Conrad huffed out a laugh and laid back down.“That is entirely unrelated to my attraction to people.And yes, I do, upon occasion.”
Sage turned on his side.Conrad could see in the dim light that he had leveraged himself up on his elbow.“You do?”
“Oh, yes.I find the activity quite enjoyable.I know that many people prefer it as a way to get to know each other.I personally find conversation to be a more suitable means of acquaintanceship.”
“I see.So you enjoy it, but you don’t prefer it?”
Conrad mirrored the other man’s posture.“I enjoy the aspect of giving people pleasure.And, of course, I enjoy experiencing that pleasure myself.But it is never the first activity that comes to mind.”He cocked his head inquiringly.“Is it something you would like to do?”
“I…yes.”
“All right,” Conrad said easily.“As long as you let me know when you’d like to engage in that, I’m amenable.”
Sage gave a little huff of his own.“Amenable.It sounds as if you’re doing me a favor.”
Conrad grinned.“Oh, I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself.But if we were to simply talk every evening, I’d be content.So it’s not something I’d ever suggest on my own.”
Sage was quiet as he turned over onto his back.“Understood.”
Conrad did the same.“Anything else we should discuss?”
“You are not attracted to me, but you are open to physical intimacy, as long as I’m the one to suggest it.Does that go for kissing, as well?”
“I quite enjoy kissing,” Conrad replied.“And I’ve already told you I enjoy waking up with you next to me.”He paused.“You could fall asleep that way too, if you’d like.”
“That…sounds amenable.”
He laughed.“You did say I was softer than my physique implied.”
Sage scooted over, carefully laid his head against Conrad’s shoulder, and lightly placed his hand over Conrad’s chest.“Is this all right?”
Conrad draped his own arm around Sage’s shoulders.“Quite companionable.What else?”
“If we are to be convincing, it would be advisable for us to display affection in front of the others.”
“All right.”
“Anything I shouldn’t do?”
Conrad smiled and rubbed his thumb over Sage’s arm.“Nothing comes to mind.I’ll tell you if that changes.”
Sage breathed out.“Good.”
“Anything you don’t like?”
“No,” Sage answered softly.
Conrad had a feeling this was not entirely true but he didn’t press.“Then I suppose we are an item.”He kissed the top of Sage’s head.“Goodnight, Sage.”
“Goodnight…Conrad.”
* * *
When Conrad wokethe next morning, he thought over the previous night’s conversation.He didn’t think anything would be all that different from his side of things.He would be addressing Sage by his first name and the two of them would share a more open form of affection, and he assumed Sage would request a little more activity in bed.It was Sage who would be experiencing the bigger shift.
He had no idea what sort of public affection the other man preferred.And he was still unsure if simple loneliness was the reasoning behind the initial suggestion.Was he attempting to make Wyndham jealous?Did he feel as left out in the group dynamic as Conrad often did?It was possible, of course, for the proposal to be primarily for Conrad’s benefit, considering all the other kindnesses Sage had shown in the past several days.But he rather hoped it wasn’t.He liked the idea of easing some of Sage’s loneliness, if only for a few weeks.He idly ran his fingers through the man’s hair and tried to imagine how their new dynamic would change in the company of others.
Sage woke at his usual time, yawning against Conrad’s chest.“One thing is certain,” he said, “I will not be joining you in your early attendance at breakfast.”
