Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

A crick in his neck woke Lio, and he started before realizing where he was and who he used as a pillow. After all the flirting and dancing last night, Bel might've expected sex when inviting Lio to his room. Hell, Lio had too until he'd opened his mouth and out spilled the whole sorry truth about his life.

He disentangled himself from Bel's sleeping form and stood by the couch, looking down. Bel looked so peaceful in sleep. So relaxed. What must he think of Lio now?

Lio slipped from the room and to his own. He'd need to deal with his own thoughts and feelings before facing Bel again, a man who hadn't signed on to deal with emotional baggage.

But so much had happened that required processing. Lio had opened up as much as he could and experienced a movie that made him wish for the love Emilio had been denied until the very end of his short life. Then, the dancing, watching Bel move his large body effortlessly.

The kiss.

Then Lio had gone and ruined an otherwise perfect evening. But even as he'd cried, Bel simply held him. A guy could get used to being treated like something precious.

A knock sounded at the door, and Lio's heart leaped. Maybe Bel wouldn't judge him for his meltdown last night and missed him. He shuffled over in the clothes he'd worn last night and opened the door. Jessa stood there, bleary-eyed, holding a basket with a blanket draped over one shoulder. He'd wonder later how she knew he'd be here instead of at Bel's unless she'd been there first.

"I know you enjoyed your date last night, so I packed you a picnic lunch to continue the romance. There's a green space behind the building that ought to do."

She pushed her way in and deposited the basket on the counter. "I just gotta say, the two of you in the car last night on the way home? We're talking about Bucky's Barbeque levels of deliciousness. I thought I'd return the favor. Sandwiches, sodas, deviled eggs, chips."

Lio rubbed his burning eyes. "Picnic lunch? What time is it?"

"One p.m. We stayed out pretty late last night."

One p.m.? Where had the day gone? Yet the thought of spending hours sleeping in Bel's arms made Lio feel warm inside.

"Go on, get dressed. I've already sent for Bel, and he should be here in about ten minutes. Oh, and be careful where you put the blanket. Though we travelers can heal fast, we can't prevent fire ants from biting, and those little buggers hurt." Jessa dropped the blanket onto the couch and swept toward the door. "Buh-bye." She closed the door behind her.

Bel was coming! Would he still want to see Lio? Would today be awkward? Lio took a quick shower, left off shaving, and put on one of the new pair of jeans that fit much better than what he'd arrived in—though not nearly as snugly as the ones he'd worn last night. He pulled a plain blue T-shirt over his head and stared into the mirror.

Maybe he should wear the red one. Or would a button-down be better? Why was his hair sticking up on one side? Lio paced, rubbing suddenly moist palms on his blue jeans. Bel should be here any minute.

Another knock came at the door. Little fluttery feelings took root in Lio's insides when he opened the door on Bel, similarly dressed but with a green shirt that matched his eyes and his riotous copper curls currently subdued by water. He must've just showered, too.

Lio's mouth went dry. "Hi," he said, suddenly feeling shy. Was this what people meant when they talked about a walk of shame? Him slinking out without saying goodbye? Please let Bel not hold it against him.

Bel gave a slow, uncertain smile. Maybe Lio wasn't the only nervous one. "Hi, yourself." The look in his eyes grew concerned. He reached up slowly, cupping Lio's cheek in his hand when Lio didn't pull away. "Are you okay? I worried when I woke up to find you gone."

Lio nodded, closing his eyes and nuzzling his cheek into Bel's palm. Maybe he hadn't ruined things last night after all.

Bel straightened, letting his hand drop. "Jessa said to meet you here."

Lio nodded toward the counter. "Yeah. She suggested a picnic behind the building." Though Emilio's memories were fading, Lio knew full well he'd never gone on a picnic, and the movie last night made it seem so romantic.

" Suggested. That's what we're calling it?"

Lio couldn't help a laugh. Then he noticed the crinkles around Bel's eyes, how his whole face lit up. How wonderful to see him happy. "Well, to her face anyway."

As much as he wanted more time, he needed to address the issue weighing on his mind. "About last night. I'm sorry. That's not what I intended when I went to your room."

"You needed to talk, and you told me things I need to know so I don't inadvertently do or say something to trigger you." Bel stared deeply into Lio's eyes, making Lio's insides squirm. "I hope you know that you can tell me anything. I'm here for you."

Any tension that might've existed melted away from between them.

"Now. What say we go eat? I'm starving." Bel patted his stomach. "I'll get the food." He hefted the basket and gestured toward the door. Lio grabbed the blanket.

They rode the elevator to the lobby, but instead of going to the front door, they strode down another hallway. Lio swiped his key card to activate the exit. Thank goodness for the "You are here" and the compound map posted next to the rules on the front door of his room.

A green lawn swept from the building to a stand of trees, and if not for traffic sounds from the nearby interstate, Lio might have imagined they were in a park somewhere far from the city, like in last night's movie. He'd take Bel to a real park one day. He picked a promising spot, checked the vicinity for the fire ants Jessa had warned him about, and spread out the blanket.

Bel sat on the blanket and rifled through the basket's contents, pulling out two sodas, a few bags of chips, sandwiches, and a container of deviled eggs and laying them out in a row. He handed over a soda as Lio sat down.

Despite the sound of traffic in the distance, birds sang. A white puffy cloud passed overhead in front of a clear blue sky, and any cares seemed miles away.

Bel fumbled with his cell phone until soft music started. "Does that work for you? I kind of like instrumentals."

"It's perfect." Especially after the loud, pulsating club music. They ate sandwiches, chips, and eggs, washing them down with soda. Last night, Lio had told Bel Emilio's story. Maybe one day, he'd get to tell his own. "Bel, what happens if I never remember who I was before coming here?"

"Then we build on who you are here. I'd like to know that part of you, but I'll take anything you're willing and able to give."

Lio got the distinct impression that Bel meant more than sex or friendship. "What if I remember I had a mate in Domus?"

"Then we'll deal with it then. I like you, Lio. I don't think you could be much different from how you are now: a sweet guy. I'm beginning to think you might be Nutrix and have a caring nature in either realm."

"Yeah, but I can't help wondering about my parents. Did I have siblings? What were our lives like?" Had Lio always felt so alone?

"Your parents had to be wonderful because you're wonderful. Now come here. Lie down and put your head in my lap—if you're okay with that."

Lio lifted a brow in question but settled into position with his head in Bel's lap.

Bel raked his fingers through Lio's hair and rubbed his scalp, the touch gentle but firm.

A moan escaped before Lio could stop it, and he tipped his head to get those fingertips on a spot that felt amazing. "Oh, that feels so good. Where did you learn to give head massages?"

"My host gave them to his husband." They both fell quiet, likely thinking of the man whose death allowed Bel's life.

Lio shifted his head to guide Bel's fingertips to the right spots, particularly near his temples and on the back of his head, right above his neck.

While they were relaxed might be a good time to talk, particularly in light of Lio thinking that staying in Atlanta might not be too bad. "Have you thought any more about staying here and taking a job with Farren and Morrisey?"

"I don't know. I think it's too early to make long-term decisions. Now hush. Just enjoy."

Lio did. He opened his eyes to find Bel watching him. Without conscious thought, he rose while Bel descended until their lips met in the softest of kisses.

They settled onto their backs on the blanket, staring up at the blue sky, Lio's head on Bel's outstretched arm. An image superimposed over Lio's vision: swirling shades of purple, violet, and lavender, catching the rays of twin suns.

Something to worry about later. He enjoyed the sun's warmth for now, his proximity to Bel, and a moment in time when he didn't have to worry about who he was, who he'd been, or what his future held, living totally in the moment.

The closeness of Bel's body created feelings deep inside, causing Lio's cock to grow increasingly hard. What would it be like to roll on top of Bel and rut until he came? Oh, how good it would feel, how good he'd make Bel feel.

They rolled onto their sides, facing each other, those lovely crinkles at the corners of Bel's eyes and a smile playing over his full lips. His beautiful green eyes sparkled. "I think a picnic was a great idea. We'll have to thank Jessa later."

"Knowing her, she's watching from somewhere, hoping things escalate so she can feast on any sexual energy."

"Let her watch." Bel pulled Lio into his arms and kissed him again. "We'll give her a feast."

As beautiful as the day was, flashes of… something kept sparking in Lio's mind, distracting him from the here and now: rolling purple waves and a tall, forbidding stone structure.

And beneath it all, a feeling of impending doom.