Afterglow in the Guest Suite
The cabin kitchen looked abandoned except for Jonas sitting beside the sink, reading the back of a cereal box with the same distracted patience he reserved for anything mechanical. Emil entered with a bottle of wine and a nervous glance. Jonas looked up. His eyes followed Emil from the door to the sink, lingering on the bulge of his jacket bulging against his sides. Jonas set the cereal box aside and said plainly, “You’re early.”
Emil smiled and sat across the table. “I’m not early for you. I’m early for me. I told you I’d come by.”
Jonas nodded. He reached for the wine and then hesitated. Emil’s gaze dropped to his hands. Jonas carried the glass to his mouth and held it there. Emil took the bottle from his hands. Jonas let out a long breath and said, “You have a point.”
The cabin kitchen filled with warmth from the brass lamp Jonas had chosen because it cast shadows without glare. Emil appreciated that Jonas had noticed. Jonas spoke carefully. “I don’t want to rush you.”
“I’m not rushing. I’m not rushing you.” Emil smiled and touched Jonas’s hand. Jonas tensed. Emil leaned in and whispered, “You should have left the door open.”
Jonas’s eyes flickered to the door. Emil stayed still. Jonas moved his gaze back to Emil. “I don’t want to regret this later.”
Emil met his gaze. “I don’t want that either.”
Jonas stood. Emil followed. Jonas led him through the hallway to the couch where the evening wind entered through broken windowpanes. Jonas sat beside him. Emil sat on Jonas’s lap. Jonas held him close. Emil placed his hand on Jonas’s chest. Jonas kissed him softly. Emil kissed Jonas back.
When they parted, Jonas said, “You remember when I told you that night you came by after the party, that I liked being late for you?”
Emil nodded. Jonas smiled and said, “You came by early today.”
Jonas rested his head against Emil’s. Emil placed his hand on Jonas’s leg. Jonas whispered, “This is why I brought you here.”
“I know. I wanted to be clear.”
Jonas closed his eyes. Emil held him. Jonas pulled him close. Jonas rested his head against Emil’s shoulder. Emil tightened the hold. Jonas smiled against Emil’s neck. Emil kissed the skin above the collar. Jonas said, “We’re not rushing.”
“We’re not running.” Emil placed his chin against Jonas’s hair. Jonas sighed. “We should go to bed.”
“After dinner?” Emil offered him the wine. Jonas hesitated, then took a drink.
Jonas set the glass aside and said, “We should go to bed.” Jonas pulled Emil up to his feet and placed him gently on the couch. Jonas sat beside him. Emil placed a hand on Jonas’s chest. Jonas kissed him. Emil held Jonas’s head. Jonas kissed Emil again. Jonas stood. Emil followed. Jonas led him to the bedroom.
Jonas closed the door. Emil stood beside him. Jonas placed his hand on Emil’s neck. Emil placed his hand over Jonas’s. Jonas smiled. Emil whispered, “It’s only been a week. I thought I’d have more time.”
Jonas said, “I know. This is why we waited. We have time.”
Emil kissed Jonas. Jonas kissed him back. Jonas pulled him onto the bed. Emil lay beside Jonas. Jonas held him. Jonas placed his hand on the curve of Emil’s back. Emil rested his head on Jonas’s chest. Jonas kissed the top of his head. Jonas whispered, “I’m glad we’re both ready.”
Emil smiled. Jonas placed a hand on his bare chest. Jonas smiled. Emil looked up. Jonas said plainly, “We have time.”