Page 68 of Resilience on Canvas

Robert’s moan must have awakened something in his little wolf. Henry fisted Robert’s hair. He coaxed Robert closer as theirlips moved together rough and fast. When Henry’s tongue found Robert’s, Robert let out another moan, this one lower and huskier than the last, and in response, Henry’s left hand traveled from Robert’s waist to his backside.

Instinctively, Robert bucked his hips forward, rubbing his stiffening cock on Henry’s thigh.

And then . . . on something long and hard.

“Jesus Christ,” Robert moaned into Henry’s mouth.

Henry let out a filthy and needy whine of his own. In Robert’s mind, with every meeting of their lips, he was telling Henry how much his little wolf had come to mean to him, even in such a short time. But, Lord Almighty, as incredible enough as the kissing was, Robert wanted so much more. His heart was still thundering, blood pounding in his ears while those two lovely words rang in his head—wantandmine. Gripped with the powerful urge to show Henry how Goddamn muchhelikedhim, how Goddamn much heneededhim, Robert placed a hand on Henry’s erection and—

Henry broke their kiss and stumbled back one step. Robert’s mind was still swimming as he watched Henry reach out a hand to steady himself, only to find the rope from the bell. Trying to keep himself from falling, Henry took hold of it, but, of course, the rope wasn’t something steady like a wall, and so, Henry continued to tumble backward, tugging on it as he fell.

Henry landed on his rear end. And rang the Goddamn bell.

While the bell’s loud chime echoed in the room, Robert covered his ears as though he could stop the bell from ringing if only the sound didn’t reach his brain. Henry only cringed.

Bong.

Bong.

It kept on ringing for what felt like forever while both men remained too frozen to move. After the millionth chime, Robert finally found the courage to pull Henry to his feet.

“Goddammit, Hen!” he hissed. “What the hell was that?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I . . . I mean, I was . . .”

Henry’s eyes fell to his pants, and Robert followed his line of sight.

“Christ Almighty,” Robert spluttered, seeing the wet spot on Henry’s pants. “Did you...?”

Groaning, Henry covered his head with his hands. “I couldn’t help it!”

Laughter bubbled out of Robert’s mouth. “Well, Iknowthat, but...” He pressed his lips together to try to keep his amusement somewhat contained. “Henry Sherwood, we’re in a church!”

“I know, I know.” He looked at his pants once more. “Goodness, the moment we’re back in that competition room, everyone will know that I had been... excited for some reason.”

Still chuckling, Robert let out a sigh. “Well, someone might come up here and catch us before we even have a chance to head back.”

Henry’s eyes flew wide. “Shouldn’t we hide or somethin’ then?”

“Where?” Robert threw his hands out. “Ain’t nowhere to hide up here. If someone comes to see who rang the bell, that’ll be it for us.”

Henry’s face flushed, and he made a sound that was like a whimper. Smiling, Robert took Henry’s hand and pulled him close. He touched Henry’s cheek with the back of his fingers.

“Ain’t you worried someone’ll see us?” Henry said.

“Well, like I said, we can’t hide, so I might as well spend my last minutes here on earth kissin’ you some more. Maybe not so violently, though. Don’t want to ruin your pants for a second time.”

Henry’s face broke into the sweetest smile as he huffed a soft laugh. Satisfied that he had calmed some of Henry’s worries (ormaybe he’d only made Henry realize that there wasn’t no harm in the two of them kissing some more while they waited to see if someone would come to the bell tower), Robert leaned forward and touched their lips together more softly this time. His heart pitter-pattered a little from the featherlight touch.

After they parted, Henry whispered, “Do you really still think we’ll make it to California?”

Robert squeezed Henry’s hips. “Iknowwe will.”

“I’m sorry I lost the competition.”

Robert wasn’t having that.

“Hey, you tried yer best,” he said. “I saw how tired you were. I really was impressed by the effort you put in. I couldn’t have lasted that long on my feet if it had been me.”

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