The Prodigal Son (The Goode Brothers, #4)

by Sara Cate

Theo is wearing that adorable, dimpled smile when he sees me. There’s no hat on his head, so his dark-brown curls hang over his forehead until he brushes them back.

“You’re here,” he says excitedly. Forcing myself to look and feel confident, I stride toward him and hold out a hand. “All thanks to you.” He takes my hand, and the moment our palms touch and our eyes meet, it’s like fireworks. I deserve this, I tell myself. A little indulgence won’t hurt anyone.

Just before we reach the bottom floor, he pulls away just an inch. With his mouth hovering over mine, he softly whispers, “You scare the fuck out of me, Theo Virgil.”

Before I even know what I’m doing, I’m writing lyrics in my head. Elevator indiscretions Hard-pressed, soft kiss A touch worth waiting for

“I really like you, Jensen, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”

“Say it,” he growls in return.

“I don’t think I should come in that room with you.” Who am I...

He pulls away to stare into my eyes, and I can’t read his features. Jensen is such an enigma to me. There’s something beneath the surface that I don’t understand. And for once in my life, I ...

“I think you’re...

When he takes a step away from me, his absence feels like an ache. Reaching for him, I rest a hand on his side, strumming my fingers along his rib cage. Reckless, reckles...

“I don’t want to be a t...

I wince as I press my body against his. “I don’t want you to be a...

As I type and delete and type and delete my next message, it’s like I’m being torn apart. There is a rational part of my brain that knows this isn’t a good idea. Don’t toy with the idea of having sex with Theo Virgil because that is a threat to my entire life. And certainly don’t fucking string him along like we have any real future together.

We’re both closeted professionals who can’t risk their own careers for a love affair. But then there’s the other part of me. The man. The heart and soul and body that craves him so badly I can hardly sleep. I want to pull Theo Virgil into my life where I can protect him. I’d like to plant my feet at his door and be the one who keeps him safe at all costs.

This level of honesty and transparency is refreshing. It makes me feel like Theo knows he’s safe with me. I want him to always feel safe with me.

“I can’t wait to see you,” I reply, half-asleep. “I can’t wait to see you either.” “Jensen,” I whisper. “Yes, Theo?” “I’m coming into your hotel room this time.” He growls softly into the phone line, and I smile with my eyes still closed. Just before I drift off, I hear him say, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“What are you doing to me?” I gasp.

“I’m showing you how good I’m going to take care of you,”

“I want you to b...

“I want to be yours,”

There’s a dynamic between us I’ve never had before, and I’m intrigued by it. He’s so dominant and possessive, and I actually like it. I want him to own me, control me, take care of me, brand me. I want to be his.

Everything about what we just did is like a song—sung in perfect harmony.

The idea that some part of me will be forever ingrained in his music feels too daunting and intense to wrap my head around. What if I fail him? What if I can’t be what he wants me to be? I don’t want to be some ex-lover hidden within the tracks of his music.

I will never let him down. That voice suddenly echoes louder than all the rest. Louder than my subconscious, louder than the mantras and the brainwashing. It screams with confidence. No matter what happens, I will never, ever let him down. And for now, that’s enough. We can face whatever life brings if I can hold true to that. I want him, and I never want him to be hurt, so nothing else matters.

“Thank...

“Thank...

“What did...

“You were my...