“That’s awesome,” Felix says, his voice full of happiness. “It’s really coming along now.”
“Yep. I’ll finishPeril in the Mountainsbefore you know it.” Strangely, I don’t feel elation as I say the words. I should be over the moon that the book is going so well and the end is in sight, but writing that last chapter also means the end of my time in Collier’s Creek.And with Felix.“Tell me more about the disaster at the coffee shop,” I say, changing the subject back to safer ground in case I blurt out something stupid about not wanting to lose him.
Felix launches into the story he’d started earlier and I’m back on an even keel as I listen to him talk. He totally commits when telling a story, his eyes lighting up and hands gesturing wildly. It’s adorable and I could listen to him all day.
After we finish our meal, I do the dishes while Felix puts away the leftovers.
“There’s enough for a couple of meals,” he says. “I’ve also put a container in the freezer. Can’t have you being a starving artist.”
“Thanks.” I throw him a smile, warmed by the gesture. He knows I get caught up in writing and prepping meals is the last thing on my mind, just like I know he’s dead on his feet from being up early at the coffee shop. But I also know he’s not going to go sit down until we’ve cleaned up together.
We work in comfortable silence for a while, the clinking of plates and silverware punctuating the quiet. I glance at Felix standing beside me and catch him looking at me, a soft smile on his lips. My heart flutters. This moment in time is perfect, and I wish I could bottle the way I feel.
After the last dish is dry and put away, I take Felix’s hand. “C’mon, let’s get you off your feet.” I lead him to the couch and settle him into the corner, taking off his shoes and socks before draping the blanket over his lap. I flick on the TV, setting up a movie Felix mentioned he wanted to see. By the time I’ve put another log on the fire, he’s nearly asleep, tousled head resting on a cushion.
The couch dips as I take a seat at the other end and he stirs. I lift the edge of the blanket and pull his feet onto my lap, wrapping a hand around his slim foot. The skin is smooth under my touch as I rub his feet. He purrs like a cat, making mewling sounds as I stroke along the top of his foot.
“Oh my God, that feels so good,” he murmurs.
I press a thumb into his arch. He groans in response. The sounds goes straight to my cock which I ignore. This isn’t about me, this is about Felix and he’s exhausted.
“Sorry, I’m such crap company,” he says, as if reading my thoughts.
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve had a long day. Besides, I’m perfectly comfortable where I am.”
“Do you want to watch the movie?” he asks.
“Not unless you do.”
“Put it on. You can watch while you massage my feet,” he says and I can’t help smiling. I hit Play but his eyelids are already drooping.
Outside, the wind whistles through the trees, but inside it’s warm and peaceful. I lower the volume of the movie so it’s only a soft noise in the background.
“I could stay like this forever,” Felix murmurs.
“Me too,” I say, meaning it completely.
His presence is a balm, and my worries seem to dissolve when he’s near. I study his face lit by the glow of the fire, taking in every detail. He’s so beautiful with his dark lashes fanned out above his high cheekbones. There’s a faint shadow along his jaw, and a smattering of freckles across his nose. He looks so young and innocent.
He opens his eyes and catches me staring. A slow smile spreads across his face before he pulls his feet back and shuffles around on the couch. He settles back down, laying his head against my chest. The scent of his shampoo fills my nostrils, and his weight grounds me. I’m aware of him with every fiber of my being and soak up the closeness as I watch the flickering flames.
We stay curled up together for a while longer, until Felix tilts his head up. His gaze locks on mine as he raises his hand, cupping my jaw before sliding his hand behind my neck and tugging me closer. When our lips meet, it’s tender and unhurried. I pour all of my feelings into the kiss, trying to convey what I’m too afraid to put into words.
I lose all track of time as we kiss, my focus narrowing to the feel of his lips, the warmth of his body against mine, how good he feels in my arms. A low heat continues to simmer in my belly, but I don’t act on it.
“The movie isn’t over,” I mumble against his lips.
Felix huffs a soft laugh. “I don’t think either one of us is paying attention.”
He’s right. Everything else faded away the moment his mouth found mine.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing harder. Felix’s eyes are dark, his lips kiss-swollen.
“Do you want to stay the night?” I whisper.
He nods. It’s the first time he’s slept over and it makes my heart sing, knowing he’ll be sharing my bed all night. It doesn’t take long to get ready for bed. Felix borrows a toothbrush, and I lend him a T-shirt. We climb into bed and I pull him against me.
We talk softly in the dark, and his breathing slows until he’s asleep in my arms.
