“Then focus on it. Let your mind think of nothing but my heartbeat. I promise, by the twentieth count, you’ll be asleep.”
“And then what?” William asked.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
William shuffled back a little, slotting perfectly into the bow of Edward’s body. It was impossible not to notice how Edward’s grasp on him got that bit stronger, as though he was anchoring their flesh together.
“I mean, what are we going to do when we wake up?” William asked.
“We’re going to ensure that Hanbury Manor is yours and only yours. If that’s what you want.”
I don’t know what I want anymore. “And how are we going to do that.”
William wondered if Edward felt his own heart skip a beat.
“By finding out whattheywant.”
They. William didn’t know if Edward referred to the house itself or the memories it held. Perhaps the lingering energy that was causing these sinister happenings. Maybe his choice of words encompassed all of those options and more. Either way, William still found himself relaxing because there was something else Edward had said, something that he had repeated over and over in his tired, frightened mind.
You’re not alone. I’m here with you.
Edward was right about something else, because by the twentieth count of his heartbeat, William was truly and utterly asleep.
According to William’s phone, it was late afternoon when they both woke up. And to his pleasant surprise, he’d not sleepwalked again. He had woken up safe in the iron embrace of Edward, who it seemed had hardly moved a muscle. His strong arm had been draped across William’s side, his chest pressed into his spine that when they peeled apart, William could still feel the other man imprinted on his skin.
That feeling didn’t dissipate in the hours that followed. All that changed was the bud of guilt that William had for sleeping with another man, which blossomed into a fully formed rose with sharp thorns that tore at him from the inside out.
“How is it?”
William looked up from his bowl, hyperaware that he was pushing his spoon around the soup. “It’s lukewarm soup. What do you expect me to say?”
Edward had finished his bowl, even going so far as to drag his tongue around the ceramic to lap up the final bits of carrot and corridor he’d chosen to have for dinner. “Good point, but you should still eat it.”
“I’m not really that hungry,” William replied, watching a glob of thick liquid slop from his spoon, back into the bowl.
Between what was happening in his life, whathadhappened, and the possibility that was to follow, his appetite was practically non-existent. However, his need for wine was stronger than ever.
“Please, just try and eat something.” Edward had an uncanny way of entirely focusing on William. It made him feel like he was the only person in the world. When he settled his eyes on something, it was with complete attention and intense emotion to match. And right then, he drank in William with eyes of pure concern. “At the very least finish the bread.”
The slices were from the loaf he’d brought before he’d arrived at Hanbury. Edward had lathered the two end pieces, as per William’s request, because the end pieces of a loaf were always the best, with soft butter and sprinkled with salt.
Not wanting to continue his grumpy child façade, William picked up a slice, scooped it into the bowl of soup, and shovelled it into his mouth. Edward instantly relaxed, which only further confirmed his comfort balanced on how William felt.
That only made William’s guilt sting harder.
Neither man shared another word until William was almost done. It was as if Edward wanted to ensure he ate, or perhaps his table manners were just so impressive that he’d not move until everyone at the table was finished. Edward only stood from his chair when a small pool of now-cold soup remained in William’s bowl.
“I was thinking we could go for a walk and get some fresh air. Have a small break from the manor.”
William had also been thinking. A lot. “It’s not looking very nice out.”
“Is that a no, then?” Edward replied, disappointed almost.
“You’re welcome to if you want.” William couldn’t hide from the unspoken topic anymore. “Listen, I really appreciate everything you are doing for me, Edward. I do.”
“But.”
William narrowed his eyes. “Butare we going to keep pretending nothing has happened, or are we going to talk about it?”
