Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“You rimmed me like a pro.” Ewan kissed him again, his hand on Dev’s face, fingers skimming his jawline.
It was hard to remember Ewan wasn’t his boyfriend when he touched Dev like that after sex. Ewan was so affectionate, his touch more loving than sensual. Dev kissed him back; it was easier than talking about it.
“You don’t really need me. I think you’re a natural,” Ewan added when they broke apart again.
But I like you.
Dev wanted to say it, but his courage failed him before he could form the words. “Thanks,” he said lamely instead.
They lay tangled for a while. They gave up on talking and focused on kissing and touching. When they cooled down, they pulled the covers up and carried on. Both of them got hard again, but neither made any move to take things further.
Dev enjoyed the easy intimacy, the sweetness of it. He didn’t want the evening to end, and Ewan appeared equally reluctant.
When Dev couldn’t keep in a yawn, Ewan finally pulled away. “I’d better go.”
Dev wanted to ask him to stay. But he didn’t. Instead he nodded and got out of the bed to pull on some sweatpants and a T-shirt. When he turned around, Ewan was dressed too.
“So,” Ewan said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“If you’re sure you want to come? You don’t have to.” Dev didn’t want Ewan to feel obliged. Ewan didn’t know Josh and he’d barely met Rupert. Why would he want to give up a Saturday night to hang out with Dev and his friends?
Something like hurt flashed over Ewan’s features but was gone before Dev could be sure. “Why wouldn’t I want to come? I get free dinner out of it, don’t I? It’ll make a change not having to cook for myself.” He smiled, but there was still a hint of uncertainty there. “Dev. Are you okay with me coming? If you’d rather go on your own, just say.”
“No. No it’s fine.” Dev felt hot and awkward. He wished he’d never started the conversation. He’d made Ewan feel unwelcome, and that was never his intention. “It will be nice to have you there.”
“Okay, so call for me tomorrow. Can we walk there?”
“Yeah it’s about twenty minutes away. So I’ll come by around quarter to seven.”
“Cool.” Ewan’s smile was relaxed again.
“I’ll see you out.”
Dev followed Ewan down the stairs. They passed Shawn on the middle landing on his way to the bathroom. Dev gave him a nervous smile.
Shawn nodded at him, then looked suspiciously at Ewan. “Alright,” he muttered in greeting.
Dev breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Hi,” Ewan said breezily.
When they reached the ground floor, Ewan turned and muttered quietly. “He’s a ray of sunshine, isn’t he?”
“He’s an idiot.” Dev rolled his eyes. “But a harmless one.” He realised as he said it that it was true. Shawn might be a bit of a twat, but Dev didn’t see him as a threat. Not like the guys he’d lived with before.
On the doorstep, he gave Ewan a hug and a brief kiss goodbye, and he didn’t care that someone might see them. It was a good feeling.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ewan went to a lot of trouble deciding what to wear for dinner on Saturday. He didn’t want to appear as if he’d made too much effort, but he wanted to look good. Even though they weren’t a couple, he wanted Dev to be proud to be seen with him. After trying on several combinations, he settled on a long-sleeved greyish-blue henley that emphasised his broad shoulders and lean torso, and his favourite pair of jeans because they made his arse look nice.
He studied himself in his mirror and ran his fingers through his artfully tousled red hair. Ewan had hated it when he was younger. Even in Scotland, where there were more ginger genes than average, he’d still been teased for his flaming hair and freckles. Ewan had longed for dark hair and skin that tanned, features he found attractive on other boys. But he’d grown used to his looks, and now he liked what he saw when he stared at his reflection. He hoped Dev would like it too.
Ewan’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to see Dev’s message on his screen.
Sorry, I’m running a little late. I’ll be round in ten minutes.
Ewan checked the time and saw it was six forty, so Dev was only going to be five minutes late. Ewan didn’t think he knew anyone else who would bother to apologise for that. He smiled.
No worries, he replied.
Exactly ten minutes later, Ewan was waiting in the living room when the doorbell rang. “That’ll be Dev.” He got up before anyone else could.
“Hot date?” Ryan asked, his mouth full of cold pizza.
“Something like that.” Ewan ignored Ryan’s wolf whistle as he left the room.