Page 142 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

It’s probably not the best idea to push the positive attitude. Ellis needs time to mourn, to be angry and sad, so he can move on. So it takes Gabe aback when Ellis seems to ponder the thought instead of outright refusing it.

“I think…”

“What?”

“I think I’d like to adopt Lola.”

Oh-kay… That’s not what Gabe expected. Where did that even come from? Nevermind.

“Really?”

Ellis shrugs, playing with a loose thread in his joggers. “It could be nice, giving a home to someone who doesn’t have one. And I could use the company.”

Gabe tries not to melt at the image of Ellis cuddling a fluffy dog like Lola. “I think it’s a great idea! Dawson and I can take her out when you’re at work! I mean…” He jingles the keys to the apartment. “I already have the keys.”

Ellis chuckles, but his expression quickly turns serious. “Maybe you won’t have to for long. I…I’ve been thinking of leaving the company.”

Gabe’s eyes nearly bulge out. “No shit?”

“No shit,” Ellis says, laughing.

“Wait. You said leave, not sell.”

“I thought of selling at first,” Ellis explains. “But I’d still feel responsible for the employees. If I go through with it, I want to make sure they’re in good hands.”

Jesus, this man… Gabe’s poor, overstimulated heart can’t take it.

“So you’d still own it, but would have to find a new CEO?”

Ellis gives him a secretive smile. “Luckily, I know just the guy.”

“Jordan?” Gabe takes a guess.

Ellis nods. “He stepped in when I needed someone to run the Sydney office for me. Given how much he loves to boss people around, I think he’ll be happy to take over.”

Oh god, let him take over.Ellis leaving the stupid job he hates would be the cherry on top of a spectacular cake.

“What would you do instead? Architecture?”

“Eventually. Maybe. I’d have to get a license and stuff, but…” He waves a hand dismissively. “That’s a whole other thing. For now, I’d just like to…do nothing. Get a bit of a break.” He smirks. “Go to the Maldives.”

Gabe nods excitedly. “I like that plan.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

They end up making out for ages, withGGplaying in the background, until Gabe starts yawning. Considering they’ve done absolutely nothing the whole day, he’s remarkably tired.

“Shower?” Ellis suggests.

“Yes, please.”

Turns out having Ellis’ hands on him, caressing and stroking as he works lather into his skin, is a great way to wake Gabe up. All of him, it would seem. He looks down at his dick in betrayal while Ellis washes his back.Down, little guy. No hanky panky when your man is having a crisis.Surprisingly reasonable, his dick listens, wilting in disappointment.

Gabe’s honorable intentions turn to dust when they slip under the covers. Instead of going to sleep cuddled up as he’d planned, Ellis’ hands start to wander again. And then his lips. In no time at all, they’re kissing again, Ellis using Gabe as his personal blanket. His energy is particularly needy today, scattered and erratic. Gabe can feel it reaching out to him, and he’s more than happy to meet it halfway. He lets their energies blend together until it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. He’s hoping it would help Ellis settle, making him more grounded, but the opposite happens.

Ellis becomes more desperate, small, needy sounds escaping him between hungry kisses. He takes a tight hold of Gabe’s neck, keeping him in place as he plunders his mouth, as though he’s trying to pour himself inside him. As though connecting their energy isn’t enough and he needs to connect their bodies too.

Despite his initial apprehension to start anything when Ellis is in such a vulnerable state, Gabe finds himself relenting. If what Ellis needs is a physical connection as well, that’s fine by him. More than fine. Now that he’s started to think about it, he wants to be as close to Ellis as possible.