“Hey,I’m not complaining,” Declan said, rolling his shoulders back. “I was justtrying to do something nice for you.”
“Andnow I’m trying to do something nice for you,” Ash responded. “You deserve it.I’ve seen how hard you worked this week.”
“Weboth worked hard,” Declan murmured, grunting as Ash dug his thumbs into theworst of the knots in his back.
Declanhad worked miracles on Ash’s muscles, so Ash was really hoping to return the favor.
Besides,he liked touching Declan.
Ashhummed as he worked, focusing on loosening Declan up as much as he could. Declanwent quiet almost immediately, only the occasional whimper escaping him, so itwas hard to tell how much good he was doing.
Eventually,though, Declan’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a sigh of relief. Ash grinned,pleased with himself for beingsomeuse.
Declan’skindness told him that he was getting his best friend back. The warm, gentleman who he’d first met, and the one who’d been hurt so badly by his awful jobfor the last six years.
Thejob he’d had before that hadn’t been much better, honestly. So it was more likethe lasttenyears.
Thatwas a lot of damage to undo, but Ash was willing to try. Neither of them neededto be miserable.
“Better?”Ash asked as his hands started to cramp up. He was willing to keep going, buthe’d need to stretch his fingers before he could do anything else.
“Waybetter,” Declan said quietly, breathing a deep, heartfelt sigh.
Ashmoved his hands up, ignoring their protests for a moment to rub the back ofDeclan’s neck, earning himself a low moan. Declan’s head fell forward, as thoughAsh had found his secret off switch.
Helaid his hand flat on Declan’s back, letting the heat of Declan’s body soothe it.Declan had always run hot. He was handy to have around in the winter, like agiant hot water bottle.
Ashcouldn’t help the wave of affection that washed over him as Declan turned back,his face relaxed, his breathing slow and even. He was beautiful when he was atpeace, and Ash had never really gotten used to that. It still made his heartskip a beat every time.
Especiallywith Declan blushing high on his cheeks, his eyes dark.
Ash’sstomach bottomed out as he realized it was the same look he’d had earlier in theweek, when they’d been coming home from Charlie and Scott’s place. The one he’dhad when Ash had been sosurethey were about to kiss.
Thelook had only been there for a moment, but the tension between them hadsuddenly been so strong that Ash had almost given into it himself, even knowingthat he risked losing Declan over it.
Bloodrushed in his ears, that same sureness filling him up again as Declan swayed inhis direction, his breath catching. The heat that had been building in his gutbefore flared up, a hot flash of arousal deep inside him, need making histhroat dry.
Hewanted Declan. He’dalwayswanted Declan.
Ashwasalmostsure enough to close his eyes in anticipation, his eyelidsfluttering automatically as he waited to be kissed, and then…
Declanpractically jerked away.
Ashmoved his hand, suddenly unsure that Declan wanted to be touched. His heart wasstill pounding, but for different reasons now.
Thiswas the second time this had happened in a handful of days. That had to meansomething.
Ormaybe it didn’t. Maybe it wasn’t evenhappening, and Ash justdesperately wanted it to. Wanted to believe that somehow, moving away from allthe stress and bullshit that had filled up his life would give Declan space tofinallyseeAsh, to finally want him.
Itwas stupid to think that was ever going to happen, and Ash knew it. He justwanted to believe it so badly that he couldn’t tell fact from fantasy anymore.
Thatwas the best explanation, anyway.
Declandidn’t want him. He couldn’t. Ash would never get that lucky.
“I,uh…” Declan stood, looking over at the door that led to the hall. “I think it’stime for bed. I’m exhausted.”
“Metoo,” Ash agreed, happy for the excuse to put some space between himself andDeclan before he did or said something stupid. “Sleep well. You’ve earned it.”
