Declanrolled onto his back, rocking his hips into his hand and screwing his eyesshut, spreading precome down the length of his cock with the pad of his thumband pretending to himself that it was Ash lapping at him.
Thetaste of blood in his mouth surprised him, his lip bleeding a few drops afterhe’d bitten down hard enough to break the skin. It’d been a long time sincehe’d bothered to masturbate like this, with a surround-sound fantasy in mind,and his body was reacting strongly to it.
Histoes curled up tight as he thumbed the head of his cock, gripping himselftighter, reaching down with his free hand to trail patterns along the sensitiveskin of his inner thigh as he lapped at the inside of his lip to soothe it.
Eventhat felt good when he imagined Ash with him. He could see himself digging hisfingers deep into the flesh of Ash’s perfect ass, holding him in place, lininghimself up to slide inside the warmth of his body.
He’dnever actuallydonethat, but he’d read that it was good.
Declanwas close now, right on the verge of coming over the thought of Ash touchinghim,wantingto touch him, wanting Declan naked and eager and so,soexcited to finally do this.
Heswitched back to having Ash between his legs, imagined Ash taking him deep intohis throat, strong muscles holding him in place, contracting around him, Ash’seyes falling closed as he sucked. A tiny, satisfied sound escaping him aroundDeclan’s cock as he reached down to touch himself.
Declanrolled over onto his stomach, rocking his hips against the mattress, his cockstill gripped tightly in his hand. Just a little more. Just enough to tip himover the edge.
Hisbrain provided the sound of Ash’s laughter, delighted as he licked precome offhis lips, his pale blue eyes sparkling up at Declan, and it was all over. Two,three, four thrusts and he was coming, burying a moan into his pillow, jerkinghis hips as his orgasm washed over him, wringing him out.
Hegroaned as he rolled back over, thankful that he’d kept his underwear on anddidn’t need to get up to change his sheets.
Hiswhole body was tingling, his skin oversensitive, his heart pounding in hischest.
Whatthe hell was that about?
ChapterSixteen
ToAsh’s relief, their second week was going more or less exactly as he’dexpected. Better, even. What felt like the entire town had trickled in one byone, most of them just coming to look, but enough of them coming to shop thatthey’d put a noticeable dent in the displays.
Declanhadn’t quite been run off his feet, but he’d barely had a moment to himself.Ash was still a little worried about him burning his hand earlier, but ithadonly been minor, and Declan had suffered him being over protective for longerthan he usually would have.
Somethinghadchanged. Ash could feel it, even if he couldn’t put his finger onit.
Well,Declan had almost kissed him. Twice. Ash was sure of that.
Andthis morning he’d been back to normal.
Maybethis was all part of the healing process, but Ash really wanted to skip thatand havehisDeclan back. He knew he was being impatient with him, andthat was the opposite of what Declan needed, but he’d improved so much over thepast week.
Ashjust wanted him to be happy, whatever that meant.
Hewould also have liked to kiss him, but he could settle for Declan’s happiness.It meant a whole lot more to him than kissing him ever could have.
Aslong as Declan was feeling better, he didn’t really care what else happened. Hejust wanted that to happenfaster. Almost exclusively for Declan’s sake.
Ashturned as he heard Declan’s footsteps on the stairs.
“Hey,”Declan called from the doorway. “You need help with those shelves?”
Ashshook his head. “No, but I wanna see that burn.”
Declansmiled wryly, but there was kindness in his eyes. Warmth.
Theold Declan. The one Ash loved so much his heart felt like it might burst when hesmiled at him.
Itwas so good to see that.
Itmade sense, too. Ash felt as though he could relax knowing that the town wasbehind them, glad to have their bookstore back no matter who was running it.This wasdefinitelyhis kind of place.
Hewas starting to get the impression that it was alsoDeclan’skind ofplace. He was brighter and happier. He just needed a little more sleep to takecare of the dark circles under his eyes, and he’d be good as new.
