Page 35 of Famous Last

“I don’t think so. But I’m sure I heard it somewhere.”

“In which case, I might steal it.”

They continued chatting while Spencer set about getting lunch for them. They decided on piping-hot chicken soup, a small slice of quiche each, and a mini chicken and leek pie to share, followed off by half a croissant each with marmalade and whipped cream—the filling courtesy of Marshall.

“What’s in these croissants?” asked Marshall. “I don’t usually do sweet, but these are delicious.”

“Marmalade, of course. But the Bean Sanctuary bakes their own chocolate croissants. I have a seriously sweet tooth and I’ve never found better.”

“They’re amazing. I’m usually a savoury person.”

“Come on! What about ice cream?”

“Yes, I like some ice cream.”

“Favourite flavour?”

“I’m a traditionalist. I prefer good old dependable vanilla.”

“Sacrilege. When there is such a huge range of flavours available. Including some unusual ones like avocado, red chilli, and even lobster.”

“Sounds awful,” said Marshall, pulling a face.

“Don’t knock what you’ve never tried.”

“Go on then. What’s your favourite?”

“As I said, I have a sweet tooth, and there are lots of runners-up. Salted caramel with cookie dough, Rocky Road, Cookies and Cream. But my all-time favourite?”

“Go on. I’m on the edge of my seat.”

“Strawberry cheesecake ice cream. I could happily sit here and eat a tub to myself.”

“Heavens. Sounds a little sickly for my taste.”

“Don’t be too quick to judge. I bet you’d have turned your nose up at chocolate croissants before today, wouldn’t you?”

“Point taken. They are darned good.”

* * * *

In the afternoon, back on the sofa, the apartment became noticeably warmer and, still beneath the quilt, Spencer fell asleep with his head on Marshall’s shoulder. Sometime later he woke to find Marshall gazing fondly down at him, his arm around Spencer’s shoulders. Up so close, he could see his irises were not merely a deep dark brown, as he had assumed, but predominantly cocoa-coloured, darkly rimmed around the outside edge, and with flecks of caramel and gold.

Beautiful.

“Hey, little fella. You nodded off there.”

“In your arms. Not sure if I ever want to wake up.”

Marshall drew his hand to the back of Spencer’s neck.

“Maybe I can persuade you?”

Before Spencer realised what was happening, Marshall had leant in farther. With a soft gasp at what was about to happen, Spencer closed his eyes and felt the light pressure from Marshall’s wonderfully soft lips. During those first few tentative moments, Spencer wasn’t sure whether to respond, or to sit still and allow Marshall to control the kiss. But then something inside him kicked in, molten lava rising from the depths, taking over his body’s responses and silencing all thought. He pushedinto the kiss, deepening the embrace, tilting his head to one side to get a better taste and connection. Marshall’s body responded in kind and he pushed back, his hands cradling Spencer’s face. Their kissing became more frantic, more erratic and heated, hands travelling over bodies until Spencer switched positions and straddled Marshall’s lap. Only then did Spencer’s irritating common sense awaken and he pulled them apart.

“No, Marshall. This isn’t fair on you.”

“You don’t want to—?” came Marshall’s breathless response.

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