Page 89 of Hard Rain

Much better.

Axel squeezed toothpaste onto the bristles.

For a minute the only sounds were the hum of the exhaust fan and two toothbrushes scraping away the taste of bacon, eggs, and coffee.

His gaze drifted to the mirror.

Whip stood beside him in an old T-shirt, blond hair tangled, blue eyes fixed on his own reflection while he brushed.

Yeah.

He was definitely looking.

Whip caught him watching.

One corner of his mouth twitched around the toothbrush.

“What?”

Axel shrugged.

“Nothin’.”

Whip finished first, spit into the sink, and rinsed his toothbrush.

He hesitated.

“We don’t have condoms.”

Axel rinsed his mouth.

“We’ll pick some out tomorrow.”

Whip blinked.

“Pick some out? Like bedding and sheets?”

Axel frowned.

“We can do that too. We gotta go to the store anyway.”

Whip stared at him another second and laughed.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’ve been told.”

Axel smiled and set his toothbrush back in the holder.

On his way past, he caught the front of Whip’s T-shirt, tugged him close, and kissed him.

Quick.

Easy.

Mint toothpaste and all.

When he stepped back, Whip was still looking at him like he couldn’t quite believe any of this was real.