“Naked. I want to see you naked.” Connor forced himself to meet Leyden’s eyes, even as he could feel his cheeks heating. “I’ve been thinking about it all morning and I know I’ve seen you before when you shift but I never really looked then, because you know shifters shouldn’t do that, and yet now I can’t stop thinking about it and…”
“Okay.”
Connor’s rambling died. “Okay?”
Leyden’s hand went to the towel at his hip. There was no hesitation or coyness as he just unwrapped the fabric and let it drop on the floor.
Connor’s breath caught and he had to remember to consciously breathe. In that moment he learned the difference between noticing something as a casual aside, and intentionally looking at something…or in this case, someone.
Leyden was beautiful. Not in the way Connor had noticed before, appreciating aesthetics the way someone might appreciate art.This time it was different. Heat was pooling low in Connor’s gut, his pulse was quickening, and his skin suddenly felt too tight.
Leyden stood perfectly still, letting Connor look his fill. His body was everything Connor had glimpsed and more - broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, powerful thighs, every muscle defined. The claiming bite on his neck stood out against tanned skin, permanent proof of their bond.
Connor’s gaze traveled lower, then snapped back up, his face burning.
Leyden’s cock was hard. Obviously, unmistakably aroused.
“I don’t feel I can apologize for that,” Leyden said quietly. “It’s not like I can control that part of my body when you’re looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want me.” Leyden’s voice roughened. “Even if it’s just a little bit.”
Connor did. Gods, he actually did. The realization crashed through him - not intellectual understanding but genuine physical want. He wanted to touch, to explore, to learn every inch of his mate’s body.
“I think I do,” Connor whispered. Leyden deserved to know more than anyone else.
Warmth flooded the bond from Leyden’s side – love, desire, and that ever-present careful restraint.
Connor stepped closer, his hand trembling as he raised it. “Can I…?”
“Yes.” Leyden’s eyes darkened. “Anything you want.”
Refusing to second-guess himself, Connor’s pressed his palm against Leyden’s chest, right over his heart. He could feel the steady thump-thump beneath his fingers. Connor’s other handjoined the first, spreading across Leyden’s pecs, noting the movement that came from each breath.
Fascination replaced nervousness. Connor traced the definition of Leyden’s chest, down to his abs, counting each ridge of muscle. Leyden’s breathing quickened, but he still didn’t move. Just stood there like a statue, letting Connor explore.
Connor moved behind him, fingers trailing across Leyden’s wide shoulders, down the valley of his spine. The muscles of Leyden’s back flexed under his fingers as if inviting the touch, responding even though Leyden still held his position.
Connor circled back to face him, hands skimming down Leyden’s arms. The biceps, the forearms he’d been staring at all morning. Every part of Leyden felt warm under his fingers, real andhis.
“Connor.” Leyden’s voice came out strained. “You okay?”
“I’m feeling something.” Connor’s hands rested on Leyden’s shoulders, marveling at the width of them. “I don’t know exactly what, but it’s…” He paused, searching for words. “Good. It feels good.”
“You can stop whenever you want.”
“I know.” Connor met his eyes. “Do you want me to stop?”
“Gods, no.” Leyden’s hands flexed at his sides, like he was fighting the urge to reach for Connor. “But I won’t touch you unless you ask.”
The restraint in Leyden’s voice, the tension in his body, the way he stood perfectly still despite his bobbing cock.Leyden’s making sure I still feel safe.And just thinking that made Connor’s chest ache.
“You can touch me,” Connor said quietly, swallowing down a large lump in this throat.
Leyden’s hands came to rest on Connor’s hips, careful and gentle. No pulling, no demands. Just contact, thumb brushing against Connor’s hip bone through his jeans.
Connor leaned forward, resting his forehead against Leyden’s chest. His mate’s heart pounded beneath his ear, racing despite Leyden’s outward calm.
