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His eyes fluttered open, settling on Hayden. “Hey. I slept all the way. Sorry.”
“Let’s get inside. It’s bloody cold.”
Between them, they brought the presents from the car, and Hayden went into the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Instead of sitting in the kitchen, they moved to the lounge to sit on the sofa.
Hayden covered them both in a blanket, and they snuggled together, waiting for the house to warm up. He’d already checked on Jerome, and he was fine, lounging in his tank as usual. He wouldn’t need to eat for a day or so which had surprised Ashok when he’d told him, thinking he needed to be fed daily.
“So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Hayden had an idea of what he wanted, but he’d not push Ashok. He was ready to explore what he’d not been able to at his parents’ for fear of being caught. At least at home, there was no chance of that. “We can just cuddle if you want, watch some TV. I’m sure there’ll still be some Christmas movies on. Or we can stream something.”
“I’m happy with cuddling. How about we just put some music on and talk?”
Hayden reached for the remote and found a local radio station, turning the volume down. They could still hear the music but hear each other talk, although he wasn’t sure what they’d talk about. It was all a little awkward.
“Have you spoken to your family?” Hayden thought for a moment he wouldn’t answer and was surprised when Ashok laid his head on his chest, wrapping his arm around his waist.
“I messaged my mum and wished my youngest brother a Happy Christmas. That’s all.”
“Do you not speak to them? Are they the reason you moved away?”
He felt Ashok shake his head. “No. I moved away for other reasons. I love my mum but… Well, I don’t really get on with the rest of them. If you hadn’t invited me, there’s no way I would have gone home. Anything was preferable to that.”
Ashok turned his face to look at Hayden, and he couldn’t help but stroke his face where the bruise had been.
“Because of this?” he asked, not expecting but hoping for an answer.
“Yes, because of that,” Ashok whispered. “Can we talk about something else?”
“Of course we can. What do you want to talk about?”
“Tell me about you. Tell me about young Hayden. What brought you here? Why Chester?”
It was a lot of questions, and some he wasn’t quite ready to answer just yet.
“I came here to study Business at the university, but it wasn’t me. I’m not a fan of sitting and learning in lecture halls. I like to be hands-on, to experience things rather than just learn them. Uni was boring. I wanted to be out doing it, not just learning what others did.”
“Hands-on, eh? Maybe you could show me just how hands-on you can be.”
“I’d be more than happy to do that. Talking is overrated anyway,” Hayden slowly laid Ashok down and moved to lie next to him. He moved the loose strands of hair from his face.
“I know this time, we won’t be interrupted.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ashok
Ashokwasn’tquitesurewhat had come over him. Since Jack, he’d steered clear of any and all situations that would result in him being in this position with a man. With Hayden, though, it felt different. He’d got to know him pretty well over the past few weeks, especially the last few days. Seeing how he was with his sister and parents had changed his original opinion that he was a prick.
He’d lain awake at night, contemplating if he was comfortable taking the relationship further. The kisses they shared had been sweet, but given time, he knew that Hayden would want more. The question was, did he? Since his assault two years ago, he’d not put himself in any position that could result in the same thing happening. He knew it wasn’t his fault, that Jack had been the one in the wrong. He’d not told anyone what had happened, just said he’d been mugged and refused to say anymore. His mum pressed, but he couldn’t tell anyone how gullible he’d been.
Now, though, lying here with Hayden, it felt safe. He didn’t think Hayden would do anything to harm him. He just wasn’t that kind of guy. The more he’d got to know him, the more convinced he was that the nickname Angela had given him, the good Samaritan, was true.
He took a deep breath. He could do this. Hayden wasn’t Jack.
“Are you OK?” Hayden asked, concern on his face.
“More than OK.”
