Free We Found Love by Kade Boehme, Allison Cassatta Page B

of them existed, and they were ending a great night.
    Like all good things, though, the music had to end. It faded, and they still swayed together, stealing just one more moment for themselves. Hunter moved his face so he could kiss Riley full on the lips. But it didn’t burn as hot as their earlier kisses had. They just stood there, taking in the beauty of the city around them and the night air, even if the Mississippi did smell like shit. It was perfect.
    Then Hunter opened his eyes and stepped back. “Thank you for going out with me.”
    Riley gave him a lazy, indulgent smile. “It was nice.”
    While he hated to say it, it was late. “We best get you home before we both turn into a pumpkin.”
    Riley rolled his eyes. “I’m not a princess.”
    Hunter licked his lips and gave Riley an exaggerated once-over. “Oh, I know that. Trust me.” He wished he had a watch. “But we can’t stay at the ball much longer. It’s getting late.”
    Riley chewed his bottom lip and looked over Hunter’s shoulder, regretful. “You’re right. We should go.”
    He started moving toward the door, but Hunter pulled him up short, wrapping both arms around Riley’s chest from behind, and whispered in his ear. “Really. Thank you. For sharing this with me. You’re amazing.”
    Riley leaned his head back, briefly resting his body, completely and blessedly relaxing against Hunter. Then he straightened, took Hunter’s hand again, and led him back out of what Hunter had decided was definitely an awesome place. Their awesome place.

Chapter 9

     
     
    T HEY RETURNED to their room without getting busted by the likes of Wally the Hairless Wonder, and they went back to their own beds, though neither one of them slept. Riley faced Hunter. Hunter faced Riley. Neither one dared to close their eyes, even as the window in their bedroom door started to lighten. Riley knew that meant the common room was full of sunlight and the staff was all abuzz and eager to shove them out of a magical night and into a miserable day.
    “Checks” was the first sound Riley heard since returning to his room. It was crazy to think after all that sharing and the amazing time they had together, neither one of them wanted to talk about it. It felt like lying there watching each other kept them in the forbidden wing, on the bluff and in each other’s arms. Riley didn’t mind it at all. He’d spent most of his life living in his head and didn’t really see a point in changing now, especially not with the kind of view Hunter had left him with.
    “Breakfast” came next. In tandem, they rose from their beds and slipped back into their cheap slippers. Hunter still had on the hoodie Riley had given him last night, and something about having his clothes worn by the person he cared about most made him warm and fuzzy inside.
    They continued on through the routine of eating, polished off more breakfast than either had eaten since Hunter’s arrival. Hell, Riley could take it back even further. He hadn’t wanted food so badly since that last night with Andy. Apparently midnight misadventures made for healthier appetites. The best part about it, though, Hunter was already starting to look human again. The fact made him ten times hotter than he had been, which made for great fantasy material while they were waiting for their next group session.
    Riley sat in his far, lonely corner with his copy of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest bent wide. He kept his face buried there, even though he had Hunter beside him, noisily flipping through a magazine that apparently didn’t hold his interest.
    “You okay?” Riley asked, looking over the book’s spine and covers.
    “These magazines suck. I’m bored.”
    “Sorry I swiped the best book they have. I’ve read it like ten times.”
    “Really?” Hunter wrinkled his nose. “That good?”
    “Yeah, actually, and wonderfully offensive, all things considered.” Riley snorted. “Want me to read to you?”
    “No. I think I can