I wouldn’t admit that to anyone but Charlie. I can’t tell my mum because it would hurt her feelings, and I’m not good with sharing emotions. But somehow it’s okay with Charlie. It’s safe.

He smiles at me. “Your mum noticed how quiet you were.”

I sigh. “I know. I’ll call her in a bit and have a chat.”

He gives a murmur of approval and reaches over to draw me into a hug. I hug him back, tightening my grip and sniffing the warm vanilla scent of him. We’ve done this so many times, and I’ve felt nothing except contentment, but now that odd awareness stirs inside me again. I can feel the broadness of his shoulders and the silkiness of his hair brushing against my face. He shifts and his lips press for a second against my cheek. It sends a warning trill down my spine, and to my horror I can feel my cock stiffening, the way it did yesterday in the hallway when he stared at my body and licked his lips.

I jump as a car horn blares behind me and someone behind us shouts, “The light’s been on green for two minutes, you fucking muppet.”

Ordinarily, I’d shout something back, but I’m actually relieved that the stranger has broken my moment of incredible stupidity. I stick my middle finger up at him anyway just to reassert my sense of self, and then put the car in gear and pull away, hopefully leaving that mad moment with Charlie far behind.

Chapter Four

Charlie

I look at the clock by the bed and groan. Time to get ready. Misha’s flat being in Shad Thames might have cut down on my commute time, but I still have to get out of bed to actually get to work. I think longingly of portals and time machines and then give up.

Pulling on a pair of pyjama shorts decorated with tiny dancing snowmen, I make my way out into the main flat. It’s hardly a surprise to find it quiet and empty. Misha starts his day earlier than the birds.

I don’t entirely approve of Misha’s work ethic, as it’s less “work to live” and more “die if I don’t get into the office before it gets light.” It doesn’t seem healthy to me. I was brought up to embrace life outside work. I look around the flat in appreciation. His job does pay well, though, and this place is stunning.