Page 79 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Brendon falls back onto the mattress, shoulder to shoulder with a devilish grin stretched across his face. “You’re delicious.’’ He licks his lips.

Matthew chuckles and yanks him against his chest.

Low whimpers penetrate the bedroom door and a little paw scratches at the wood.

“Aww, listen to her.” Brendon hops up off the bed and swings the door open. His naked body glows in the warm lamplight.

Honey bolts through and circles his feet, giddy at the reunion.

He scoops her up and climbs back on the bed.

She licks both their faces with frenzy, wagging her tails against their ribs.

Matthew gazes at Brendon. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Brendon stretches his neck past the pup and kisses his lips.

Honey Darling curls down between them and they quickly drift to sleep one after the other.

Epilogue

Phoenix

A frenzy of sloppy licks on his chin and cheeks with puppy whimpers in his ear wakes Matthew. The mid-morning sun bores in the windows, passing through glass spirit balls suspended from the ceiling in macramé nets. Rainbow shards scatter the crisp white bedroom and paint Brendon’s bare backside with pastel lights.

“I’m sorry Honey. I’m getting up.” He folds the comforter back and swings his legs off the bed.

She bounces off Brendon’s butt-cheek and flops to the floor, gathering her clumsy paws on the slippery wood and scooting toward the front door.

“Good girl, for holding it,” he whispers, slipping into the jeans and crumpled button-up discarded from last night.

“Good morning.” Brendon yawns, pulling the bedding over his naked torso and stretching his lanky limbs.

“Morning.” Matthew ogles the stunning view. “We’re going outside. Be right back.” He wriggles his toes into the straps of flip-flops behind the bedroom door and scurries up the hall, grabbing Honey’s leash and potty bags off the side table along the way.

She prances in place while he tries to clip her collar, then pulls impatiently down the stairs and out the door.

Matthew follows her around the bend and down the back alley to the small garden where he’s trained her to pee.

She squats and squints at the sun with relief falling over her face.

“Good girl.” He folds over and pets her cheek. Matthew waits for her to sniff about and spin twice before doing her morning poo. He cleans it up and tosses it into the row of garbage cans lining the building as they trot back inside. “Let’s go get you breakfast.”

His beautiful bedmate is sat up with legs folded in a tangle of sheets, scrolling his phone under the dripping halo of pastel shards with mangled hair atop his head.

Matthew stares as Brendon’s green eyes peer through dark lashes and a dreamy smile stretches across his cheeks.

Honey darts for the bed and plows him back into the pillows with her whole backside wriggling with joy.

He giggles and nuzzles into her wispy neck fringe, scratching her sides until she rolls onto her back, kicking her paws and asking for more.

Matthew hops into the bed, lit with glee and cuddles them both.

Brendon kisses his lips and strokes his scruffy cheek. “This is nice.” He beams.

Matthew’s heart may burst. “It is.” He hums, pulling Matthew and Honey into his arms.

The wiggly puppy breaks free and bolts out to the kitchen.

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