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“I’m sorry,” Albie said. “This is my fault. I was caught up in playing this silly game of prodding you for a reaction. I’m sorry, Percy. You could have been seriously hurt, and I know better.”
Percy rubbed his wrist. It was just a few small spots, nothing at all, really. “Well, I’m glad you learned your lesson. Now, go get your books set up at the table, and start reading. I’ll be out when I’m done.”
Albie relented a nod and left him this time, without a snide remark. He finished cleaning up, and by the time he was done, he was much calmer and even feeling a little remorseful.
While he didn’t appreciate the name-calling, he did appreciate his concern.
And his affection.
With his big hands and soft kisses to the back of Percy’s neck.
Who would have ever guessed a kiss to that spot on the back of his neck would near buckle his knees? Of all the places Percy dreamed of being kissed, that wasn’t one of them.
Until now.
It might very well go to the top of the list.
When he finished cleaning up, he took the lantern from the kitchen and found Albie at the table, reading out loud. Quiet and slow. He wore a look of concentration and frustration, but he was reading, nonetheless.
Percy pulled his seat out beside him, and Albie closed the book and pushed it away. “I’m done with that. Shall we try some numbers in the ledger?”
Percy gave him an encouraging nod. “Sure.”
So that’s what they did. Percy covered the total column and had Albie try and work out the sums to see if he could get the same answer his father had.
Albie was frustrated and embarrassed. “This is a waste of time,” he grumbled on the second attempt at one in particular.
“No, it’s not,” Percy offered gently. “You’re doing really well.”
“I have to count on my fingers,” he griped. “Like a child.”
“Now. You have to do that now. If you want to get better, you need to practice.”
Albie sulked, frowning at the ledger.
“Is it no different to me learning how to drove cattle?” Percy asked. “Do I not need to make allowances? I’ve never done that before, so you made me take Minnie. You made me listen and watch. How is that different?”
Albie’s eyes met his, and Percy could see Albie knew he was right.
“It’s no different to me and Des getting Bandit familiar with the cattle before we use him to muster, is it not?”
Albie sighed. “Right, fine. I get it.”
Percy patted Albie on the back. “So, use your fingers now if you have to. And let’s keep practising so eventually you won’t need to.”
Albie kept going with the sums, writing his working-outs down in a separate notebook. Percy kept his hand around Albie’s back, sitting a little side-on to him and their knees touching under the table.
Albie leaned in closer, and soon he wasn’t paying any attention to the numbers on the page. His eyes drew up Percy’s arm, slowly, to reach his eyes, his face closer than necessary. “I think I’ve had enough books for tonight,” he murmured.
The low rumble of his voice, the dark desire in his eyes made Percy’s blood run hot and his belly tightened.
He pulled back. “Right, yes. Well then.” He straightened the books. “We should call it a night.”
Albie’s hand on his leg stopped him, burning through his trousers. Percy knew what he wanted, and for some reason he couldn’t name, it frightened him.
Percy wanted it, yes.
But was he ready?
