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Ex woke alone in bed... no... in Meridian’s bed. He wasn’t sure of the time, the curtains were too dark, but it felt as though he’d slept a while. Ex sat up rubbing the side of his head like usual until he realized he didn’t have a lingering headache or grogginess. He frowned as he shifted his legs off the side of the bed. Matter of fact, he didn’t think he’d had a nightmare, as he didn’t remember dreaming at all. Last he recalled, Meridian had blown his mind by giving him the most intense orgasm of his life. He’d gotten up to get a damp cloth to clean him up, then he’d stoked the fire, but Ex’s memory faded after that. All he knew was he’d slept peacefully, with a comforting warmth settled against his side.
He closed his eyes and exhaled, doing his best to conjure up everything he’d felt last night, or rather hours ago—Meridian’s lips on his, those rough hands on his hips, his strong arms anchoring him. He pulled the top sheet over to drape between his legs while he waited for his morning wood to subside—which was taking longer than usual. Ex shivered and ran his hands over the goosebumps on his arms. He was freezing sitting there in his boxers, wishing that Meridian had stayed in bed with him. But knowing his partner, he was probably somewhere cleaning their weapons or doing anything to keep his hands busy. It was what he did when he needed to think. Ex closed his eyes and held his breath, listening, concentrating. It took several seconds but eventually he heard the muted clink of metal and the sound of muffled rap lyrics in the backyard.
Ex scrubbed his hands over his face and got up to go to his room to get ready for the evening. He showered again, wishing he didn’t have to wash away the evidence of last night. He dressed in a long-sleeved black Polo shirt, a pair of worn blue jeans and his black steel-toe boots. He went into his bathroom and surveyed himself in the mirror. He felt so different that he wondered if he looked different as well. He appeared the same on the outside, but inside he could feel the pull from his partner.
Ex ran his hand over his short hair then down his face. He cocked his head to the side, staring back at his reflection, wondering. He was such an ordinary guy. He didn’t have self-esteem issues, fuck that shit, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Meridian saw when he gazed at him for long periods of time. Ex dug deep into his toiletry bag and pulled out a sampler he had of some grooming products by Ralph Lauren he’d never cracked the seal on. It was cheap compared to Meridian’s products, but he wanted to give it a try. Hell, he usually used what the hotel provided, so this was a step up.
He opened the face lotion, smelled it, shrugged, then poured a dime-sized amount in his palm. He rubbed it into his skin and along his neck, liking the smoothness and how it smelled. Next, he dabbed a few drops of the cologne at the base of his jaw and massaged it in with the lotion. Feeling he’d gone above and beyond, Ex tossed the few items back into his bag.
He strapped on his holster then pulled out his nightstand drawer to put his weapons into place, but they were gone. So that’s what he was doing in here. Ex knew he’d smelled him. He didn’t go to the back door like he wanted. Instead he went into the living room to get his guns, noticing that Meridian had even sharpened his throwing blades. Once he was fully geared-up, he peered around at the rest of their hardware, feeling that itch to go on the hunt. Feeling the pull towards Meridian.
He’d just strapped his last blade into his ankle holster when the smell of seared beef assaulted him. Neither he nor Meridian knew how to cook, or more like didn’t care to cook, so he must’ve gone out and got them dinner. He went to the counter and opened a Styrofoam container from that diner they’d gone to the other week. His stomach growled even louder when he popped open the lid and saw the still-warm garlic string beans, mashed potatoes and extra slices of pot roast, lean pieces only, heavy gravy. Meridian had gotten every minute detail correct. Ex felt a stirring in his chest, but he tamped it down for later. It was almost time to go to work. He couldn’t get distracted.
Ex didn’t bother sitting at the table to eat, instead he grabbed a clean fork from the rack and started to make quick work of the savory meal. He let his gaze roam around his cabin, small items that reminded him of his baby brother caught his eye and triggered memories. A memory of Evan laughing at him so hard he almost wet himself when Ex had first attempted to clean the chimney and had gotten a face full of soot and a bird’s nest the size of Texas splattered across his chest. Ex’s breathing started to elevate but he inhaled hard through his nose and shoved some more green beans into his mouth.
