The week had been horrendous ā with an impending merger, Albie had spent more time than usual at work, his fatherās usual imperious demands dialed up to obnoxious levels. The only silver lining in all of it was that once the deal went through, Albieās position would be structured out, allowing him the change of careers heād been longing for. That was the light at the end of the tunnel, the reason he was able to grin and bear it through endless meetings with tedious people.
But now, cuddled against Maggieās chest, Albie finally feels some of the tension seep out of his body. She was a miracle ā his miracle. It was the only explanation, given how truly serendipitous the journey had been to get them here.
He doesnāt even realise heās nuzzling against her breast, eager lips mouthing at her through her shirt. Heās just seeking her warmth and her comfort, craving ever more closeness. Heās not intending to push for that, but he wants it, has wanted it for a long time. Theyāve even talked about it, but never been bold enough to cross that line.
Albie feels a hot flush of embarrassment as Maggie moves his head, quickly soothed by her reassurances. As she bares herself, his eyes lock on the soft pink teat, his stomach swooping as the implication hits him.
āY-yeah,ā he murmurs, sighing out softly, warm breath brushing over Maggieās skin. He looks up at her, the last traces of his uncertainty drifting away.Ā āThank you,ā he says, tone sincere and sweet.
He starts with a little lick ā kittenish, almost ā then curls his tongue around the warm bud. The feeling is almost primal, so deeply comforting that Albie nearly shudders at the wave of warmth that floods through him. He closes his mouth around her nipple, cuddling closer against her, one hand going to cup her other breast. Notched against Maggie like that, he begins to suckle in earnest, a happy hum starting in the back of his throat.
Maggie had sensed Albieās stress levels inching ever higher over the course of the week. Heād been at work far more than usual, and though she knows there is an end in sight for him, and one he wants. Sheās also been busier than she likes, with a few more weddings to do flowers for than she should have perhaps allowed into her schedule looming imminently. But thereās only so much she can do to support him beyond packing lunches for him whenever she has a chance and holding him as they drift off to sleep.
It doesnāt even occur to her to offer it as a possible solution to at least some of his tension until she notices him nuzzling her breast as they cuddle. The first time his lips brush over her nipple, though, the idea hits her full on. Theyāve talked about it before, more than once. But for one reason and another, ranging from nerves winning out to simply being too collectively exhausted to do much beyond semi-simultaneously crash into bed together, theyāve not acted on it.
A little smile tugs at the corner of her mouth when Albieās eyes immediately zero in on her bare breast and the nipple so close to his lips that she can feel the warmth of his breath ghost over it.Ā āYouāre welcome,ā she says, impossibly fond as she brushes a thumb over his cheek.
His tongue licking over her nipple sends a little shiver down her spine, but that reaction pales in comparison to the wave that crashes over her body from head to foot the moment Albieās mouth closes fully around her nipple and begins to suckle. Maggie has never felt more connected to him than she does right now, her heart becoming buoyant with happiness in her chest as he hums and continues to suckle. Her hand slips from where sheād touched his cheek to the nape of his neck, fingers carding gently through the hair at the back of his head.Ā āThere you go, sweet boy, there you go,ā she murmurs, unable to take her eyes off him for even a moment.