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He sagged against me, his fingertips brushing my jaw as our mouths rested together, not really kissing, just breathing the same air. I felt like I was floating on a cloud, a fluffy white cloud above all the gray. A perfect moment suspended in time, that I’d undoubtedly remember forever.
When Lachlan started moving, I joined in, meeting him thrust for thrust, both of our hands helping keep our shafts connected. My breath stuttered every time we made contact, no matter how light or soft the impact, and soon enough, he was pulling his foreskin back and our come was mixing against my stomach as we panted shakily against each other’s lips.
After we caught our breath, I reached for a shirt to wipe us down, and then he tumbled against the sheets beside me.
“Well, damn,” I said. “Did I mention how much I like having you in my bed?”
“I do too. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. I mean, we shouldn’t get too used to this, right?”
When Lachlan wouldn’t meet my eyes, I rolled on top of him and planted one on his lips. “Why? You plan on never seeing me again?” I tried to keep my tone light. “Leaving me high and dry after you find a job?”
“It would suck, but…we said roommates with benefits, and I wouldn’t be living here anymore.”
“Oh, I see… Our verbal agreement is set in stone.”
“You know what I mean.” He smiled and rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to assume anything or make you feel like…”
“You’re not. I’m just trying to live in the moment and spend time with you because I happen to enjoy it. If that’s okay with you?”
I was starting to feel more for Lachlan than I was letting on, but I didn’t want to scare him off. Plus, he came with a lot of baggage—we both did—and I didn’t know what would happen a month from now.
“It’s more than okay.” He pecked my lips. “But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m scared to lose your support.”
“I’m scared of that too.”
“Good, because right now you’re my only friend.”
Fuck. “I’m sorry, Lachlan. I know it’s been rough.”
“It’s okay. I just wanted you to know that if anything, I hope we can still stay in touch, hang out or whatever.”
“I would definitely want that.”
We took showers, got dressed, and took Oscar for a walk, stopping for coffee and muffins, as usual. Christ, listen to me. He’s right. I shouldn’t become too used to it.
Back in the apartment, I hit the button on the landline when I saw a message flashing. Lachlan froze as he listened to the woman’s voice.
“Sounds like someone is trying to schedule a job interview with you.”
He pushed the button and listened again. I handed him a notepad and pen so he could write down the number and address.
“It’s in Rocky River,” he said absently, as if thinking through how far the west-side location was from downtown Cleveland. “I’ll look up the bus route.”
“You can always…” I trailed off when he gave me that look. He didn’t want me to take him, and he couldn’t drive himself because his license was expired.
One step at a time. He knew perfectly well how to fend for himself.
“I’ll feed Oscar if you want to call her back.”
Without waiting for a response, I headed to the kitchen, where I refilled the water and put food in Oscar’s bowl, trying not to eavesdrop. It was his second offer. The first was for a rental space in a co-op for hairstylists. But he didn’t have the resources for that. Not yet. The request had come by email a couple of days ago, and though he turned them down immediately, he seemed glum about it that night. Maybe because he thought that was the best he was going to get after being away from the industry for a while.
“More jobs will come through. You should only take one you feel good about.”
“I’m not sure that’s good advice.”
“What do you mean?” I smirked. “It’s excellent advice.”
“I should take anything that’ll get me a steady paycheck, don’t you think?”
“Not if it makes you feel awful.”
I’d frowned thinking about how he’d walked out of the salon the shelter referred him to and that he was probably regretting it. I didn’t think he should.
He’d bounced back after that conversation, sending more résumés and cutting hair at the bridge again.
Lachlan was just hanging up with the Rocky River salon when I finished with the dog.
“I scheduled an interview for next weekend.”
“Awesome.” I thumped his shoulder. “Congrats.”
“What’s on your agenda for today?” Lachlan asked, but I was distracted by an idea forming in my head.
“Since you have a job interview when I’m out of town next weekend, that means you need a cell phone and something to wear.” His wardrobe consisted of a steady rotation of the clothes he came with and stuff I’d lent him.
