Incandescent

Fuck, had I really admitted that? I could feel Delaney’s gaze on me, but my skin was still flushed, and I thought it might get worse if I looked at him right then.

“I like that description,” Harmony mused. “So why not seek comfort in him if it feels right in this moment? Maybe that’s the only thing any of us can hope for. A bit of happiness after being devastated for so long.”

Judy nodded. “I’m sure you’ll know right away if your assumptions are wrong, and hopefully your friendship is strong enough to withstand the miscalculation.”

“I hope so too.”

“Or maybe your friend feels the same way and he’s scared too. Or the timing just hasn’t been right,” Delaney’s voice rang out across the room. “Maybe you’re also the one bright spot in his life, and the most important thing you can do is keep an open line of communication so that you’re on the same page and no one gets blindsided or hurt.”

“That’s good advice, Lane,” Judy said, looking between us with a strange expression. “Keep us posted, Marc.”

Judy moved us along to another topic, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Delaney. Even as he tried to listen to other participants, his gaze still traveled back to mine. No doubt it was risky to bring the topic up in group, but fuck if I didn’t also feel twisted up inside about what he’d said.

Maybe he feels the same way and he’s scared too. Or the timing hasn’t been right…

Delaney’s cell buzzed, and he pulled his phone out of his pocket, read the screen, then stood up. “Grant,” he mouthed to me and then was out the door.

I sagged against the seat, feeling emotionally spent from this session, which was not uncommon, but still, I wished I could’ve at least talked to him afterward.

Once group ended, I walked out to the parking lot with Harmony.

“Good luck with your friend.” She winked. “Whoever he is.”

I drove home in a fog, glad I’d kept some lights on in the living room.

After downing a glass of water, I washed it in the sink, almost dropping it when the doorbell rang. Was it my mom? I lifted my cell, but there was no message.

I strode to the front door, stunned to see Delaney standing there.

“Surprise?” He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “I should’ve called or asked you first, but after I dropped off Grant at Jeremy’s, I just…my car drove itself?”

I laughed, joy blooming in my chest. “Now you sound like me the night I showed up on your doorstep.”

Pink dotted his cheeks. “And now I know how hard that was. Even without bourbon in hand.”

“Which is why you should come inside immediately.” I held open the door, wishing I’d straightened up the living room a bit more. But his house always looked lived in too, their kitchen currently in boxes, so he would understand.

“I don’t have a lot of time…” he said, glancing around. “I need to make it home before Grant does, but I just wanted to see you, to…to…”

“To what?” I asked, then winced. “Hopefully I didn’t make things awkward by bringing that stuff up tonight.”

“Nah, you’re allowed to rely on the group for help. And besides, you didn’t out me.” He swallowed. “I’ll admit, I like what you said about me. I also like the idea of being your safe harbor.”

“You already are,” I said around the boulder in my throat. “And I hope I’m yours.”

“Definitely.” He took a step closer. “So here I am, standing bare before you, and…I’m desperate to kiss you again.”

“So do it.” I closed the distance between us, my pulse throbbing.

Delaney gripped the front of my shirt as our mouths collided in a frenzied tangling of tongues. It was so fucking hot, I couldn’t resist digging my fingers into the small of his back and hauling him even closer. And there it was, the feel of his warm body and hard cock as his shaft slotted perfectly against mine. His groan was deep and throaty, a sound that had become one of my favorites.

“Damn, that mouth of yours,” he said against my jaw. “But I need more…I want…” He struggled for the right words, but his gaze was filled with pure desire, and it stole my breath.

“Show me what you want,” I murmured against his ear.

He backed me toward the couch, and as soon as I sat down, he sank to his knees in front of me. “Is this okay?” He palmed my cock through the front of my jeans, pulling a gasp from me. His fingers shook as his knuckles grazed my nuts, and I didn’t know if it was from nerves or need.

“Hell yes,” I said as my fingers fumbled with my button and zipper. I lifted up, and he folded my waistband down my hips along with my underwear. My dick sprang free, stiff and already leaking precome. He gazed at it appreciatively as his thumb swiped my slit, making me shiver.