Page 11 of Orange Spell
Curran’s heart sank, but he forced himself to smile.This had been just sex, and he’d known it from the beginning.
Marlin rolled off of him.Curran missed the warmth of his body immediately, his tail curling around his own leg as he stared up at the ceiling.He could feel Marlin’s gaze on him, but he didn’t dare look over.He was trying very hard not to cry.
“You’re quiet,” Marlin observed, his voice casual.
Curran shrugged, his fingers tracing patterns on the sheets.“Just thinking.”
Marlin raised an eyebrow, his tail flicking lazily.“About what?”
Curran hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest.Should he say something?Should he tell Marlin how he felt?
He couldn’t.It would ruin what had just happened, and he couldn’t find it in himself to do that, especially when he was sure that nothing would come out of it.“Nothing important,” he said.
Marlin didn’t press, but Curran could feel the weight of his gaze.He wanted to turn to him, to kiss him again, but he forced himself to stay still.
Marlin reached out, his fingers brushing against Curran’s arm.Curran tensed, his heart skipping a beat.He could feel the warmth of Marlin’s touch, the way it sent shivers down his spine.
“Stay here.I’ll grab something to clean up from the bathroom,” Marlin said.
Curran shook his head.“I should go home.”
“Or you could stay here.”
For a second, Curran thought it meant that Marlin wanted them to sleep together.He did, but not in the way Curran wanted it.
Marlin smirked, his tail wrapping around Curran’s.“The night isn’t over yet.”
Curran’s cheeks flushed.Of course that was what Marlin wanted.
Curran felt exposed and vulnerable, and he hated it.He wanted to be strong and hide his feelings, but after what had happened, he was afraid it was impossible.
Marlin’s hand moved to Curran’s chin, tilting his head up so their eyes met again.Curran’s heart raced, his breath catching in his throat.He wanted to kiss him, but he forced himself to stay still.
“Don’t overthink it, Curran,” Marlin said softly, his thumb brushing against Curran’s cheek.“Just enjoy it.”
Curran swallowed hard, his tail tightening around Marlin’s.He wanted to insist that he should go home, but he couldn’t.He couldn’t give this up before it was truly over.
Marlin leaned in, his lips brushing against Curran’s in a soft, lingering kiss.Curran screwed his eyes shut and leaned in because how could he not?
Marlin pulled back.“I’ll be right back.”
Curran watched him get out of the nest.Part of him thought it would be best for him to sneak out while Marlin was occupied, but he couldn’t find it in himself to get up.He was going to hate himself tomorrow, but for tonight, he was going to enjoy this.
It was his only chance to do so, after all.
