The Missing Page (Page & Sommers #2)

by Cat Sebastian

This train of thought was interrupted by Leo’s mouth reaching a particularly sensitive part of James’s neck. “I missed you,” James said, and Leo’s only answer was to slide James’s braces down his shoulders and start in on his shirt buttons. “Just so you know,” James said a little breathlessly, “I’m viewing this as first aid.” Leo shoved James’s undershirt up and started mouthing at his collarbone. “Oh Christ—no, don’t stop, that feels nice. Anyway, I’m viewing all these encounters as first aid. Because otherwise I couldn’t make myself fuck a man who really needs sleep. No, Leo, why did you take your mouth away, damn you?” Leo kissed him soundly and pushed him backwards onto the bed. “Because I don’t care if you view it as first aid or last rites or an arcane ritual. I just need you.”

It was the sort of behavioral tic that in anyone else Leo might have found silly, but he felt fiercely defensive of James’s carefully ordered world. He would cheerfully shoot anyone who mislaid James’s toothbrush, and was only stopped by the consideration that this would displease James and also cause a great deal of annoyance for both of them.

“I felt like he was putting ideas in my head,” James said. “I hadn’t wanted to do away with myself and then he made it seem inevitable. As if I was doomed by a family curse.” That brought Leo up short. “He can go get fucked. I’ll go tell him so myself, if you don’t mind.” “Maybe wait until we’re ready to leave,” James said, his cheeks flushing.

“I like you so much that I feel certain you shouldn’t allow it. Somebody, at least, ought to stop me.” “That,” James said, before brushing his lips across Leo’s, “is one of the stupidest things you’ve ever said.” “I say a lot of stupid things.” Leo wrapped his arms around James’s neck. “You’re just blinded by affection.”

“I want to look around in the library. Can you watch the door for me?” “I’ll hoot like an owl if anyone approaches,” James said solemnly. Leo jabbed him with an elbow. “Just knock on the door like a normal person. I don’t much care if anyone sees me going through your uncle’s papers. We’re supposed to be snooping this weekend, even if nobody seems to remember it. Damn it, you’re all so polite.” “Disgusting, I know.”