Page 74 of Bait and Switch
“Cuddle?”
“Yes, cuddle. I like a good cuddle, and after the day we’ve had, I deserve it.”
“I think I had the same day you did.”
“That’s my point.”
With a snort, Casey heaved himself to his feet. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“As if I was going anywhere.”
He wiped himself down at the bathroom sink and then carried a clean warm cloth back to Gabriel. In the bedroom, Casey discovered that Gabe had divested himself of his clothing and turned the bedcovers back but hadn’t flipped them over himself.
“Seems a little late, the horse already left the barn,” Casey remarked.
Casey took a moment to appreciate Gabe’s body. His chest hair was shot through with silver streaks much like the hair on his head, and a faint scar bisected several ribs on his left side. Casey wondered what had happened. Instead of asking—because who knew what conversational detour they’d end up on—he quickly tidied Gabe up, tossed the washcloth into his hamper, and stripped down.
“Scoot over, I get the outside of the bed.”
With a grin, Gabe scooted, pulling the blanket over himself and holding it for Casey to crawl under.
“Cuddle, huh?”
“Definitely cuddling, it’s almost my favorite part. A close second anyway.” The last was followed up by a massive yawn.
Casey was on his back, although that wouldn’t last long. He was usually a side sleeper. Lifting his arm, he invited Gabe to fucking snuggle into his side, which Gabe did with a contented sigh.
“’Night,” Gabe murmured, snaking an arm out across Casey’s stomach.
Casey looked down and Gabe’s eyes were already closed.
What was this sorcery? Two weeks ago, he’d never wanted to see the man’s face again. And now? Now Gabe’s face would be the first thing he saw tomorrow morning.
And Casey had to admit he was looking forward to it.
EPILOGUE
Gabriel
Midwinter
“Quit twitching,you’re driving me and Bowie bananas.”
Gabe spun around to narrow his eyes at Casey instead of continuing to glare out the enormous plate glass window that framed an incredible view the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands.
“Quit twitching? That’s rich of you. You aren’t heading into the lioness’s den.”
Casey’s eyebrows drew together. “I’m here, aren’t I? Kind of am.”
“Fine. You are, you both are,” Gabe acknowledged, including Elton with his words, “and I appreciate the sacrifice. You didn’t have to join me on this—” He threw his hands up, unable to come up with the descriptors that would summarize it properly.
“Meet the relatives event?” Casey said with a stupid smirk.
“Yes, that. I don’t know how I was maneuvered into attending.”
“Because Claribel Delacombe invited you.”
“Thank you, Elton, for reminding me. I don’t know what to do withrelatives! I’ve never had any extended family before. This is so far out of my comfort zone I can’t see the shore!”
