“Now.” Marcus opened himself wide. Tyler guided himself in, pushing his thickness inside Marcus. They were the way it was meant to be. Skin to skin. Heart to heart.
Once he was fully seated, to Marcus’s surprise, Tyler framed his face between his hands and kissed him sweetly, his soft lips traveling slow and gentle across Marcus’s own, like a benediction to his soul.
“I love you, Marcus. I only want you to be happy.”
Tyler flexed his hips, sinking deep inside with each thrust and push until they rocked even faster, holding on tight to one another.
The beat of their hearts, their breaths sighing in the stillness of the evening air, it all played like the music Tyler danced to, swelling until the final crescendo of their bodies shook them, and they cried out in tandem from their shattering, mutual release.
With his heart still banging madly, Marcus lay under Tyler, whose hot breath stuttered past his ear.
“I think I saw the face of God,” said Tyler.
“Thank you.” Marcus couldn’t help chuckling.
Tyler smacked his hip, and Marcus retaliated by giving Tyler’s ass a firm squeeze, then pinching it.
“Jesus, Marcus.”
“I’m Jewish.” Marcus squeezed again, and Tyler shook with laughter, his face buried in Marcus’s shoulder. “Try again.”
Tyler pulled out, and Marcus trembled, his body more sensitive than ever; it was, he realized, the first time in his life he’d had sex without protection. Guilty, he glanced over at Tyler.
“I didn’t ask how you felt about it. I’m sorry; I got caught up.”
Tyler’s sweet smile reassured him. “Don’t apologize. I wanted it as well. I’ve been tested, and I assume you’ve been too.”
“Yeah, of course. I don’t want you to think I don’t care about your opinion, or your health.”
“I don’t. But you see? You’ve answered your own question from before—you’re not selfish. You’re concerned and caring about my feelings.”
His head spinning, Marcus merely nodded and followed Tyler into the bathroom where they showered together in silence. He didn’t speak until they were lying together again.
“I think you’re right.”
Tracing his fingers over Marcus’s skin, Tyler stiffened in his arms. “About what?”
A bit bemused after all their discussions, Marcus laced their fingers together and kissed his hand.
“I’m going to see my mother tomorrow.”
He caught the edge of Tyler’s smile in the dark.
“What changed your mind, if you don’t mind me asking?”
He rolled onto his side, taking Tyler with him, hugging him close. “You did. You changedme. In every way possible. When I told the judge today that I put Lillie’s needs above my own, I meant it, and tonight it occurred to me that I wouldn’t be setting a very good example for her if I went against everything I said in court.”
With his free hand, Tyler stroked his back. “I’m proud of you.”
“You’re the first person to ever say that to me. And I’m not saying that to get your sympathy. I say it because up until now I haven’t been the type of person who deserved it.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.”
Marcus shook his head. “No. You don’t know who I was and what I did in my life before I met you. And I have no regrets for the past. But when I saw myself becoming like my father, that’s when I realized I needed to change.”
“You could never be like that. I saw what you’re like with the guys in the club and your friends. You care about people. It’s why I fell in love with you; despite trying to affect that I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude, your actions show me the exact opposite.”
Tyler yawned and lay flat against the pillow. He’d already begun to sink into drowsiness, and Marcus couldn’t blame him. It had been a hell of a day.
