But he did, and he wasn’t sure how to bring it up.“Do you ever think about trying things?New things, I mean.”
Ben tilted his head.“Like what?”
Taylor’s pulse quickened, and he swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry.He wasn’t sure how to put what he was feeling into words, even though he’d been thinking about it for a while now.
Ben’s grin softened, and he stood, crossing the short distance between them.“Taylor,” he said quietly.“If there’s something you want, just say it.”
Taylor’s breath caught as Ben stepped closer.He could smell the faint scent of Ben’s sweat, something warm and musky that made his head swim.His heart thudded in his chest, and he felt like he might spontaneously combust before he even got to the point.
“I don’t know,” Taylor whispered.“I don’t know what I want.”
Ben reached up to brush a strand of hair from Taylor’s forehead.The touch was so gentle that Taylor felt his knees weaken.Only Ben could have this effect on him.
“Yes, you do,” Ben murmured, his lips curving into a smile.“You just don’t know how to ask for it.”
Before Taylor could process what was happening, Ben leaned in, his lips brushing against his in a kiss that was tentative and questioning.Taylor froze, but then Ben’s hand cupped his cheek, and the kiss deepened, hot and demanding.
It was unlike anything Taylor had ever experienced in his previous relationships.Ben’s lips were soft but insistent, his tongue teasing the seam of Taylor’s mouth until he opened for him, letting out a low moan that seemed to surprise both of them.Ben’s other hand slid around Taylor’s waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush, and Taylor could feel every line of Ben’s chest against his own.
He wasn’t soft like the women Taylor used to date.He didn’t have breasts or long, soft hair.He didn’t smell like flowers or candy.
He didn’t need all of those things.He was Taylor’s mate, and that was enough.
Ben broke the kiss, his breathing ragged as he pressed his forehead against Taylor’s.“Was that okay?”he asked.“Was it what you wanted?”
Taylor nodded.“Yeah,” he breathed out.“More than okay.”Even when he hadn’t been able to find the words, Ben had known what was on his mind.It was hard to believe, but Taylor knew it had to do with their bond.Even though they weren’t mated yet, Ben knew him.
Ben’s smile was slow, and he pressed another kiss to Taylor’s lips, this one hungrier.His hands slid down Taylor’s sides, fingers trembling slightly as they tugged at the hem of Taylor’s shirt.“Can I?”he asked, his lips moving against Taylor’s.
Taylor didn’t trust himself to speak, so he nodded again.His hands fumbled when he tried to help Ben pull the shirt over his head.The cool air hit his skin, and he shivered, but Ben’s hands were already there, warm and sure as he smoothed them over Taylor’s chest.His touch sent sparks racing through Taylor’s veins, and he let out a gasp when Ben’s fingers brushed over a sensitive spot just below his ribs.
“We’ll take it slow,” Ben murmured.
Slow wasn’t what Taylor wanted, though.They’d done slow already.It had given him the time to wrap his mind around his mate being a man and decide what he wanted.He might be hesitant, but that was because he wanted to make things good for Ben, not because he wasn’t sure of what he wanted.
His body felt like it was on fire.He reached for Ben’s shirt, fumbling with it until he could get it off his body.Ben chuckled before kissing Taylor again, deeper this time, his hands once again roaming over Taylor’s bare skin.He was a long way from the timid man he’d been when they’d first met, and Taylor loved that.Ben trusted him enough to be himself with him, and Taylor was proud of that.
Ben’s fingers trailed lower, brushing the waistband of Taylor’s jeans, and Taylor’s breath hitched.“Ben,” he whispered, his voice trembling.“I’ve never done this with a man.”
“I know,” Ben said gently, pressing a kiss to the corner of Taylor’s mouth.“It’s really not that different.Just do what feels good.”
Ben’s hands were on Taylor’s belt now, undoing it with ease.His jeans pooled at his feet, and Taylor felt a rush of vulnerability, standing there in nothing but his boxers, which wasn’t like him, but he was doing this with hismate.Ben’s gaze was soft, though, and he pulled Taylor into another kiss.
“You’re beautiful,” Ben murmured against Taylor’s lips.
Taylor’s heart swelled, and he reached for Ben’s belt, his hands shaking slightly as he undid it.Ben’s breath hitched, but he didn’t stop Taylor.Instead, he guided his hands when he hesitated.Taylor’s breath caught at the sight of Ben’s body, slim and pale, and for Taylor to love.
Ben’s hands were everywhere, skimming over Taylor’s hips, his thighs, his chest, until Taylor was trembling with the need for more.Ben pulled Taylor down onto the bed, their legs tangled together, and Taylor gasped as Ben’s lips brushed over his neck, trailing down to his collarbone.Ben’s hands moved lower, cupping Taylor through his boxers, and Taylor arched into the touch.
“Tell me what you want,” Ben whispered.
“You,” Taylor said.“Just you.”For the rest of their lives, if he could make that happen.“I want us to bond.”
Ben’s smile was soft, almost tender, when he kissed Taylor again, his hands slipping beneath the waistband of his boxers.The first touch of Ben’s hand on his bare skin made Taylor’s head spin, and his body arched off the bed.Ben’s fingers explored him with a gentleness that made Taylor’s chest ache, and when Ben’s hand wrapped around him, Taylor thought he might combust.
“Oh god,” Taylor gasped, his hands clutching at Ben’s shoulders.“I don’t—I don’t know how—”
“Shh,” Ben murmured, pressing a kiss to Taylor’s lips.“Just feel, Taylor.”
