Page 32 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Phoenix is draped over Eli’s lap, cuddled together in a single chair.

Jamie’s fingers gently tap and trace Nathan’s on the armrests between them. Rosy sleeps soundly, curled up on Jamie’s thighs.

“There are fireworks tomorrow night?” Matthew asks the hosts.

“Yes.” Robbie’s eyes reflect the dancing flames. “There is a field down past the lake on a ridge where everyone from the surrounding cabins gather to watch the show every summer.”

“This place is paradise. I may just stay here forever.” Matthew’s eyes meet Brendons.

The edge of his mouth lifts and warmth rises through his knees up to his chest. “Me too.” The words fall past Brendon’s lips.

Matthew crosses an ankle over a knee and sinks deeper into the Adirondack chair. His eyes drift back to the flames and the smile plastering his face is tender.

Brendon gulps down the vision of his neatly coiffed waves dried glossy through the evening. The soft heave of his cayenne peppered chest as he breathes in the mountain air. The taut stretch of his t-shirt over his full belly and his freckled fingers fiddling hairs on his bulky thigh. He saviors the visual treat and packs it away for later, when he's alone in his room.

The stars begin to disappear overhead as a heavy cloud floats over the valley. The air fills with the ominous scent of petrichor, heralding the coming storm. The group doesn’t move, soaking up every moment of the blissful evening until the cloud lets loose a fury of rainfall. Buckets of cool water drop down on the land below, soaking everything and everyone in an instant.

The group bolts toward the house, protecting their faces from pelting droplets with their arms or shirts.

“Hurry!” Drenched Robbie laughs, ready to close the slider to the patio after everyone is safe inside.

Dennis and Perry bring up the rear with arms linked, and giggling as water pools to the floor under their feet.

Matthew swipes sopping curls off his forehead. His white t-shirt has gone translucent and stuck to his skin.

Brendon swallows hard as his eyes fix on pink nipples under the soaked fabric of Matthew’s v-neck.

Everyone scatters to their designated bathrooms and bedrooms to collect towels and settle in for the evening.

“See you all in the morning.” Robbie calls.

“Night.” The group responds in unison.

“Thank you.” Brendon whispers as Matthew ushers him to lead up the stairs.

Their wet feet slap against the wood plank risers. Brendon strides past the mezzanine and down the hall to the bathroom with Matthew following close behind. He pulls two towels from the linen closet and hands one off.

Matthew blots his face and arms before setting the towel on the vanity. He peels the drenched shirt over his head and wrings it into the sink.

Brendon can't resist ogling Matthew’s bare torso. Thick muscles flex under flecked skin as his arms wipe away the rainwater.

Matthew’s smile bows when their eyes meet.

The gaze lingers. Brendon is frozen in time, clutching the towel to his chest with water dripping down his body. The pounding in his veins drums up through his ears and electric static tingles down to the tips of his toes.

Thunder shatters the stillness, booming through the house and quaking the energy around them.

Matthew grabs both towels and throws them to the floor. He pushes Brendon against the wall and their lips crash together.

The softening rumble of thunder’s diminuendo moves through their pressed bodies.

Brendon wraps his arms behind Matthew’s head and pulls him in.

Matthew hooks his arm around Brendon’s waist and slips his tongue past parted lips, tasting the sweetness of Brendon’s mouth. His tender groan vibrates both their chests.

Another crash of thunder shakes the cabin.

Matthew’s fingers curl behind Brendon’s neck and prickle the soft buzz of his hair.

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