Sebastian stiffened, and Rory knew he was close. He grabbed the back of his head and crushed their mouths together as he came.

They panted in between kisses, and after Sebastian had slipped free of Rory’s body, he kept on kissing, and clutching Rory’s hand.

“Do you have any idea how much I’ve wanted to kiss you.” Sebastian mumbled.

“Why didn’t you?”

“I was afraid I’d miss it … and now I know for certain I will. What am I going to do with you?”

Rory had so many answers to Sebastian’s question. ‘Love me’ being the first, but the close second was ‘forgive me’. He wanted forgiveness as badly as he wanted love.

Sebastian tilted his head, and gazed down at him, and Rory didn’t know if he was waiting for an answer, but he gave one anyway.

“You’re gonna kiss me…”

And he did.

Chapter Eighteen

Rory tucked his nose under the sheet and breathed deep. He was half asleep and didn’t process what he’d done until he heard a soft laugh. He opened his eyes, and saw Sebastian brushing his teeth by the sink.

“You slept on the top?” Rory whispered.

“There’s not enough room for both of us on one, and you looked too content to move you, and you’re sniffing my sheets like you’re snorting a drug.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are. It’s cute.”

Rory pressed on his lips, feeling the slight puffiness.

“I got carried away last night. Once I was kissing you, it was near impossible to stop.”

“Thank you,” Rory whispered.

Sebastian turned back to the sink and finished brushing his teeth.

“What’s happened since I was in solitary?”

“Pauly’s still not back on the wing. I heard you broke his nose … and suddenly there’s a lot less bandana wearing inmates.”

“How’s Ollie been?”

“Eagerly waiting for your return.”

Rory scrubbed his hands over his face. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

“But Green, Jack, and Teddy have been distracting him best they can.”

“Yeah?”

“Yep. He’s good at pool—the inmates have started betting on him. Captain’s been asking about you, too, wanted to know what the fight was about.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. It’s up to you if you want to talk about it or not.”

“And you?”

Sebastian turned towards him. “Against my better judgement, have been worried about you, and worried about what’ll happen on Friday.”

“Friday?”

“I get out of here, and I leave you behind.”

The lock clunked, and Sebastian flicked his gaze at the door. “Come on, time for breakfast.”

****

Ollie gave Rory a hug, then pulled him down on his chair. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

“That girl—”

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“What was solitary like?”

Rory glanced at his purple and blue hands. “Not fun.”

“You launched at Pauly like a flaming tiger.”