AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still thundering.
He smiled, the risks and threat of Hell be damned.
This was a source of happiness, true happiness. The likes he’d never known, never dreamed possible.
And when he climbed into his bed, the sheets cold at first, he wished Percy was there with him. They could sleep like they had the night before, wrapped around each other, keeping each other warm.
Only now he could kiss him, and perhaps one day strip away their clothes and their inhibitions.
He fell asleep smiling, the glow of heat in his chest, the glow of something wonderful warming him all night long.
* * *
Albie was surprised to see Percy up so early. He knocked on the back door and came inside with his hat full of eggs. His nose was red, his hair tousled by the wind, and he quickly stopped when he saw Albie.
He froze, then ducked his head, smiling, blushing.
“Oh,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what time I should... be here.” He met Albie’s gaze then, and Albie could see he was tired—dark circles under his eyes.
“You didn’t sleep well again,” Albie said. It wasn’t a question.
“I’ll be fine,” he said, his piercing gaze meeting Albie’s again. His eyes locked in on Albie like a key and turned Albie’s belly to butterflies. “I’m still cooking breakfast, right?”
Right. Breakfast.
“Uh, yes, right.” Albie took the pot and put it on the stove, unsure if he should mention last night, not wanting it to slip past him. “Look, uh,” he began. “I just want you to know, about last night.” But then he saw fear in Percy’s eyes again, and it hurt to see. He put one hand on his arm, and he reached up to fix his wayward hair. Such an intimate thing to do, and Percy looked up at him with those big blue eyes, and Albie lost his resolve. “I don’t regret it if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t wondering that,” Percy whispered. “Should I have wondered that?”
Albie couldn’t resist skimming the back of his fingers along Percy’s jaw. “No. In fact, I’d like to do it again.”
He wasn’t sure where his bravado came from. He just couldn’t bear to see the fear and uncertainty in Percy’s eyes.
“Oh,” Percy breathed. He blinked, dazed, and licked his lips. “You say such things that make me feel weak.”
Albie laughed. “Your eyes make me weak,” he said, scanning the depths of blue. Then his gaze drew down to his mouth. “Your lips... Heaven have mercy, your lips.”
And then, right there in his kitchen, he lifted Percy’s chin and kissed him again. Soft and sweet, his heart fluttering, his whole body alive.
Until Percy seemingly forgot he was holding a hat full of eggs and one toppled out and splatted on the floor.
“Oh!” He shot back a step. “Goodness.”
Albie laughed and took the hat full of eggs. “I better take these.”
“I should clean that up,” Percy said. “What a waste. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Albie said, bending to help him scoop up the mess on the floor. Albie wiped an old rag through it, and when he looked up, Percy was looking at him, his cupped hands full of broken shell.
And they both laughed.
“It was worth the egg,” Albie said, putting it in the scraps bin for him.
Percy laughed again, his cheeks a glorious pink. “You talk as if you say these things all the time,” he said quietly. “I’m not used to hearing it, and I’m certain no one should overhear you say such things to me.”
“You make me braver than I’ve ever been,” Albie said. He felt foolish for saying that, but it was the truth. “But you’re right,” he added, standing up. “I would never dare utter such things in the company of others. But when it’s just you and me...” He smiled, embarrassed to admit this out loud. “I barely slept last night. I was so excited, nervous, and happy. I couldn’t think of anything else but you.”
Percy’s smile was rueful. “I barely slept because of the snoring in my quarters. I was hoping I’d be used to it by now.” He frowned, eyebrows knitting. “The night we slept at the hotel, in town, was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in so long.” He turned to the pot on the stove and looked inside it. It was empty, so he reached for the sack of oats. “I’m sure it’ll pass. I’ll sleep if I’m tired enough. Or maybe the stable might be better. There’s a loft for the hay that wouldn’t be so bad.”
