By Flame by T Thorn Coyle

Author:T Thorn Coyle [Coyle, T Thorn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PF Publishing
Published: 2018-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

20

Aiden

Tobias took Aiden home with him.

They clattered up the front steps to yet another Portland Craftsman. Aiden tried to keep from shivering, standing on the broad porch as Tobias got out his keys and got the heavy front door open.

“Hey Reece, Freddie, this is Aiden. Aiden, my housemates.” Tobias’s voice sounded clipped and annoyed. Aiden wondered what was up.

Reece and Freddie—Aiden realized he had no idea which was which—were a man and a woman sitting on a green couch, hanging out in the book-lined living room, drinking beer and playing some sort of geeky card game on the coffee table. They seemed nice enough, but Aiden barely even registered they were there. Luckily, Tobias steered him upstairs to his room right away.

Once they got settled in, Aiden realized he really wasn’t coping very well. This was all too new. Too raw.

Tobias’s bedroom was a magical place. It smelled like him. Like frankincense, myrrh, with undertones of burning wood, and the sweetness of a man. There were prints of plants and flowers on the green walls, and there was the high, wooden bed. Aiden felt his face flush with the memory of it. He almost wished he wasn’t so messed up and exhausted.

But he also hoped Tobias didn’t push him. Not tonight. Not when everything felt like too much. His body was doing better after whatever St. Brigid had done, but it still felt pretty battered. And emotionally? He wasn’t ready for sex again. Not just yet.

Tobias helped Aiden off with his clothes, so gently. Almost lovingly. Once he was undressed down to boxer shorts and a T-shirt, Tobias handed him a pair of gray sweatpants, pulled back the forest green comforter, revealing burgundy striped sheets, and tucked him into that high bed.

“I’m going to run your clothes down to the dryer, okay? Be right back.”

Aiden lay on that high bed, feeling warm and snug for the first time all day. He closed his eyes, and relaxed against the pillow. Images of the saint flickered behind his eyelids. She felt like an ally. A protector. And she had healed him, which felt like a miracle he didn’t deserve.

When Tobias came back, he shut the door behind him and then undressed. Aiden watched as he unveiled his white limbs, shucking off jeans and layers of sweater and a flannel shirt, until there he stood in boxer briefs and a T-shirt. Aiden couldn’t take his eyes off of him. His fingers clutching the edges of the comforter as though it was a life raft and he was at sea. Tobias pulled on a pair of navy sweats, padded to the bed, and smiled down at Aiden before crawling in and propping himself up, leaning against the headboard on a couple of pillows.

Without a word, he held out his arms. Aiden crawled up, and Tobias tucked him into the crook between his shoulder and his chest. Aiden could feel his soft breath ruffling the edges of his hair.

Finally the rage, the confusion, and the humming vibration that had been with Aiden for days uncoiled itself.

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