The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings (Black and Blue #1)

by Lily Morton

I trust my judgement. My mum always told me that. Trust what your head and heart say if they speak together. Ignore society and other people’s opinions and do what you know to be right.

Levi’s kind, warm smile doesn’t allow embarrassment. It’s the sort of smile that says, I think you might be my friend and you’d do the same for me. And the funny thing is I would do the same. And that’s never been said about me before.

The past is what we do to get to where we are.”

“There, you look lovely and warm.” He actually looks cute, that angular face framed by the beanie and strands of bright hair escaping from the sides. He shakes his head. “You’ve got all the ingredients to make a successful daddy. All you’re lacking is age and chest hair.” “That makes me very happy. Come on, boy.”

After two nights sharing a bed, I can positively say that Levi Black is a bit of a cuddler. Not just a bit—he’s like a wonderful octopus who wraps his limbs around me when he’s asleep.

He leans under the counter and pulls out a bundle of what looks like herbs tied together. “What’s that?” I ask curiously, sitting down to pick up my food again. “Sage. You light the end of it and walk through the house burning it.” “Why? Is that some sort of dark art ritual? Oh, will Levi and I have to be naked?” I ask enthusiastically.

“No, you’re a kind boy who got caught up in stuff you shouldn’t have because you knew no better. You’ve got a conscience, lad. Albeit one whose voice must be hoarse with shouting and screaming to be heard. It’s permanently exhausted, but it’s still there.”

Don’t ever be sorry for wanting one more moment with your mum.”

After we lose someone, we’re like this window. We’re broken in pieces. Eventually we put ourselves back together, but it’s never the same as the original us. Instead, we’re a jumbled-up version with funny angles and new faces to show the world.” He turns to face the window. “Still beautiful and still whole. But just in a new way.

I shake my head and rub my thumbs roughly over his pale pink nipples. They’re the colour of the iced sugar mice in sweet shops, and when I run my tongue over them I’m sure I’m not imagining how sweet they taste. “Fuck,” he mumbles, holding my face against him. “Do that again.”

“You never have to perform for me. I like you just the way you are.”

“Besides, I’m very interested in another man.” “Oh yes?” He smiles, and it’s glorious. Big and vibrant like his spirit. “Who’s that, then?” “Some bloke I met. Too thin and extremely challenging.”

“I promise.” He leans down and kisses me softly. “I’ve never made promises to anyone before,” he whispers. “So you know I’ll keep that one. Now sleep.”

“Careful,” he chides. “If I do this, you have to stay absolutely still. I’ll do my thing and you just watch your head.” “I’ll watch the top one. You focus on the little head in front of you,” I advise.

He’s sucking hard now, and saliva pools at the base of my cock in the pubic hair. He gives a stuttered moan around my dick which feels incredible, and when I open my eyes, I find him on all fours. His head is bent over my groin, his arse in the air, and his other hand busy between his legs. He’s fisting his cock and masturbating furiously. “Oh shit,” I breathe.

“Oh my God,” I shout way too loudly. “What the fuck, Levi?” When I look back at him, he raises his head, his eyes going very dark, his lips full and red. “I’m going to rim you,” he says hoarsely. “Any objections?” “None that a sane person would make.” He hovers, and I stick my arse out. “Come on,” I plead. “Do it, Levi.”

He settles on the bed, sitting next to me, and cups one arse cheek possessively. “Mine,” he says hoarsely.

“Iloveyousomuchallthetimeloveyou.”

“I love you,” he says as if steeling himself to make a speech on the guillotine. “So much,” he adds forcefully as if I might be thinking that it’s just a little bit. I open my mouth to speak, but he carries on fiercely. “I know I’m not Mason. I’m not educated and well dressed. My hair is messy, my clothes are the same, and although I read a lot, I’ll never have school smarts like your ex. I’ll never go to uni.” I open my mouth again, but he shakes his head. “I don’t need you to reassure me.” He pats his chest. “I know all the reasons I should be wrong for you in here.” He nods thoughtfully. “But I also know in here that I’m somehow just right for you. That I can make you happy, and you already do that for me. I’ve never had anything that was just mine before.” He glares at me, and it’s so adorable. “So, I just needed you to know, and let’s not ever talk about it again.”

“Why?” “Why do I love you?” He nods. “Well, because you’re Blue. You’re fierce and funny and kind and loyal. And although you’re full of more prickles than a thistle, I sort of think of you as my thistle.

“I don’t know the future,” I say slowly. “I can’t see that any more than I can see Rosalind. But just as I know that she’s there, I also know that it’s going to be fine, and when it isn’t, it’ll still be okay, because we’ll be together.”