Mark’s frown deepened. “I see.”
“I know you think that I’m all about casual sex and partying, but that’s not all of who I am or what I want. Sure, sex to me is fun and awesome, but I’m also working on not making choices like Tony where I feel like shit afterward.”
He hadn’t really meant to confess that last part, but it was true. Sex felt amazing while it was happening, but he was kind of over the aftermath where he wouldn’t mind a repeat or the start of something, but the other guy was already onto the next thing.
“I don’t want you feeling like crap.” Mark had that going-to-do-battle look again. “These guys need to treat you better. You deserve to feel good.”
I deserve you. Isaiah wasn’t going to say it, but he felt it, big time. Hello, crush I thought was long gone.
“Thanks.”
“Enjoy your bath.” Mark’s cheeks stained pink again as he left the room. Isaiah kind of wanted to invite him to stay and keep him company with more talking, but he figured maybe they could work up to something like that, if Mark got more comfortable with him.
And there he went again, making future plans. But he couldn’t help it. He liked Mark too damn much. He stewed on that while he soaked in the tub, hunkering down so his sore neck and shoulders were submerged. He stayed in until the water turned tepid, then emerged, feeling better, as Mark had promised he would.
After drying off, he pulled on a pair of flannel pants. He skipped the shirt because he always ran hot while sleeping, and he was about to fall into bed when he remembered the baby monitor. Mark had been nice enough with all the effort for the bath. He didn’t need middle of the night duties as well. Besides, Isaiah wanted to say thank you again. Downstairs, he knocked on Mark’s door.
“Come in.”
Mark was lying on his bed on top of the covers reading on his phone. Like Isaiah, he’d switched to pajama bottoms and no shirt, leaving his chest bare. His very muscled, rather fuzzy chest that really belonged on a military-themed photoshoot, but Mark would never go for that, and Isaiah felt a little guilty macking on him. He licked his lips and tried to remember why he’d come down.
“Baby monitor?” he said at the exact same time Mark said, “Massage?”
“Oops.” Mark’s blushes were fast becoming Isaiah’s favorite thing. “I thought you’d come for your back rub. I did offer.”
“You did,” Isaiah said slowly. “But you seemed in a bit of a mood. I didn’t want to assume.”
“I’m working on my mood.” Mark waved off Isaiah’s concern. “And actually, I was just reading about techniques. Maybe I could try some out?”
Oh how Isaiah liked Mark’s scientific, inquisitive brain. “Only if you want to. You liked doing it yesterday?”
“A lot, yeah. Way more than I would have thought.”
“Well in that case, have at it.” Isaiah flopped down on his stomach next to Mark on the full-size bed. It was a tight squeeze, but he liked being this close to Mark, able to feel his body heat. “I’m at your mercy.”
Mark shifted around so he was kneeling next to Isaiah. “Tell me if it hurts.”
“Yup.” Isaiah was pretty sure the only thing aching would be his dick, which he was working way hard to ignore.
Mark started way more confidently than he had the day before, broad strokes up and down Isaiah’s neck and shoulders, digging in with his thumbs. Isaiah couldn’t help the groan that escaped.
“Sorry.” He didn’t want to make Mark uncomfortable by getting too into this. If this was mainly just medical science for Mark, he should probably hold still and stay quiet.
“No, I want you to tell me how it feels. I like how responsive you are.”
“Feels amazing. Go harder if you want.”
Mark used his strong fingers to really work at the knots in Isaiah’s upper back.
“Yes. That.” Isaiah wasn’t turned on so much as in heaven. He’d seldom had this kind of attention lavished on him, and it was addictive. His reaction seemed to embolden Mark, who threw a leg over Isaiah, straddling his ass.
“Think this will be easier,” Mark said before working Isaiah’s whole back with long strokes. Mark was hard against him, but he sure as fuck wasn’t going to mention that, risk breaking this spell or presume that Mark wanted to act on it. Instead, he let himself fully enjoy the massage, drifting until Mark whispered, “Are you asleep?”
“No,” Isaiah groaned. “But close.”
“Better let you get to your own bed.” Mark sounded reluctant as he moved off Isaiah.
“I wouldn’t mind sleeping next to you,” Isaiah admitted, sitting up. “Not as a sex thing. Just because you feel so good.”
“Maybe sometime.” Mark’s tone was thoughtful. “This bed is maybe a little small.”