It seemed so unlikely, but then, Riley was an unlikely kind of guy.
Brent sat down on the bed beside Riley, reaching out to turn Riley’s face toward him, his fingertips pressed against Riley’s jaw line.
This was too intimate. Brent realized a moment too late that this wasn’t like before, kissing just for the pleasure of it. He hadn’t even leaned in yet, but this was…
Itmeantsomething. Or it was about to, anyway.
Maybe not to Riley, but to Brent, at least. He didn’t kiss a lot. It normally took him three dates to get that comfortable with a person.
But he’d had a lifetime with Riley. There was no one in the world he was more comfortable with.
While Brent was thinking, Riley leaned in first. He was probably tired of waiting, tired of watching Brent over-analyze every situation he’d ever been in.
Riley’s lips were so soft. Not gentle, not by a long way, but soft. Brent wasn’t sure if that was true of his own. He hoped it was. He hoped that kissing him felt good for Riley.
Either way, it was nice. It was nice to be this close to Riley, his mouth pressed against Brent’s own, his fingers gripping Brent’s knee as they both sighed at once.
This felt so good that Brent wasn’t sure how he was going to give it up.
He’d have to, though. That was how all things with Riley were. He was the best, most wonderful person in a lot of people’s lives, but he wasn’t forever.
Nothing was forever. Brent knew that. But he wished Riley was a little more permanent.
The kiss ended too soon for Brent’s tastes, but that was probably for the best. He didn’t need to be any more confused about where he stood with Riley right now.
“You’re so sweet,” Riley said, his eyes shining in the low light of the bedside lamp. He let go of Brent’s knee, standing up and moving around to the side of the bed to climb into it.
Brent suddenly wished the bed was a little smaller, so he’d have an excuse to be closer. He climbed in on his own side, hyperaware of the distance between them, of how uncrossable it seemed right now.
He’d already taken too much from Riley since Saturday. He couldn’t ask for more.
“Have you changed your mind on cuddling?” Riley asked, scooting closer as if he’d read Brent’s thoughts.
“No.” Brent swallowed. Riley was still offering more. Of course he was. Riley was generous to a fault.
“Then you’re too far away.” Riley reached out to him, holding his arms open, ready for Brent to close the gap between them.
If Riley was offering, Brent wasn’t going to refuse. He shuffled over, letting Riley wrap his arms around him, sighing happily as Riley threw one of his legs over Brent’s hip so they were pressed close together.
This was nice. Brent would have liked more cuddling in his life, in general.
“Can we just stay here? I mean, exactly here,” Riley said. “Like this. I’m so comfortable.”
Brent chuckled. The thought was nice, despite the fact that they’d eventually need to get up no matter what.
“Emily would miss us,” he said.
“True. And Iwouldmiss Emily. She’s grown up so fast. I still remember braiding her hair.”
“You were always better at it than I was,” Brent said. “You should have a daughter.”
“I have a niece,” Riley responded. “That’s about the level of responsibility I’m capable of. I’m in awe of you raising Emily alone.”
“I was never really alone.” Brent shrugged. “You were always there when I needed you.”
“That’s very flattering, but you were alone almost the whole time. I’m proud of you. You can do anything.”
Brent blushed at that, his face and neck getting hot as blood rushed to them. Riley was proud of him.
