Chapter Twenty-One
Elijah came awake slowly, his body stifffrom not moving during the night. He realized Sam was still curled up against his side, her head on his shoulder. But it wasn’t her familiar weight that had brought him out of a deep sleep. No, he suspected that had something to do with the hand resting on his stomach, inching dangerously close to the hard-on raging between his thighs.
Checking to see if Logan was still asleep, he lifted his head and saw the man watching him from his casual pose, his head resting on his propped-up hand.
Before he could say anything, Logan pulled his hand away from Elijah’s aching dick and held one finger over his mouth to signal for quiet.
Elijah watched as Logan leaned down and pressed a kiss to Sam’s shoulder. “Baby?”
“Sleep,” she mumbled, eyes closed.
Logan smiled, then jerked his chin toward the bathroom before he turned and gently climbed out of the bed so as not to wake Sam.
Elijah followed suit, easing out from under her and tucking a pillow nearby so she would have something to hold on to. He padded naked into the bathroom at the same time the shower came on. He debated going straight to the shower but detoured to the double sinks, pulled out his toothbrush and toothpaste. For some unknown reason, brushing his teeth felt like the thing to do. He just wasn’t sure if it was because he was stalling or getting ready. After all, he had every intention of sealing his mouth to Logan’s when he joined him.
It only took two minutes—dentists’ recommendation—and then he rinsed his mouth and shut off the water.
Without hesitating or contemplating what he should or should not do, he joined Logan, watching him intently as he approached. He didn’t give the man space, didn’t linger on the opposite side of the shower. He moved right up to Logan, reached for his head, and pulled him in for a kiss. The soft moan that escaped him was involuntary as he leaned into the kiss.
He had wanted to do this ever since Logan walked in the door last night. He couldn’t explain it; he wasn’t even sure he wanted to. Whatever this was, whatever Logan did to him, Elijah had accepted it. He wanted this man with a passion he didn’t understand but no longer wondered about.
“Eli,” Logan whispered against his lips, his hands sliding up his back, hooking over his shoulders and pulling him in until they were chest to chest.
Their tongues stroked and licked, neither of them rushing. There was an intimacy here that Elijah hadn’t felt with Logan yet, despite the fact the man had been inside him already.
Acceptance, maybe? Could that be what had them slowing the pace? Elijah was content to do this and only this.
Logan backed up until he was against the wall, allowing Elijah to put more of his weight on him, their hands lightly skimming.
“Elijah…” Logan pulled his mouth away, resting his forehead on his “I’m sorry.”
Elijah swallowed and nodded. He knew that already.
“I’m sorry for leaving, sorry for hurting Sam and you.” There was both pain and promise in his words. “I never expected this, but I’m not willing to give it up.”
Elijah ran his hand over Logan’s hair, brushing it back from his face and pressing his mouth to his once more. He tilted his head, changed the angle, and used his tongue to express his understanding. The kiss was languid and hot, likely the most intimate one he’d had in years. It remained that way, even as Elijah pressed his palm along Logan’s steel-hard erection. He rubbed slowly, up and down, listening to the man moan softly, the sound muted as Elijah swallowed it.
This was what he wanted. This man and the woman who was still asleep in the bed. He knew if he had both of them, he would be content for the remainder of his days. He didn’t expect everything to be roses and champagne all the time, nor was he anticipating a fairy tale. He wanted this man with all his complexities, his brooding, and his insecurities. And he wanted Sam, the woman who kept them both on their toes with her impulsiveness and her innate ability to love like no one else.
The kiss continued, carrying on the silent conversation because words weren’t necessary. Elijah pressed against his slick skin, rubbing lightly along Logan’s cock. This moment would forever be etched in his mind because it was the first time they were admitting this was so much more than either of them could’ve anticipated.
This was love.
He pulled back suddenly, met Logan’s gaze. His eyes were hooded and glazed with passion. “This is more than sex.”
Logan’s eyes suddenly cleared, but he didn’t pull away. “It is.”
Elijah swallowed, preparing to announce his feelings, but didn’t get the words out before Logan spoke.
“I want more, Eli. I want everything.” Logan’s hand paused on his chest over his heart. “I love you, and I want more with you and Sam. I know it won’t be easy—”
“I love you, too,” Elijah blurted, pulling Logan’s mouth back to his.
He kissed him, willing him to feel everything he’d been holding back.
***
When Logan and Elijah slipped out ofbed, Sam remained where she was.
