Chapter 32

RULE #21: NOTHING GOOD LASTS FOREVER.

Presh

When I hear his approaching footsteps on Monday morning, a sense of calm washes over me.

There's something in that sound. The repeating click-click-click cues a response in my body, a shot of serotonin that puts me in an instant state of peace. The anxiety I've wallowed in since waking up in his arms yesterday morning dissolves as I hear him walking into the room.

He strides up to where I'm kneeling and gently strokes my head.

"Good morning, Precious," he says with the same inflection he'd use to say good morning, beautiful. Or I love you, Precious.

And maybe I'm imagining that last one, but it sounds right in my mind.

"Good morning, sir."

We fit into these roles so effortlessly, like puzzle pieces clicking into place. Not a word has been said since Saturday night about Bandi, our secret, our future, or our feelings. It's like the conversation scared us both into silence. We came so close to ending everything, so rather than face the music and admit what we both know is coming, we slid right back into the roles we were playing before.

Keep it secret.

Deny our feelings.

Don't think about the future.

It doesn't feel right, as such, but since I'm still here, kneeling on the floor for him, it feels like enough. Two weeks ago, I told him I would take what I could get, and that's still the truth.

As he sits in his chair, I wait for instructions. Normally he tells me to work at my desk or to come and sit in his lap as he works. But minutes go by in silence as I wait. The urge to see what he's doing is strong.

Finally, he mutters, "Crawl to me."