Page 57 of Up In Smoke

By the time I come back into the living room, the place is spotless, the dishwasher is running, and just one lamp is left onto illuminate my way. Klaus looks up at me from the sofa. He’s been sleeping on Jesse’s bed, but it feels like he’s watching over both of us right now, making sure we’re okay.

“Night, boy,” I tell him as I switch off the light. “Gute Nacht.” I’ll leave the door ajar in case he decides he wants to come in with us.

My heart is hammering as I head into my bedroom. I sleep in my underwear and whatever T-shirt I’m wearing, so all I have to do is take my jeans and socks off. It’s dark aside from the glow on my phone screen, but I can see Jesse under the covers on the side we set him up on earlier.

“Are you okay?” he asks as I pull back the duvet. “I can still go back to the spare room.”

I chuckle at his thoughtfulness, the tension I’m carrying easing slightly. “Nah, I’m good. You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he says. There’s probably a lot more going on than that for both of us, but the moment feels far too raw to explore it. So instead, I sink into the mattress and drag the covers up to my chin.

I’m hyper aware of my breathing and every move I make. Jesse’s so still that I worry for a moment if he’s even still alive. But then I make myself realize how ridiculous that is and try and relax. He’s okay.

The bed is big enough that Klaus could come sleep between us if he wanted. In fact, that might make us both feel less stressed. But our furry friend is neglecting his duties and doesn’t come to our rescue, at least for now.

At some point, though, I must doze off. I did have a pretty hectic time at work last night and not much sleep, so my body’s needs outweigh my mind’s concerns.

But not for long.

I’m unsure how much time passes. However, when I come around again, blinking groggily in the gloom, I realize I’ve doneexactly what I feared I would. At the very first given opportunity, no less.

My limbs are wrapped protectively around Jesse like a damn octopus. Not just my arms, but my legs as well. His back is pressed against my chest, and my face is nuzzled against his hair.

There’s something else that isn’t exactly soft wedged in between us, too.

I gasp, then wince, hoping I wasn’t loud enough to wake him. If there’s any luck on my side at all, he’ll have been fast asleep the whole time, and I can detangle myself without him ever knowing. My only problem is that my right arm and leg are firmly underneath him and I’m not sure I can remove them without rolling him over. I have to try, though, so I gently try and shift my arm experimentally.

“Rico?” Jesse says, sounding completely and horrifyingly awake.

I freeze. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper into the darkness. I can see a little in the faint light from outside, enough to tell when he looks over his shoulder at me. “I didn’t know…I was asleep.”

“It’s okay,” he says.

Then he wraps his arm around mine, hugging me tighter.

It feels like my heart stops. I certainly don’t breathe for several seconds.

“Do you want to let go?” he asks, his voice small and quiet. Vulnerable.

No, I don’t want to let go at all. Not even for a second.

“Jesse,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. I’m so conflicted. It’s probably absolutely the wrong thing to do, but I squeeze him tighter, burying my face against the side of his neck and inhaling his sweet scent.

I’d keep him here forever if I could.

When he turns his head again, I don’t pull away. His eyes twinkle with what little light reaches us. It’s like we’re in our own world and nothing else exists. Nothing else matters.

Which is probably why when he tilts his face only a fraction, his mouth parting slightly, I mirror him.

It’s like it takes no effort or thought at all before I’m kissing Jesse Silverman.

CHAPTER 17

Jesse

He’s kissing me.

Rico Flores is kissing me.