He stared at it for a second, then didn’t bother fixing it. It felt right. Messy. Off. Like him—standing there half-dressed, half-ashamed, replaying the last few minutes and realizing too late exactly where he’d gone wrong.
Hans was already dressed, already moving away. He went to the living room and sat on the couch.
Adrik followed and sat beside him, leaving a little space. “I’m sorry. What did I do wrong?”
“You were fucking me.”
“That’s… yeah. I was. So?”
“I need you to make love to me, not treat me like a hookup.” Tears filled Hans’ eyes.
Adrik rose to his feet, distancing himself from the couch, and turned to face him. “I thought you’d like feeling me inside you.”
“I do. I love your cock,” Hans said, voice breaking. “But it was how. I didn’t feel you. I didn’t feel your soul.”
Adrik stroked his beard, fingers pressing harder than necessary, like he could physically rub the confusion out of his head. His jaw clenched, then loosened again.What am I missing?He paced a step, stopped, and turned back. “I don’t get it,” he said, more to himself than anyone else. “I really don’t.”
“You’re insanely hot,” Hans said. “But remember when I told you I don’t bottom?”
“So what? I said the same thing,” Adrik shot back, then stopped himself from saying more.
“You don’t just shove yourself into someone who usually tops. You take your time. You prepare me.”
That landed. Hard.
“Okay,” Adrik said, pacing in front of him. “I’m sorry. I fucked up. No one’s ever explained it to me like that. I want to fix this. Will you give me another chance?”
Hans looked at him for a long moment, then his voice dropped, low and steady. “Let’s take off our clothes again.”
The tension shifted instantly.
Adrik didn’t waste a second. He unbuttoned his shirt, eyes flicking up to watch Hans do the same. He unbuckled his belt, slid his slacks down, stepped out of them, tossing them aside. Hans mirrored him, and that alone made Adrik feel more connected than anything earlier had.
He reached for Hans, slower this time, grounding himself in the moment. Adrik made Hans sit on the couch, moved the coffee table away, and then he kneeled between Hans’ legs. He took Hans’ cock in hand, letting himself appreciate him, taste him, paying attention to every reaction, every sound. Hansmoaned, and Adrik felt a sense of pride—this was what Hans meant.
Adrik took his time, using his hands and mouth, learning him, listening to how Hans responded when he slowed down, when he focused. Adrik stayed there until his erection hardened in his mouth, noting how close he was.
“Stop! I’m going to come,” Hans panted, pulling his cock out of Adrik’s mouth.
“No,” Adrik said softly. “I want you to.”
Adrik went down on Hans again, stayed with him, and didn’t rush. When Hans finally came undone, Adrik accepted it, swallowed, then cleaned him with deliberate care.
Hans bent over and pulled Adrik into a hug, kissing him deeply, tongues tangling. Adrik kissed back just as hard, a little playful, a little reverent. Hans’ hands roamed over him, warm and confident, before he pulled back and looked at Adrik with something a lot like trust.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hans
“Let’s go to thebedroom and try this again,” Adrik suggested.
Hans took Adrik’s hand and pulled him gently towards the bedroom. It was painted the color of the sky. A clean pine scent filled the air.
His king-size bed, with its crisp sheets, looked like a comfortable haven.
“You’re in charge,” Hans said.
“Lie face down on the bed.”
