Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
Percival followed Leo into the room. His heart thudded in his chest. The thought of lying beside Leo, of touching him, kept spinning round and round his head until he felt light-headed.
If Percival kissed Leo, would he welcome the kiss? Or push Percival away?
“I suppose I don’t need to light a candle, since you glow,” Leo said.
“Does it bother you?” Although, if it did, there wasn’t much Percival could do.
At least he didn’t think there was. As far as Percival knew, he couldn’t dim his glow. But then, he hadn’t known he could heal Ebony before he’d done it. He’d just felt like he could, like a bone-deep instinct.
Percival really should try to learn about his powers. He needed to get a grip on them. And he should definitely try to shift. But that was something to think about another time. Not now when he was alone with Leo in his room.
“Actually it’s pretty handy. We’ll probably save money on candles and lantern oil.” Leo laughed. “You give off a lot of heat too. It was nice lying beside you last night. I didn’t even need a bed-warmer.”
“I’m glad I can be of use,” Percival said.
Ebony flew into the room and landed on top of the dresser, the same spot she’d slept in the night before. Leo shut the door.
Percival stared up at Ebony. “I suppose it’s nicer for her to sleep inside, especially during the winter.”
Outside, the wind battered against the window.
“Night, Ebony,” Leo said.
But she’d already closed her eyes.
Leo chuckled. For a few seconds, they stood watching her, side by side.
But Percival’s attention wasn’t on Ebony. He listened to Leo’s steady breath. His fingers twitched. He was about to reach out and take Leo’s hand when Leo turned.
“We should probably go to bed.” Leo began to undress.
Percival did the same, stealing glances and catching glimpses of bare skin as Leo removed his clothes.
“Did you want the shirt to sleep in again?” Leo asked.
“No. I can probably just sleep in my drawers.” Actually, Percival wanted to sleep naked, skin to skin. But he didn’t know if he should say that. He’d borrowed some items of clothing from Leo and his siblings. But he and Leo had stopped in at a store and bought Percival some basics.
“All right.” Leo went over to the basin and pitcher of water.
Percival didn’t even try to hide that he watched Leo wash himself. He swallowed as his gaze followed the path of the wet cloth over Leo’s smooth skin. Once again, his hands itched to touch.
When Leo had finished washing and drying himself, he turned to Percival. Their gazes locked. Leo stepped aside. He grabbed a clean cloth and handed it to Percival. “Your turn.”
Leo turned towards the bed. The sheets rustled as he climbed in.
Percival washed himself. The water dried on his heated skin. He kept wondering if Leo watched him. Did Leo lie in bed now, gaze on Percival’s back, fingers also itching to touch?
Percival hoped so.
When he’d finished washing, he turned. And he found Leo watching him. Without saying a word, Percival approached the bed, lifted the sheets, and slipped in beside Leo.
They faced each other, neither moving nor speaking, as if both unsure what they should do. But Percival, at least, knew exactly what he wanted to do. He slid his hand across the cool sheet towards Leo.
Then he pressed his hand to Leo’s chest. Beneath his palm, Leo’s chest rose and fell quickly. Leo’s heart thumped. Percival slid his hand over Leo’s ribs. The hairs brushed his fingers. The whole time, their gazes remained locked.
“I want you,” Percival whispered.
Leo’s hand settled on Percival’s waist. “I want you too. But are you sure?” Leo searched his face. “Everything is so new to you. You lost your memories. You must be confused and scared.”
“I am. But you don’t scare me. Being with you is the only thing that makes me feel safe.” Percival moved in closer. “And I know we didn’t like each other much in my last life. But I like you very much now.”
Leo slid his fingers around to Percival’s lower back. “You know, the first time I saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.”
“Really?”
“I very much wanted to get you into my bed. Then you turned out to be an arsehole.” Leo chuckled. “But you’re definitely not an arsehole now.” He leaned towards Percival, stopping just before their lips touched. “And I like you very much.”
Leo pressed his lips to Percival’s. For a second they just held together, soft lips against soft lips.
Percival assumed this was not his first kiss. But it was his first kiss in this life. He was glad it was with Leo.
Leo’s hand glided up Percival’s back and into his hair as their lips moved together. Percival’s hands roamed over skin. The kiss continued, unhurried as they learned the taste of each other’s mouths and the feel of each other’s bodies.
Percival’s cock plumped up and filled. He shuffled forward, until their bodies pressed together. An answering hardness pressed against him.
Leo groaned and rolled on top of him, their legs slotting together. His weight settled onto Percival. Now Percival definitely regretted not suggesting they remove all their clothing before getting into bed.
Leo’s tongue surged into Percival’s mouth, entwining with Percival’s. He gripped Percival’s face. Leo ground down against him, dick rubbing against Percival’s thigh. Meanwhile, Percival gripped Leo’s cloth-covered arse with his hands. He shoved his hips up, seeking friction for his prick.
Panting, Leo broke the kiss. He reached down and shoved at his own drawers. It took a second for Percival’s lust-addled brain to catch up. Then he shoved his own down.
He glanced down their bodies. Both cocks stood erect. Percival noticed that Leo’s dick had a fuller head and lacked the spiralled ridges that ran around Percival’s own cock. But before he could examine the contrasts any more, Leo lay back down on top of him.
This time, when their bodies came together, their dicks rubbed against bare skin. Percival whimpered. They rocked. They kissed, mouths hungry and desperate. A smoky scent filled Percival’s nostrils.
Percival roamed his hands over Leo’s back and arse, squeezing firm flesh. He didn’t have enough hands to touch all the skin he wanted to. Leo’s cock leaked against Percival’s thigh.
They undulated against each other. Leo broke away and rained kisses along Percival’s jaw.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Leo breathed against his skin before nipping.
Percival cried out. Heat built inside him, coiling tighter and tighter. He thrust up against Leo’s thigh, desperate now. In his peripheral vision, golden embers flashed.
“I’m close.” Percival gripped Leo’s firm arse cheeks as he rubbed his cock against Leo. “So close.”
“Me too,” Leo said, gasping for breath. “Come. Come now. Come with me.”
Crying out, Percival thrust up against Leo’s firm thigh. The heat exploded inside him, and pleasure washed through him. He threw back his head as every muscle in his body tightened.
Above him, Leo shuddered and groaned. Warm spend spilled between them in spurts. Vaguely, he noticed his own spend was much hotter than Leo’s.
They clutched at each other, their breathing loud in the small room. After a moment, Leo disentangled and leaned down to grab at his drawers. He wiped them both up.
Then Leo collapsed beside him. Percival pulled Leo in for another kiss. Their mouths moved languidly. Their hands explored each other’s bodies. Percival shivered as Leo’s hand glided along the side of his neck.
After a while, the kisses slowed. The hands stopped roaming. And in each other’s embrace, they drifted into sleep.
The next morning, Leo woke him. “We need to get up.” He yawned. “We need to head down to work in the bakery.”
Outside, it was still completely dark.
Percival smoothed his hand over Leo’s hip bone and reached for Leo’s cock. He squeezed. “Do we have a few minutes?”
Leo groaned. “I’m sure we can make time.” Then he lowered his head and captured Percival’s mouth.
A short while later, they washed and tugged clothes hurriedly on. Ebony, seeming to realise that they were heading out, had awoken. She flew to the window. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Leo opened it and watched as she flew off. “Bye, Ebony. Be safe.”
“I’m sure she will be.” Percival waved at the raven.
Leo shut the window once she’d disappeared from sight. “So are you ready for your first day?”
“I hope so.” Honestly Percival wasn’t sure. “Although, I don’t know anything about working in a bakery.”
“I’ll look after you.” Leo gave him a quick peck on the lips. Then he opened the door. “Now let’s go.”