Page 60 of Operation Sunshine
“I do,” Ben said, his voice steady.
And then there was nothing but the languid press of Ben’s body on his, the rhythm they found together as Ben slid his hard shaft against Franco’s equally firm dick, a delicious rocking, the leisurely motion not frantic or rushed, but achingly deliberate. Every move became a conversation, every sound a reply. Franco let himself fall into the sensual rhythm, let himself be held, cherished, claimed in a way he’d never allowed before as Ben pushed him closer to the edge.
When release finally came, a wave of pleasure washed over him, overwhelming, transcendent, leaving him trembling in its wake against Ben’s chest, his breathing rough and jagged. Ben’s low moan filled Franco’s ears, warmth spreading between them, the conversation finally at an end.
Ben grabbed tissues from a box beside the bed and wiped away all traces of their mutual orgasms. Then he tucked the sheets around Franco, as if to shield him from the world.
Franco didn’t try to make light of it, but simply lay in Ben’s arms, his skin still humming, his heart still racing, one thought filling his mind, seeping into his very soul, until he was incapable of ignoring it.
This could be real.
Sharp on its heels came another, one that rocked Franco to his core.
This could be love.
Chapter Seventeen
Franco opened his eyes, and for one disorienting moment, he thought he’d dreamed it all: the steamy shower, the bed, Ben’s delicious frotting…
Then he realised he wasn’t alone. Ben lay facing him, still asleep.
He looks… different.
It took Franco a moment to pinpoint the change in him. Ben’s brow was smooth, as though wherever his dreams had taken him, there were no walls, no anxiety, only peace.
Franco watched the rise and fall of Ben’s chest, listening to the sound of his breathing, steady, regular. He wanted to memorise this version of Ben. The world outside could have its brooding restaurateur.
This softer version of Ben was all his.
Ben stirred, his opening eyes unfocused. Then he saw Franco and smiled. “You’re awake.” He pulled Franco to him with a low, contented hum, his voice rough with sleep. Franco turned, moulding himself against Ben’s front, and Ben put his arm around Franco’s waist.
“Only because someone snores,” Franco whispered, grinning when Ben pinched his hip in retaliation.
Ben pressed his forehead to the back of Franco’s shoulder, inhaling deeply as if he was breathing him in. It was lazy, unhurried, and achingly domestic, as though they’d done it a thousand times before. Franco didn’t want to move, for fear of breaking the spell that kept the real world beyond Ben’s front door.
Except he knew it had to end, especially when the lure of caffeine proved too much to ignore. A glance at the alarm clock reassured him they were in no hurry this time.
“I’ll put the coffee on,” he said, twisting to receive the kiss he knew awaited him. Then he threw back the sheets and dragged his arse out of bed, walking barefoot into the kitchen and letting out a little yelp when he realised how freaking cold the floor was. It wasn’t long before thedrip, drip, dripof the coffee machine broke the morning quiet.
Franco perched on the counter, waiting for his caffeine hit while Ben dug out eggs and bread.
“You do realise you’re ruining my reputation,” he said, watching Ben crack eggs into a bowl. “If anyone finds out I let someone else cook for me, I’ll be finished.”
Ben glanced up, his lips twitching. “You’re not letting me—I’m feeding you. There’s a difference.”
Franco swung his legs idly. “Bossy.”
“Hungry,” Ben corrected, but a ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
The smell of coffee filled the space, and Franco was content to sit there, useless, while Ben moved around the kitchen in an absurdly natural manner, stirring eggs in the frying pan, buttering toast, filling cups…
I could get used to this. For some reason the thought made his stomach flip.
Ben slid a plate toward him. “Eat.”
“Yes, chef,” Franco said automatically, but it ceased to be a joke when their eyes met.
When something unfurled in his belly.
