“Just like that.” Connor smiled. “You’ve been patient with me for weeks. Months, if you think about it. Let me be patient with you for once.”
Leyden huffed a laugh. “I’m supposed to be the experienced one.”
“Experience doesn’t mean much when everything’s different.” Connor shifted closer, until their knees touched. “This is different for both of us. You’ve never made love to your mate before. I’ve never made love at all. We’re figuring it out together.”
Leyden pulled Connor against his chest, buried his face in Connor’s hair.
“It will be good because it’s us,” Connor murmured against Leyden’s shoulder. “That’s all it needs to be.”
“Tonight,” Leyden murmured. “I want tonight to be the night. If you’re still ready.”
Connor pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “I’m ready.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” Connor kissed him, soft and sweet. “Are you ready?”
Leyden smiled against Connor’s mouth. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
Connor kissed him again, deeper this time. His hands slid up to Leyden’s shoulders, gripping them tight.
Leyden let Connor set the pace. When his mate finally pulled back, breathing hard, Leyden didn’t chase his mouth.
“More?” Leyden asked.
Connor nodded. His fingers found the buttons of Leyden’s shirt, fumbling with the top one as he tried to get it open.
Leyden stayed perfectly still, watching Connor’s face as he worked each button free, revealing skin inch by inch. Connor’s breathing quickened as he pushed the fabric off Leyden’s shoulders, letting it fall to the bed.
“Can I touch?” Connor’s voice came out rough.
“Please.”
Connor’s hands spread across Leyden’s chest, warm and exploring. He traced the lines of muscle, the valleys between. His thumb brushed over Leyden’s nipple and Leyden sucked in a breath.
Connor froze. “Did I hurt you?”
“Nope. That was the opposite of hurt.”
Connor did it again, watched Leyden’s reaction. “You like that.”
“Yeah.” Leyden’s voice came out strained. “A lot.”
Connor experimented. Different pressures, different touches. Leyden bit back a groan when Connor’s fingers pinched lightly, rolled.
“Fascinating,” Connor murmured.
Leyden managed to huff a laugh despite the arousal pooling in his gut. “I’m your science experiment now?”
“Maybe.” Connor leaned in, pressed his mouth to Leyden’s collarbone. “Is that okay?”
“Gods, yes.”
Connor kissed down Leyden’s chest. Tentative at first, then with growing confidence as Leyden’s breathing hitched and stuttered. When Connor’s tongue flicked over his nipple, Leyden’s hips jerked involuntarily.
Connor pulled back. “Too much?”
“Nope.” Leyden gripped the bedspread to keep his hands to himself. “Not too much. Keep going.”
