Page 51 of Companion Required

“I know. Like an over-sexed teenager,” he said, before taking his hand away and looking Kieran in the eyes. “But in my defence, watching your expression while you’re coming undone is as hot as all hell.”

They lay in companionable silence. Kieran almost began to fall asleep, until he became aware of his unorthodox position, draped over the end of the bed. Not to mention still wearing his shirt, bow tie and black socks. Kennedy spoke before he had a chance to break the silence.

“I really need to go and clean up.”

“You going to grab a shower?”

“Yeah, I think I’m going to have to. Get some of this gunk off me.”

“Want some company?” asked Kieran, feeling unusually bold.

“In the shower?” asked Kennedy, startled, his gaze swinging Kieran’s way. “Are you sure?”

“Almost since we boarded, you’ve been perving at me while I’ve been in the shower.”

“I have not!”

“Sure you have. I’m not complaining. That’s why I left the bathroom door wide open. In my book, if you’re going to put on a show, you might as well put on a good one.”

Kennedy’s burst of laughter was followed by him jumping up from the bed and holding out his hand.

“Come on then.”

Kieran took his hand and hauled himself to standing.

“But before we do,” said Kennedy, reaching for Kieran’s bow tie, “we need you to lose a few of these clothes.”

Slowly and meticulously, Kennedy unclasped Kieran’s bow tie then began unbuttoning his shirt, all the while maintaining eye contact. With the soft but sure touches of his fingers, the sensation intimate and erotic, Kennedy had Kieran’s breathing deepening again. In a final flourish, Kennedy lifted the shirt from across Kieran’s shoulders and threw the garment onto the carpet. As he knelt to the floor to remove each of Kieran’s socks, his nose grazed against Kieran’s renewed and straining erection.

When a fully-clothed Kennedy stood and began to unfasten his own shirt, Kieran stopped him with one hand and began to return the favour.

Kieran had seen Kennedy’s body a number of times on the holiday—at his parents’ house when Kennedy had hauled himself out of and sunned himself around the swimming pool, even on the cruise when he’d left the shower with a towel wrapped around him. But he had never seen him fully naked before and, although he had undressed him the same way—keeping their eyes together—he now rewarded himself by drinking in the perfect proportions and sheer muscular physique of the man, the dusting of dark chest hair trailing down to the substantial erection. Once again he marvelled at being unabashedly aroused by the body of another man.

Thirty minutes washing each other’s bodies and one more orgasm each later, they towelled themselves off in the bedroom. Kieran felt so calm and comfortable, with post-orgasmic tiredness overtaking him. As though hearing his thoughts, Kennedy spoke.

“Think I’m ready for bed. How about you?”

“Yeah, I think I am, too.”

Kennedy grinned, took the damp towel from him and disappeared into the bathroom. He returned seconds later, butt naked, and headed to his wardrobe.

“Kennedy?”

“Yes?” answered Kennedy, his back to Kieran.

“Can we do away with clothes in bed? I’ve always preferred sleeping in the buff.”

Kennedy brought his hand away from the shelf that held his tees and sweats, and turned his head. A small, devilish smile curled one corner of his mouth.

“Are you sure? You’re not worried I might be tempted to take your virginity while you sleep?”

Once again Kieran met the remark face-on, smiling and folding his arms.

“You promised to be the perfect gentleman, remember? And anyway, if that does become an option, I’d rather be awake, if it’s all the same to you. Do we have a deal?”

“If it means me having you naked and in bed with me, then yes, we have a deal.”

Ten minutes later they lay in bed together, although Kennedy still had his bedside lamp on. Kieran shuffled purposely closer to middle of the bed, turning on his side to talk to Kennedy, who was checking his phone.

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