“Look at me,” Mac said softly.
Melvin’s eyes opened, dark and heavy with heat. The trust in that gaze settled deep in Mac’s chest.
“You’re sure,” Mac said.
“Mac.” Melvin’s fingers tangled in his hair. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Mac nodded once and shifted over him, bracing on his forearms. Their bodies aligned, chest to chest, hip to hip. He reached between them, guiding himself. The head of his cock pressed against Melvin and they both went still. Mac dropped his forehead to Melvin’s, their breaths mingling.
“Easy,” Melvin whispered. “I’ve got you.”
The words unlocked something.
Mac pushed forward in a slow, steady slide. Melvin gasped as Mac sank deeper, inch by inch, until he was fully seated. They froze for a moment, both breathing hard.
“Okay?” Mac managed.
Melvin answered by rolling his hips slightly. Pleasure shot up Mac’s spine.
“Yeah,” Melvin breathed. “More than okay.”
Mac began to move, setting a slow rhythm. Each thrust drew them closer together, heat building between them. Melvin’s legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper.
“Don’t hold back,” Melvin urged. “I want all of you.”
Mac’s control began to slip. His movements grew harder, deeper, driven by something both primal and fiercely protective. The change in his body built quickly now. The knot forming.
“It’s coming,” Mac warned.
“I know,” Melvin gasped. “Do it.”
Mac drove forward one last time. The knot swelled, locking them together.
Melvin cried out, his body tightening around Mac as release tore through him. Mac followed seconds later, the force of it leaving him shaking as he buried himself deep inside. When it faded he collapsed carefully over Melvin, still joined. Melvin lay beneath him, chest heaving, sweat shining on his skin. A slow, dazed smile touched his lips.
“Wow,” he breathed.
Mac lowered his head against Melvin’s shoulder, still catching his breath. Slowly he shifted them onto their sides, keeping them together.Melvin settled back against him with a sigh while Mac wrapped an arm around his chest. They lay there quietly, breathing in sync.
The bond felt deeper now.
Mac pressed his face into the warm curve of Melvin’s neck, breathing him in, their bodies still locked together while the knot held them close.
“We don’t have to hide anymore,” Melvin whispered.
Mac tightened his hold and kissed his shoulder.
They fell asleep like that, tangled together in the quiet.
Morning came slowly.
Mac woke first, still half wrapped around Melvin. For a moment he stayed there, listening to the steady rhythm of Melvin’s breathing, feeling the unfamiliar calm of a quiet room.
Eventually he slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Melvin. He pulled on a T-shirt and moved to the corner to make coffee in the tiny hotel machine.
It hissed and steamed, a familiar sound after months of generators and field burners on base. The smell helped.
Behind him, there was a low groan and the creak of bedsprings. Melvin rolled over, eyes still half-closed. “You trying to sneak out, Carter?”
