Page 57 of Crying in the Rain

“Can we go to bed soon?” Ade asked.

Kris raised his eyebrows. “I guess you’re not talking about sleep?”

“Well, we can do that too, but it isn’t foremost in my mind. Would you rather wait?”

Kris was as aroused as Ade was, but as second dates went, today had to be the worst.

“Are we ready for that? Are you sure—”

“I want you,” Ade breathed, lifting his lips to meet Kris’s again. “I don’t want to wait.”

“OK,” Kris agreed, still reluctant, but Ade seemed certain, and it wasn’t as if Kris didn’t want it too. Right now, he wanted it more than anything.

“I’m almost tempted to call Fergus and gloat,” Ade said, taking Kris’s hand and leading him from the kitchen. Kris couldn’t tell if he was joking or not so said nothing. “Almost,” Ade added, turning back with a grin that faded instantly when he saw Kris’s face. “I’m not actually going to call him.”

“I know.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just…” Kris glanced around, giving himself thinking time, and spotted Ade’s bag at the bottom of the stairs. “Are you taking this up with you?”

“There’s nothing I need until morning. Is it in the way?”

“No…”

Ade started up the stairs but came back down when Kris didn’t move. “What’s the matter?”

Kris attempted to speak twice before it came out, all in one stream. “Have you got condoms with you?” He wasn’t sure they’d need them—they hadn’t discussed such things yet—but it was the first thing that came to him.

Ade backtracked and picked up his bag. Kris smiled wanly.

“Come on,” Ade said, getting behind him and pushing him up the stairs. “You must be gagging for it.”

“Hey! It’s not been that long.”

“How long?”

“Er…” Kris really didn’t want to answer that question. It could, potentially, make a liar out of him.

“A year?” Ade guessed. Kris shook his head. “More or less?”

“Less.”

“Six months.”

“Less.”

“Three months.”

“Less.”

“Two?”

“Still less.” Kris reached the top of the stairs and floundered again.

“With Shaunna?”

Kris nodded swiftly.

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