Not expecting anyone over this evening, I’m surprised when there’s a knock on my door as I’m stepping into a pair of black athletic shorts.
“One second,” I shout, hastily pulling a t-shirt over my naked torso. When I open the door, a smile graces my face and my heart beats faster at the sight of the man standing on my tattered old welcome mat.
“Hi,” Darius says. There’s a tentative grin on his face, but he looks tired, his eyes dull and his skin pale.
“Hi, angel,” I say, pulling him into my arms. I can’t help breathing in the scent of his warm skin. He sinks into my embrace as I kiss his cheek. “I’ve missed you. How are you feeling?”
“Better now,” he replies, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. I place a hand at the top of his spine, then slide it into his hair and use my grip to tilt his head back so we’re eye to eye.
“Come inside? We can watch whatever crappy show your heart desires.”
That gets a smile out of him, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. There’s a twisting sensation in my gut that I ignore as I take his hand and lead him inside, kicking the door shut behind us.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask, leading Darius over to the sofa.
“I’m fine.” His words are clipped, and the feeling in my gut ramps up to full-on discomfort. He takes off his coat and lays it over the back of the sofa. “Really, I feel better now that I’m here.” His eyes dip to my lips. “And it’s not contagious if you want to kiss me.”
I’ve missed him too much to wait another minute, so I do just that, slanting my mouth over his. Darius parts his lips, and my tongue slips inside, my body reacting to the taste and feel of him. He kisses me back, hunger in the ferocity with which he takes control.
When I pull away, we’re both breathless, and I’m happy to see there’s a little more colour in his cheeks.
“How was your day?” Darius asks.
“It was good. Zander gave me those details for the company’s private healthcare, and I called them. They’re sending over a referral to a therapist.”
“That’s great. I’m proud of you.” He kisses my cheek.
“I haven’t done much yet, but it’s a start.”
“Yeah, it is.” Darius looks around the small space before saying, “Sit with me for a moment?” He gestures to the sofa, but before he sits, I remember the present I have for him.
“Yes, definitely. But hold on. I have a gift for you.” I steal another taste of his lips. “Wait here.”
I leave Darius standing next to the sofa and cross the small space to the area cornered off as my bedroom. Picking the penguin up, I tuck it behind my back and then return to stand in front of him.
“Happy birthday,” I say, bringing my hand forward and opening my palm.
Darius releases a puff of air, his eyes suddenly glistening as he looks from me to the penguin and back up again.
“It’s perfect,” he whispers, taking the wooden ornament from my hand. “Did you make this?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
A tear rolls down his cheek, and I wipe it away with my thumb. I expected him to like it, but I wasn’t expecting this reaction.
“I love it.” He holds it against his chest.
“I love you,” I reply.
Darius doesn’t speak, and I watch as his throat works before he gently places the penguin down on the coffee table, takes my hand and guides me silently towards my bed. When we’re at the foot of it, Darius angles his body towards mine, then moves so our chests are pressed together.
“Make love to me,” he whispers, his lips hovering over mine.
I can’t think of a better way to spend the evening.
Without words, I cup his cheek, close my mouth over his and carefully work his t-shirt up, only breaking the kiss to pull the fabric over his head. Then we’re kissing again and he’s touching me everywhere, like he’s trying to map every line and curve ofmy body. His fingers dance along my hips before he’s tugging at my shorts, his hands trembling as he tries to get them down.
With my hands over his, I help him push the fabric down, then remove my t-shirt. Darius steps back, his eyes roving over my naked body.
