Chapter 22

??I??m glad you came,?? he said.

??I almost didn??t.??

??Well, I??m glad you did.??

The silence that followed was awkward and the king-sized bed positioned between us wasn??t helping the situation. Sean pulled condoms and a tube of lubricant from his jacket pocket and tossed them on the bedspread. Jesus. I stared at the items for a moment before asking Sean if he was sure he wanted to do this.

??Yeah, I??m sure,?? he said. ??I meant everything I wrote in that note, so don??t waste your breath trying to change my mind.??

I decided to try a different approach. ??Why are you blackmailing me???

He shot me a quizzical look before letting out a short, dry laugh. ??Because it??s the only way to get you to do what I want. I??m not stupid, Brian. I??m sorry. Would you prefer that I call you Mr. Daly???

??Does it really matter what I prefer???

Sean walked over and stood before me. ??I just want to be with you,?? he said softly.