Swallowing the bite he’d been chewing, Silas whispered, “C-Craeg?”
Craeg cleared his throat—and his expression—and smiled at him.“Glad ya like it.”Then he began eating his own pizza.
Silas figured that wasn’t really what Craeg had been thinking about, but he was happy to go with it.Still, as he continued to eat, enjoying the amazing pizza, he couldn’t help sneaking glances Craeg’s way.The big man sitting next to him, still shirtless, was a wonderful distraction.His attention kept getting drawn to Craeg’s bearded lips and the way they moved as he chewed.
I want to taste those again.
Silently, Silas vowed to figure out a way to get the chance to do just that.
Chapter Five
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WATCHING SILAS EAThis pizza was an aphrodisiac all by itself.Craeg couldn’t remember ever being so hard.He feared he was leaking a wet spot all over the front of his sweatpants.
Craeg placed a throw pillow over his crotch with the excuse of using it as a table for his plate of pizza and did his best to ignore the throb.Besides, eyeing his sexy mate while he feasted on the food he’d provided gave him a different sort of satisfaction.As odd as it sounded, Craeg received great pleasure in providing for his mate, even as simple as the meal was.
When Silas finished the last piece of pizza on his plate and began licking the grease from his fingers, Craeg nearly swallowed his tongue.He barely bit back a moan.He had to focus on reminding himself to chew his food or he would’ve choked on it.
Then the way Silas peered at him from beneath his lashes, his forefinger still between his lips, and smiled shyly at him...
Oh, gods.My sweet mate is goin’ ta be the death of me.
As Craeg watched Silas pop his finger free of his mouth, he decided it would be a hell of a way to go, though.He cleared his throat and returned his mate’s smile.He even managed to get his brain to sort of work.Although, Craeg couldn’t help the huskiness of his voice when he spoke.
“So, uh, would ya like more?”Craeg had ordered an extra-large, knowing how much shifters ate, and he knew there were a few pieces left.“Or I can order ya somethin’ else.”
Silas shook his head.“No, thanks.”Then he nibbled his bottom lip as he glanced around the room.His attention lingered on the flatscreen TV hanging on the wall fifteen feet away.
“Do ya wanna watch TV?”Craeg figured the young man probably hadn’t done much of that in the last few years.“I can turn it on.We could pick a movie.”
For an instant, Craeg thought Silas would refuse.
Then Silas slowly nodded.
Craeg leaned to the right and grabbed the remote off the coffee table that he’d shoved out of the way in order to set up their little indoor picnic.When he turned back and pointed the device at the TV, he noticed Silas looking at the throw blanket folded on the back of his sofa.Craeg also spotted the way his mate had his arms wrapped around himself, as if he was cold.He clicked on the flatscreen before reaching over and grabbing the blanket.
After setting down the remote so he could use both hands, Craeg shook out the blanket, spreading it.He smiled at Silas and offered, “Would ya like to wrap up?”As much as he would prefer to be the one holding and warming his mate, he reminded himself to take baby steps.
A blush lit up Silas’s cheeks as he hesitated once more.
Craeg wondered what was going through Silas’s mind, and he waited patiently as his mate found his words.
“C-Can we—” Silas paused, hesitating.Then he swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed before starting again.“Can we b-both be under here?”Peering at him through his lashes, Silas spoke so softly that Craeg was more reading his lips than actually hearing him.“Cuddle together?”
Grinning widely, Craeg told him quietly, “I would love to cuddle with ya.”Keeping his hands to himself would be a bitch, but he would manage it...somehow.
Adjusting the pillows that had been propped against the sofa, the ones they’d been leaning against, Craeg laid them mostly flat.Then he slithered down so his head was on one before spreading the blanket over himself.Lifting the side close to Silas, Craeg smiled in a way that he hoped appeared inviting and not hungry or lecherous.
To Craeg’s pleasure, Silas immediately scootched toward him.He eased under the blanket and lay on his back.After Craeg spread the blanket over them both, he noticed how stiffly his mate lay.He grabbed the remote and pointed it at the television.
“Do ya have a preference?”Craeg asked.Figuring it’d been a few years, he offered, “I have a number of streamin’ services.I’m sure I can find somethin’ that was a favorite of yours.”
Silas’s eyes flicked left and right, appearing a bit blank, as if he was searching for something with his roving gaze.“Um, h-how about—” Pausing, Silas peered at him from beneath his lashes, clearly hesitant.
Smiling encouragingly, Craeg urged, “What?Anythin’ ya want.”
“Do you, uh.”Silas’s brows furrowed, his expression thoughtful.“Do you know the movieMiss Congeniality?”
