That said, Dom couldn’t bring himself to let go of Henry’s fingers. Or stop smiling.
“Sooo...” Henry looked at him, blue eyes bright with happiness but also a trace of uncertainty. Like he thought this was all going to change any second. “What happens now?”
Now Dom would like nothing better than to take Henry home with him and get properly reacquainted. Except he wasn’t staying at home at the minute, and his gut told him they should maybe take their time before rushing back in. Actually get to know each other instead of just talking about it.
“I’m staying with my aunt until Christmas Eve.”
Henry frowned, and yeah, that wasn’t exactly an answer to his question.
“So we could meet for a drink after work or something if you wanted. I’m probably going to be too knackered for much else.” He hoped Henry got his meaning without having to spell it out.
“A drink sounds good,” Henry answered, a look of understanding in his eyes. “When?” He bit his lip. “Sorry, I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but we’ve already established I have no patience.”
And after everything Dom had told him, he probably didn’t trust Dom to follow through with it.
And I don’t blame him.
Dom ran through his work schedule in his head. This close to Christmas, every day was exhausting, but no way was he leaving this till afterwards.“How about Monday night?”
“I finish at six, but I can meet you about seven, seven-thirty if you want?”
“Yeah, perfect.” Dom checked his watch, surprised at how long they’d been sat there. “Shit, I’m really sorry, but I need to get back to work.”
Henry’s eyes widened. “And I left my sister outside in the cold.Fuck.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “She’s going to kill me.”
They hurried to the door, the cold air hitting them like a slap in the face when they stepped outside.
Dom hesitated, unsure. It felt far too much like the last time they parted ways and he didn’t want a repeat of that.
Tugging Henry to one side, he remembered something he’d said earlier. “Before you go.” Dom grabbed his hand and drew him close. “I’m sorry I didn’t add a kiss to that very first message.”
Henry blushed a lovely shade of pink. “Oh god, please forget I ever mentioned that.”
Dom smirked. “It’s burnt into my brain.”
“Along with every other time I’ve made an arse of myself, I’m sure.”
“The truth is, I was deciding whether or not to add one, then I hit Send by mistake.”
Henry huffed out a laugh. “I’m not sure that’s any better.”
“If I could go back and change it, I would.”
He cupped Henry’s jaw and leant in, waiting that split second for him to pull way if he didn’t want this. His small smile was all Dom got before Henry closed the last bit of distance between them and kissed him.
His arms snapped around Dom’s waist. The many layers of clothing between them prevented them from getting too close, but this was enough and Dom melted into it. Cold lips met his, but Henry’s mouth was warm and inviting. The rough stubble on his cheeks an added thrill that set his pulse racing. The sweep of Henry’s tongue, the soft moan that escaped him, all of it unlocking a door inside Dom that had held him back from letting himself have this.
Have Henry.
But now that door was wide open and whatever happened, Dom knew he’d made the right decision.
* * *
Henry walked backto his car with a huge smile on his face. Yes, he’d behaved like a bit of a twat these past two days, but everything was fine now.
Way more than fine, actually.
“Oh, I’m glad to see someone’s happy.” Ella stood next to Henry’s car, a wrapped Christmas tree propped up next to her as she glared at him with her arms crossed.
