Page 51 of Thrill

“Would it be breaking the no-strings rule if you stayed?” Tyler asked.

At first Danny was about to say no. He should go. Things were getting confused. Then his mother’s words came back to him. Maybe he should try to play this right.

“I think we can bend the rules,” Danny replied.

They both got under the duvet. This time, Tyler drew Danny into his arms. As he rested his head on Tyler’s chest, he heard his heart pounding away.

“I’m awake now,” Tyler said.

“Evidently. Do you want to play cards?”

Tyler chuckled, making Danny’s head vibrate. “No. Tell me something about yourself.”

Anxiety flashed through him. He hadn’t lived a very remarkable life. Not like the three men who lived in this fancy flat.

“When I was a kid, I fell off a slide and knocked my two front teeth out. I had to wait two years until the others grew in.”

“I can imagine the shit the other kids gave you too.”

“Wankers. Okay, your go.”

Tyler sighed. “Erm. My sister entered us into a talent competition when we were on holiday in Tenerife. I had to be her fake ventriloquist dummy. We came second.”

“Do you get on with your sister then?”

“Not in the slightest. It was a rare moment, believe me.”

“Turn over,” Danny said.

“Are you still being dom?”

“No. I’m being a cuddler.”

Tyler rolled onto his side. Danny snaked his arm around Tyler’s waist. Placing his palm on his chest. He kissed him between the shoulder blades.

Tyler held his hand.

“This is nice,” he whispered. “Night.”

“Night.”

Danny lay there in the dark. He listened as Tyler’s breathing became heavier. It felt like an honour that Tyler would be falling asleep in his arms.

It had been a long time since he had shared a bed with anyone like this. It was usually sex then home. Sometimes he might pass out drunk. None of it compared to that moment.

He knew he was falling hard for Tyler. He also knew he had nochance of stopping it. If heartbreak was on the horizon, he may as well enjoy the moment.

He snuggled into Tyler’s back and let sleep seize him.

FOURTEEN

TYLER

The week passed slowly. Tyler had had no contact from Danny except for the odd text. Tyler convinced himself he’d overplayed his hand by asking him to stay. Although it confused him, as drifting off to sleep with Danny had been perfect.

“Do you think I’ve fucked it?” he asked Eddie and Scott.

They were in the office canteen sharing a sushi platter and a massive bag of crisps.