Page 65 of From the Ashes

“You can’t just go hitting people!”

“I didn’t,” I said, feeling calm and collected. “He tripped.”

Nix gave me a look of exasperation that only managed to make me laugh. “You’re lucky the owner was good about all that,” he added. “That could’ve been a big fucking mess.”

I pointed up at the main window of the diner. Nix followed my line of sight until his gaze landed on a full-sized progressive pride flag hanging in the window.

“I figured I’d be fine.”

At last, his panic seemed to ebb, and he stepped close to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“You know,” he smiled. “As much as you shouldn’t have done that… it wasreallyhot.”

“Oh?” I grinned back. “Does me beating up bullies turn you on?”

Nix’s cheeks turned bright pink, but he nodded anyway. “Y-Yeah.” Then he added quickly, “But only if it doesn’t bother you.”

I grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him in for a long, passionate kiss. When I finally let him go, his lips were red and he was out of breath.

“I have anxiety, Nix,” I said, still holding him tightly. “I’m not dead.”

“I didn’t w-want to p-pressure you…”

I kissed him again, this time with more aggression to drive my point home. My arm wrapped around his waist pulled him close, our bodies pressed together. It wasn’t difficult to feel his excitement through the front of his jeans, grinding against my own.

“Nix,” I said, finally pulling away from him. I grabbed both sides of his face and looked into those beautiful green eyes, knowingexactlywhat I wanted. “Take me home.”

He didn’t need an explanation to know what I meant.

“Okay,” he nodded.

CHAPTER 28

Phoenix

Idid my best to act cool, but I failed miserably as we walked back through town to Charlie’s house. My hands were shaky and sweaty, especially the one that was currently clasped with Charlie’s. I was extremely self-conscious about it, but after the third time I pulled my hand away to wipe it on my shirt, Charlie laced his fingers through mine and held tight.

“I don’t care,” he said. “In fact, it’s making me feel good that I’m not the only one who’s nervous.”

I just nodded, not really understanding how mutual anxiety made things any better. If anything, it made me evenmorenervous. I’d been thinking about this since I was fourteen, usually when I was alone and had my dick in my hand. The amount of times I’d fantasized about Charlie were far too many to count. And now that fantasy was finally coming true. I was terrified I was going to screw it up or make an ass of myself. This had to be good for him. If the sexual chemistry was bad, our relationship would be over before it started.

Wait. Were we even in a relationship? Was this a date and a hookup for him? How many other guys had he done this with? I couldn’t see him doing a lot of this because of his anxiety. But maybe he just met dudes randomly at night to get off. After all, I’d found him wandering the woods that night. Was he cruising? Could that even happen in Creekside?

I’d worked myself into an anxious frenzy by the time we got back to his house. But Charlie just pulled me inside, shutting the door behind us. Before I could say anything, he was wrapped around me again, his lips connecting with mine once more. The fireworks that filled my brain drove all my anxiety aside. All I could think about was the warmth of his mouth, the way his tongue danced against mine, and his fingers slipping into my back pockets.

“Be gentle with me,” he cooed against my lips. “It’s… It’s my first time.”

I pulled back, surprised. “Ever?”

He nodded.

All my previous worries were pushed aside for new ones. “Have you… explored?”

“I have toys if that’s what you mean. So yes.”

“Okay,” I sighed in relief. “You had me worried for a moment.”

“I know how this works in theory,” he laughed, kissing me again. “I’m not that naïve. And I know it’s going to be wonderful with you.” He lifted his hands, splaying his fingers out. To my surprise, they didn’t quake at all. Out of all the things in the world thatshouldfrighten him, sex with me wasn’t one of them. “I’m not nervous because I know you’ll be good to me.” He leaned close, his forehead resting against mine as his hand wrapped around the back of my neck. “I trust you, Nix. More than anyone.”