Page 38 of Galen's Redemption
Under other circumstances, this might have been romantic. But right now, with a mass of problems hanging over their heads, it was one person clinging to another, hoping for a little stability in the warm July night.
THE MOONoff the lake was beautiful. Galen had never really taken the time to notice it before, but here, now, with Robert? He saw alot of things he would have dismissed. He took a step closer to Robert and brushed their fingers together. When Robert took his hand, Galen sighed happily. Who knew that a shitty night could be so wonderful?
Robert squeezed Galen’s hand, bringing his attention back to the moment. He pointed over toward a stand of trees. “See the geese?”
Beneath them at the bottom of a hill, a group of Canadiangeese were huddled together, heads bowed. They seemed so serene.
“They’re cute.”
“But they can be vicious if they think someone will hurt them.” Robert smiled down at him. “Sound like someone you know?”
Galen’s cheeks heated. “Sorry.”
“Hey….” Robert tucked a knuckle under Galen’s chin and tugged up so their eyes met. “It’s not a complaint. It’s actually me paying you a compliment.”
“Really?”Galen snorted. “How is comparing me to a goose a compliment?”
“Because just like you, they’re protecting themselves. They’re friendly with those around them but are prone to attack things that threaten them.”
Even though he tried to be annoyed by the comparison, Galen found himself lost staring into Robert’s eyes. Then Robert did the most curious thing. He smiled at Galen again.
“I’m glad youcame with me. I needed some company to distract me from my thoughts. And you, Mr. Merriweather, are very distracting.”
From anybody else, the line would have been corny, but Galen believed he saw sincerity in Robert’s expression. If anyone had asked him where the urge came from, he would swear he didn’t know, but he stood up and brushed their lips together. Robert’s lips were full and soft, andthe scruff of hair around his mouth gave a peculiar tickle, but there was a heat there Galen had never experienced before. When he stepped back, there was fire in Robert’s eyes.
Robert reached out and brushed the pad of his thumb over Galen’s lips. “Galen, you’re playing a dangerous game.” Then Robert cupped the back of Galen’s head and brought their mouths together once more. This time the kisswasn’t chaste. It was demanding, dominating. Galen opened his mouth and surrendered to Robert, who swept his tongue inside, probing, teasing. Galen had never been kissed like it before. He wanted to drop to his knees and worship at the altar of Robert.
When Robert groaned and took a step back, Galen matched the plaintive sound.
“I have to go.”
“What? No. We just….”
“It was only a few hours,but I had an incredible night. And it makes me look forward to the next one.” He kissed Galen’s nose. “You have no idea how much I want to kiss you again.”
“I’m not stopping you.”
Robert grinned. “I know, and that’s part of the problem. I wasn’t kidding before. I don’t do casual. If this is going to be something, then I need to make sure of how we both feel. Does that make sense to you?”
ForGalen, it had always been fuck and run back home, wondering why he let himself do it once again. He’d never had a chance to possibly care for someone, because he couldn’t ever be out of the closet enough to show them he cared. Now? Having quit, that weight was no longer on his shoulders. He was free to explore with Robert, if he wanted.
“Yes, it makes sense.”
“Thank you.”
Galen grinned. “Justfor the record, if you did do casual, what would we be doing right now?”
“I wouldn’t.” Robert reached up and cupped Galen’s cheek. “Even if I did, I don’t think you’re the type of person I want casual with. I like you. I’m coming to respect you. I think that if I only indulged in one night with you, I’d always regret what might have been.”
Holy hell, Robert knew the right words to say. He madethe ache that had been Galen’s constant companion for the last several days fade to almost nothing. Had anyone ever said such sweet words to Galen? Not that he could remember.
“Could I get your number?” Galen widened his eyes as he realized what he’d said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask.”
“Why?” Robert fished his cell from his pocket, held it up, and took a picture of Galen. “Okay, give me thenumber.”
Galen rattled off his number and watched as Robert put it into his phone. Then, a moment later, Galen’s phone rang.
“And now you have mine.”
