AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He wasn’t sure how such things between men would work, and he was scared to find out. No matter how much he yearned for Albie’s touch, his kiss.
Oh, how he wanted him.
But there was a voice in his mind that told him to wait.
“I should leave you to finish up,” Percy said quietly, and he stood. “Thank you for this evening. Are you making breakfast? I think Robert and Des would appreciate me not on porridge duty. Perhaps I can get up early and set some rabbit traps.” That was a good idea. He could do that before sunrise. With a new plan in his mind, Percy nodded again. “Good night, Albie.”
Before he could get too far, Albie stood up. “Percy, wait.”
He stopped, too scared to turn around.
“I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” he said. “I can see you’re reluctant, scared, perhaps. I need you to know it’s fine. I will wait for your permission.”
Percy’s heart hammered painfully against his ribs. He couldn’t speak, not even if he knew what to say. So instead, he gave another nod and somehow got his feet to move. He went into his room and closed the door, leaning against it, breathing as if he’d run a hundred-yard dash.
His mouth was so dry, his palms were sweating, and he listened for Albie’s approaching footsteps.
He heard nothing.
He stripped to his undergarments and climbed into his bed. Albie’s old bed. It smelled of him, and the silence was blissful, though he swore the sound of his own heartbeat filled the room.
And he waited for his door to crack open.
He waited for Albie to perhaps knock or to speak through the door. He waited for shadows under the door to appear, for Albie to want to explore this newfound temptation.
He never did.
So instead of the sound of Des and Robert snoring, this night Percy fell asleep to the sound of disappointment and regret warring with longing and desire in his mind, in his heart.
* * *
The next morning, he overslept. He couldn’t believe he’d slept so late. He rushed out, pulling his boots on, to find Albie stirring a pot of porridge.
“Morning,” Albie said.
“I was going to do things this morning,” Percy said. “I’d intended to be gone and back by now. I can’t believe the time.”
“Yes, good morning to you too, Albie. Thanks so much for asking.”
Percy stopped. “Oh. Sorry. Yes, good morning. Sorry, I, uh...”
“You must have needed the sleep,” Albie said, smiling at the oats he was stirring. “I take it you slept well.”
“Eventually, yes.”
Albie’s eyes met his. “Eventually?”
Darn it.
He winced. “Uh, yes, it must have been the silence. Took some getting used to.”
Albie smiled, stirring the porridge. “If you wanted to make some bread, I’m sure it will go over well with the men.”
Yes. Work, Percy. Work.
“Of course. Should I go check on the calf in the barn? The horses? I haven’t collected the eggs yet. I was going to have set rabbit traps by now. I’m behind already and the sun’s not even up yet.”
“Percy, it’s fine,” Albie said. “You and I can go set some rabbit traps after breakfast. Maybe shoot a wallaby or something.”
