Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
“Go ahead and rinse,” I told Andy once his teeth were polished and his mouth was full of foam. He gathered a mouthful of water and swished it around before spitting and standing upright, smiling for me to inspect my work.
“How do they look?”
“Beautiful,” I replied, before giving him another kiss; this time to the tip of his nose.
I took his hand and led him back to his bedroom. As we walked, my heart sank further into my stomach; I knew that once I tucked him in for the night, I’d be leaving his side, and the realization gave me physical pain. I wasn’t ready to be apart from him. I’d gone over a millennium before meeting him, but now, even one night seemed too much to bear.
But my own woes took the backseat when we reached Andy’s bed and I turned to him, finding a look of sadness on his face. “What’s wrong?” I asked, wanting to do anything I could to cheer him up.
A pretty pink blush spread across his cheeks as he answered, “It’s just…I’m not sure when I’m going to see you again and, well…I’m really going to miss you.” My sweet mate was feeling the pull between us just as strongly as I was.
My plan was to spend every single day with him, but I felt guilty that I hadn’t made it clear. It was my job to keep his mind at ease, and instead, I left him feeling unsure about the future.
“Andy, I want to be together every moment that you’ll have me,” I told him, and his shoulders relaxed. “I’d like to spend the day together tomorrow, just the two of us; we can play, explore…anything you’d like to do. How does that sound?”
“That sounds perfect! I can hardly wait.” His rosy cheeks remained when he admitted, “I’ll still miss you tonight, though.”
“Andy, I’d love to stay with you tonight, but only if you’re comfortable with it. I can lie here with you and snuggle all night, or I can sleep on the couch or even the floor; I just want to be close to you.” If he needed me for any reason, I wanted to be right there for him.
His voice was quiet but clear when he answered, “Snuggling sounds amazing.”
As soon as the words left his lips, I pulled back his blanket and patted his mattress. Andy climbed on and scooted against the wall, offering me space on the small bed.
“Is it okay if I take off my jeans so that I’m more comfortable?” I asked, and Andy swallowed hard before nodding his head. I toed out of my shoes and dropped my jeans; I was wearing boxers beneath, so I was completely covered, but Andy's jaw still dropped at the sight.
"I wish I didn't have to take my glasses off for sleep," he whispered, making me chuckle as I climbed into bed beside him. "They don't help much anyway," he shrugged, removing them and passing them over so I could put them on the nightstand. When I tipped my head in question, he explained, "Several years ago, I noticed that I was having trouble seeing, but I didn't have the money to go to the eye doctor. One day, I was at the thrift shop looking for shoes because mine fell apart. I saw the glasses there and tried them on. They help a little."
My heart broke as I pictured Andy's toes peeking out of his shoes as he scoured the racks for cheap replacements, and imagined his joy when he found the hand-me-down glasses to help him see. My sweet mate was grateful for anything, but I would see to it that he never had second best of anything ever again. I would gladly take him to get the correct prescription lenses, but soon he wouldn't need them; when he and I bonded, his vision would correct.
"Come here, little duckling," I beckoned, opening my arms in invitation. Andy blushed as he snuggled closer, resting his head on my chest.
After a few moments he nuzzled deeper and told me, "I can hear your heartbeat."
"It beats for you."
Andy looked up at me, blinking his beautiful brown eyes. "Really?"
"Always." His eyes twinkled even more as his face spread into a grin. "Andy, may I kiss you goodnight?" As I spoke, I traced my finger down his cheek and onto his plush lips, which parted with a tiny gasp.
They closed when he gulped again, and he answered with a nod. My heart hammered against my ribs as I cupped his cheek and lowered my face to his. His breath warmed my cheeks in shallow pants as he waited. My keen ears heard his pulse quicken.
I closed the gap between us, touching my lips to his and lighting my world on fire. My eyes rolled back with pleasure at the feel of his soft skin, and the minty flavor that clung to them. Desire burned through my veins, but I kept the kiss sweet and chaste. I wanted Andy to feel protected, treasured, and loved.