Page 34 of A Box of Wishes
“Hey. Your security guys said I’d find you here,” Ben said, shutting out the noise once more. “You look all done in.”
“Hey yourself. You look far too chipper.”
Ben joined him on the sofa. He smelled of cold air, cigarette smoke, and petrol fumes, and Ryan wanted to bury his nose in Ben’s neck. Or keep staring at that wonderful smile.
“I had a quiet night so far. A couple of pick-pocketing calls, a few overly cheerful drunks. Fingers crossed the streak continues.” He brushed strands of hair from Ryan’s face, as if he couldn’t help himself. “A quiet night doesn’t describe what you’re handling out there, does it?”
“No. And my neighbours were yelling blue murder at each other when I tried to sleep this afternoon.” Ryan hadn’t meant to say that, but he loved it when Ben wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close.
“Just relax. They said you’ve not stopped all night so you could have a break when I got here. You can sleep. I’ll wake you.”
“Too buzzed to sleep. Just being off my feet and somewhere a little less noisy is nice. You being here is like a bonus. I just don’t…”
“Don’t what?”
“Do you think it’s weird? The two of us connecting so quickly, I mean? Does it feel too fast to you? I don’t want to be pushy.” And why the fuck was he even spouting this crap? Ryan tried to sit up, but Ben’s arm tightened and kept him where he was.
“Don’t move,” he said. “You’re a touch spun out, and I don’t… I really… I like it, is what I’m trying to say. It doesn’t feel rushed. It feels right.” He huffed out a laugh. “And that’s my sappy comment for the evening.”
Ryan snuggled closer, enjoying Ben’s warmth. “If you don’t mind… this… us… then will you please come to my place for dinner tomorrow?”
Ben hesitated.
“Bring Morris. He can stay with me overnight while you work, and I’ll bring him to the cafe with me in the morning.”
“You’re starting to know me too well.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“N-no. No, it’s not.” Ben straightened a little, almost as if he was bracing himself. But as Ryan expected a put down, he felt Ben’s lips in his hair. “It’s a new start,” he whispered. “With someone who wants me.”
Ryan released the breath he’d been holding. “Then, please, will you come over? I’d love to feed you before you have to go to work.”
“Okay.”
Ben rubbed circles on Ryan’s back and Ryan let himself go boneless and enjoy it. Ben would come to dinner. Ryan would introduce him to the people who meant the most to him, and Ben would understand how much Ryan wanted him.
The sounds of many voices singing drifted into their sanctuary. “They’re starting up the Auld Lang Syne. Does that mean I can kiss you?”
“You didn’t have to wait for a bloody song,” Ryan said and mashed their lips together.
They were kissing when the clock struck midnight. And for a long, heated while after that.
Fresh Start
Ben woke with X-rated images featuring himself and Ryan looping through his mind. They’d caused his racing heart, his short, choppy breathing, and a significant case of morning wood. He sought a distraction, found it in the silky fur of Morris’s ears and the little snores he blew out when Ben stroked his nose. Touching Morris calmed his heart and slowed his breath, but with the cat draped over his lap and fast asleep, there was little he could do about the other affected parts until he stepped into the shower.
His alarm clock told him that the new year was twelve hours old. Five hours of sleep had left Ben feeling rested, and with the prospect of dinner with Ryan ahead of him, rolling out of bed was no hardship.
Ryan was good for him.
Thoughts of Keith had no room in Ben’s mind when he was with Ryan. And when old memories intruded, they didn’t focus on his own shortcomings, but showed him instead how well rid of his ex he was. He’d grown to like Ryan in a shockingly short time, and their New Year’s Eve kisses had proved the liking was mutual. Ben had needed a while after Ryan had gone back to work before he’d felt comfortable appearing in public.
Not that many people had taken notice of him in the crowded pub. He’d had to step over several couples welcoming the New Year, and while their behaviour wasn’t acceptable to the statute book, he’d been in too good a mood to ruin their celebrations. After all, he and Ryan had kissed in the empty staff room as if they’d both meant it. Not soft and sweet, as they’d done beside the Christmas tree in view of Ryan’s parents, but with urgency and passion and a decided lack of decorum.
Ben had thought he wasn’t ready to take matters with Ryan to the bedroom, but his dreams said otherwise. And more of last night’s incendiary kisses wouldn’t go amiss.
Ben sat up, lifted Morris from the duvet, and cradled the tabby to his chest. “I much appreciate that you didn’t wake me at eight this morning for your second breakfast.” He rubbed his scruffy cheek against Morris’s furry one. “How do you feel about going out for dinner later?”
