Noel sat frozen in the leather chair, the small glass jar of lemon candies still clutched in his lap like a lifeline. The taste of the last one lingered on his tongue—sharp and sweet—but it did nothing to cool the sudden heat flooding his face. His lips which were still slightly swollen from Arthur's kiss yesterday and now tingling from Cedric's, parted on a shaky breath.
He had not meant to say that.
"No... I want more."
The words had slipped out— honest, unguarded.
He realised too late how they sounded.
His hand flew up—clapped over his mouth as though he could shove the sentence back inside. His eyes widened; his cheeks burned hotter.
Cedric stood over him, still kneeling slightly from the kiss. He looked calm, almost too calm, except for the slight flush high on his cheekbones that hadn't been there before.
Noel dropped his hand slowly—fingers trembling.
He tried to let out an awkward and forced laugh.
