Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Twenty One

ARIS' POV

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The entire journey home I kept touching my lips. I know that we've been a little flirty over the weeks but I never expected him to kiss me–especially not like that. He held me like my lips were the last he was ever going to devour.

Oh my fuck. I drag a hand down my face as I sit outside my flat and compose myself.

Sure, I had a crush on Nick since I met him because he's handsome and smells even better up close. But never in a million years did I think we'd be tasting each other's mouths like I don't work for him. I was more than happy to let my silly attraction simmer and fizzle out when I realised that we'd never stand a chance of being together. The flirting felt fun because I knew I was definitely punching above my weight with this one but... what the fuck was that?

My head aches. It was a good kiss. A phenomenal kiss. Although I'm slightly confused.

I undo my seatbelt with a sigh and drag myself up to the second floor so I can tumble straight through the front door. My keys jam into the lock and I twist, before I get a look of the living space I turn and shut the door. I rest my forehead against the cool wood and close my eyes.

"Uhhh, oh," Luca's voice from behind welcomes me home. "What's happened now?"

My jaw tenses at the memories of his firm kisses. We didn't quite touch tongues but he certainly made me feel a little breathless and hot under the collar. I'm sure I whimpered. Fuck. I whimpered. Someone bury me under the floorboards.

A pained sound escapes my throat as I drop my head. "Spill it. Now!" Luca demands, louder this time.

"I kissed Nick."

There is no holding back. I come straight out with it. What's the point in stalling? It's not going to change the past, it might just help me come to terms with what the fuck happened. I'm still trying to let my mind catch up but it's lagging.

When I twist around to the living space, I jump out of my skin when I find two sets of eyes staring at me like I've just said I committed a murder. I groan silently and scratch the back of my neck, keys still between my fingers. "Oh, shit." I mumble under my breath. "Uh. Hi, Declan."

"You kissed Nick?" He repeats.

I cringe internally. I'm certain my face is wincing too. This is painful. "No," I mumble but it's not convincing.

Luca scoots to the edge of the sofa, arms pressed onto his knees. "Oh my God," he shakes his head. "Wait. Oh my God. You kissed him?!"

My lids shut once more as I take off my jacket and kick off my shoes. "Okay, let's permanently ban that word in this house please. Thank you. Forget I said anything."

I walk towards the kitchen to grab some water for my incredibly dry mouth. Luca follows me and then Declan. Fuck my life. "No way. You need to spill every last detail right now."

Declan's arms fold over his chest as he stares back at me with clear curiosity. "Yeah, please do share how you swapped saliva with my brother?"

Amusement plays at his lips, Luca swats his arm to tell him to play nice. "Please, I'd rather not do this. Nick will probably tell you."

"Unlikely," Declan snorts. "He keeps his personal life private. Very private. Like he'd tell me what he was up to, who he was fucking, or even kissing."

Luca leans on the counter beside me and dips his head to study my face up close and personal. "You kissed him or he kissed you? Or was it a case of doing it at the same time?"