Page 73 of Something Like Hail

Harold took that as his cue and stoppedholding back. The pain returned for a brief second before it wasblown away by wave after wave of euphoric gratification. Noahhadn’t known a sensation like this before, and as he raced towardthe point of no return, he tried to speak a warning but could onlykeep moaning. When he finally found words, they came unbidden.

“I love you,” hemoaned.

Harold pulled back, and Noah could see hewas assessing the truth of these words. People said crazy thingsduring sex, but this wasn’t one of them.

Noah had meant what he had said over thedinner table and he meant it now. “I love you. I really do. I loveyou so much.”

Harold stared a second longer. Then hismouth was on Noah’s, his hips continuing to pump. Noah could feelhim—truly feel all of Harold, like their bodies had become one.This was the opposite of loneliness. Noah knew that sex wasn’talways like this. It had made him feel empty before, but not thistime. They were connected on a spiritual level and would never beseparated.

Noah couldn’t take it anymore. He soughtpermission with his eyes, Harold nodding in agreement as theygrunted and growled together, Noah exploding like never before.Harold was right there with him, keeping perfect pace, chesttensing and heaving. Noah stared up at a face cast in red light,which only served to accentuate how handsome it was. He wanted itto be the first and last thing he saw every day, starting now.

After a satisfied sigh, Harold collapsedinto his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Better than ever,” Noahsaid truthfully.

Harold chuckled and nuzzled his nose againstNoah’s ear. “What’d you think?”

“I think I might be abottom,” Noah said.

Harold pushed himself up to look him in theeye. “That better be a joke.”

“Why?”

“Because next time, I wantyou to return the favor.”

That sounded good. The sex, sure, but morethan that, the promise of a next time. Noah wrapped his arms aroundHarold, willing his body to stop trembling and praying that hisheart would never stop beating. Not for this man. They were meantto be together. The long dismal path of the last few years had beenworth it because every unexpected twist and turn had led him here,to this room, to this person. To his soulmate.

* * * * *

Noah awoke in an empty bed. The bathroomdoor was open, the space beyond unoccupied, and looking through thewindow to the parking lot, he could see that the maroon convertiblewas gone. Noah didn’t panic. No need to with a guy like Harold, whohad been nothing but generous with him, even offering to share hishome. Noah was still astounded by the offer, and now with his truefeelings revealed and accepted, was starting to think of it as areal possibility. He wanted to spend every free minute together.The empty parking spot filled with a car again, like a ship pullinginto harbor. He watched Harold get out of the convertible andstruggle with a greasy white bag and a drink carrier with twocoffees.

Noah rose to open the door, intent onstarting the day with a good morning kiss. Before this couldhappen, he grimaced.

“You all right?” Haroldasked, noticing his expression.

“Ugh. Maybe I’m not abottom after all!”

“Sore?” Harold asked,closing the door behind him with his foot.

“A little.”

“Sorry.” Harold set thedrink tray on the nightstand, then plopped down on the mattress.“Think you can handle some food?”

“That depends how muchgranola is involved.” Noah sat next to him. “Are thosedonuts?Someone is livingdangerously!”

“Hey, this was the onlyplace around and it was still a ten-minute drive.” Harold openedthe bag and looked inside with concern. “I asked if they had asugar-free jelly donut, and I swear the guy started reaching for agun beneath the counter.”

Noah laughed. “Areanydonutssugar-free?”

“I just meant the filling.You should have seen his face when I asked if the coffee was fairtrade. It’s like I was speaking a foreign language.”

“I know how he feels,” Noahteased, leaning closer to see. “Dibs on the rainbowsprinkle.”

He took the donut and checked Harold outwhile nibbling on it. He was already showered, shaved, and dressedin shorts and a brown hoodie. No shirt underneath, if he wasn’tmistaken. Noah already felt like pulling down the zipper to exposemore skin.

“Good?” Harold asked,taking a half-hearted bite of a plain donut.

“Delicious,” Noahresponded. “A guy could get used to this.”