Page 49 of Mayfly

"Yeah, it fucking matters."

"I'll get it later. It's fine." He's dismissive as he looks away, but a moment later he's affectionately scratching the back of my head. "I’m an amazing videographer.”

I nod sarcastically and reach for his thigh. “Thank you for understanding what I needed.”

“You did too,andasked less questions. We must be telescopic, or something.” He smirks, and I know he misspoke on purpose.

“What time is it?”

“Just gone half ten.”

“I was out for that long?”

“I guess you needed the sleep… I’ve gotta leave at five-thirty.”

“Where are you going?”

He pats my head back down onto the pillow. “Just work stuff. I’ve gotta pick a few things up first. Hopefully, it doesn’t take too long—“

“Are you coming back?”

“That all depends on you.”

“I hope you’re being cheeky.”

“Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.” Lifting my chin, Curren kisses me softly. “Can you scoot over a bit?”

“Can you lift me?”

“Are your arms broken?”

“No, but—“

“Then do it your damn self,” he says bluntly as he stands. Confused, I push myself up, but his hands grab beneath my arms. He hops on the bed, reclines against the headboard, and pulls me up so one arm is lying across his lap and my head is resting on his stomach. “I won't do that again, so please don't ask."

"I won't."

"I hope that's true, because I don't want to hurt you, Jude."

“I don’t want there to ever be another day when we’re not together.”

“Can we go somewhere? Tomorrow or the day after… Is that at all possible?”

“I’m supposed to be on holiday now. So after tomorrow, I’m yours for two weeks.”

“Only two weeks? I was hoping to have full access to you for a little longer than that.”

“It’s all I can offer, I’m afraid. But I’ve hardly used any annual leave since I started my job, so I’ve got a few months banked. Just need to give notice… I’m booked to fly to Greece the day after tomorrow.“

“Can I come?”

“Of course you can come. As long as there’s a flight available.”

“I’ll make one available.”

“Will you just?”

The way Curren stares at me with the intensity, the promise, and the fire in his eyes. I know he would move mountains. “But I don’t want to come back here.”

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