Read Rough [01] - A Bit of Rough for Free Online Page B

apologetic shrug and whispered, "I don't like being scared. I don't want to be hurt, either." Nervous, James ran his hand up and down the edge of table as he talked. "I like forceful, but not being forced, you know?"
    "Yeah, Jamie, I do. I know the difference." Bram relaxed back against the cushions, running a hand through his honey-blond hair, leaving it tousled and spiky on one side.
    James found the look endearing. He realized the big man was working hard at looking as non-threatening as possible, staying seated, giving James his space. He wandered a few steps out from behind the table.
    "Yeah? You know the difference?" James couldn't keep the note of hope from his voice.
    "Yeah." Bram nodded solemnly. "Jamie, I would never treat you the way that bone-headed asshole just did. I said I like it when you tremble against me, and it's no lie. I do.
    But I want it to be with excitement, desire, or frustration and need, and yeah, maybe a little fear. But fear from not knowing how I'm going to blow your mind next -- with A Bit of Rough - 27
    pleasure. Not from fear of being hurt or of being forced to do something you don't want."
    Bram touched his chest and lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "I'm not like that."
    "Yeah?" James advanced a few more tentative feet toward the couch. A small smile tugged at his lips. "You plan on 'blowing my mind' any time soon?"
    " Yeah." Bram chuckled, a leering smile tweaked at the corner of his mouth. "I have all kinds of plans for 'soon'."
    Bram looked James over from head to toe and back again. "Come here, baby." He patted the couch cushion.
    James slowly advanced the last few paces to the couch and sat down. He was immediately engulfed in warmth as Bram wrapped his arms and his coat around James'
    shoulders. The same scent of leather and sweat from the alleyway filled James' head. He felt a slight responsive stirring in his groin, a pleasant lick of flame waiting to be coaxed to life.
    Suddenly very tired, James relaxed into the welcome comfort. He found himself leaning into Bram's offered support, his cheek coming to rest on the expansive, hard chest under his head.
    "Just rest, Tiger. You're going to be all right." Bram's rough-soft, understanding tone brought tears to James' eyes.
    Bram threaded the fingers of one hand through James' curls and rubbed lightly over the spot where Williams had yanked on his hair, soothing the lingering ache.
    James felt a surge of something he could only describe as 'right' buzz through him. Being with this big, gentle, but commanding man felt. . . good. Very, very good. Tears began to burn at the back of his eyes again. James had to close them to chase away the threat.
    Bram's arm was around him and the big man's hand rested easily on James' slender hip.
    Bram began a light stroking motion over the curve, brushing gently back and forth.
    The soothing gesture started a tingling sensation to bloom in James. That was when he discovered his cock had a direct connection with any part of his body Bram touched. It stirred and stretched seemingly seeking out the source of stimulation, trying to direct the attention to itself.
    Deciding to trust his gut instincts about this stranger, James turned in Bram's hold and leaned up, studying the other man's reaction as he came in close. Encouraged by the quiet, patient expression in Bram's eyes, James slowly touched his lips to the other man's open, waiting mouth.
    A Bit of Rough - 28
    The shame and fear from earlier melted away, replaced with raw, blinding need. Need to be held, need to be touched by someone who wanted to give pleasure, as well as receive it. James needed this moment.
    He knew Bram's reaction now would set the tone for their whole relationship. If the man rejected him, disgusted after what Williams had tried to do, James would have to end it here.
    Or worse, if the big man decided James was weak, easy prey, and tried to overwhelm him with physical force, the outcome would have to be the same. And James