Page 61 of Beck

Beck said nothing for a moment, but then he looked at him. “I agree.”

Kole opened his mouth to argue his point but paused when his words registered. “You do?”

“I might not like sharing a lot of things, Kole, but I understand when I’ve made a mistake. I should’ve spoken up, and with a professional, long, long ago. In fact, I have already asked the therapist if she had any spaces. I have an appointment next week.”

Kole smiled and reached out for the first time, brushing his fingers across Beck’s cheek. “Look at you, being all grown up.”

Beck grinned, the shadows, though not gone, banked for the moment. He lifted and grabbed Kole around the waist, and before Kole could even blink, he was on his back with Beck above him.

“You’ll pay for that,” Beck growled, poking at Kole’s sides and underarms. Tickling was one thing Kole hated. Well, nothated,but it made him laugh so much he sometimes peed a little.

“Stop!” He laughed, closing his eyes and squirming to get away, but Beck wouldn’t let him. “Oh, my god! Stop, stop!” He got his arms down to his sides, making things trickier for Beck, but not impossible. “Ha ha! Fuck, stop!”

“Nope. You deserve this for talking back to me.”

Beck was relentless, but Kole tried to sidetrack him by lifting his hips towards him, and it immediately stilled him. Their gazes clashed and locked, both panting hard. Kole lifted his hands to Beck’s face.

“I love you so damn much,” he murmured.

Lowering to his elbows, caging Kole in, he said, “Right back atcha.”

Their kiss was slow and explorative, with neither of them pushing to go further. Just a reconnecting. He let his body and mind sink into it, needing the connection more than he realised. When they pulled back, Beck’s lips were swollen and bright red, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright. If Kole could keep him looking like that for the rest of their life, he’d die a lucky man.

“What?” Beck said.

“You’re gorgeous.”

Beck’s smile lit up the room. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Kole laughed. “Thanks. I think.”

Dropping a kiss on Kole’s mouth again, Beck pulled back. “Are you hungry?”

“Actually, yeah. Didn’t realise how much until you mentioned it.”

Beck pushed off the bed, adjusting himself as he stood there. “Come on, then. I’ll cook something.”

“You don’t have to. We can order in.”

“Nah. I’m in the mood to cook.” Beck shrugged. “Not sure what I have, though, so might need to do a shop run.”

“Why don’t you get sorted, and I’ll check the kitchen?”

“Deal.”

Beck disappeared into the bathroom, and Kole lay there for another minute before getting up. He wasn’t naïve enough to know that Beck was okay, but he would be. Especially if he’d already thought about and organised additional therapysessions. Kole would’ve never believed he would do that without one hell of a push. Just went to show how much someone could surprise another when they didn’t know each other fully yet.

He checked the cupboards and fridge, seeing they had enough ingredients to create a stir-fry but not much else. While he was there, he grabbed two glasses of water and drained one, handing the second to Beck when he entered the room.

“Thanks. So what are the options?”

“Stir-fry, but not much else available.”

Beck grimaced. “Not really in the mood for stir-fry. I’ll nip to the shop to grab something more palatable.”

“I’ll come with you.”

They dressed for the weather, and when they got outside, he linked his arm through Beck’s as they set off down the street.

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