But burning down the house? He could have gotten himself killed. Not to mention the trouble that could bring with the police.
That wasn’t the only thing twisting Declan up, though. It was the plain fact that Seb would never have done something like that a couple of months ago. Before Declan had come into his life, Seb had made smart choices. He’d had a gorgeous house, work he loved and believed in, and a clear head on his shoulders.
But then Declan had shown up, shooting off his gun and talking all big to impress the kid. He had loved how Seb looked at him, sure, but what good had that done Seb?
Because now Seb had jack shit. No house, no work, nothing but a puppy who was still learning to piss outside and a man with no savings and no hope of future employment.
Declan cursed as he kicked the pavement. Down the street were restaurants, bars, and shops, all catering to tourists, but up the block by their hotel, there was only an empty lot and a gas station. It was gray outside, and Declan wished he could tear himself apart right there, skip town and save Seb the pain of whatever he was going to fuck up next.
Except Declan couldn’t do that. He tightened his jacket and felt the leather, smooth under his hand. He couldn’t walk away from Seb because the only thing he knew how to do anymore was to be with him.
They were two men who had burned their lives to the ground, and that was the kind of thing Declan understood.
He sucked in a ragged breath, then headed back toward the hotel, cursing himself the whole way. He wanted so fucking badly to believe he could offer something good to Seb, but years of drinking and doubt clouded his brain, making it difficult to believe in himself. All he could know for sure was that he needed to touch Seb, to press his fingers against a man who believed in him.
To feel in his hands that Seb was safe, alive, and good.
He swiped the door to the hotel and tossed it open. Seb was curled up on the bed with Ellie between his arms. His eyes were tired and hurt, and Declan sucked in a breath.
Seb was hurt, and Declan was the only one who could help him feel better.
“Declan,” Seb said, sitting up.
Declan stepped forward, then pressed his hand against Seb’s face. “Seb,” he said, stroking his thumb across the soft curve of his cheek.
Seb stood and placed his hands against Declan’s chest. Declan felt a thud behind his ribs, and when he traced his hand down to Seb’s chin, his cock warmed and fattened. He pulled Seb’s face up and took the younger man’s lips in a soft, full kiss.
“Promise me,” Declan whispered as he pressed his lips to Seb’s ear. “Promise me you won’t get yourself killed.”
“I won’t,” Seb said, gasping the words. “Just don’t leave me, Declan. I need you, and I don’t know how the hell I would make it through this without you here.”
Declan tightened his fingers in Seb’s hair. “You need me,” he said.
“I need you,” Seb repeated, whispering into Declan’s chest.
“Seb,” Declan answered. “I don’t know what the fuck I’d do without you.”
Admitting the truth was all it took. The tension in the room split like a crack of lightning, and the only thing left was the intense, pulsing connection between them, desire and pleasure and need all thick in the air like the sweaty scent of the two men, grinding together.
Declan swooped Seb into his arms, then fell to the bed, their lips smashing together as they landed with a roll on the springy mattress. Seb wrapped his legs around Declan, sending a surge of pleasure through Declan’s core and up to his heart. His breath came out fast and hot, and he had to fight hard to resist the urge to take Seb right there and plunge into him until Seb understood exactly how real his feelings were.
“You’re mine,” Declan growled. He was on top of Seb, thrusting his hips to match Seb’s greedy hands, which clawed at Declan’s back. “You’re all that really matters. You.”
“Declan,” Seb moaned. His eyes were wide and watery as he struggled to get the words out. “You. You matter to me.” Declan arched his back and rode his hard dick up against Seb, who trembled in response. “I want to feel you inside me.”
Declan’s heart stilled. He knew Seb had never done anything like that before. Of course Declan had spent plenty of his free time thinking about Seb’s tight hole and the way his body would quiver and give to Declan’s touch. Of course he wanted that, in a raw, aching way. But his connection with Seb had been so tender, so slow, he didn’t dare start believing it could actually happen.
He pressed his fingers against the side of Seb’s face, then traced them over to his lips. “Whatever you want,” he said. “I’ll give it to you.”
Seb darted his tongue across Declan’s fingers, kissing at them. “You,” he said. “Inside of me.” He took Declan’s middle finger in his mouth, then sucked on it. “Please,” he whined.
The word unlocked Declan, and he dove down to take Seb in another kiss. Frantically, they rubbed up against each other, rolling across the bed as they wrestled their clothes off and pawed. Declan’s hands landed on the backs of Seb’s thighs and up to the impossibly soft, firm curve of his ass, while Seb stroked Declan’s chest and nibbled greedily at his neck.
“Fuck,” Declan groaned, thrusting down harder as he tossed Seb onto his back. “You’re driving me out of my damn mind, kid.”
“I can’t believe the things I do when I’m with you. It’s like I’m alive for the first time.”
“Get ready,” Declan said, a wicked grin filling his face. “You’re about to fucking live.”
