Giggling, I nod. “Okay, that’s fair.”
Carnage saunters across the room and climbs into bed next to me. “I thought about you while I was working. I wondered what you’d think if you saw me in action. I hoped you’d be proud.”
“I’m already proud without even seeing you work. Besides, I got a preview in the video.”
Rolling to his side, he props himself up on his elbow. “I feel really lucky you picked me.”
“I feel lucky you were there to pick.”
Carnage leans forward and kisses me softly. “What’s your last name?”
“Arnett. What’s yours?”
He searches my eyes for a moment, his face filling with tension, and I wonder if I’ve somehow overstepped or triggered a bad memory.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me,” I say quickly.
“No, it’s fine. It’s just been so long since I’ve even thought about it.” He looks down at where he’s playing with my fingers for a moment, before returning his gaze to my face. “Christopher Matias Welling. My mom’s grandmother’s maiden name is my middle name. It’s the only part I like. Well, used to like.”
“Matias? That’s a sexy name.”
“Is it? It doesn’t feel like me at all. Not anymore.”
“I think it is.”
“Would you…” He exhales slowly. “Would you want to call me that?”
“Would you want me to?”
“Maybe. We could try it. Just you though, and only when we’re alone.”
My chest warms. “We could try it. See how it feels. If you don’t like it, we go back to Carnage.”
He nods. “I like Carnage, but it feels weird coming from you. It puts distance between us in a weird way, and I don’t want that.”
“I don’t either.”
“Rue Arnett. I like it.”
“Thanks. I like my name too. It’s unique.”
Carnage, or Matias rather, kisses my belly. “It was nice seeing you with Colson. I’m glad he’s being a friend to you.”
“He’s pretty great.”
“But I have to admit, I felt a little jealous when you had your head in his lap.”
I scoff at that. “Why? Colson isn’t even remotely interested in me that way and vice versa.”
“Oh, I know, but that doesn’t stop the caveman in me from rearing up.”
“I don’t have to be that affectionate with him if it bothers you.”
“No, Rue, it doesn’t bother me, and I want you to have whatever kind of relationship works for the both of you. I’m just being honest because I think that’s important. If it were anyone else but the people who live in this house, I would lose my shit, but I trust my brothers and I trust you.”
“Good, because I would never betray you like that. Never.”
“I know.” He brushes his thumb across my chin. “I’ve never been in a relationship before, like we talked about.”