“That’s not fair for you.”
“It’s the way things are.”
“So, you’ve never…”
“No, I’ve never. Thought about it a good bit.” Petran grinned down at Arkenn. “Especially these last few days.”
Once more, heat rushed up Arkenn’s face to his ear tips. No one had ever said such things to him before.
Except in his dreams.
“We don’t have to do anything,” Petran blurted. “I’m happy to hold you. I’ve given that much thought too.”
Petran’s hair brushed against Arkenn’s shoulder as they lay in the dark, the ship slowly rocking them. So much between them Arkenn couldn’t find the words for. Yet, he felt a connection he didn’t want to end. “I’m going to miss you,” he finally said. “You’ve been good to me, and you didn’t have to.”
Even with only the moon’s low light, Arkenn saw the want in Petran’s dark eyes. Those eyes drew closer. And closer still.
The softest whisper of lips against lips, and then…
Arkenn opened his mouth, welcoming Petran’s tongue inside. Warm, slick, everything a first kiss should be, shooting desire to Arkenn’s groin. “Mmmph!” he exclaimed without breaking the contact. He rocked his hips, building friction against Petran’s firmly muscled thigh.
Petran deepened the kiss, ran his hands into Arkenn’s small clothes, and took Arkenn in hand. His strokes were tentative at first, becoming surer by the minute.
He let go and rolled Arkenn onto his back. “Is this okay?” he panted.
Words failed, Arkenn’s body burning from every single touch. He gave a sharp nod, and slipped his small clothes down to expose his cock and balls. Resuming the kiss with a vengeance, Petran rocked against him, building pressure.
When had Petran removed his small clothes?
Gripping broad shoulders, Arkenn held on tight lest he lose his grip and the world spin out of control.
Together they thrust and moaned and writhed upon the bunk. The feel of Petran’s flesh, the taste and touch forever imprinted on Arkenn’s brain. He slid his hands over firm sides, clung to flexing shoulders.
Wrapping his arms around Petran, Arkenn bucked up, adding a bit more pressure to the slick-slide of their loving.
He whined into Petran’s mouth, gripping tight. Oh, oh, oh! Every muscle stiffened. Hanging on the edge of ecstasy, Arkenn fought to prolong the pleasure, ultimately losing the battle. Fire blazed through him as he shot pulse after pulse between their bellies.
Petran shoved harder, breathing labored, then stilled, his cries of passion caught in Arkenn’s mouth.
Reeking of sex and sweat, they lay in each other’s arms, in silence, with just the creaking of theSeabirdand their own heavy breathing around them.
So much more amazing even than Arkenn’s dreams. Petran finished stripping him, using the small clothes to clean them up, then relaxed on the bed, pulling Arkenn to his chest again.
Petran’s racing heart beat a steady rhythm in Arkenn’s ear. Arkenn drifted off to sleep in comforting arms. Before he slipped out of consciousness, the press of lips caressed his forehead.
Though he’d just found the man, Petran would be hard to give up.
Give him up, Arkenn must.
Far too soon.
Chapter Five
Petranawokewithajolt. What was that? The entire ship shook.Crash! Splash!He shot from the bunk, scrambling into his clothes without a candle. A flash lit the sky.
He darted to the porthole, heart sinking, then stopping. It restarted with a kick. Another ship.
“Wha…?” Arkenn asked, voice sleepy yet concerned.
