Page 100 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

“If you keep that up, I’m going to fall asleep on you,” Sam mumbles into my skin, which makes me laugh.

“You’re going to need to get up. My legs are going numb.”

He rolls over and falls onto his back next to me, turning his head so he can look at me.

“Hi.” He smiles.

I laugh again. “Hi.”

“I really like your freckles.”

“I noticed.”

“Harrison?”

“Yes?”

“I really like everything about you,” he says quietly.

I feel a little pang that I still haven’t been completely honest with him, but I push that thought away. I will tell him, and soon, but this moment is too perfect, and I just want to bask in it for a while.

“I really like everything about you too,” I reply. My gaze drifts down his buff chest to the ridges of his abdomen and then to the delicious Adonis belt etched into his hips. “So, where’d you get the six-pack? I know I didn’t have the chance to see you naked before you left, but I was pressed up against you a time or two, and I could’ve sworn you didn’t have one of those before.”

He snorts. “Well, I didn’t just nip down to Asda and grab one if that’s what you’re asking. I realised that I hadn’t exactly been looking after myself very well. I began taking walks with Mam to help her get some fresh air, and she needs to focus on being healthy, so I did too. I started eating better, cutting out the whiskey. I needed to be dry around her to help with her recovery and that made me realise that I’d started drinking a little too often as well. Not to the point of having a problem, but enough that it could be one in the future, a path I certainly don’t want to go down. I’ve finally got something good in my life.” He looks at me, and my skin heats. “So I got myself down the gym and worked out my frustrations that way. The accordion on my stomach is just a happy side effect.”

“Oh my god, you’re not going to turn into one of those fitness freaks, are you?” I wrinkle my nose. “Because herbal teas are my limit. I’m not drinking kale smoothies or whatever.”

“No kale smoothies, I swear. No smoothies, full stop. Not a fan.”

“I’m hungry,” I announce. My belly starts protesting the vigorous exercise and hours of no food with a loud and protracted gurgle.

He laughs at the sound. “I’ll get you something.”

He moves to get up, but I shove him back down again. “It’s okay, He-Man, I’ll get it. Do you want a sandwich?”

“I could eat. After all, we did just burn off a load of calories.”

“Oh my god.” I roll my eyes, reaching for the box of tissues on my beside table and cleaning the come off me before tossing the box at Sam. “If you start counting calories, I’m kicking you out of my bed.”

He chuckles. “No calorie counting either. Promise.”

“Okay.” I slide off the bed and grab my bathrobe, wrapping it around me. Unable to help myself, I lean over Sam and peck a brief kiss to his swollen lips just because I can. Then I head out into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, I’m back with a tray containing two plates with sandwiches and two glasses of water. I set it down on the bed and climb on. Sam is still lying unabashedly naked. His only concession is scooting a little further up the bed and tucking a pillow behind his head to prop himself up.

“I hope ham and tomato is alright?” I say, handing him a plate. “I probably should’ve asked first.”

“It’s fine, I—” He breaks off and stares down at the plate.

“What?”

He looks up at me, a smile playing on his lips. “You cut the crusts off for me.”

I feel my cheeks heating, and I shrug. “Just don’t expect me to cut them into fancy shapes for you too.”

He leans over and grabs the back of my neck, taking my mouth once more in a kiss that leaves me dizzy as I clutch my own sandwich in one hand.

When he pulls back, he grins widely. “Thanks, Prickles.”