Alexei and I exchange glances, both of us smirking, and I’m trying to keep from laughing. I don’t want to disturb his work, but come on. What the hell is this shit?
When Seth finishes, he hops up. “You should be all set. I can step out, but you’ll need to break the circle for us to come in.”
“So the opposite of the one Brad made for me the night after Farras?” I ask.
“Look at you, already an expert.” He pats me on the back.
It’s apparent he’s trying to be playful. Not sure if it’s because we let him push on us or because he saw Alexei and me messing around, but since we left the church, he’s been more chill, not his usual assholey self.
There’s aping, and we both turn to Alexei, who retrieves his phone, checking the screen.
“Malcom’s good for nine thirty.”
Relief sweeps through me. That’s gonna make this a hellof a lot easier. Although, nothing about any of this is reallyeasy.
Seth’s shoulders relax. “Great.” There’s a stretch of silence before he says, “I’m gonna look around, find some rooms for us to use when the guys get here. If you hear me holler, we’ve probably radically underestimated the Saints, they’ve come to kill us and maybe wipe out all humanity, who knows?” He snickers—a nervous laugh, I figure—but Alexei and I just stare. Though it’s surely on both our minds, it’s not helping to point it out.
“I’ll get to it, then. Give you some privacy.” He winks, like he thinks Alexei and I might pick up where we left off. Then he heads out, and we’re finally alone again. Seems like forever since that moment we shared at the church.
Would have been nice to stay in that moment a little longer. When I’m touching him, I’m not confused. I know exactly what I want. Our pleasure is all that matters. In the real world—if I can even call it that anymore—things are so much more complicated.
I study Alexei’s expression. “I can see it written all over your face again,” I say, which draws his attention. “Like the weight of the world is bearing down on you.”
“Sounds about right.” His lip curls into a smirk, then just as quickly returns to a frown.
My gaze pulls to the mattress. There’s a surprising sense of nostalgia about that first night. How nervous he was. My massage. My hard cock. His tight hole. His playfulness. And that desperate hunger to come inside him.
“Wild to think it hasn’t even been two weeks since wemessed around here,” I say. “Something kind of romantic about it.” As soon as I say the words, I regret them. “I’m sorry. That was a real dick thing to say. That night was hell for you. Just please forget I said anything.”
“No. I won’t forget you said anything because you’re right. As fucked up as it was, therewassomething kind of romantic about it. If anyone should feel guilty about it, it’s me, after what happened to you.”
I approach him, rest my hands against his arms. “For the last time: Ichoseto do that, knowing there could be risks. That’s not on you. And I’m still here. We both are. That’s the only thing that matters.” I raise my hand to his cheek, run my thumb across his flesh. “So,” I say, “more importantly, you think there was something romantic about that night?”
“Yeah, it was the first night I ever experienced anything with a guy…or felt anything like that with a guy. A guy I’ve been getting hung up on recently.”
God, that’s got me smiling, and his lips perk up too.
But once again, reality creeps back in. “Tonight might not go the way the Sinners planned.”
“I’m sure everyone’s thinking the same thing.”
“I know we’re doing the right thing, but it’s so…fucked up, to think that tonight…”
“…could be our last night?”
I nod.
“I hear you, but I can’t let myself believe that. I refuse. I have to stick around for my family. I can’t add any more to their pain.” There’s determination in his gaze, but I can seethe fear too. “But…” He steps closer. “In case it is our last night, we should make the best of it.”
He moves swiftly, his lips mashing against mine. As he wraps his arms around me, his tongue slips between my lips. It’s all so fucking electrifying, goddamn lifegiving—another reason why tonight can’t be the end.
Just like at the church, I’m surprised how easy it is to lose myself in Alexei. Lose track of time and space…of what we must do tonight. We’re a series of kisses, licks, nips as I soak up as much of him as I can. We’re alternating between kisses and stripping, yet it doesn’t feel as messy as it has in the past. We fall into a rhythm, even our fumbles a part of our dance. And soon we’re nude on the air mattress, Alexei beneath me, our hard cocks pressing against each other as we thrust. I growl into his mouth and feel his smile spread against my face.
“Growling? You’re just hungry for my ass right now, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Then take it. It’s yours.”
