“So you’re staying?” Scott asked, running his fingertips along Charlie’s naked arm. There was a line of sunlight highlighting the top of his shoulder, making him look as though he was glowing. “Because you don’t have to. We could do the long-distance thing. I’d wait for you.”
In Scott’s mind, Charlie always glowed. He was a bright spot. Scott wasn’t giving him up for anything, including distance.
He’d make the trip to see him every weekend. He’d transfer to another college. Find another job.
Charlie was worth it.
Charlie rolled over to face him, smiling a lazy morning smile. “I don’t actually want to leave this place. I like it here. It has all my friends, the best job in the world… and you. And your dogs, which are like half the reason I’m here.”
Scott chuckled, reaching out to push a strand of Charlie’s hair out of his face. “Makes sense,” he said, too happy to be even a little insulted by the joke. “I’m glad you’re staying.”
“Me too. I’m gonna call in a few minutes and cancel. You could totally make me breakfast while I do that.”
Grinning at the thought of getting to make Charlie breakfast, Scott darted in close to peck him on the lips. Charlie grabbed his face immediately, holding him in place and deepening the kiss, parting his lips to give Scott access to his mouth.
Scott rolled them both over so he was on top of Charlie, pressing soft, short kisses against his lips, a soft, happy sound rumbling in his chest.
He wasn’t going to get tired of this. Not now that he knew he could keep Charlie.
“Oh,” Scott said as Charlie broke off to breathe, remembering something he’d forgotten last night.
He climbed off Charlie as carefully as he could, grabbing his jeans from where he’d dropped them before and fishing through the pockets to find what he was looking for.
“I was coming over to give this to you last night,” Scott explained, heading back over to the bed and holding the key out for Charlie. “It’s the key to the front door. So, y’know. You can come and go as you want. I didn’t want to ask you to move in with me, but I also… wanted to ask you to maybestartmoving in with me? Keep a couple of changes of clothes here so you don’t have to run away of a morning, stuff like that. On your terms. Whatever you want. I know it’s too soon, but I don’t care.”
“You know this means I’m going to progressively move into your house and you’re not even going to notice until it’s too late, right?”
Scott broke into a smile, unable to stop himself. “Well, that’s kinda what I was hoping for,” he said.
“Good, because there’s no take-backs. This is mine now.” Charlie plucked the key from Scott’s hand, folding it into his own and closing his fingers tightly over it.
“I have bacon, eggs, and toaster waffles. Sound good?” Scott asked, straightening up.
He didn’t miss the way Charlie looked at him, subtly wetting his lips.
Being naked around Charlie was great for his ego.
“Uh. Yes. Whatever you said.” Charlie nodded slowly. “You’re so hot. I’m the luckiest man on Earth.”
Scott blushed, warmth starting in his cheeks and running all the way down his neck. “Thanks,” he said, grabbing a pair of sweatpants to throw on. He had a boyfriend to feed.
He had a boyfriend who was staying. For him.
The moment Scott opened the bedroom door, dogs poured through it, all of them vying for his attention. He chuckled, bending down to give them all a good-morning pat.
“Go look after Charlie for me,” he said, pointing them to the bed.
All of them stampeded over, leaping up on the mattress and climbing over Charlie. All except for Chewie, who was still too small to make the jump. Scott walked over, scooped him up, and put him on the mattress as well.
“You take care of him,” he said to the dogs. “He’s important.”
He turned back to the door, listening to Charlie’s laughter as he petted and cuddled all four dogs, telling them that they’dallget a chance to be loved, that they were all good puppies.
“Hey.” Scott looked back at the bed as he headed out into the hallway. “I love you.”
Charlie grinned at him, his sleep-heavy face lighting up. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirty-One
