AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Want to go collect some shells?”
His lips twitch upward and he nods. “Yeah, I think I’d like that.”
His hand slips into mine as we make our way outside, and even though we don’t talk about what happened in the tub, I decide to let it go. At least he’s not pulling away from me this time.
I’ll take it.
Seems I’ll take whatever he wants to give.
The rain soaks our raincoats as we walk barefoot on the beach. It’s empty out here, everyone else huddled inside. But not us.
Matthew is wading out into the water, his pants rolled up around his calves as he bends over and searches for his little treasures. Fuck, he’s so cute—the way he peers at rocks and seashells and comes over to show me each one.
If he keeps this up, I’m going to have to buy him more containers. And if he keeps filling them at this rate, I’ll have to get shelves made in his room so he can display them.
The thought forms in my mind and I make a mental note to call around and see about carpenters. I bet Matthew could make some himself, or even Sem—I’ve heard that he’s good with his hands—but I kind of want it to be a surprise. So I’ll probably end up calling around and seeing who could come by this year and get it done.
“Look,” Matthew says, coming up next to me and holding out his hand. “Blue glass.”
I peer down at his palm and then up to meet his eyes.
“Love the color of this one.”
He blushes. “Yeah. It’s a rare find.”
“You know what we should do?” I tell him, linking my arm through his. “We should go to the Great Lakes this summer. I’ve read they have really cool stones there.”
His eyes widen. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, really cool. I could book us a flight.”
He pulls his bottom lip through his teeth. “Yeah, okay. Maybe during my summer break. When I’m not coaching.”
I grin at him and he smiles back, looking so fucking happy.
My heart races as we continue to walk down the beach, his pockets stuffed full when we finally make it back the loft. We take off our wet clothes and wrap ourselves in blankets and then settle at the kitchen counter while we sort through his stones.
When we’re done, I put on a kettle for tea and then hand him a warm mug while we settle on the couch. His body is between my legs, not even asking this time, just accepting that this is how it’s meant to be between us.
“You have everything, you know,” Matthew says as he sips on his tea and I run my hand through his hair. “I wish there was something I could do for you, something you haven’t already done.”
Doesn’t he know though. Just being with him like this is good enough for me.
“I’m fine with our current arrangement. You don’t need to do anything for me,” I say even though he could absolutely do something to me. Anything really. What we did in the tub was so hot. I can’t get it out of my mind.
And yet, I won’t pressure him for more, won’t make him feel like it wasn’t enough. Because it was. The image of him coming against me has been on repeat in my mind all goddamn day.
I want to watch him do it again.
“You should probably do something normal people do,” he says. “Like go to a laundromat.”
“I would never,” I hiss, and Matthew glances up at me with a grin on his face.
“Or like the dollar store.”
I freeze. “What in the hell is a dollar store?”
Matthew’s eyebrows meet. “Are you serious?”
