My brows lift as I lean closer. “Say that again.”
With a roll of his eyes, he continues. “I don’t really do…relationships. I don’t even like putting in the effort for hookups and one-night stands. I don’t really like…people.”
“You like me,” I say with a wink.
His cheeks pinken a little, but he manages to avoid a smile.
“That explains why you enjoy…what was it called again? Free use?”
He nods. “Yes. That’s why.”
“Intimacy is a barrier for you.”
Shrugging, he replies, “Sure.”
Then a wicked idea enters my mind.
“So what if,” I say, taking his glass and placing it on the table next to mine. His eyes track my movement cautiously. “You didn’t have to put in the effort.”
“What are you talking about?” A fire burns through his loaded gaze when he realizes what I am offering. “What about her?” he asks.
“She’s asleep. And I’m here.”
His Adam’s apple bounces as he swallows, his eyes tracking from my lips and down my body. He wants it. I can see the desire in his eyes. So why won’t he take it?
To signify to him just how available andfreeI am, I lay my arms along the back of the couch, opening my body to him. I close my eyes and let my head hang back.
“Take as much as you want,” I whisper so quietly, my words can hardly be heard over the pounding of our hearts.
Then I wait.
Silence stretches between us. Slowly, I grow nervous that I’m being too eager. Exposing too much.
A soft, gentle hand strokes down my chest, making my breath hitch. A low moan vibrates from my rib cage to his touch.
As his fingers close around my left nipple through my shirt, my hips jerk, and a short whimpering sound escapes my lips.
Julian’s hand travels lower, causing chills to roll down my body. Being so liberally touched without touching him back is exhilarating and has my heart pumping faster than normal. When his fingers creep over the bulge in my pants, squeezing the half-hard cock hiding behind the zipper, I struggle to hold still.
He’s exploring me, and I am his for the taking. It’s hotter than I ever believed it could be. By the time his hand moves deeper between my legs to cup my balls through the fabric, my cock is hard and throbbing.
“Fuck,” I breathe, with my face angled toward the ceiling.
What I wouldn’t give to hear the sound of my zipper right now. To feel the warmth of his hand on my cock. To know the wet heat of his mouth.
The couch shifts just before I feel his weight settle on my lap. My eyes pop open as I stare at him, seeing the arousal in his dilated pupils. Facing me with a knee on each side of me, Julian stares down at my face. The cool metal of his rings slides along the back of my neck as he touches me. Goose bumps erupt in their wake.
He lifts my head, watching me like he’s about to devour me. I wish he would.
I keep my arms pressed along the back of the couch as he brings his lips to mine. They are impossibly warm and soft. He tastes like whiskey andhim. He delights in our kisses, growing hungrier and harder as he goes.
His hips grind subtly against me as he moans and whimpers. My cock aches with need, but I suspect it won’t get the release itwants tonight. Julian is holding back. Probably because of her, which is fine with me. I’d let him kiss me for days if that’s what he wanted.
I don’t grope him or let my fingers roam as much as I’d like to after what I learned, but for now, I just kiss him. And it doesn’t grow heated or go any further.
We kiss for what feels like hours but is probably only twenty minutes. My cock is hard and wanting more, but then again, it’s been hard nearly all night. It might not be getting what it wants tonight, but I am. Because this is perfect.
This is Julian and me, setting our intentions. I don’t know his history with men, and I don’t need to. Because right now, we’re saying enough. I’m into him and he’s into me, and if we hadn’t drunk so much at the restaurant, it’s likely all three of us would have taken this way too far tonight.
