Page 57 of Forgiven

“The same goes for you,” Callum promised.

Dylan squeezed Callum’s hand. “I know.”

Callum looked down at their hands and the way their fingers fitted together. It felt right enough that he didn’t want to let go. He lifted his gaze to Dylan’s face, to his plump lips with the snakebite piercings, to the makeup that made him look stunning. Not that he wasn’t gorgeous without the makeup. Callum wanted to kiss him. He knew it deep down and could feel it in the way his lips were tingling just staring at Dylan’s. But if he voiced the desire out loud it would changeeverything. It would change the way he thought about himself. It would change the friendship that they were only just forming.

“What do you want?” Dylan asked.

At least CallumthoughtDylan had spoken, but he wasn’t sure. Maybe the question was only in his head, a way for his subconscious to prod him along in the direction it wanted him to take. Heart over mind. Take a chance. It could lead to something wonderful.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered. “I want you to kiss me.”

It was out in the open. He’d definitely said it and couldn’t take it back. He could barely breathe as Dylan leaned closer.

When their lips were a breath apart, Dylan looked into his eyes. “Are you sure?”

Callum nodded.

He wasn’t sure which of them closed the minuscule gap, but suddenly they were kissing slowly and tentatively. Dylan’s snakebite piercings added an extra sensation to the kiss, hard in contrast to the plump softness of Dylan’s mouth. Callum’s eyes drifted shut. It was impossible not to enjoy the sensation of Dylan’s lips massaging his. He began to wonder what it would be like if they opened their mouths, when the short, sweet kiss ended.

“Are you okay?” Dylan asked, his voice shaking a little.

Callum opened his eyes and nodded. “Are you?”

Dylan’s body visibly relaxed. “More than.” His cheeks became pink through the make-up.

“What do we do now?” Callum asked.

“Whatever you want to do, baby. You tell me.”

“More kissing,” Callum decided.

Dylan grinned. “More kissing sounds perfect.”