Page 45 of Curtain Call
Further down the hall was a room filled with European oil paintings, and Riley pulls Colin back to look at a particular one called Painter’s Honeymoon. The artist is Frederic, and it was painted in 1864.
“Look at them,” Riley tells Colin. He is holding her hand while he is drawing with the other.”
Colin stands behind Riley and puts his arms around his torso, and chin on his shoulder.
“Cheek to cheek. In love,” Colin whispers.
“Her eyes are closed, and she can feel each movement of his pen’s stroke.”
Riley places his hands on top of Colin’s, and Colin can feel electrical currents move through his body. He’s not sure how much more he can hold off sexually. If it were up to him, he would take Riley right here in the museum, and reenact some of these scenes from the paintings they just saw. After all, they just passed a room with antique furniture, including a bed. He’s got some pent-upenergy; it won’t take long to get off.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. The brush strokes on the canvas are part of the story,” Colin comments still staring at the painting but releasing Riley.
Something tugs in Colin’s chest.
“Riley,” Colin turns Riley around to face him.
“Yeah.”
“Helping you run lines for your audition over the past couple of weeks was never just about running lines. It was so I could spend more time with you. I have enjoyed these past couple of weeks more than you can ever imagine, and I know we still have a little more than a week before you have to head back, but I don’t want it to end.”
“Colin,” Riley whispers while looking at the tile.
“We lost a few years together, and I don’t want to lose any more.”
“Me neither.”
Colin leans in and presses his lips against Riley’s. It wasn’t a long one, but it was intentional.
“Want to do something spontaneous?”
“Sure, I’m always up for an adventure, what exhibit do you want to check out next?”
“Hold that thought.”
Colin pulls out his phone, and after several quiet minutes, he tells Riley, “It’s booked.”
“What’s booked,” Riley asks with a raised brow.
“The Langham Hotel. Stay with me?”
Scene 16
Setting: The Langham Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts
Riley
Once Colin opens and holds the door for Riley, Riley walks in and turns toward Colin, and lets out a long exhale. He didn’t realize he was holding his breath. He looks at Colin in a way he has never really looked at him before. He knows this is the first time they are staying the night together intentionally since they started this friend-to-boyfriend relationship. Boyfriend? They still technically haven’t put a label on it, and Riley doesn’t ask because he’s not sure he wants to know the answer if it’s not what he wants to hear.
Riley is inches away from Colin, and being almost the same height, his breath softly brushes over Riley’s lips. He can smell the lingering wine from the museum. He leans in for a gentle kiss.
“Are you ready for this,” he asks Colin.
“I’ve been ready.”
Colin wraps his arm around Riley’s waist and pulls him into a harder kiss. Riley steps between Colin’s feet and their bodies press together. Colin’s hips thrust into Riley’s involuntarily. His eyes go wide. Riley is so into it that he runs his palm up Colin’s back and cups the back of his neck. With a tease of biting Colin’s lower lip, he pulls back a little and realizes that he needs to take the lead.
