Page 46 of Coming Clean

“No, you don’t. I… Lastnight I was afraid but not of what we did, only of what I felt andhow strong it was. I need this.”

Jeremy shook his head. “Howcan you be so innocent and so tough all at the sametime?”

Connor stared at him. Didhe come off that way, tough and hard? He never felt like that withJeremy. Hell, he rarely felt like that at all unless he was on amission. He pulled that veneer over him for battle and at othertimes he faked it, but it wasn’t who he was. “Are you calling meinnocent?”

Jeremy moved closer to himagain. “Yeah, I am.”

The challenge in Jeremy'svoice sent heat racing right to Connor’s dick. Jeremy wore thepredatory look Connor had seen the day before and Connor waspowerless to resist, not that he really wanted to. Could he do thisagain and not freak out this time? “You asked me what I want. Iwant you,but you’re a professor. You write poetry and teach Shakespeare, andI’m a Marine who cleans houses and hides in the closet. I’m notsure I can be the man you want.”

****

“But you are.” Jeremy answered. He couldn’t takehis eyes off Connor. He looked so lost, so frightened. Stupid moveor not, Jeremy wasn’t going to walk away.

“Even after last night?”Connor asked as he looked away.

Was Jeremy as foolish asDavid thought? Because yes, even after last night, he was ready tojump into this. He’d been mad at himself more than at Connor. Hejust couldn’t admit that then. “Yes. I don’t care if we’redifferent. I do want an open, honest relationship, but…” Jeremypaused. He’d sworn he’d never compromise on this. “I’m willing towait and see.” These last words rushed out so fast he wasn’t sureConnor had even understood them.

Connor took a step towardhim. “I’m gay.” He paused and Jeremy watched his chest rise with aslow inhale. “I’ve never said it out loud before, but I’m ConnorMcMurtry and I’m gay.”

Jeremy grabbed Connor’shand and pulled until they were nearly touching. “Show me just howgay you are, Connor McMurtry.”

Connor’s look of purehunger did shivery things to Jeremy’s insides. His bearing shiftedas his confidence returned. Now his wide-legged, take-charge stancemade him look every inch the Marine, but instead of beingintimidating, it was the sexiest damn thing Jeremy had everseen.

Connor took hold ofJeremy’s hips and brought their bodies together. Jeremy knew fromthe way Connor held him that he wasn’t going to be the dominant onein this encounter. Do you trusthim? Should he when Connor might freakout again? And yet Connor had come over of his own free will. He’dhumbled himself, apologized, and assumed Jeremy wouldn’t want him.And Jeremy was desperate to know how it would feel to have Connorinside him, driving deep, filling him up.

Connor leaned down untiltheir lips were nearly touching. “Are you sure about this? Becauseonce I start—”

“I’m sure.”Please don’t make me regretthis.

Then Connor kissed him andthere wasn’t any time to think, to fret, to do anything but feel.Connor was everywhere. He gripped Jeremy’s ass, hauling him againstConnor’s hard body. Connor worked himself against Jeremy and Jeremyfelt how hard he was. Connor’s cock certainly knew what itwanted.

Jeremy slid his tonguealong Connor’s, fighting for control of the kiss. He’d grown soused to being the one in control that surrendering wasn’t going tobe easy.

Connor didn’t seem to mindJeremy’s aggression. He opened for him and Jeremy sucked on histongue. Heat sizzled between them and Jeremy felt it all the way tohis balls. Could he come from just a kiss?

Finally, just as Jeremy wasthinking he might pass out from lack of oxygen before he could findout how far a kiss could push him, Connor pulled back. Jeremyleaned his forehead against Connor, needing the support to stayupright.

Connor’s breathing was asragged as Jeremy’s. “I’d never kissed a man before you,” heconfessed.

A warm feeling settled inJeremy’s chest. “Really?”

Connor held onto Jeremy’sarms as he leaned back enough to look him in the eye.“Never.”

“So, do you like it?”Jeremy asked, tense though he knew the answer had to beyes.

“Very much. Or at least, Ilike it with you.”

“Good.” Jeremy was sure hisheart skipped a beat. How could he not fall for Connor when the mansaid things like that?

Connor reached for himagain and Jeremy went back for more. Connor kissed him slowly thistime as if he were trying to learn everything he could about hislips, his mouth, and how to make him melt. When he pulled away, hisexpression was serious. Was Connor having second thoughts? Was hisfear was starting to get in the way of desire?

“We don’t have to do thisnow,” Jeremy said, not sure if he really meant it. “We could… Idon’t know… talk, or eat, or something.”

Connor glanced down at hiscrotch, and Jeremy followed his gaze. Connor’s erection was clearlyoutlined against his worn jeans. “I don’t think I can talk rightnow.”

Jeremy laughed. “Comehere.” He liked having Connor shy and uncertain as much as he likedConnor taking charge. This time, Jeremy was the one who stoppedwhen their lips were nearly touching. “We don’t have to rushanything.”

“I don’t know if I can bepatient,” Connor said, his voice low and rough.