Page 21 of Something Unforgettable

Xavier set the throw pillow he was holding back down, then crossed the room to sit on the mattress next to Finn’s hip. “I promise I don’t mind,” he assured him. “If you aren’t comfortable—”

“I want you to,” Finn blurted, then dragged the covers up to hide his face.

So. Fucking. Cute.

Xavier leaned in and pressed a kiss to the shell of Finn’s ear, the only bit of skin he could see. “All right, sweetheart. If you insist.”

A moment later, Finn peeked out from his blanket fortress. Xavier, given the opportunity, kissed the tip of his nose, then his lips. Finn shivered under him when their lips touched, a soft moan escaping. That was Xavier’s sign to back off. Finn was injured and didn’t need Xavier teasing him right now. He stood and rounded the bed, climbing in on the far side. In the corner of his eye, Finn let out a shuddery breath, then relaxed.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Xavier said as he settled with his head on one perfectly fluffy pillow.

“For what?”

“For trusting me.”

Xavier had always been a light sleeper, plus he was worried about rolling over in his sleep and jostling Finn’s injuries. So when the bed shifted sometime later, he woke immediately.

He could just make out Finn’s form in the dim light spilling through the closed curtains as he crawled back into bed.

“Okay?” Xavier asked, voice rough.

“Yeah,” Finn replied. “Just needed the bathroom.”

Xavier hummed and automatically held out his arm, inviting him closer. Finn only hesitated a moment before crawling over and settling with his head on Xavier’s shoulder, his injured arm placed carefully on Xavier’s chest. Fuck, he felt good. Xavier reached down and rearranged him a little, tugging one of Finn’s slim thighs over his own so their lower bodies rested comfortably together as well. Perfect.

Finn’s breath caught, then evened back out when Xavier started rubbing his back in careful sweeps.

“Back to sleep, little one. It’s much too soon to be awake.”

Finn heaved a sigh and snuggled closer. The fingers of his splinted arm brushed Xavier’s bare chest, paused, then did it again. It was a tiny movement, but it made contentment flood Xavier and quickly sent him back to sleep.

Ithadbeensoeasy to crawl into Xavier’s arms when he came back from the bathroom. He’d been half asleep himself, and Xavier had looked warm and inviting, his broad chest like the perfect pillow. After hours of feeling lost and adrift at the hospital during his exam and then while waiting on news about Pops, Finn found that the solid weight of Xavier’s arm holding him close and the rise and fall of his chest under his ear were exactly what he needed.

He was pretty sure his skin was still tingling where Xavier’s hand had gripped his bare thigh to pull him closer. His knee had ended up in the space between Xavier’s thighs, his belly pressed to Xavier’s hip. He’d stayed frozen for long minutes, willing himself not to react to the warm, muscular body cradling him close. Luckily, he was too exhausted for anything embarrassing to happen.

Now, in the light of day, he prayed that remained true. Because if anything, he was closer to Xavier than before, his nose nearly in Xavier’s armpit, his arm flung across his chest, and his curious cock threatening to wake in his briefs. He wasn’t in much pain, considering he’d only taken aspirin the night before. Maybe his injuries weren’t as bad as the doctors had thought?

Finn kept his eyes closed and tried to decide what to do. He didn’t want to disturb Xavier’s sleep, but he should figure out what time it was. He had to open the store, since Grace didn’t work mornings. Was there a clock on the nightstand? Would he be able to see it if he cracked open his eyes?

Just then, Xavier shifted and began rubbing gentle circles on Finn’s back, like he had the night before.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble in Finn’s ear that sent goosebumps racing across his skin. Lips brushed his temple next, and he could feel Xavier’s smile in the kiss. “You’re welcome to hide down there as long as you want, but so you know, Miss Crystal is coming by with our breakfast.”

Finn’s forehead creased. Miss Crystal? But how did she even know they were here? They’d come in in the middle of the night. Maybe she’d seen Xavier’s car? But no, it was a rental, and even if she had recognized it, she wouldn’t know about Finn.

“I can almost hear your thoughts racing. Tell me what’s happening in that gorgeous head of yours?”

Finn snickered helplessly. Gorgeous head? Yeah, right. He shook the words away. He had more important things to focus on.

“What time is it? I need to call the sheriff and find out if I can open the store.”

“Sweetheart,” Xavier said, his voice soothing. “You have a broken arm. I’m sure it will be fine if you take the day off.”

Finn shook his head. “Pops will want me to open. I don’t want to let him down.”

Xavier didn’t sound convinced. “Why don’t we visit your grandfather first, and then we can find out from the sheriff if the building is still a crime scene. But before all of that, you need to eat, and our breakfast will be here any minute.”

“How is she bringing breakfast for both of us? She doesn’t know I’m here.”

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