Page 58 of A Siren Song for Christmas

I’m falling in love with him.

But Malachi had been so clear. He’d lost a mate. He could not love again. So Trent was probably heading for a colossal heartbreak. Trent took a bite of a pie.

But what else could Trent do? Leave this? Leave Malachi? His gaze swept the cosy room before settling on Malachi. The siren sat, sipping his tea.

No. Trent couldn’t leave. He wouldn’t.

If friendship was all Malachi could give, then Trent would take it and be happy. This would be enough. It had to be.

But as Trent took another bite of the pie, he found himself hoping, really hoping that Malachi was starting to think of Trent as something other than a friend. He just didn’t know if that was even possible for Malachi.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Malachi woke with his body, arms, and tentacles wrapped around Trent.

Trent lay curled up beside him, face against Malachi’s chest. The exhale of his soft, warm breaths brushed against Malachi’s skin. Malachi squeezed Trent gently, not wanting to wake the man but enjoying the feel of his relaxed body pressed against him.

Darkness permeated the room. He didn’t know what time it was, but Trent always woke when he needed to go to the bakery.

With one of his tentacles, Malachi reached down and grabbed the end of the blanket. It had slid down so Trent’s bare shoulder was exposed to the chilly air of the room. He pulled the blanket over Trent, tucking it around him.

Trent murmured, wiggling as if wanting to snuggle closer to Malachi despite there being no gap between them. Malachi closed his eyes. He dozed, floating in and out of sleep, aware of the body in his embrace and Trent’s steady breathing.

And vaguely in his sleep-dazed mind, he knew he wanted more moments just like this. He wanted more of Trent.

Some thought niggled in the back of his mind that maybe he was feeling something more than he should be. But he let thethought float away, unexamined and intentionally forgotten as he slipped deeper into sleep.

A while later, Malachi blinked awake as Trent shifted against him. He looked down to see sleepy brown eyes blinking up at him.

“Morning,” Trent mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

“Morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Very well. I like sleeping here with you.” Trent’s fingers stroked Malachi’s ribs.

“I like you here too.” He slid a hand over Trent’s hair. “Do you need to leave soon?”

“Soonish.” Trent lifted his head. He crawled up and took Malachi’s mouth in a kiss.

Malachi held Trent’s face and deepened the kiss. The next few minutes, he drew sharp gasps and groans from Trent as he touched and stroked. They frotted and writhed, their pleasure building until they spent between them.

For several moments, they lay in bed, panting.

Finally, Trent said, “I really have to go now or I will be late.”

Reluctantly they rose and got ready for the day.

“Will you be back tonight?” Malachi glanced at Trent. “I understand if you have obligations to your family.”

They walked downstairs, Trent carrying Kelby.

Trent flashed him a smile. “I can come by after those.” Then his smile dimmed slightly. “That is, as long as you want me here. I’d understand if you wanted some space. We’ve been spending all our free time together. And I’ve been sleeping here every night. So if you want a break, I’d understand.”

Trent walked to one of the tanks holding sea-grass. He held out his palm. Kelby jumped and landed in the water, diving between the leaves.

“I’m always happy to have you here,” Malachi said.