Page 86 of Hard Rain

He heard Axel move behind him. He didn’t have to turn around to know where he’d stopped.

Before he could turn around, Axel leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Whip turned on instinct.

Axel was already there, stealing another kiss from his lips.

“Would you quit doing that?”

“No.”

Whip watched him for another second before a smile escaped anyway.

Crap.

He was in trouble.

SMALL BED

Whip was hesitant.

Axel got that.

Talking about it another dozen times wasn’t going to change anything.

He’d kissed Whip.

Whip had kissed him back.

Far as he was concerned, they’d solved the biggest problem already.

Axel tossed the dish towel onto the counter while Whip shoved the leftover biscuits into the refrigerator. The kitchen still smelled like breakfast-for-dinner. He wasn’t much for housework, but scrubbing dried eggs out of a skillet tomorrow sounded even worse. Better to deal with it now rather than wait until tomorrow.

He waited by the stairs while Whip made one last lap through the downstairs, switching off lights as he went. Living room. Hallway. Laundry room.

Whip stopped at the front door and checked the deadbolt.

“You already locked it.”

“I know.”

Whip gave it one more twist anyway before heading toward the stairs.

He fell in behind him.

Whip reached the top of the stairs and headed for the bedroom.

Axel kept walking.

When Whip stopped in the doorway, Axel walked straight into his back.

Whip stumbled half a step and grabbed the doorjamb.

“…What are you doing?”

“Going to bed.”

Whip pointed toward the other end of the hall.