If Wesley had been any good at affection, this would have been a moment for it. Sebastian was right here, where Wesley could have run a hand over his back or shoulder, or stretched down to press lips to his head—
Hishead? Christ. Of course Wesley wasn’t going to his kiss hishead, that was far too patronizing. Wasn’t it? Or did lovers ever do that? Normal lovers, at least, not emotionally constipated curmudgeons like Wesley? Would Sebastian be fine with it, or would he think Wesley was being condescending?
Sebastian’s eyelashes fluttered then, and he glanced up at Wesley with his gold-brown eyes and messy hair and maddeningly perfect ease at interacting with a lover outside of sex. “Come here.”
And Wesley was suddenly pushed over, onto his side, Sebastian curling up behind him with his chest against Wesley’s back.
For fuck’s sake. Wesley had gotten stuck overanalyzing affection and now he was the little spoon. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Sebastian kissed the back of his neck, sending shivers over Wesley. “Sleeping.”
“No, you’re trying tocuddleme.” Wesley was going to sit up and put an end to this outrageousness.
Except his traitorous body wasn’t moving. In fact, his limbs were relaxing into Sebastian’s warmth like he was some kind of hedonist. Why was Sebastian so bloody good at this?
Sebastian pressed his face into Wesley, prickly stubbleagainst his shoulder like tiny fireworks on his skin. “But it’s like you were made to be cuddled.”
“How dare you.”
Wesley was not going to stand for this. In one motion, he rolled over, drawing a noise of surprise from Sebastian as Wesley unceremoniously flipped him onto his other side.
Before Sebastian could move away, Wesley slung an arm over him to pin him down. “Ido the holding,” he said into Sebastian’s ear. “This is the only acceptable position and I’ve got you trapped, so you may as well admit defeat.”
Sebastian stilled.
Shit. Wesley hadn’t been thinking. He needed to be careful, to never manhandle Sebastian in any way—
But then Sebastian was movingintohim, pressing even closer and getting comfortable in Wesley’s arms. “Okay,” he said. “You win. Let’s go back to sleep.”
Wesley let out a huffed half-laugh of surprise. “We’re not going back tosleep.” He hesitated for a moment, then moved his hand to rest over Sebastian’s heart. “Do you need me to release you?” he said, more quietly, more seriously.
Sebastian glanced over his shoulder, and their eyes met. “No,” he said softly, with a tiny smile. “I’m good.You’rethe one who throws a fit when you’re cuddled.”
“Excuse me? Afit?”
Sebastian grinned. His eyes were lovely and warm against the gray morning, and his heartbeat was steady under Wesley’s palm. “That’s what I said.”
Wesley tightened his arm, pulling Sebastian more firmly against him. “You’re very fucking impertinent this morning.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have told me you like it, then.”
Wesleydidlike it. Heat was rising in his blood, the urge to push Sebastian onto his stomach, to pin him down, to bite at his shoulders as Wesley fucked him into the mattress, nice and slow, until Sebastian was breathless and whining and begging to come.
Wesley closed his eyes, took a breath through his nose, and forced his body to calm.
Maybe Sebastian used to enjoy that sort of thing, but he didn’t have magic anymore and he had understandably complicated feelings about being pinned down now. And yes, Sebastian appeared to have no fear at the moment, despite being captive under Wesley’s arm. He was even confident enough to give Wesley a hard time.
Wesley would enjoy it without demanding more. Sebastian deserved to have someone treat him carefully, even if he didn’t treat himself with care—perhapsespeciallybecause of that. Wesley would not rush this.
The ringing of the phone cut through his thoughts. With an irritable huff, Wesley reluctantly got off the bed, grabbing his striped pajamas and tugging them on as he stepped into the parlor to take the call.
“Viscount Fine speaking.”
“Good morning,” Jade said into his ear. “I’m sorry to call so early, but I’m afraid you two must get packing.”
Wesley raised his eyebrows. “Packing?”
“Immediately,” Jade confirmed.
