

Ronan’s expression changed.

“I didn’t ask you to leave.”

“You said we’re not okay.”

“We aren’t.”

“So?”

“So stop deciding what I want before I say it.”

Elliot looked at him. That sounded familiar. Ownership. Control. The same thing Elliot did constantly.

“Fine.”

Ronan sighed.

“You can stay.”

Relief moved through Elliot so quickly it embarrassed him. He sat again. Ronan noticed. Of course.

“You thought I was kicking you out.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not.”

“Tonight.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Turn every reassurance into a future threat.”

Elliot looked down.

“I don’t know how.”

The admission escaped. Ronan stopped. Elliot laughed weakly.

“There. Human enough?”

“Asshole.”

But Ronan’s voice had softened. Good. Dangerous. Elliot wanted to move closer. He didn’t. Progress. Maybe. At 12:47, another message arrived. Not Elliot’s phone. Ronan’s. They both heard the vibration against the desk. Neither moved immediately. Then Ronan stood.

“Unknown?”