We kissed again, deeper this time. His hands slid under my shirt, cool fingers tracing the ridges of my abs, then higher to my chest. I groaned into his mouth, the touch sending jolts of electricity down my spine.
I helped him with his shirt, lifting it carefully over his head. The bruises were fading, but I could still see the faint yellow-green marks where Dennis’s fists had landed. I bent, pressed my lips to each one, a silent promise that no one would ever put their hands on him that way again.
He gasped, head falling back. “Burke,” he whispered, and my name in his mouth was the best sound I’d ever heard.
I worked my way back up, taking my time with his collarbones, the hollow of his throat, the spot behind his ear thatmade him shiver. His hands were busy too, pushing my shirt up and off, then fumbling with my belt.
“Wait,” I said, catching his wrist. “Let me.”
He nodded, eyes dark with want. I undressed him slowly, piece by piece, taking time to appreciate each new inch of skin. He was beautiful—all lean muscle and long lines, with a dusting of freckles across his shoulders that I’d never noticed before.
When he was naked, I stepped back just enough to strip off my own clothes. His eyes tracked every movement, hungry and a little shy. When I was bare, he reached for me again, pulling me down beside him on the bed.
The sheets were cool against our heated skin. His scent was everywhere now, sweet and sharp and so distinctly Danny that I wanted to drown in it. I kissed him again, one hand cradling his face while the other traced the line of his spine.
He arched into the touch, a soft sound escaping him. “Please,” he said against my lips. “I need—“
“I know,” I told him, and reached for the drawer where I’d stashed a bottle of lube the day after he’d moved in, just in case.
He watched, eyes wide, as I slicked my fingers. “Tell me if it’s too much,” I said, voice rough with want but determined to go slow. “We can stop anytime.”
He shook his head. “I want this. I want you.”
I kissed him again, deep and thorough, as my hand slid between us. He was already hard, leaking at the tip, his cock jerking when my fingers brushed against it. I worked my way lower, tracing the crease of his thigh, then further back to the tight ring of muscle.
He gasped against my mouth, body tensing for a second before relaxing into the touch. “That’s it,” I murmured. “Just breathe.”
I took my time, one finger working inside him, then two, scissoring gently to prepare him. His body opened for me, hotand perfect, his hips rocking back to meet each thrust. His scent filled the room, pure omega heat, making my head swim and my cock ache.
“Ready?” I asked when he was writhing beneath me, face flushed and eyes unfocused.
He nodded, beyond words. I positioned myself, the head of my cock nudging against his entrance. I pushed forward, just the tip, watching his face for any sign of discomfort.
His eyes flew open, meeting mine. “More,” he said, voice breaking. “Please, Burke, I need—“
I gave it to him, sliding home in one smooth thrust. The heat of him surrounded me, tight and perfect. He cried out, back arching, hands clutching at my shoulders.
“Okay?” I managed, holding perfectly still despite the overwhelming urge to move.
He nodded, a shaky breath escaping him. “God, yes. Move. Please move.”
I started slow, careful thrusts that gradually built in speed and depth. His body took me in, accepted me, his inner walls fluttering around my cock in a way that threatened to end things before they’d properly begun.
His legs wrapped around my waist, heels digging into the small of my back. Each thrust pushed a sound from his throat—half-moan, half-whimper—that went straight to my dick. I reached between us, wrapped my hand around his cock, and stroked in time with my thrusts.
“That’s it,” I growled, unable to hold back the alpha rumble in my chest. “Come for me, Danny. Let me see you.”
His eyes locked with mine, wild and desperate. “Burke,” he gasped, and then he was coming, hot stripes painting his stomach and my hand. The sight of him—face flushed, mouth open, body convulsing around me—was too much. I drove intohim one last time and came with a groan that felt like it was torn from the bottom of my soul.
For a long moment, neither of us moved. I could feel his heart hammering against my chest, our breath mingling in the space between us. Then, carefully, I pulled out and collapsed beside him, an arm thrown across his waist to keep him close.
He turned toward me, face still flushed, eyes drowsy with satisfaction. “Wow,” he said, the word barely audible.
I laughed, the sound rumbling through my chest. “Yeah. Wow.”
He tucked himself against my side, head on my shoulder, one hand resting over my heart. I held him there, counting each breath, each beat, until the world felt solid again.
Outside, the ranch was quiet, just the distant sounds of night creatures and the occasional creak of the old house settling. But in this room, with Danny’s weight against me and his scent in my lungs, I’d never felt more awake.
