Turning to Apollo, ignoring a few looks from a couple who were wandering past, Titus said, “Can I have this dance?”
“You can have all of them,” Apollo said, as Titus took him into his arms and they started to move together.
In that moment, Titus wasn’t worried about being seen as an alpha, or a businessman, or even someone successful. He didn’t care that a few more people had stopped to watch them. He wasn’t ever going to be ashamed of his mate.
Apollo was in his arms. Beautiful music was playing. And as Titus glanced up through the buildings at the mountain shapes barely visible in the dark sky, he let out a long breath.I am content.
“You’re very good at this,” Apollo murmured quietly, his head resting on Titus’s shoulder.
“You can thank my sister when you meet her,” Titus said as they continued to sway to the music. “She was insistent that I partner with her during her dance class phase. Thank you for showing me how much fun we can have while doing nothing at all.”
“This is hardly nothing. In fact, some would say this is everything.” Apollo chuckled, but his arm around Titus’s waist tightened, and Titus knew he’d been heard.
Chapter Seventeen
“Can you fuck me this time?”
It was a lot later that night. Titus’s idea about dancing in the square had turned into a semi-party as more people joined in. By the time the musicians had finally begged off, almost two hours later, there were at least thirty couples of all types, enjoying the music and being able to move without being crowded.
The singer, Vanessa, had thanked them as they had made their goodbyes. “I don’t know how you did it,” she whispered when Apollo gave her the hug she seemed to want. “But I know you’re special somehow. Thanks to this, and whatever you did, we’ve got an appointment tomorrow for one of the restaurants here. They want to offer us a long-term slot with regular pay and everything. I’m so excited!”
“You did that all by yourself.” Apollo had grinned, though. “Never lose sight of your passion.”
Walking back to the hotel, Titus seemed quiet, but Apollo expected it. His mate was moving out of his comfort zone, and he had a lot to process. Apollo knew one thing they had in spades was time, so he wasn’t concerned. He was looking forward to a sensual night in the hotel.It’d be good to see if the hotel bed is as comfortable as my own.
But then in their room, Titus hit him with a bombshell. Words Apollo had hoped he’d hear, but still didn’t understand. From their numerous explorations of each other, Apollo already knew his alpha’s butt was firmly off limits.Why the change now?Not that Apollo wasn’t keen. He just needed to hear the why.
“My beautiful alpha,” Apollo said gently. “I’ve never fucked anybody in my very long life. I’ll make love to you. I’ll enter your body if that’s what you want. I’d dearly love to claim you in myown way, but can I ask why now? I didn’t think you were keen on doing things that way.”
“I want the double claim.” They were standing chest to chest beside the hotel bed, but Titus was looking down. “We could have a mind link if you claim me in return, and I crave that with you.”
Oh, dear.It was on the tip of his tongue to just say “of course, hon, I understand” before taking his mate to the mattress. But Apollo had always been fair and honest.
Cupping his hands under Titus’s chin, Apollo tilted his mate’s head up. “I can give us a mind link through my own powers if you prefer. Do I want to bury myself deep into your wonderful body? More than anything. I’m a complete switch and I would love it if we could share our bodies equally that way. But I also know how much trust it takes to accept love in that way – for you to take me into your body. If you just want the mind link…”
“I want you.” Titus finally met his eyes. “I’m not going to explain this very well, but you have so much…you can do so much. For all my business success, I’ve had an empty life, and yet in a matter of days, you’ve shown me how much more fun living can be. I’m offering this to you because it’s a form of intimacy I’ve never shared with anyone else. It’s a first I can give you, and I really want you to do this.”
“Oh, Titus.” Apollo quickly blinked back his tears, moved by honest words. He was tempted to make a joke about ancient gods and virginal offerings, but that would cheapen the moment. “I will love on you, I will treat you well. You know this.”
“I do.” Titus’s cheeks were bright red, but the lump in his pants was nudging against Apollo’s, and his arousal flowed through their bond. “Er… I know you don’t have any luggage, but there’s lube in my bag. It should be enough.”
“Why don’t you relax and let me take care of things like that? You don’t always have to be in charge, my lovely alpha.” Apollo tilted his neck, sliding his hands from Titus’s cheeks to rest around his neck. “All good loving starts with a kiss,” he murmured against Titus’s lips.
As their lips got reacquainted, Apollo could feel the push and pull in his mate. Titus was used to being in control, to being in charge of anything they did in the bedroom – and he was damn good at it. But this time, Apollo could feel how hard Titus was trying to suppress his natural instincts.
“Relax. Let me care for you,” he said gently, his hands moving to slide Titus’s jacket off his broad shoulders. Dominating a man like Titus was never an option, and Apollo wasn’t the type to try. But he’d had centuries of making love to people he cared about.
Buttons came next. Apollo was always a fan of the slow reveal. To him, a person was at their sexiest in that time between being dressed and not. Apollo made a point of running his lips over every inch of skin revealed. He’d have preferred doing it on the bed, and he quickly debated about using his magic, rendering Titus naked with a blink.
But Titus deserved his time and attention, and that was something Apollo was good at. The wolf shifter’s skin was always so deliciously warm, and he carried a natural scent that reminded Apollo of how the world had smelled before people took over. As the shirt came off, Apollo leaned against Titus’s shoulder, inhaling deeply. “You always smell so good.”
“Ugh, so do you.” Titus’s head was back, his hands fisted by his sides as Apollo made quick work of his wolf belt buckle and the button underneath it. The sound of the zipper being lowered rang loud among the sounds of breathing, and Titus let out an audible groan as his cock was freed.
Kneeling down, Apollo pulled Titus’s pants down his thick legs, his face at cock level.Ooh, you tempting beauty,but Apollo ignored it for now. Titus had already taken his shoes off, but it still took some solid tugging to get those pants fully off.
“So sexy,” Apollo murmured, dropping kisses on Titus’s knees before sliding his tongue up Titus’s left thigh. By the time he reached the top, Apollo’s nose was resting against Titus’s scrotum, and he inhaled deeply before blowing out. The skin wrinkled and twitched under the breath, and Titus’s fists opened and then closed again.
Tapping the large cock that took up most of his vision, Apollo rubbed the shaft against the side of his cheek. And then, because it felt good, he rubbed it on the other side of his face too. “Definitely sexy,” he added, swiping his tongue teasingly over the head as he stood up. “Let’s get you on the bed.”
