Itwasexciting. Terrifying, but exciting.
Declanshifted his legs apart, letting his hips rest against Ash’s, their bodiesfitted together against the shelves. Heat was building in the pit of Ash’sstomach, arousal he’d pushed to the back of his mind a thousand times when hewas close to Declan, sure that he’d only ruin their friendship if he ever actedon it.
Andnow Declan was the one acting on it. Ash had known something weird was going onwith him, but he hadn’t expected this.
Hiseyes widened as he felt Declan’s cock stir against his thigh, a shock of arousalcoursing through him. Ash’s pulse pounded in his ears, his heart threatening togive out on him over the shock of knowing that Declan was turned on by this,too.
Allhis wildest dreams were coming true at once.
Hegasped as Declan’s tongue traced his lips, eager to give him whatever he wanted.Declan tasted of stale coffee and the chocolate bar he’d split with Ash forlunch, in lieu of anything more nutritionally sound.
Andhe tasted of warmth and sunshine and years of quiet longing, but that was allin Ash’s head. He’d wanted this for so long that he didn’t really care why itwas happening now.
Themoment he thought that, Declan pushed away from him, putting two strides betweenthem before Ash was done processing that he was moving at all.
Ash’sstomach dropped.
Therewas no turning back from this. It wasn’t an accident. It couldn’t be brushedoff as nothing.
Thelook on Declan’s face was enough to tear Ash’s heart out. He looked horrified.
Ashswallowed. A thousand excuses rushed to the front of his mind, ways out ofthis, ways to force it into not being a big deal.
Butitwasa big deal.
Itwas a big deal, and now they were both holding onto the new, fragile thing theyhad between them, relying on the other not to drop it. Not to shatter it into amillion pieces, never to be put back together.
“Ineed to leave,” Declan said, his voice rough.
“Youdon’t,” Ash said automatically. He didn’t want Declan to leave. Not even alittle bit.
Hewanted Declan towantto kiss him. He wanted Declan to kiss him again.
“Ido,” Declan countered, already heading for the door. “I’m sorry.”
Sorry.
Hedidn’t want Declan to be sorry. He wanted Declan to stay.
Ashwatched him go, his stomach twisting as he heard the bell over the door chime.
ChapterSeventeen
Declantook a deep breath as he got his keys out, his stomach in knots as he unlockedthe door to the bookstore.
Thenormally quiet bell above it seemed deafening in the silence of the store andthe apartment above. If he’d been hoping to sneak in, there was no chance ofdoing that now.
Notthat he’d really wanted to. He didn’t want to end up avoiding Ash.
Hehad nowhere he could gotoavoid him. They lived together now. They weremarried.
Thiswas definitely the kind of thing he had to talk about, like an adult.
Thelight in the stairwell flicked on, the creaky third step warning Declan that Ashwas coming down to meet him.
Itmight have been the light, but Ash looked exhausted.
Alump formed in Declan’s throat.
