Page 65 of Rat Park
Dominic pinned Flor’s hips to the bed and took Flor down fully, swallowing around him. Flor’s hand clenched in Dominic’s hair, the other digging its nails into Dominic’s shoulder. Dominic could feel Flor’s body lock and then the hot spurt of his come down his throat as Flor came with a groan.
Dominic pulled away when Flor slumped against the bed, sated. He dragged his hands across Flor’s body on his way up, until he found Flor’s lips for a sloppy kiss that Flor returned blearily, still in the hazy aftermath of his orgasm.
Dominic settled beside Flor before rearranging him so that they were curled together, Flor’s back against his front. The summer air was warm, but the open window let in a slight breeze, brushing against their skin as they cooled down.
They lay in silence for a while, Flor trailing his fingers up and down Dominic’s arms, which were wrapped securely around Flor’s middle.
“I’m not going to run you out of your own apartment this time, then?” Flor said jokingly, but Dominic didn’t miss the strain under his words.
“No.” Dominic wet his lips, wondering if he could tempt fate for just a little more. “We have all summer. If you want,” Dominic said, trying to keep his voice casual, but cursed himself as he felt Flor tense in his arms.
Dominic released him as Flor pulled away, his stomach sinking, but Flor only turned around to look at Dominic.
“You want to do this again?”
“If you want.”
“This isn’t about me right now, doyouwant—”
“Yes,” Dominic said, hating how Flor needed everything to be said in words, when Dominic’s best way of communicating was through action and touch.
Flor stared at him for a few more moments before looking down at the space between them. “I know this is hypocritical, because I’m the one who started all this—again—but I just want to make sure.…We’re friends, right? We’ll be friends, no matter what?” Flor said, sounding unbearably young.
Dominic caught one of Flor’s hands, a link between their bodies which now lay inches apart. “Yes,” Dominic said, because that was what he really wanted too. To have Flor in his life, his friendship and his warmth. Everything else was just gluttony.
Flor edged forwards and Dominic leaned in slightly to meet his sweet kiss, their bodies tangling together again.
We have one summer. One summer of this, Dominic thought. He would force himself to be content with whatever bit of Flor he could hold onto after.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Through unspoken agreement, Flor and Dominic kept the physical part of their relationship from Flor’s parents. It made Dominic sick to his stomach to have to do so, but he couldn’t imagine having the bravery needed in order to tell them. He was a selfish, weak man, but as much as Dominic hated himself, he couldn’t give up the few months he had been permitted to hold and touch Flor.
That didn’t stop Dominic from inviting Flor deeper into his life, as masochistic as the act felt. As promised, he invited Flor the next time he agreed to go to the bar with Fiona, Kali, and Alfie, picking Flor up before heading there.
“Relax,” Dominic said as Flor fiddled with the car radio nervously as they approached the bar. “What are you so worried about?”
“They’re your friends! What if they don’t like me?” Flor said, frowning at Dominic as if his concern should be obvious.
“Why on earth wouldn’t they like you?”
“Uh, I’m kind of annoying, Dominic. Lots of people don’t like me. I was actually pretty unpopular in school. I mean, notunpopular, but I definitely wasn’t popular.”
Dominic’s mind boggled. “That’s their loss. You don’t need people with such bad judgment in your life,” Dominic said as he parked the car. He turned it off, and when he turned to look at him, Flor was looking back with a soft smile on his face.
“You’re a real softy, you know that?” Flor said. Dominic snorted.
“Don’t let my old cellmate hear you,” Dominical drawled. Flor rolled his eyes.
“Urgh, we get it! You went to prison. Get over it already. Jesus, it’s like that’s all you think there is to you,” Flor said, throwing his arms in the air, causing one of his hands to hit the car ceiling. “Ow!” Flor complained.
Dominic shook his head, taking the offended hand in his and rubbing it absently.
“Feel better?”
“No. If your friends don’t like me, I’m going to cry.”
“They’re gonna—oh my God. Let’s just go in.”
