shivered.
And now there was desire mixed in all this. But Liam didn’t nuzzle again because Alec had said stop. With his free hand, Liam gently ran fingers through Alec’s tangled hair.
“Stop,” Alec rasped. But not, Liam noted, get off me.
“Okay.” Liam frowned. “But you like it.”
The flatness in Alec’s eyes gave way to depth, an anger, a desire. And confusion.
“I wouldn’t hurt you, you know.”
“I do not know.” But Alec’s body softened under Liam, even while Liam’s erection returned.
“Tell me to stop and I stop.” Without his gaze leaving Alec’s, Liam slowly brought his fingertips to Alec’s lips and brushed them. “I liked it when you kissed me in the summer, Alec. I left before I got too intense. Like just now. But I won’t hurt you.”
“That’s great to know.” The sarcasm sounded breathless. Alec’s chest rose and fell under Liam with quite a bit of effort, but when Liam stroked Alec’s cheek and forehead lightly, Alec did not say to stop.
The smell of fear faded, though a wary Alec watched him. Liam understood he had to move slowly or it would end. No more alarming Alec. While speed could be a problem when he was starved for touch, Liam now had full body contact with Alec and that gave him control.
Once again, Liam brought his mouth to Alec’s neck and this time he licked Alec’s fear-sweat away. Alec trembled, but did not speak and Liam couldn’t stop himself, he nipped.
Alec arched his back. Liam carefully explored his neck and chin, nuzzling, tasting, kissing.
Liam lifted his face to see Alec’s unfocused gaze. Still confused, but his expression was thick with desire.
“I love the shape of your eyes,” observed Liam. They were lovely, the slight cant to them, holding dark brown, almost black irises.
Alec licked his lips in invitation, and Liam took his mouth, plundering deep. At first, Alec just received him. Though his mouth did not fight the kiss, he didn’t respond. Liam’s free hand found skin between Alec’s shirt and jeans, and Alec jolted at the touch.
Not the pants. When Liam had gone after his pants, Alec had panicked. So Liam circled Alec’s stomach, his navel, and fingertips traveled across Alec’s ribs to find a nipple.
Alec’s groan was deep, long and shaky. The shakiness almost undid Liam and he strove to stay gentle. Then Alec was kissing back, his tongue mating with Liam’s, who captured Alec’s erect nipple and teased. Alec whimpered and Liam wondered how much longer he could hold out. Patience , he demanded of himself. This was just too important and that fear of Alec’s had been very, very real.
What Liam should do was release Alec’s arms, and yet a part of him still feared Alec would jump off the couch.
Appalled by that thought, Liam broke the kiss. If Alec wanted to break free, he must.
They stared at each other, Alec’s eyes black, his scent thick with arousal. Taking his weight off Alec’s pinioned arms, Liam ran hands down Alec as he eased back to sitting. He placed a palm on Alec’s placket and rubbed him through his jeans. Alec pushed against him. Slowly Liam unbuttoned and unzipped Alec, then pulled down boxers and jeans. His thick, dark cock sprung free.
Liam smiled, but when he looked again at Alec, the flatness to his gaze was back. The question of trust had returned and there was the faintest tremor beneath Liam. He eyed Alec and carefully—his own hand shaking at his control—touched the head of Alec’s cock with one finger.
“Should I stop?” he asked, reluctant to actually voice the question in case Alec said yes.
For an instant, Alec closed his eyes and Liam could barely breathe with waiting.
“No.” Alec’s word. It sounded like an admission of sorts.
Spreading the precome around Alec’s head, Liam slid a finger up and down the slit, and Alec turned his face to one side, saying, “God.”
Liam took him in hand, with long, firm strokes, and Alec was humming. Lowering his mouth, Liam eased Alec to the back of his