Sean coughed a small laugh. “Think that’s a question for you to answer.”
Max’s lips curved warmly. Sean gazed into his eyes, swearing he saw more there than just mere fondness. More than just common Dom affection for his sub. Sean’s heart pounded faster, as it always did when he and Max shared these wordless stare-offs.
Max’s gaze visibly hooded, then dipped to Sean’s mouth.
There. Right there. Max wanted to kiss him. Sean knew he did, but also knew he never would. Sean shifted inside the blanket Max had, at some point, wrapped around him. Max’s eyes didn’t move. Sean slowly licked his lips. Max blinked once, then twice fast, then quickly looked up.
Sean grinned. So busted.
Max narrowed his eyes and pinched Sean’s side.
Sean yelped, just then noting where Max’s other arm was. Wound behind Sean’s back and down around his ribs, his free hand now rubbing the pinch.
Okay, so Max didn’t like being called out. Sean could let it slide. No big. Not like they both didn’t know damn well that Sean had caught Max red-fucking-handed.
Sean canted his head. Max canted his, too.
“You pinched me.”
“I did.”
“That mean we’re still in a scene?”
“What.” Max chuckled. “You want a round three?”
Sean’s lids felt heavy. “If it’d score me a kiss.”
Max’s smile ebbed. “Sorry. Scene’s over. Next week.”
God, just the thought… Sean’s chest squeezed tight. “I don’t want to wait a week.”
“Too bad.”
Sean sighed…
Max idly ran his fingers through Sean’s hair. “You did good tonight, caitín. I worked you pretty hard.”
Sean thought back to the last thing he remembered of their scene. Mind-blowing orgasm. Quite literally. His dick stirred. He cleared his throat. “You’re good at what you do.”
Max’s lips quirked. “I know.”
“How long have you been doing it?”
“Over ten years now.”
“Wow. You started young.”
Max nodded once. “Yup.”
Sean tentatively lifted his hand from his blanket. Max’s bare chest was so close. Sean wanted to touch it something fierce. But he also didn’t want to piss Max off and ruin the peaceful moment. Don’t rush it. Start small. Sean went for safe and touched Max’s collarbone. Max’s emerald eyes flashed. Sean’s cock stirred again. But he was treading on thin ice, he could feel it. Quick, make more small talk. Distraction’s the key.
“So, um, which do you like better, this job or teaching?”
“Teaching,” Max murmured.
Sean stared at him, surprised. When Max merely held his gaze again, Sean exhaled and resumed. “So, does that mean you’re hoping to climb the ladder at Mason?” Slowly, he traced a finger along Max’s clavicle.
Max’s lashes fluttered. “No. Means I like to sculpt. Means I want to own a gallery someday.”
Sean paused and smiled. “Really?”
Another short nod.
“How cool. I’d totally buy something, you know.”
A grin tugged at Max’s lips. “Would you now.”
“Yup. Might even recommend the place to friends.”
Max chuckled at that. Sean got back to tracing his collarbone. A few comfortable moments passed by.
Max toyed with Sean’s hair, occasionally glancing at Sean’s roaming finger, then asked the same question of Sean. “What do you like better? Photography or gymnastics?”
Sean paused again and thought for a second. “Hmm. That’s a tough one.”
“Alright. Let’s put it this way.” Max tucked a lock behind Sean’s ear. “If you hadn’t gotten into that accident, where would you see yourself now?”
Sean turned and nuzzled Max’s hand before he realized what he was doing.
Max stilled.
Sean watched him, heart steadily thumping.
Max didn’t say a word.
“I think… I’d still be in gymnastics,” Sean finally answered. “Accruing as many medals as humanly possible.”
“Hmm.” Max nodded.
Sean lowered his hand and palmed Max’s pec. “You don’t look surprised.” He grinned. “Or impressed.”
Max looked down at Sean’s hand. Sean braced for his reaction. His stunt had been bold, but he wanted to know. Couldn’t help testing his boundaries. If Max made him move, then maybe Sean had been wrong. Wrong about that look in Max’s eyes when Sean first woke.
Max exhaled slowly, Sean could feel it against his palm, then looked back up and responded to Sean’s comment. “Probably because I’m not surprised.” He casually shrugged. “And I was already impressed to begin with. You impress me at every turn, Sean. That’s nothing new.”
Sean blinked. Blinked again, derailed by Max’s answer. “I… I do?”
Max’s smile returned. God, Sean loved that thing. His insides lit up on the spot.
“Yes. You do.”
Sean grinned. “Care to elaborate?”
“Nope. Not really.”
“Okay.” Sean laughed. “Should’ve known.”
A few more quiet moments ticked by between them, the only sound, Perry Farrell serenading “I Would For You” in the background. Max tunneled his fingers absently through Sean’s hair. Sean savored the feeling. That and the way Max’s steady heartbeat thumped against his hand.
Hmm. Maybe it was time to do some more testing.
Holding Max’s gaze, Sean thumbed his nipple, super-slow… back and then forth.
Again, Max’s lashes made the tiniest flutter. But other than that, he stayed chill.
Encouraging. Unless Sean was just seeing what he wanted to see. Gently, he gripped Max’s nipple ring and gave it a little tug.