Page 28 of A Winter Crush
After they finished eating, Wareth cleaned up the studio, wrapped the clay, and put everything away.
“Couldn’t we just leave it for tomorrow?” Ori said. “I’ll even get up early.” He just wanted to crawl on top of Wareth.
Wareth shook his head. “Need to clean up now. Clay will dry out.” He picked up the wooden board, which held Ori’s surviving mug. He carried it to the shelf and placed wet linen over the top. “Don’t want anything to be ruined.”
Sighing, Ori joined in, packing away clay and cleaning down the studio. He even mopped the floor. Finally, they were done, and Ori turned on Wareth. He lunged at the man, pulling his face down for a kiss.
“Your aunties won’t worry?” Wareth asked as he half carried, half dragged Ori to his room.
“No,” Ori said as he pushed Wareth onto the bed, straddling his lap. If he didn’t come home, they’d assume he was with someone. He’d need to explain everything, but it would be worth it to spend the night with Wareth.
He pulled back slightly and looked down into Wareth’s face. “Unless you’d prefer I left tonight. Perhaps you’d like some time alone?” He held his breath. It was entirely likely. Just because Wareth wanted to keep having sex, it didn’t mean he wanted Ori again right now. Perhaps he found Ori clingy.
But Wareth shook his head. “No. I’d like you to stay tonight. I’d like you to stay as long as you like, until you grow bored.”
Wareth kissed Ori, and suddenly he was flipped onto his back, Wareth pressing him into the bed. Ori groaned into the kiss, but something niggled at the back of his mind. He couldn’t help but feel annoyed at how Wareth seemed to assume that Ori would grow bored. But then Wareth took his cock in hand, and his annoyance slipped away.
ChapterEighteen
“So where were you last night?” Aunty Yelan asked.
Ori sat on the floor with his aunties, eating dried meat for dinner. “I was with a human in the village.” He knew that there was no point in lying. They’d get the truth out of him. “His name’s Wareth. He is a potter.”
“Well, that explains the plate,” Aunty Yelan said.
“Oh, I’m so happy for you, Ori!” Leaning towards him, Aunty Lela grabbed his hand, squeezing tight. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll come with you to the village and meet him!”
“Um… Well,” Ori fumbled. “It’s just…”I don’t want you to scare him off.
“Are you ashamed of him, Ori?” Aunty Yelan’s gaze held him in place. “That’s not a good start.”
“No! It’s just… It’s still new and…” Ori stuttered. “And…”
“You’re still getting to know each other?” Aunty Suroth asked.
Ori nodded. “Yes. We’re still getting to know each other.”
“And you don’t want your aunties interfering,” Aunty Yelan said. “Not yet anyway.”
“Perhaps we could come to Winter Solstice in the village this year,” Aunty Suroth said. “Meet him then?”
Relieved, Ori smiled. “Yes. That’s a wonderful idea.”
“Or we could visit the village and watch his home,” Aunty Lela said.
Ori’s stomach sank.
“Humans have such poor eyesight,” Aunty Lela continued. “He won’t see us. We’ll hide in the trees, and then we can see if he is well suited for our Ori.” Her eyes sparkled. “We can see if he treats you well.”
“Um… I’d prefer if you didn’t,” he said, voice sounding high to his ears.
“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped.
“Don’t worry, Ori,” Aunty Yelan said, wrapping her arm around Aunty Lela’s shoulders. “We’ll wait until Solstice.” She kissed Aunty Lela on the forehead. “It’s not long now. We can wait until then.”
After dinner, Ori went out in search of his brother. Luckily, he spotted him talking with some other younglings.
“Liney,” Ori called out.
