Page 57

His whole body seized like it didn’t know what was happening.

I nuzzled my nose deep into his hair, breathing in his musk, memorizing the scent of him, reveling in it. He was mine, damn it. My man. Mine.

I left his pit to find a nipple. He jerked again as I licked it.

“Oh, he’s sensitive,” I said, my voice devious with delight.

I licked again, flicking it with my tongue.

He groaned and shifted beneath my weight.

My teeth gripped tender flesh.

His groan grew.

His cock twitched.

I felt him leak a little more.

I dripped, too.

“You need to fuck me, Dante. Please fuck me.”

He was begging.

Good.

My man needed me.

“Condom?”

“Fuck, I haven’t had sex in two years. I don’t have any.”

“Tested?”

“Six months ago when I decided to try dating again. You?”

A laugh slipped out. “I haven’t had sex in more years than you, big guy, unless you count Jack Handy. He’s a fucking hot night, let me tell you.”

Mark grunted a laugh.

“Just do it.”

“Whoa. Are you sure?” I asked. “That’s a lot of trust.”

All pretense fell away. The moment’s heat vanished as I released his wrists and he struggled to sit up and face me. His eyes locked onto mine, and the depths I saw there stilled any words I might’ve had.

“Dante, trust will never be an issue with us. I know that because I know you. I might’ve been an idiot about asking your mother’s name, but I know you, the shape of you, the man you are. If there’s a more honest, honorable, decent man alive, I’ve never met him. This isn’t some first date with a guy I don’t know. This is the date with a guy I should’ve been with years ago but was too stupid to—”

“Mark—” was all I could get out.

“I trust you, Dante, even with this, especially with this. Tell me I’m wrong to and we can stop here, go to a drug store and come back.”

“I tested six months ago. I’m all clear, and I’m on PrEP, have been for years, even with nobody to take it for. Call it a hopeful habit. Besides, I haven’t been with anyone in longer than I’ll admit out loud.” I held his eyes. “I’m clean, Mark, and I’m careful, and I’m yours, but we do this on purpose or not at all. If you want to wait, get tested together, use something tonight, I’ll drive to the store this second and be glad you asked.”

“No.” Mark’s hand came up to my jaw. “I heard every word, the testing, the PrEP, all of it. I’m choosing you with my eyes wide open. Just you, from here on out.”

“Just me. Just you.” I nodded, a warm smile tugging at my mouth. “And for the record, it isn’t your eyes being wide open you should worry about.”