Loving Bailey Read Online Free PDF Page B

would
make you more comfortable." Bailey ducked his head and scrubbed at
a spot on the counter.
    The tiny subterfuge warmed Ashton. He tipped
Bailey's face back up so their eyes met. "He's an old friend, my
college roommate before grad school. He's also a marine
archeologist and he arrived yesterday from Aruba. I met him for
drinks and he blathered on about amazing finds when all I wanted to
do was talk about you." He brushed his lips over Bailey's softly.
"I really am sorry. It was thoughtless of me not to let you know
what was going on. I plead stupidity."
    Bailey smiled weakly at him. "And that's why
I'm trying not to be mad. I was stupid and thoughtless too. If you
can forgive me, then I can forgive you."
    "Done." He rubbed his sore eyes. "Hey…it's
Sunday. We were supposed to go over to the nature walk this
afternoon and the hardware store about a sprinkler system."
    Bailey nodded. "I'm game if you are."
    "Well, I am, but I'm kind of tired and I'd
like a shower."
    Mocking laughter filled the air, and the
last dregs of doubt flitted from his heart. "You laugh, but Arlo's
boat is smaller than my bedroom and the couch I slept on wouldn't
fit a Chihuahua comfortably. What do you say we nap, and then
tackle that list of things to do today?"
    "Are you sure? You've got all that grading
to do too."
    "I'm sure. You look tired, baby. Go lay down
and I'll be there when I get done in the shower."
    Bailey nodded, smiling shyly as he picked up
his coffee and left the room. Ashton watched him go, fighting with
himself. Was he being foolish? Sharing a bed with Bailey was like
penning a sheep with a wolf. They only had a few more days to go
until graduation. Graduation, the goal he'd set for keeping his
hands to himself.
    Leaving Bailey to settle himself into the
only room of the house that didn't already bear his stamp, Ashton
headed to the bathroom and a shower. He turned the water on to heat
then ran a hand over his jaw. Stubble could burn, but he wasn't
really alert enough for face shaving. Instead he brushed his teeth
and stared at himself in the mirror. He was seriously considering
breaking his word. Compromising his principles. And for what? To
get laid?
    Then again, Bailey was twenty-one, they'd
had about the most long term relationship he'd ever had, even
without sex, and damn it, after the emotional turmoil of the last
twenty-four hours, he wanted . Wanted to touch those hard
muscles, to lick his way over the ridged abdomen and taste the
essence of Bailey. He wanted to possess and be possessed by his
boyfriend, to make the claim permanent.
    He spit into the sink and pulled back the
shower curtain. The thin plastic tension rod that held the liner in
place wobbled, and he mentally added another project to the list of
things that needed to be done to make the cottage a home.
    The internal arguments continued throughout
his shower, and he still hadn't made up his mind what to do when he
exited the shower. He took two aspirin and swallowed the pills with
a cup of water. He wasn't in any condition at the moment to make
love. Hell, he was lucky to be able to walk. But neither did he
have the strength of will to fend off Bailey's advances. Saying no
had gotten harder as graduation day approached. The time to say yes
just might have arrived.
    The option was taken out of his hands when
he stepped barefoot, wrapped in a plush eco-friendly bamboo and
cotton towel, into his bedroom from the bathroom. The room was
blessedly dark; Bailey had pulled the shades down to block out the
sun. His eyes adjusted slowly and he couldn't help smiling at the
sight that came clear.
    A soft, vulnerable looking Bailey lay on the
bed in his jeans. He'd stripped off his T-shirt and kicked off his
sandals. His eyes were closed, dark lashes shadowy crescents on his
cheeks. His parted lips tempted Ashton to kiss him, but his gentle
snores reminded him just how tired they both were.
    Sighing contentedly, Ashton picked up the
plain blue T-shirt and folded the