Page 86 of Silent Oaths
Mydecision made,Imove toward his door, my steps light asIturn the knob and push it open just enough to slip inside.
Theroom is dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon filtering through the windows.Atfirst,Idon’t see anything but the outline of the bed.Then, my eyes adjust, andIfreeze.
Twofigures lie curled together in the center of the mattress, still and peaceful.
Maxwellis facing me, andJulianis behind him, one arm draped around his waist, his face relaxed in sleep.
Myheart swells.
I’venever seen them like this—unguarded, unburdened by the weight they carry when they’re awake.Julian’sbrow isn’t creased in thought,Maxwellisn’t smirking or teasing.They’rejust… them.
Awarmth spreads through my chest.
Ishould turn around and go back to my room.Instead,Itake a careful step forward, my heart in my throat asIinch closer.Idon’t want to wake them or to break this moment.
Carefully,Ilift the edge of the blanket.
Igasp.
Julian’sbody is molded perfectly toMaxwell’sback, his face buried againstMaxwell’sshoulder, his breathing slow.Theirlegs are tangled beneath the blankets,Julian’sfoot hooked aroundMaxwell’sankle, keeping him close even in sleep.
They’reboth naked, and whenIlook closer,InoticeJulian’scock buried deep insideMaxwellas they cuddle.
OhmyGod.
ThelongerIstand there, the harder it is to ignore the way my breath quickens, my lungs working overtime as something dark and visceral stirs inside me.
Mypulse throbs.
Theylook good like this.Toogood.
Iswallow, but my throat is dry.
Theway they’re wrapped around each other sends a sharp pulse of arousal straight through me.Myfingers tremble against the fabric of my sleep shirt, my thighs pressing together instinctively.
Shit.
Isuck in a breath.
Theimage of them like this is burned into my brain now, impossible to erase.
Slowly,Islip beneath the blanket, easing myself in front ofMaxwell.Thebed shifts slightly beneath my weight, and for a second,Ihold my breath.
Neitherof them stir.
Aquiet exhale leaves me asIsettle in, pressing my body againstMaxwell’swarmth.He’ssolid, his scent wrapping around me.Hisbody heat sinks into mine, and beforeIcan stop myself,Ipress my forehead against his chest.
Julianshifts behind him, his hold tightening just slightly, pullingMaxwellin closer, as if, even in sleep, he doesn’t want to let go.
Maxwellfinally stirs.
Atwitch of his fingers, an exhale against my hair.Then, his body tenses slightly, his breathing changing.Iknow the exact moment he wakes up, even before his eyes open.
Hisbody stills, like he’s taking in the situation, registering the extra warmth pressed against his front.
Mypulse jumps.Ihadn’t thought this through, hadn’t considered what would happen when one of them woke up to find me here.
Ibrace myself, expecting some sort of remark, maybe even annoyance thatIinterrupted their moment.Instead, he lets out a slow, sleepy hum, his arm tightening around my waist, pulling me even closer.
