You are the Answer {boyxboy} ✓ (Dogs, Bats & Monkeys series, Book I | Riley)

Chapter 19

A/N: This author turned a quarter of a century last Sunday. My birthday (and being to a wedding the day before) was the reason why I didn't update YATA last weekend but hey, you get TWO updates this week. Enjoy!

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I refused to open my eyes as I snuggled closer to him, letting out a content sigh. Lying on my right side, I was covering his chest with my left hand, enjoying the warmth that radiated from him through his t-shirt. He shifted his left arm - the one that my head was on - and brought me even closer to him.

"You are awake," Rhys noted softly, probably because he saw the huge grin on my face. I hummed in conformation. "Are you hungry yet?"

I opened my eyes, my mouth forming into a larger smile.

"For your kisses? Always." I lifted a bit up off the bed to kiss him. Rhys didn't part his lips, keeping it sweet and innocent. I strongly suspected the reason behind that was not to give me ideas about going further... Things had gotten somewhat heated between us last night.

I twitched as I remembered him on top of me, t-shirtless and sucking on my neck. We'd both panted and I'd moaned although we didn't get further that rubbing our bodies - pants still on - against each other. Rhys had stopped abruptly, rolling off of me and almost running towards the window. He'd stood there with his head out until he'd caught his breath and gotten his composure back.

I'd felt slightly guilty as I had initiated the make out session; Rhys had stated that he wanted to take things slowly and that we were not going to make love - yes, he'd put it like that - on that night. We'd cuddled, we'd kissed goodnight, I'd deepened the kiss, he'd responded and next thing I knew, I was taking off his top.

It had been impossible for me to restrain myself. I'd spent the evening worrying about him, praying he'd returning safely. Once he did, he was the nicest person ever: even though he was exhausted, he'd made sure I was comforted and pampered; his touch as he'd caressed my cheeks had been gentle, his kisses soothing... As I said: I couldn't help myself.

I needed to be close to him.

"So how about breakfast?" The Rhys from the present inquired.

"I guess I could grab a bite but..." I hesitated: should I ask now?

He'd promised to tell me today, but he hadn't said when exactly. Wouldn't it be better if I kept my questions for later and let us have a quiet morning together?

It was the first time we woke up in each other's arms after all. But could I really go through a meal, laughing and chatting, and maybe steal a few more kisses from him when there were so many things I wished to know?

"You want to know what happened at the Council meeting last night." The pause I'd made had given Rhys time to guess. I responded with a nod and he sighed, letting go of me. His hands darted up and he rubbed his temples. We were silent as he contemplated on how much to disclose.

"Alright," he began, turning to his left to look at me. "There's been another murder, this time of an elderly gentlemen. Same M.O., still almost no clues left behind."

"Not even fingerprints? What about blood? Had none of the victims put up a fight? Not even the couple? They were two people after all..."

Rhys raised a hand to put a stop on my verbal attack of his ears. I bit into my lips to keep my mouth shut and allowed him to reply.

"There are fingerprints all over each crime scene. The culprit hasn't bothered wiping them clean, probably because they are useless..."

"How come?" I shot out before I could help myself.