15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Trent

What the fuck?

Trent's eyes flew open. He lay there for a moment, disoriented in the darkness of the room. It took him a moment to work out what had woken him, but another cry from the room next door cleared that up. Callum . He threw back the sheet, his feet hit the floor, and he was out the door in seconds. He didn't bother knocking, pushing the door that was slightly ajar, and crossing to the bed where Callum tossed in the grips of a nightmare.

He mumbled something, words Trent couldn't make out, but the distress in his tone was obvious.

"Callum." Not wanting to startle him, he spoke softly, but when Callum didn't respond he tried again, a little louder this time. "Cal, wake up."

Callum flailed, the sheets twisted around his waist. His words were unintelligible mumbles, until Trent made out one word—his own name.

He sat on the side of the bed and placed a hand on Callum's shoulder and gave a gentle shake. "I'm here, Cal. Wake up."

After a moment, the thrashing stopped. "Tr-Trent?"

"Yeah, Cal, I'm here."

Callum's breathing was rapid, his chest rising and falling under Trent's hand, his pulse racing. "What… I was…"

"It's okay. I'm right here with you." He lifted his hand and trailed his fingers across Callum's forehead, soothing back his damp hair. "You were having a nightmare. Take a few deep breaths."

In the dim light of the room, their gazes locked. Callum's internal struggle was clear, but his breathing steadied as he followed Trent's instructions.

"Shh… you're safe. I've got you." He kept up the stream of reassuring words, whispering over and over until finally Callum spoke.

"Thank… you." His voice was shaky, but he seemed more aware.

"Are you okay?"

Callum nodded. "I think so. At least I am now."

"That's good. Hopefully you'll be able to get back to sleep soon."

He moved to stand up, but Callum grabbed his hand and held him in place. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. Anything."

"Please… don't leave. Will you stay with me tonight?"

As if there was ever any question—whatever he needed, Trent would do. "If that's what you want, then I'm not going anywhere."

Callum shuffled over, holding up the sheet, and Trent slipped into the bed beside him. They lay next to each other for a moment not touching, until Callum's hand found his and gripped it like a lifeline. His fingers trembled slightly and Trent's heart broke a little at the sign of vulnerability. He tightened his own fingers around Callum's. Perhaps Callum took it as an invitation, because he moved closer. Trent automatically put an arm around his shoulders as Callum settled against him.

"I've got you," he murmured into Callum's hair, the scent of his shampoo comforting and familiar.

The tension gradually left Callum's body, and his breathing evened out. However, it was clear he wasn't asleep as he traced small circles on Trent's chest with his fingers. Trent's thoughts raced as he focused on Callum's hand and the gentle movements.

"Callum," he finally said, breaking the silence.

Callum's hand stilled. He tilted his head and met Trent's gaze and seemed to peer right into his soul. There was so much question in that single look. Then his eyes darted to Trent's lips and Trent's heart missed a beat. He held his breath.

"Can I—" Callum started, but hesitated, uncertainty clouding his eyes.

Was he asking what Trent thought he was asking?

"Can you…?"

"I can't keep denying how I feel about you," Callum whispered. "I want to kiss you. May I?"

Trent nodded, his pulse quickening with anticipation, because as if he'd ever say no. Even if my heart gets broken? He pushed that thought aside.

Their lips met hesitantly at first, as if exploring uncharted territory . I guess for Callum it may well be. He let Callum set the pace, expecting him to take things slow, however he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against Trent's and sending a shiver through him. Bloody hell! He can kiss.

His exploration was hot and wet, and Trent moaned at the taste of Callum on his lips. The rasp of his stubble, his wandering hands, Callum's strong, hard body…

"Cal…" Trent gasped, pulling away momentarily to catch his breath. His skin was tingling, his body on fire, his cock hard as steel pressing against his boxers, and he could feel Cal pressed hard against him.

Callum pressed gentle kisses to his forehead, cheeks, and jawline, kisses that became more passionate and demanding. He was half over Trent, his body hard against his. All Trent wanted to do was rut against him, but forced himself to push Callum back.

"Ssh. We've got time," he said, cupping his cheek.

"Please." Callum reached for him again.

"Are you sure this is what you truly want? You've been through a lot in the last couple of days, I don't want—"

Callum put a finger to his lips. "The last couple of days have nothing do with it, except making me realise life's too short. I've wanted this with you for a long time now."

"Cal, I—oh God." Trent moaned, as Callum's fingers brushed over his cock, and pleasure coursed through him.

"I want this," Callum said again, his breath hot and heavy against Trent's ear. "But I don't know what to do."

Fuck! What was he supposed to do with that? "Tell me what you want, Cal. I want to make you feel good."

"You do. You make me feel good."

Callum's wandering hand was more sure now, heavy on Trent's cock causing it to throb with need. Callum undulated his hips obviously seeking friction. Trent knew exactly how he felt. He urged Callum onto his side, rolling with him and forcing a hand between them. He met Callum's gaze as he delved under his waistband to free his cock, and what he saw there was arousal and pure need. His pupils were dilated, his breathing coming in shallow gasps. There wasn't any reluctance as Cal reached for Trent's cock with his good arm, and mirrored his movements. It was awkward as they grappled with each other, and without lube to ease the way, but there was no way he was leaving the bed.

"Trent…" Callum's voice was strained as he stroked, his body vibrating. "Oh my God."

"That's it. Fucking perfect, Cal." Pressure built in his belly.

Callum groaned. Trent brought their lips together and swallowed the sounds as Cal feasted on his mouth like a starving man until he suddenly pulled away. "Oh, fuck. Not going to last long."

"Don't need to." Trent knocked Cal's hand away and wrapped his fingers around them both, and using their natural slick moved like wildfire bringing them both to the brink in record time. At the first pulse of Callum spilling over his fist, Trent gave in and joined him in one of the most intense orgasms he'd ever experienced. Fucking hell!

"Trent…" Callum whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Trent looked into his eyes seeking reassurance and finding it in the warmth of Callum's gaze and the gentle smile on his face. Callum leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to his lips before falling back onto the pillow. Trent tugged the tangled sheet over them, wiping his hand on the cotton as he did so. His heart raced from his orgasm, but also from nerves. Now that the moment was over, would Cal have regrets?

He needn't have worried. Callum's fingers found his again and joined their hands. "Trent, that was…"

He squeezed Callum's hand. "Was that okay? Are you okay?"

Callum chuckled softly. "I'm more than okay. Better than I could've ever imagined."

Trent lay beside him, the two of them staring at the ceiling. Eventually he spoke. "So, are you gay? Bi?"

Callum shrugged beside him and sighed. "No. Not gay. Bi, maybe? Hell, I don't know."

"But you've never been with a…" Trent trailed off, uncomfortable with giving Cal the third degree.

"Guy? No." Callum shifted on the bed and Trent sensed him looking at him, so turned to meet his gaze. Callum looked at him with a mix of tenderness and vulnerability. "To be honest, sex hasn't been at the top of my list of priorities with a guy or a girl. You probably think I'm strange."

"No, of course not." Trent raised on one elbow and looked down at him. "We're all different and need different things at different times. It's okay to want to explore…"

"This isn't an experiment. I know what I want. I was just scared to admit how I've felt about you for a while…"

"And now?"

Callum grinned. "And now… all I can think is, why didn't we do this sooner?"

"Maybe because you wouldn't have been ready sooner." Trent traced a lazy circle on Callum's shoulder. From the sound of it, maybe Callum was demi. He warmed inside at the thought that Cal felt something special for him, enough to want to take their relationship to the next level. "Anyway, we're here now, and that's what counts."

Cal reached a hand to cup his cheek. "You're right. Life's too short to deny ourselves happiness. Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind." He proceeded to yawn loudly.

Trent chucked. "It's a bit late for such a heavy conversation. How about we clean up and try to get some sleep?"

"Sounds good."

He helped Callum pull his T-shirt over his head, taking care of his bandaged arm, then removed his own and used it to wipe them both, before tossing them to the floor. "Do you want a clean shirt, or another pill?"

"No. Just come here."

Trent lay back down and Callum snuggled against him. Who'd have thought he'd be a cuddler?

Trent smiled at the ceiling. After his last disastrous relationship he'd never thought he would feel this way again, but with Callum, everything felt just right.