The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,79

someone like me. I wandered around from person to person, without a direction or a home. But now that I have you”—Leo smiled, and it was like the sun rising on a brand-new day and Morgan could breathe again—“I always know where I am, where I’m going. Home. With you. Home is you. I-I love you too. I’ve never said it to anyone else, but I know it’s right.”

Morgan threw his arms around Leo and kissed him over and over. Leo held him tight, and their kisses seemed sweeter, their touches deft and strong. For Morgan, this was the start of every dream, except he was awake and this was reality. His reality.

“I knew it was you because I don’t have to change who I am. I can set off the smoke detector or blow a fuse, and you’d still love me.”

“You have, and I do.” Leo’s voice, with a smile on the edge of his words, rumbled through him.

“Even if I cracked the wall, you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Leo kissed his neck. “Of course I wouldn’t. I—wait a minute. Cracked the wall?” He sat up. “What’re you talking about?”

Laughing at Leo, Morgan straddled him, watching the rise of desire in his eyes. “We can talk later. Wouldn’t you rather kiss me now?” He walked his fingers up Leo’s chest and kissed his neck, then tugged at his earlobe with his teeth.

“You don’t play fair,” Leo grumbled but allowed Morgan to pop his jeans tab and draw his zipper down. “I can’t say no to you.”

“I’m playing for keeps. All’s fair in love.”

***

The start of the school year was always bittersweet for Morgan. While he loved meeting his new class and getting to know all the children, there was something sad about saying good-bye to the carefree days of summer. Especially when it had been the best summer of his life.

That morning hadn’t been as carefree as he would’ve liked, though. He’d woken Leo up with a whispered, “Want to play hot for teacher?” and Leo was raring to go, but just as things were firing up between them, Leo’s cell phone went off with numerous calls about the hot water not working.

“Goddamn it.” He rolled off Morgan. “It’s seven a.m. What the hell is wrong with people, taking showers so early?”

Snorting with laughter even though he was painfully aroused, Morgan sat upright. “I’m assuming they’re trying to get ready for work and not planning on sneaking in some early morning sexy times like us.”

Since the Labor Day barbecue at Peter and Marla’s one week earlier, Morgan had spent every night at Leo’s apartment, and he hated having to leave in the morning to get ready for work, but since Leo hadn’t mentioned moving in together, Morgan held back, uncertain about taking the initiative. They hadn’t discussed the future, and Morgan didn’t want to push. He was more than content to live life in the moment with Leo at his side.

Leo stood over him, the gleam of his smile apparent even in the dim light of the bedroom. “They don’t know what they’re missing,” Leo said, adding, “But then again, they don’t have you waiting for them.” He leaned over to press their lips together, and Morgan kissed him long and hard, knowing they’d be separated the entire day. “It’ll be weird not having you around all day. Guess I’ll have to get used to it.”

“You’ll hardly know I’m gone. And now if something goes wrong, you can’t blame me.” He gave Leo one final kiss and jumped out of bed. “Besides, I’ll be home by four at the latest. My class ends at twenty after two, and then I have to clean up and stuff. It doesn’t take me long.”

“Sounds good.”

“What’re you doing today, after you fix the hot water?”

“Working on finishing the rehab of the new building.” The sound of another call on his phone put a scowl on Leo’s face. “And I guess I should visit my mother.” He made a face.

They’d paid her a visit the past weekend, and she’d sat silent, with a resentful look on her face. It angered Leo, but Morgan didn’t care and still attempted conversation even though she ignored him.

Morgan stopped at the doorway to the bathroom. “Wait until I get home from school so we can go together.”

“You don’t have to.” The scowl changed to a grimace. “It’s not a pleasure visit.”

And you, my love, are a liar. I know you still hope to get something from your mother that will