Page 35 of Crying in the Rain
“Slept with the light on?”
“Spent the night with someone.”
“You share a house with Shaunna.”
Kris sighed in mock exasperation. “Bringing someone back…not that I’ve ever brought anyone back here, but you know what I mean.”
Ade smiled up at him. “I do,” he said, the smile becoming a frown. “I don’t think I’ve ever spent the night with someone I wanted to.”
Kris reached across and smoothed his fingers over Ade’s cheek, trying to make sense of his mixed emotions—sadness that Ade had never experienced this before, elation at being someone he wanted to spend the night with… “I feel like we’ve done this forever. What I said earlier about new relationships and that you can’t have the closeness without sex? It’s the furthest thing from my mind right now. I mean, I’m not saying no to sex if it’s something you want…”
“What’s in your head?” Ade asked.
“What d’you mean?”
“When you think about us, now, what do you see?”
Kris lowered his eyes. “I don’t know if I should tell you because it’s kind of…lovey-dovey.”
“Come on,” Ade goaded. “Tell me.”
“OK, well…I see birthday cards and breakfast in bed, watching fireworks together, opening Champagne and drinking Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning.” Kris met Ade’s gaze and found no ridicule there. Just the soft glow of the bedside lamp and maybe something more before Ade’s eyelids began to droop.
Kris switched off the light and shuffled down under the duvet, taking care not to jostle the bed. Ade stirred anyway and nestled his cheek in Kris’s hand.
“Mmm, this is nice,” he murmured drowsily.
“Can I put my arm around you? Is that OK?”
“Uh-huh.”
Kris rested his arm lightly on Ade’s side. “Good night,” he whispered, placing a soft kiss on his palm.
***
Ade
“Good morning.”
Ade took a second to get his bearings before opening his eyes and smiling at the vision of a perfect start to the day. “Good morning.”
“Sorry to wake you, but I wasn’t sure what time you needed to leave.”
“What time is it?” Ade asked.
“Just gone six.”
“Are you working today?”
“This afternoon.”
Ade rolled onto his side, bringing him closer to Kris, and snuggled in. It was so blissful. Comfy, cosy. Safe.
“Can we stay here a little longer?”
Kris kissed him on the forehead. “Of course.”
*
