Page 12 of Orange Spell
Chapter Three
Curran groaned as heregained consciousness.He couldn’t remember the last time his head hurt so badly.Hell, he didn’t think his head hadeverhurt so badly.
He knew he shouldn’t have drunk yesterday.What the fuck had he been thinking?He hadn’t even opened his eyes, and the light was already hurting them.
Something shifted next to him, and an arm hooked around his waist.He froze, afraid to open his eyes.
Seriously, what the fuck had he been thinking?
He remembered every single minute of last night, and he wasn’t sure it was a good thing.He’d finally gotten what he’d wanted for years, but at what price?Would Marlin remember them being together?Would he be shocked when he opened his eyes and found Curran in his bed?
Oh God.Curran was going to throw up.He was going to throw up all over Marlin and his nest, and it would be mortifying.
Everythingabout this situation was mortifying.What was he supposed to do now?Should he wait for Marlin to wake up?He couldn’t even think about that right now.When he did, he wanted to die—although maybe that had more to do with the alcohol he’d consumed.Either way, he couldn’t wait for Marlin to open his eyes.He might have wanted this since he was little more than a teenager, but he’d always known he couldn’t have it.He was Birch’s brother.That was all Marlin saw him as, and Curran had been okay with that, or at least, he’d thought he was okay with it.Now that this had happened, he didn’t know how he was supposed to look Marlin in the eyes ever again.Hell, how was he supposed to be in the same room as him?
All of that would be made worse if Marlin opened his eyes right now.He’d probably try to joke it off, or he’d reassure Curran that what happened was a one-time thing and he didn’t have to worry.He wouldn’t understand that Curran didn’twantthis to be a one-time thing.
How could he?Curran had never told Marlin he had feelings for him.He hadn’t planned on ever telling him about that.He’d thought he’d eventually get over Marlin, but he hadn’t.He wasn’t sure he ever would, but that wasn’t his problem right now.No, his problem was that he needed to get out of there before Marlin opened his eyes and things became even more awkward.
Curran finally blinked his eyes open.He regretted it instantly and blinked against the sunlight streaming through the window.It really fucking hurt, and it was his fault.He shouldn’t have drunk so much.He should’ve known better than to think he could get away with drinking without consequences.His mothers had always warned him to be careful, but he used to brush them off because what could happen to him?He was a good kid.He didn’t drink, didn’t do drugs, barely had friends.They didn’t need to worry about him.
He had to squint, and his eyes started to water, but at least he could see something now.Unfortunately, what he saw was Marlin cuddled next to him.
Marlin’s arm was around Curran’s waist.It was heavy but loose, but it was still effectively holding Curran down.He and Marlin were facing each other, but Marlin’s eyes were closed.He was still asleep.
Good.
Their legs were tangled together.Some parts of Curran’s body felt achy, but considering what he remembered of last night, he wasn’t surprised.He’d really wanted to enjoy himself, hadn’t he?Maybe even in his drunken state, he’d realized that last night was probably the only time he would have the opportunity to be with Marlin.He’d wanted to make the most out of it, and today, he was paying for it.
He pressed his lips together when his stomach churned unpleasantly.He slowly slid his legs away from Marlin’s, holding his breath when Marlin wrinkled his nose.
No one should be as handsome as Marlin was when they were sleeping.After the night they’d had, no one should look as good as Marlin did, period.It wasn’t fair that Curran had experienced them together for one night and wouldn’t get to have it again, but he wasn’t sure if it would’ve been better never to be with Marlin at all.
Not that wondering about that would change anything.He’d had a night with Marlin, and it was over.He’d have to deal with it.
He slid his lower body across the nest.Now that his legs were free, he slowly reached for Marlin’s arm.When he wrapped his fingers around Marlin’s wrist, Marlin snorted and started moving closer.Curran panicked.If Marlin grabbed him, he wouldn’t be able to leave, and he woulddiewhen Marlin woke up.It would be hard enough to look at the dragon after what had happened.He couldn’t afford to make things even worse.
Thankfully, he had a solution.He quickly grabbed one of the pillows that had fallen to the side during the night and pushed it between them.Marlin stopped moving, and Curran held his breath, hoping it was a good thing.He needed Marlin to stay asleep for at least five more minutes.He could wake up as soon as Curran was out of the room, but not one second sooner.
Marlin hugged the pillow.Curran held his breath, half expecting Marlin to open his eyes, but he stayed asleep.
When he slept, he looked younger and lighter, maybe because he didn’t have responsibilities when his eyes were closed.He was even more beautiful, which shouldn’t have been possible.How was Curran supposed to get over his crush when Marlin looked like that?
Curran wasted a few seconds watching Marlin, but he knew he couldn’t stay.He couldn’t afford to.As slowly as he could, he slid to the side of the nest.He was careful not to jostle the many pillows and blankets, just in case.Marlin seemed to be sleeping pretty deeply, but it would be just Curran’s luck to wake him up as he was sneaking out.
He didn’t.Marlin stayed asleep, even when Curran finally reached the edge of the nest.He didn’t do or say anything when Curran climbed out, stumbling over a pillow.Curran held his breath, but Marlin was asleep.Part of Curran was starting to regret that, while another part was telling him to run.
The second part won.
He didn’t even stop in the bathroom.He left the bedroom, relieved he’d been here dozens of times and knew where he was going.The front door was locked, but the key was on the small table next to it, so Curran didn’t have to worry.He unlocked the door, placed the key back where it had been, and stepped out.
