Chapter 41

“It’s nearly one in the morning,” Luke said against Shane’s mouth, and pulled away with a final kiss pushed to his cheek. Shane let himself be drawn out of the shower and wrapped in a towel before hooking his arm back around Luke’s neck and kissing him again.

“Thank you,” he whispered, and Luke stilled for a brief second. “Just…for—caring. Just…letting me be. Letting me be me.”

“I love you when you’re you,” Luke replied softly, then dropped a towel over Shane’s head. “Bed. I put the big duvet on my bed. You can borrow some pyjamas if you…”

“Just some underwear will do.”

Luke paused, frowning.

“Is it going to sound really pathetic and girly if I admit I just want a hug?” Shane asked quietly, and Luke made a sound in the back of his throat.

“Yeah,” he said, “but I think you get a free pass for tonight.”