“Hold on.”
That was the only warning Eiri got before Syrus moved, picking him up as though he weighed nothing. Instinct had him wrapping his legs around Syrus’ hips as he took a step, then another, until Eiri’s back met the wall, giving them leverage and changing the angle until it was just right.
“Fuck,” he gasped, head falling back as Syrus thrust against him, sending waves of pleasure through him even with the layers of their trousers separating them. All the pent-up emotions and desires he’d held back burst free and he rocked forward, the two of them falling into a panting, desperate rhythm. No time to fight with more buttons and ties, not when Eiri was already so fucking close he felt like he was going to implode. His shaking hands reached for Syrus, tangling in his thick braids and holding on as he kissed him as though he’d die if he didn’t.
Syrus responded with an answering need, his calloused hands gripping Eiri’s ass and holding him up as they moved together, his cock dragging against Eiri’s through their clothing. A sheen of sweat dampened their skin, breaths coming in ragged pants, eyes dazed and pupils blown. It was too good, too much, tooeverything,and Eiri couldn’t hold back. With a cry loud enough to be heard in the hallway, he arched up against Syrus and came hard, a tsunami of pleasure smashing into him,pulling him under and upending his world. Through a haze of satiated lust, he was distantly aware of an answering groan, of Syrus stiffening against him, his hands gripping Eiri a little tighter, then the release of tension and Syrus melting against him, his weight trapping Eiri against the wall as they panted together.
Ages seemed to pass before he could think again, the tides of pleasure ebbing, leaving him sleepy and sated and very aware of the hard wall pressing into his back. At least Syrus hadn’t dropped him, but his forehead now rested on Eiri’s shoulder, his breath feathering across damp skin.
Was Syrus regretting it? Was Eiri regretting it? He couldn’t say for sure, his thoughts and feelings still scattered on the waters. He hadn’t meant for this to happen, but would it strengthen their fledgling relationship or ruin everything?
“I can hear you thinking too hard already,” Syrus murmured, lips brushing Eiri’s shoulder and making him shiver. “No going back, remember?”
At least that answered his question. Syrus certainly didn’t sound like a man with regrets.
“No going back,” he said in a whisper. “But I do need to go wash up, at least.” His soft, loose pants weren’t made for this, and already the thin material was starting to stick to his skin.
“As long as you don’t go in there and start worrying.” Syrus stepped back, still supporting Eiri until he had his feet steady beneath him. That left them chest to chest, not that Eiri minded in the least. Even as his mind reeled with the implications of what they’d just done, the rest of him wanted to sink into Syrus and stay there just a little bit longer.
“No promises, but I’ll try.” It was the best he could do.
“I’ll take it.” Syrus finally stepped back, giving Eiri a little room, wincing when his own clothing rubbed against him. “I’llgo after you. I need to clean up and change as well if we plan to be seen in public today.”
“We don’t have to,” Eiri reminded him, the words leaving his mouth before his mind could remind him why it was a bad idea.
“Much as I’d like to stay in here all day, we both need to eat and get ready for tonight.” His smile was tempered with a hint of the same anxiety that coursed through Eiri every time he thought about their plan. “Go ahead. I’ll clean up and find some new clothes.” The wardrobe was still full of his clothing, of course, so that would be simple. Still…
“If…” Eiri didn’t mean to hesitate, and he quickly pushed through the lingering fear. “It would be simpler if your belongings weren’t spread across two suites, wouldn’t it?”
Syrus’ eyes widened, the only sign of his surprise. “It probably would be, yes,” he said slowly, not pushing, giving Eiri room to take this step at his own speed. Was this the man who had been hiding behind the hostility all this time?
“Considering I took your rooms without asking you, it seems only fair that you take them back and make your life easier,” he said, the words coming out in a rush.
“I will, on the condition that you stay in the suite as well.”
Relief swamped the anxiety attempting to take root in him. He’d quietly hoped for that, but having Syrus say it went a long way to settling his unease.
“Only if you’re sure,” he murmured.
Syrus walked forward until Eiri’s back was against the wall again, his hand coming up to cup Eiri’s chin and guide him down until their mouths brushed when he spoke. “I’m very sure.”
Eiri couldn’t say who moved first, or maybe they both did, but in a blink, his arms were around Syrus’ neck, Syrus gripping his hips, and the man was kissing him, hungry and possessivein a way he would have thought he’d hate, but now only stirred the banked embers of his desire. When Syrus pulled away, Eiri kept his arms around his neck, keeping him from going too far.
“Fuck,” the older man panted, leaning his forehead against Eiri’s. “You need to go shower before we really do stay locked in here all day.”
That idea sounded even better now than it had before, but unfortunately, they really needed to get ready. Still, that didn’t stop Eiri from stealing one more kiss before slipping out of Syrus’ arms and heading to the washroom. Every step threatened to reawaken his fears about whatever was between the two of them, but he ruthlessly crushed them down, pushing them to the back of his mind. He’d worry about everything else tomorrow. Tonight, his sole focus would have to be on simply surviving.
Chapter 21
Syrus
After livingthirty-five years as a prince, Syrus had seen more than his share of parties, balls, gatherings, and ceremonies. Most he’d loathed, a few he’d tolerated, and one or two had even been fun. They were a matter of course, just another duty as a member of the royal family. He’d always approached them with varying degrees of annoyance, tolerance, and, very rarely, anticipation.
Never had he felt like this. Very little scared him anymore, but he stood outside the doors to the grand ballroom now with his stomach in knots and a growing urge to flee before they went inside. Only the tight grip on his hand kept him steady, knowing that as nervous as he was, it would be so much worse for Eiri.
The two of them stood waiting just out of sight of the revelers inside, waiting for Ellis and Xan to join them. They could go in alone, of course, but the success of their plan hinged on presenting a united front. Four of them would have a far larger impact than just two, particularly when the other two were a prince and the man who wastheface of court fashion.
“Is it too late to change our minds?” Eiri murmured, voicestrained. He’d gone pale, though the cosmetics Xan had applied earlier went a long way toward covering it. Syrus was no expert, but whatever Xan had done highlighted Eiri’s features instead of attempting to hide his Canjiri heritage. He’d smudged kohl around Eiri’s eyes, giving him a more sultry look, while a shimmery gold shadow on his lids made the flecks of copper in his hazel eyes stand out. A light gloss on his lips echoed the glimmer around his eyes without detracting from them. With just a few brushstrokes, Xan had ensured that no one would mistake Eiri for anything other than Canjiri.
