Noah: reddish hair, freckles, pale skin, green eyes, and dimples. Big dick too. See the above notes.
There’s something keeping them apart. I don’t know what it is, though. I’m sure it’ll come to me.
It’s very important to me that Noah blushes every time River says something nice to him. I don’t know why. Just is.
“Whatcha doing?”
I nearly jump out of my skin when Austin’s voice sounds out. Not even a trauma response this time, just a good old-fashioned jump scare. I place a hand over my heart and laugh. “Trying to plotthis stupid-ass book idea I have.”
Austin’s eyes light up. “Can I see?”
I hold the notebook out, waving it in the air. He kicks off his boots, then sits down beside me. Ignoring the notebook, he cups my face and pulls me in, pressing his lips to mine in a soft, slow kiss. It’s been over twenty-four hours since my last kiss. On the one hand, I like that he’s off for two days in a row and then only works for one. But nights like last night, where I’m home alone and sleeping by myself, suck.
When he pulls away, he brushes my cheekbone with his thumb. “I missed you.”
It was a slow night and day for him, so we talked nonstop. We even FaceTimed last night until I fell asleep, but it’s so different from having him here. And so different from being wrapped in his arms. “I missed you too.”
It’s not until after he steals another quick kiss that he takes the notebook from me. I don’t really have a lot going on yet, but I’m still thankful I was at least able to conceptualize characters. It’s a far cry from the stories I used to churn out in a matter of days as a kid and even as a teenager, but it’s better than what I’ve been doing for a long time—which is absolutelynothing.
I watch Austin as he scans the page, smiling when he bursts into laughter. “Everyone gets big dicks in fiction, huh?”
I shrug. “Yeah, it’s the rule.”
“This makes me so happy.” He scans the page again, lips pulling up into a smile. “You’re gonna keep going, right?”
“I’m gonna try anyway. This is further than I’ve gotten in years.”
He reads the paper again, chuckling to himself before handing it back to me. “God, I’m so happy you’re finding your spark again, Luc. And so fucking proud of you.”
His words make something warm and happy rush through me, and I can’t resist; I climb into his lap, knocking the notebook to the side. His hands find my hips on instinct, fingers tightening. Not to control me, just to hold me close. “Thank you,” I whisper.
He pulls me down, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me again. This is everything. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I had come home back then.
It used to be thoughts of how much less pain I’d be in. How I’d be less damaged and hurt. Now? Now all my thoughts center on Austin.
Would I be right here, in his arms? Would we have been like this without the years of growth and the time spent apart? Would I have fallen in love with him? I’m sure I would have. Maybe not when we were young, but I also can’t see a future where I didn’t. Can’t imagine a life in which Austin isn’t holding me and kissing me and making me feel good.
“Ah, Luca,” he breathes against my lips, sending a shudder through my body. “Luca, Luca, Luca. You’re such a perfect thing to come home to.”
My stomach flips. “Yeah?” I whisper.
“For sure.” He drags his fingers up my nape, then buries them in my hair. “I’m so fucking lucky.”
Something about the phrase hits me hard. Not in a bad way, though. I’m used to being told I’m lucky tohave—my car, my house, my phone, Damien…
This isn’t that. This is someone being thankful to haveme.Someone sayingI’mthe luck. And not just anyone; it’sAustin.
“I’m pretty lucky too,” I say with a smile, meaning the words for the first time in a very long time. “I’m so glad I have you.”
He grins, leaning in for another kiss. This one is just as sweet asthe last, but somehow loaded with something I’m not sure I can name. It feels… deeper somehow. More emotional. And the sweet tinge of it combined with his words has my heart galloping.
“Can we have sex again?” I ask without really planning to but still meaning it with my whole heart.
Austin’s fingers tighten. Then he gives me another quick peck and pulls back, leaning against the couch. “Are you sure?”
I take a deep breath because, yeah, I’m sure, but at the same time, I’m not sure how ready I am. “Yeah, but I don’t want to have penetrative sex.”
Austin studies me for a second, then he smiles, and oh holy shit, what a smile. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
