In his arms...

Asher had to repeatedly force his eyes away from Beau's body during their shower. The fact that he was getting hard from the unreserved ogling was a fact he was too aware of. Beau washed him like a baby and he did not bother trying to stop him because he knew it would be futile. Asher still shyly covered himself from time to time.

The bath tub was bigger than Asher expected. Well, the school would have to provide the best for the amount "rich parents" paid.

As Beau proceeded to wash Asher's hair, he asked, "Have you remembered what you wanted to ask me?"

Since Asher had been thinking about the school, he easily remembered. "Yeah, I do. I do now."

Beau grinned. "I told you. All you needed was a little touch to send electric waves to your brain."

Asher laughed. "Shut up, pervert. I wanted to ask if you grew around these parts. What is it called? Elite high?"

"Yeah. This entire neighborhood is called Elite high—same as this school. It's a very beautiful and quiet neighborhood."

"And also a rich neighborhood," Asher added. Beau nodded. "So crazy."

"I almost laughed when you asked if I grew around these parts. My parents are not rich. Where do you think they'd get the money to move into a neighborhood such as this? And before you ask, I am on scholarship here at the university."

Asher said nothing in response. For the first time in his life, he found someone who wasn't so keen and interested in luxuries and financial things, someone so simple and satisfied. It was very unusual from the usual life Asher was used to.

"Do you ever wish to be from wealthy parents?"

"No, never. It has never occurred to me. I have loving and hardworking parents. They try their best to take care of me. I am satisfied with that." Beau proceeded to wash himself. He stepped out of the tub and helped Asher out.

"I wished I lived a simpler life." Asher stood still as Beau tied a towel around him and got one for himself. "It's... You wish for money only to see that it comes with more than just luxury. I wish my parents were just normal people, average working-class parents who love me."

"It's okay. You are here now. No one will oppress you here or make you feel sad. And know that you can always come to me for anything."

"Thank you."

Beau kissed his cheek. "You're welcome, pumpkin."

Asher had to remind himself that their relationship was still on probational grounds. He was getting a strong type of knit to Beau and they had known each other barely three weeks.

And so far, Asher could swear that it'd been the best weeks of his life. Each passing day, he went to bed feeling anxious to see Beau the following morning, and excited when the ambassador showed on his doorstep, grinning, with his sexy-as-hell body giving off the needed amount of heat.

Talking about heat, Asher looked at Beau who stood beside him. A bit taller than him, muscled, and strikingly handsome, Beau gallantly stood beside him. Asher dived forward and jumped into Beau's arms. He nuzzled his face on the warmth Beau's skin provided, inhaling and exhaling in contentment.

Even though Beau had no idea why the hug was initiated, he took the opportunity to take some amount of heat off Asher's body. They stood still in each other's arms, each one tapping strength from the other.

Asher exhaled again. Beau immediately pulled him back, frowning and peering into his face. "Are you crying?"

"Crying? No. Did it seem like I was crying?"

"Something like that. Come here." He pulled Asher back into the hug, nuzzling his face in the crook of Asher's neck. "I don't care what this hug is for but I don't want it to stop."

Asher smiled. "I don't too," he confessed. "You are so warm."

Beau led him into the room. "Put on some clothes before you catch a cold." To prevent Asher from getting self-conscious or shy, Beau dressed in the bathroom to give Asher enough time to get himself covered.

By the time Beau came out of the bathroom, Asher was already in bed, dressed in a green and red colored pyjamas.

"I love the colors of your PJ. Reminds me of Christmas."

Asher smiled. "It was actually a gift from my grandma before she passed. I love the color. It reminds me of... happiness."

"Yeah, it gives off that vibe." Deciding to cuddle, Beau laid on his side, his crotch pressed to Asher's ass. They fitted perfectly. "You should get some sleep."

"You should too." Asher was aware of the warm body pressed against his back. Even without a single item of clothing on, Asher doubted if he could be cold around Beau. The heat and virility Beau always gave off could melt ice.

Just like it was slowly melting the ice in Asher's existence.

For a while, none said anything. In a bid to do something before he got lured into sleep, Asher was silently trying to count the beat of Beau's heart against his back, and Beau was too busy trying to be still so Asher could sleep.

The drama went on for ten minutes. Asher broke the silence.

"Are you already sleeping?" he asked quietly, careful not to stir Beau if he was already asleep.

"No. I thought you were trying to sleep," Beau murmured behind his ears, his breath fanning across Asher's face. "Am I disturbing you?"

"Far from that. I think I will sleep better in this position." He did not see the smile that stretched across Beau's face. Asher caressed the hand slung over his waist. "You are going to be very busy tomorrow—as usual. You should get some sleep."

"Hmm."

Beau's deep-throated murmur made Asher's toes tingle. "Close your eyes now."

"You didn't kiss me goodnight."

"Ooh." Asher turned to face him. The fact that he wasn't laughing or smiling told Asher that it wasn't a joke. "Come here, big boy." He gently cupped Beau's face and kissed his forehead, cheeks, and eyelids. "Goodnight, Beau."

"Hmm... Goodnight. You should also sleep."

They went back to their former position. After some minutes, Asher head Beau's heavy breathing, an indication of his gradual fall into sleep.

Even with that, Asher could not close his eyes. His mind started its own journey around the universe. He kept thinking of the odds of being with Beau, if the nemesis of his actions would eventually catch up with him, if God will send him to hell like his father always intoned.

But... he had never felt this much warmth for as long as he remembered. Not even from his father who claimed that he did all he did because of the love he has for Asher.

No one held him like Beau, or made him feel good half as Beau did. Asher could not deny the fact that they were very compatible. He could not also stop his thoughts from running into the future, thinking how life would be if they decided to stay together after their three months of probation.

Even though Asher could forseee happiness and joy in their relationship, he knew the price they'd have to pay. A great price, if he should be sincere.

They'd have to pay a price...

The words rang in Asher's ears even as he closed his eyes. It continued like an anthem as he slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

*. *. *. *.*

Like most of the time when Asher went to bed late, he had a dreamless sleep. Most of the night, he tossed and turned.

Whenever he thought his eyes were going to shoot open, warm hands would caress him, sweet husky voice luring him back into the unknown, muscles pressed against him from all sides.

At last the turbulence settled and Asher found peace in the comfort of the arms wrapped around him.

The sleep must have lasted some hours, maybe even centuries, but Asher woke up only to feel like going back to bed. He would have gone back to sleep if not for the soft waft of tantalizing aroma that drifted past his nostrils.

He sat up.

Beau wasn't beside him. What remained was only a shirt to show that they'd spent the night together.

Without any form of footwear, Asher slowly trod on the cold floor, sniffing his way to the sitting room.

The sight that met him forced a loud gasp from him...