There was no hint that what Marcus said was insincere. He spoke evenly and plainly, enough conviction behind his words that Lucian couldn’t doubt them. Hope sprung in Lucian’s stomach, guilty at first, but more confident in itself the longer he thought about what Marcushadsaid.
One false start didn’t mean the end. Marcus was mature enough to understand Lucian’s struggles, even when the root causes were unknown to him. It was a kind of levelheadedness Lucian had never come across before, and he respected it more than he knew how toexpress.
The stale air in his lungs was expelled. With a sigh, Lucian slumped against Marcus’ chest, and Marcus’ arms tightenedaroundhim.
“I know that this isn’t like what you went through before, but I want you to know that I am serious about you, Lucian. I don’t ever want you to think that I would do something tohurtyou.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” Lucian’s fingers slipped from Marcus’s shirt. He wove his arms around Marcus’ waist instead. “Itrustyou.”
“And I trust you. As long as you tell me what you need, I will provide it for you.Always.”
“I needyou,” Lucian whispered, unwilling to let Marcus go. “I need you sobadly.”
“Then you’ll have me,” Marcus promised. “What’s mine will never havetobeg.”
23
Marcus
Safe beyond the threshold of Marcus’condo, there was nothing hurried in the way he undid the buttons of Lucian’s shirt. One by one they fell, revealing a flat, modestly-toned chest. Marcus traced the edges of Lucian’s body with his fingers, allowing himself to appreciate the softness ofhisskin.
His omega was beautiful. Marcus refused to lose himagain.
Lucian’s head fell to the side, exposing the curve of his neck. As Marcus’ fingers worked to undo the last of his buttons, he kissed the most vulnerable spots onLucian’sneck.
“Tonight, if it’s too much for you…” Marcus’ teeth nipped at the skin he lavished with affection. “All you need to say is ‘red’ and I’ll stop. It doesn’t matter how little it is, or how into it you thinkIam.”
“Okay,” Lucian whispered. The sound had no substance, but it was the promise that Marcus needed. He never wanted to hurt Lucianagain.
Marcus guided the shirt from Lucian’s shoulders. It pooled on the living room floor, forgotten. Lucian’s pants came next, slipping down his thighs to reveal plain gray boxer-briefs. Marcus missed the lace, but he understood. After what they’d been through, he hadn’t been sure if Lucian would want to be his again. The lace meant nothing compared to the man Marcusnowheld.
Marcus traced the line of Lucian’s elastic waistband, watching Lucian’s body language for signs of discomfort. When he worked his thumb beneath the band, Lucianshivered.
There wasn’t a prettier sight in theworld.
“Do you know how stunning you are, fledgling?” Marcus asked. He worked the elastic downward at an agonizing crawl, intending to tantalize Lucian, but he only succeeded in tormenting himself instead. The rigid outline of Lucian’s cock pressed against the front of his boxer-briefs, and the scent of omega was stronger in the air than it had been before. Marcus took it as a sign that Lucian was comfortable. “Do you know the things you dotome?”
“No, Master,” Lucian whispered. The switch between their public and private personas wasseamless.
Lucian was fledgling now, and Marcus hisMaster.
“The lines of your body. The sound of your voice. The scent you make… every little thing about you draws me in and refuses to let me go. I can’t get enoughofyou.”
Another shiver shook Lucian’s spine. The movement was almost imperceptible, but Marcus was so highly attuned to him that he couldn’tmissit.
Lucianwashis.
The band of Lucian’s elastic inched downward. Marcus uncovered the tip of his cock, letting it peek through. The glossy pink head looked good contrasted against gray cotton, but Marcus thought it would look better when it wasleftbare.
“I don’t want you in clothes.” Marcus guided the elastic band down, letting it pass over Lucian’s shaft. The more he saw, the more aroused he became. Lucian was hard and ready for him, eager for his touch despite the difficulties they’d been through. “I don’t want you in anything that would block me from seeing youagain.”
The boxer-briefs passed over Lucian’s balls, exposing them. They met Lucian’s thighs,thenfell.
Lucian wasnaked.
Marcus glanced over his body, allowing his eyes to linger where they pleased. Lucian didn’t cower, and he didn’t try to hide himself. There was no shame in hisnudity.
Marcus found strength like thatadmirable.
