“Fine, but I’m holding you to that. I’m gonna cling to you like a koala for a full day the first chance I get.” I peck his pleased little grin. “I have to meet Zeke and Jules at the gym, anyway.”
He rolls out of bed first, heading for the bathroom with a glance over his shoulder. I drag myself up and wait until I hear the water shut off before taking my turn.
By the time I come back, Gabe’s dressed—a black T-shirt, dark jeans, cardigan sleeves pushed up—he’s absolutely stunning. He doesn’t usually dress in dark clothes, but it makes his eyes shine.
I grab shorts and a tank from my drawers. Aiden bought me this top for my last birthday, it reads:Working on my six pack (of donuts). It makes me laugh every time. I catch sight of Gabe’s bedroom door as I tug the top over my head. It’s wide open, and the bed inside is empty.
“Guessing Ciarán’s up?” I question, nodding toward the door.
“Must be.”
We find him barefoot by the counter in the kitchen, Gabe’s shirt hanging off him like a dress, earphones in, singing under his breath. He doesn’t notice us, lost in whatever song’s playing.
He’s dancing—slow at first, then energetic and deliberate, hips rolling with the rhythm only he can hear. He drifts closer to the counter, sliding a hand along it as he sways, the hem of the shirt riding higher with each step.
Then, with a lazy grin to no one but himself, he drags his hands up the length of his thighs, over his hips, dragging Gabe’s shirt up—and that’s when I catch the faintest peek of black lace underneath.
My brows climb up my face, but before I can even blink, Gabe groans and slaps a hand over my eyes. “Nope.”
A laugh spills out of me. I slide my arms around his middle, and he drops his hand, bracing it on my chest. “You feeling possessive, baby?”
That gorgeous color rises to his cheeks, and he nibbles the corner of his lip, staring at my chest. He looks unsure. Fuck, does he actually think I’d be interested in anyone but him? Hasn’t he realized he’s the center of my world?
I brush my nose against his. “Gabe, look at my eyes.”
He does, the green glowing in the morning light. There’s a line between his brows. “These eyes,” I tell him, “they’re only for you. They only want you. I will never look at another person the way I look at you.”
I feel like I’m cutting myself open, every emotion I feel for him on show. And with the way he looks at me, the effect my words have is obvious. His chest moves quicker, his lips part. Suddenly, I’m against the wall, Gabe’s hands are in my hair, and his mouth is on mine with a fervent intensity I didn’t expect but welcome. His hips meet mine as he pins me to the wall, tongues sliding together.
“Oh my. I should stay over more often.”
We break apart, Gabe’s whole face going splotchy with color, his eyes widen, looking at me like I can go back in time and stop this from happening. I start laughing again and pull him back to me, and he presses his face into my neck.
“Good morning, Ciarán,” I call over Gabe’s shoulder.
“Itisa good morning, Noah.” He chuckles. “And here I thought you two werefinallydone making a racket,” he says, leaning a hip against the counter. “Had to put my earphones in to protect my innocent little ears.”
Gabe’s face whips up so fast it’s impressive. “We weren’t—”
“Oh, youwere,” Ciarán cuts in, smug and teasing. “This place has extremely thin walls. Lucky for you, I’ve got better taste than to kink-shame before breakfast. But then you come in here and offer a live show too…”
I lose it, cackling so hard I have to brace a hand on my stomach. Gabe groans and shoves my shoulder lightly on hisway past me, fleeing down the hall, muttering something about needing to crawl into a hole.
“Aw, come on, baby,” I call after him, still grinning. “We were hot as hell.”
That earns me a scandalized look over his shoulder before he disappears toward the store.
When I look back at Ciarán, he’s staring at me intently. “Noah,” he starts, sounding serious, making my nerves spike. Those bright eyes take me in, and it feels like an eternity before he speaks again. “Thank you.”
“Um, for what?” I ask as my brows furrow. Does he mean because we took care of him last night? I don’t need thanks for that.
His whole expression softens, and he gives me the kind of smile I usually see him aim at Gabe. “For taking care of him. Treating him right.”
“Oh,” I mutter, feeling oddly shy hearing that, it’s not a feeling I’m used to. “You don’t need to thank me for that.”
He gives an easy shrug. “I know. But I wanted you to know I’m glad you two have each other. Gabe’s a special person, he deserves nothing but good things.” His expression is so earnest, I can see how much he loves his friend. His next words hit me in the chest. “And so do you. You’re a great guy. I’m glad we’re friends.”
For the second time this morning, I feel the unusual rush of color to my cheeks. “Thanks, Ciarán. Guess my cheesy jokes are paying off.” I laugh awkwardly.
