Page 73 of Twice Shy

“You’re welcome.” He smiled, threading their fingers together, then leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Ollie let it happen, sleepy and warm as he put his arms around Joel’s neck and pulled him closer. One of Joel’s arms slid under his shoulders, holding him tight as the kiss deepened. He felt fingers in his hair, a gentle caress, as Joel’s lips left his to kiss his jaw, his brow, the lids of his closed eyes. “Ollie,” he murmured against his skin, voice rich with emotion. “Oliver…”

Ollie rubbed his cheek against Joel’s, enjoying the scratch of their evening stubble. “You could stay,” he whispered drowsily.Please stay.

He felt rather than heard Joel’s sigh, a deep exhale as he stilled in Ollie’s arms. Deflation. “I want to, but…”

But Rory might say something, but rumors might spread, but people might talk. Ollie sighed.

“For a little,” Joel said after a long silence. He gathered him closer, kissed his hair. “I’ll stay for a little.”

It would have to be enough. And it almost was enough when Joel lay down next to him and they rearranged themselves until they were spooned together, Joel’s arm wrapped around his body and his hand pressed against Ollie’s bare chest.

He fell asleep in that warm cocoon, and it was almost enough.

But when Luis’s cries woke him at four o’clock, Joel had gone. Tired and alone with a fretful child in the darkest hours of the morning, Ollie had never felt so lonely.

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