A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 53

James

"It's four a.m. What are you still doing here?"

James looked up at Artyom who was standing close to him on the club's entrance steps, and took a long drag of his cigarette. "Enjoying the weather."

Artyom sat down beside him. "How can you possibly sit outside? It's freezing."

"Are you sure you're Russian?" James exhaled the smoke in the cold winter air.

Artyom made a face. "Stereotypes."

James took another deep drag, then held out his cigarette pack to Artyom. "Want one?"

"I don't smoke anymore."

"Good for you."

"What are you really doing out here James? What's wrong?" Artyom asked in a soft voice, brushing James's cheek with the pad of his thumb.

James leaned into his touch. He wanted to reach out, to make sure Artyom was actually there. He couldn't believe last night had happened.

He had liked it. James who had never kissed a man in his entire life had liked kissing Artyom. James wanted to feel more than just the brush of Artyom's fingers on his face.

"James?" Artyom touched his hand.

He cleared his throat. "Sorry, what did you say?"

A soft smile graced Artyom's lips. "I asked what's wrong."

"Nothing." James pulled on his cigarette.

"Don't lie to me."

"Or what? You'll punish me?" James scoffed.

"Don't tempt me." Artyom said with a playful smirk.

"Just go home, and leave me alone."

"Why don't you go home?"

"I don't have a home." James said. Artyom's eyes shadowed over with sadness. "I didn't mean it literally. I have a house. I just don't want to go back there right now."

"Why not?"

Because it makes me miss Ada. Because it still smells like her. Because it makes me choke on my loneliness.

"I get bored."

"Then come to my home." Artyom brushed the back of his hand.

"Do you want to fuck me?" James blurted.

"I want to spend time with you. We could play some video games, or watch a movie. You almost got raped a few nighs ago, and your neck's not completely healed. I don't think fucking is a good idea."

"I don't want to do any of those things right now. Like you said, it almost happened, and my neck's fine. I'm over it. I want you to fuck me. I mean if you want to..."

James didn't know where he got the courage but he knew he wanted Artyom. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since last night.

Ada was another reason he wanted to sleep with Artyom. He had tried so hard not to think about her, to pretend she didn't even exist, but Ada always found her way back into his head.