Page 59 of Love Spell

Timo lay on his back, pillows and covers pushed away, just the two of them on the white sheet, curves of his pecs, abs, and biceps, still damp with sweat, highlighted by the orange glow that reached them from city lights and windows across the street.

His drowsy smile and extended arm invited Noah closer and Noah, still buzzing, pressed against him, head on Timo’s chest.Timo’s fingers skated through Noah’s hair.He kissed the top of Noah’s head.

Noah lay motionless, silently praying Timo wouldn’t say anything so Noah didn’t have to try speaking against the lump in his throat.Timo kept quiet, only stroked his hair while his heartbeat in Noah’s ear sounded impossibly calm.Noah kept his burning eyes squeezed shut.It was a long time before his own heartbeat matched.

19

They never did go to dinner.They didn’t go down for breakfast either, sleeping through half the morning after being up half the night.It was lunchtime before they both showered and shaved and Noah, after gulping three glasses of water in quick succession, finally stood before the windows to look out at their view in midday light.

He was shirtless in trousers and socks, smelling of soap and wintergreen toothpaste, holding a fourth glassful and frowning as if trying to remember something.Timo interrupted getting dressed to watch him, leaning on the bathroom doorframe, meaning to keep his distance, simply drink Noah in from relatively far.

It had gradually dawned on Timo that Noah hadn’t any idea what he looked like or how he came across: smart but reserved, aloof by American standards, always near a door, always a safe distance from the crowd, while his beauty was equally unassuming.

Anyone could be forgiven for overlooking Noah because overlooked was what Noah wanted to be.His posture left something to be desired and he was letting his hair get too long, as if hoping it would soon be enough to fall in his face and hide behind, or he simply couldn’t be bothered to find a barber when he felt his time in London was so temporary.

Of course, Timo had a meeting next week to make sure that wasn’t the case.He’d get that work visa sorted and, as the Brits said, Bob’s your uncle.

You could walk past Noah in a crowd without noticing him while he lurked and dodged eye contact with strangers.You had to turn back, look him full in the face, or study that luscious, streamlined profile that now spoke to Timo while Noah gazed out the window, before you realised you’d just walked past a god.

Even Timo had missed him in July.He wasn’t the first pretty young man to pass through the prop shop as a junior.Timo would give anyone who seemed clever and quick enough a chance if he saw potential and they tested well.He’d not looked twice.

Now he leaned in and watched Noah with the unwavering attention he’d seldom shown anything beyond his trading terminal, and he regretted how blind he’d been.Timo wasn’t accustomed to feelings of regret.He got things done.Getting things done and coming out on top were what mattered.The odd failure meant he had to try harder, learn from it and win next time.Regrets only got in the way.Like regretting letting Rhys go.Now that he was with Noah he could see how it was all for the best, how everything had led him here.No regrets.Only another leg of the race.

Noah drained the water glass.Timo watched how the glass caught the light, how his lips held the rim, and his throat worked with his swallows.

Timo had thought even he was ready to call it a morning and step out.He should be famished, should be aching to stretch his legs and get to the gym or run.Instead, he was famished only for this unconsciously sublime man who ruled his life.

Noah set the empty glass on the desk, started to turn, but Timo intercepted him: crossed quickly to him, snaked a hand around Noah’s waist.Noah met him with a kiss, hands going to Timo’s chest.

Timo had just decided what they needed was to try sixty-nining when Noah said, “Do you know where we’re going for lunch?”

“Lunch?”

“We’ve not eaten since Friday morning.”

“Haven’t we?”Timo smiled indulgently.It was wasted on Noah, who brushed past him.“What would you like?”

“Uh…” Noah frowned as he pulled on his shirt.“French food?”

“Right.”

Noah rolled his eyes, which was not his style and made Timo’s heart quicken.Must be irritable from lack of nourishment.He’d be tapping his toe by the door next.

Timo rushed to finish dressing, making sure to have a couple condoms returned to his wallet and the extra lubricant, the tiny travel tube, in his jacket pocket.He’d better buy more condoms since Noah was such a fan of them.

Stepping out into the brilliant sunshine and bustle and noise and life of the street was momentarily overwhelming.It wasn’t as busy as stepping out at home or office every day of his life.London didn’t overwhelm.London was simply the world turning, the great human stew, always on.Paris, though, was in his way, setting up a divide between him and Noah.

While they ate, Noah found a walking tour he wanted on his phone, then dithered because he might not have time to get to the museums he hoped to see if they joined.

“We should have gotten up this morning,” he said, still testy, as he started checking closing times on places like the Louvre and Sainte-Chappelle.

“We were up,” Timo told him absently, hardly tasting what he ate.

“Some things won’t even be open on Sunday.”Noah fretted, also not enjoying his meal, which was a shame since Timo knew how much he’d wanted to try the food.Timo had to make it better, make him happy because Noah being happy and enjoying Timo’s company were the most important things in the world.

“Let’s do the tour in the morning.I’m sure they’re on all weekend.”

“That’s a good idea.”Noah bit his lip, making Timo imagine biting his lip.“Yeah, there’s another at ten in the morning.Okay, straight to the Louvre from here.I’ll book the tickets now.Can we walk?”

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