“We’ll discuss how I can keep you warm later,” Andy said. “Keep going.”
“I know you understand that I am allowed to have feelings about today, that it’s okay if it’s weird for me. I know you know it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I know you know my life has changed forever and I’m still processing that.”
I looked up at him.
“Oh, Andy,” I said. “I don’t regret any of this. You know that, don’t you?”
Andy reached out to take my hand, kissing the still slightly bruised knuckles. “You’re still allowed to have feelings about it. But there’s more to read.”
I took a deep breath and looked back down at the paper. “I’d rather like to stay in tonight and cuddle.”
“Sure, if that’s what you want,” Andy said, grinning at me.
I really didn’t deserve him.
“So you’ve relented on the idea that we ought to go out naked?” I asked, folding the slip of paper and tucking it into the pocket of my pajamas to keep it safe.
Andy had eventually allowed that pajamas were a better option than me being cold all the time. Of the two of us, he was the one who ran hot.
It made himdelightfulto sleep next to, a person-sized hot water bottle who favored me with sleepy kisses whenever he woke in the night.
“Not sure I want anyone else seeing you naked. In case you get a better offer,” he joked, but there was the faintest thread of real worry in what he said.
“There is no better offer,” I said.
“Not even David Tennant?” Andy teased.
“No,” I said. “Not even.”
“Correct answer,” Andy said, relief obvious as he leaned in, turning my chin to kiss me.
He pushed me back down onto the couch, pinning me in place, happy sounds escaping both of us as we teased each other with lips and tongues. A surge of arousal rushed through me as he settled between my legs, the intimacy of being so close together still novel and exciting.
One day it would be comfortable, but still very exciting. I was sure of it.
I was sure of Andy.
“This is a touch more enthusiastic than cuddling,” I pointed out between kisses, fingertips inching past the waistband of Andy’s pajamas.
“Still totally—”
A sudden, loud beeping cut Andy off, and he laughed as he reached out to fumble with it on the coffee table, eventually managing to shut the alarm off.
“Happy new year,” he said, running his fingers through my hair. “Just plain old Kit now.”
Yes. Just plain old Kit now.
Just plain old Kit, lying on his sofa in New York with the most beautiful boy in the world perched on top of him, looking at him as though he was perhaps a little wonderful.
Being made supreme ruler of the known universe couldn’t have compared to that. A little dukedom in a far away country didn’t stand a chance.
“You okay?” Andy asked as my silence stretched out.
I broke into a smile so broad it made my cheeks hurt.
“I’m perfect,” I said, fingers curled in Andy’s t-shirt, happiness washing over me.
“I wouldn’t gothatfar,” Andy teased, but there was so much love in his eyes that I really did feel quite perfect right now. “But you’re pretty great all the same.”
