Page 129 of Killing Me Softly

Aaron loved him that little bit more for that.

Now, their first night in the house, wrapped in blankets, naked, on the floor, no furniture yet, just each other, a half-empty bottle of wine, the sound of the waves crashing over the shore, Aaron lay beside Kenny, staring up at the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling, flickering candlelight dancing across the stone walls, and drew in a breath.

“Feels weird,” he said.

Kenny turned his head, studying him in the dim glow. “What does?”

“This.”

“How so?”

“Sorta…safe.”

Kenny threaded his fingers through Aaron’s. “Not weird, then.Good.”

Aaron exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment, listening to the rhythmic crash of the waves beyond the window. “Yeah. That’s what I mean.”

Kenny rolled over him. Kissed him. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life teaching you that thissafefeeling you have, what you feelright now, this is what normal feels like. This is what you deserve to have felt all your life.”

“You just can’t help teaching me shit, can you?”

“No. And the first lesson I’m giving you here is a lesson in love. And it feels like this.” He kissed him again, slow and steady, which soon moved into Kenny making love to him, with the windows open, salty breeze cooling their skin, the sound of waves crashing over the shore in rhythm with their bodies.

Slow, deep, unhurried.

As if theyhad all the time in the world.

Because they did.

Theyfinallydid.

And Aaron loved every cherished moment.

epilogue

Sweet Dreams

One year later…

The morning sunlight spilled through the curtains in golden streaks, pooling onto the bed in soft, lazy warmth. The air smelled of sea salt and fresh linen, the distant sound of waves crashing blending with the rhythmic hum of the wind beyond the window. Kenny stirred, stretching beneath the sheets before rolling over, instinctively reaching for Aaron. His body curled into his back, fitting against him perfectly, their skin warm from sleep. He nuzzled in, pressing his lips to Aaron’s bare shoulder, breathing him in.

Aaron hummed, a slow, lazy smile tugging at his lips. Without opening his eyes, he lifted an arm from the covers,reaching behind him to thread his fingers through Kenny’s hair, gripping, keeping him exactly where he was, with his lips pressed to Aaron’s skin, leg draped possessively over Aaron’s hip, and cock, hot and waiting, nestled against him, ready to slip inside.

The perfect morning.

Until the door burst open.

A flurry of rapid clicks echoed across the wooden floorboards, followed by an enthusiastic bundle of energy launching onto the bed, barking with absolute outrage Kenny was getting morning cuddles andnot him.

Kenny groaned, rolling onto his back as an overexcited golden retriever puppy tackled Aaron, digging his little paws into his chest, licking any part of his face he could reach. Aaron laughed, ruffling the dog’s ears, letting him wriggle and wiggle his way into the sacred morning space between them.

“I hate this dog.” Kenny rubbed a hand over his face as the puppy turned its attention to him, sniffing his neck before attacking his jaw with enthusiastic licks.

“No, you don’t.” Aaron grinned, shoving the pup back down beside him, scratching behind his ears. “You love him. Admit it.”

“I regret buying him for you.” Kenny groaned as the dog flopped onto Aaron’s chest, tail wagging happily, utterly oblivious to the mood he’d just destroyed.

Aaron turned onto his side, hugging the dog to his chest, letting it lick his chin. “He’syourtherapy puppy, too. And, best part, he doesn’t even ask us how we feel.”

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