Patience.Patience was what Ash needed right now.
Declanwalked over to him without having to be told twice, holding his palm out forinspection. He’d only brushed it against the steam wand on the coffee machine,but Ash knew from experience that those were incredibly hot, probably more soafter being in near-constant use most of the day.
Peoplehad responded well to Declan offering them a chance to sit down with a cup ofcoffee and a good book. The store was rarely empty from when they opened towhen they closed.
Itwas really nice to feel so accepted.
Ashtook his hand, holding it up to the light so he could see the red mark runningacross the base of Declan’s thumb.
“What’sthe diagnosis, Dr. Basic First Aid?” Declan asked.
Hesounded too happy for Ash to even care about being teased.
“Smartassesdon’t get dinner made for them out of sympathy,” Ash warned, but he’d alreadyplanned out dinner tonight, so it was an empty threat. Declan didn’t necessarilyknow that, though.
“Doesit hurt?” he asked before Declan could say anything else.
Declanshrugged. “Not really? It’s tender when you touch it, but I don’t think it’sthat bad. It was only for a second.”
“Iremember you swearing like a sailor over it,” Ash said.
“Itwas more surprising than painful. Sorry about swearing in front of customers.”
Ashlooked up, away from Declan’s hand to meet his eyes. “I’m not the boss of you.And I don’t think any of them cared. I really don’t think it’s that kind ofplace.”
“Well,I appreciate you taking care of me,” Declan said.
“Evenif you make fun of me for it?” Ash raised an eyebrow.
“Evenif I make fun of you for it.” Declan smiled at him. “You wouldn’t hang out withme if I didn’t give you hell sometimes. It’s how I show affection.”
Ashlaughed softly, tracing the skin around the burn on Declan’s hand, trying tosoothe it without making it worse. “I know. Just, for the record, there areother ways.”
Declannodded. “I know.”
Thelook in his eyes had changed. It took Ash a few seconds to decipher it, sincehe wasn’t sure he’d ever seen that look on Declan before.
Thehairs on the back of Ash’s neck stood up.
BeforeAsh could process what was happening, Declan pushed him back against the shelfbehind him, the whole weight of his body holding Ash in place.
Lust.
Thatwas the look.
Ashswallowed, his stomach swooping.Thiswas new.
Hehad no idea how to react, although his body had a few ideas. His heart waspounding, his lungs tight.
“Tellme to stop,” Declan murmured.
Ashshook his head, his pulse already pounding in his ears. There was no point inpretending he didn’t want this. Declan could probably see it written all overhis face anyway.
Howlong had he waited? How often had he wished that things were different, thatDeclan would look at him one day and see someone he wanted, someone he could bewith?
Toomany. And now it was happening, and Ash’s head was spinning so fast he couldn’tevenhopeto think straight. Declan was so warm, and so close, and soperfect.
Hegasped as Declan’s lips made contact with his, a moan welling up deep in hischest. He’d never expected Declan to do anything like this, never dreamed thathe might actually make a move.
