Page 48 of Just a Bit Guarded

“Of course,” Will said after a moment. “Good night.”

“Good night,” he whispered, his throat becoming thick with raw emotion when Will covered him with a blanket.

Mine, he should be mine, why can’t he be mine?

****

New York City greeted them with freezing rain.

Despite the weather, Will seemed pleased. “Visibility is poor, so it’ll be harder to track us with CCTV cameras,” he explained to Gadiel, guiding him with a firm hand on Gadiel’s back. That was about the only part of Gadiel’s body that felt remotely warm.

“I’m wet and cold to the marrow of my bones,” Gadiel said sulkily. “I hate rain.”

Will laughed, tugging him closer. “Then you definitely shouldn’t be moving to the UK. You’d hate it there.”

Gadiel hummed, his discomfort forgotten now that he could feel Will’s hard, warm body against his. God, he felt like crawling inside his shirt. Or better yet, inside his skin. It would be so warm there. So safe.

Gadiel shook his head, trying to shake off his weird thoughts.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, they reached their destination: a residential building on a quiet street in Brooklyn. The neighborhood with its tree-lined sidewalks probably looked lovely on any other day, but right now it was gray and wet, and Gadiel wasn’t really in the mood to admire the sights.

Will left his side for a few minutes to pick up the keys and then ushered him into an apartment on the second floor.

“It’s not much,” Will said, guiding Gadiel inside with a hand on his shoulder.

Gadiel looked around curiously.It was a modest apartment, with a small open plan living room with a kitchen area, and two tiny bedrooms. It was easilythe smallest place Gadiel had ever lived in, a far cry from the large, luxurious apartments and houses he was used to.

But to his surprise, he found that he didn’t mind. Even he registered it as strange, because if he was honest, hewasspoiled when it came to his creature comforts. But he truly didn’t mind. Maybe it had something to do with Will’s presence at his back, with Will’s grounding touch on his shoulder. Will had stuck close to him ever since the attack on Zain’s house. Gadiel didn’t exactly mind. He liked having Will in his personal space. He wanted him there always.

“I like it,” Gadiel said, looking back at Will.

Will’s lips twitched. “I doubt it,” he said dryly. “The entire apartment is smaller than your wardrobe.”

Gadiel grinned. “Size isn’t everything, right?”

Will cleared his throat a little and looked away.“Take a hot shower and change into something dry before you catch a cold,” he said, handing him his suitcase. “Gadiel,” he said when Gadiel had started turning away.

Gadiel looked back at him.

Will stepped closer, laying a heavy hand on his shoulder again. His expression was steady and intent as he looked into Gadiel’s eyes. “I know this must be too sudden and overwhelming for you. You must be scared. But I promise, I will keep you safe.”

Gadiel shook his head a little. “I’m not scared. I know you’ll keep me safe.” Leaning in, he brushed his lips against Will’s cheek, shivering as his smooth skin pressed against Will’s stubbled jaw. “I trust you.”

Will’s body was stiff and unyielding. “Go take a hot shower,” he said, his voice a little rough.

Gadiel licked his dry lips.

Unable to speak, he nodded and entered one of the bedrooms. He closed the door and leaned back against it.

He breathed out, his thoughts racing and his body suddenly weak with a mix of exhaustion and need. He felt so tired, and yet all he wanted was to open the door, grab Will’s hand, drag him into the bed, and then sleep for a day wrapped up in him. They were safe now. Safe and alone. In New York City.

God, it was still hard to believe that he was in America. Everything had happened so fast.

But he was in America, something he’d always dreamed about. With Will.

A surge of giddy excitement flooded his stomach.

He knew Will was straight. He knew it wasn’t a permanent arrangement. He knew he’d have to go back home after the danger passed.

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