“It feels like another world back here,” Cam said, and I was glad for the change in subject.
“It’s where I’m happiest,” I said.
He looked up at me, some emotion behind his eyes that I couldn’t figure out.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “I really needed this tonight.”
I nodded once. “I know how it feels to need to be anywhere but inside your house,” I said.
“This is the first time in months I’ve felt something close to myself,” he told me.
“You should let yourself out more often,” I said. “You’re nice to be around, you know?”
A slight smile appeared on his face and he looked down, sheepish but clearly pleased. “I’m sorry I was so… bold, earlier.”
“Do not apologize,” I said. “You know I liked it.”
“Thank God,” he said. “I haven’t done anything like that in so long. I’ve just been lonely, and I’m starting to think it makes me do crazy things.”
“It has that effect sometimes.”
“And I like you,” he said, like he was admitting to some deep, dark secret. “I don’t know you that well, but I like you.”
“I like you, too, pretty boy,” I said quietly.
His expression turned wicked and he stepped closer to me, looking me up and down. “Call me pretty again and see what happens,” he said.
“You sound like you’re trying to be mean, but in reality you’re just teasing me,” I said.
“Maybe I am,” he said, turning his head to one side. He reached out, dragging his fingertips across the buttons in the front of my flannel.
“Cam…” I said, my voice a low warning.
“I’m not going to try anything,” he said, letting out a breath. “I know you’re right. I know the timing is bad, to say the least.”
“Terrible timing,” I agreed.
He looked up at me, his eyes dancing across my face. I hated how big and earnest they were. Eyes that kept me wrapped around him like a string. He looked even better here in my backyard, surrounded by little glowing lights and all of my favorite plants in the world. The sound of faint crickets chirped through the air, one of the most comforting sounds I knew.
“I really just still want that kiss,” he murmured.
Heat surged through me as my cock throbbed. I looked down at his lips.
“Just a kiss?” I asked. “That’s all you want?”
He nodded. “So badly.”
“I don’t know if I can do that for you,” I said, stepping closer to him anyway. The space between us disappeared, and suddenly I could feel the heat from his body again, so close to mine.
“You sure about that?” he asked softly.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Kissing someone like you always makes me want more.”
“Someone like me?”
I bit my lower lip. “Cute. Pushy. Annoying as hell. Irresistible.”
He hummed, satisfied. He pushed up against my body, his chest on mine, and he let one of his hands slide onto the small of my waist.
I dipped to press my lips to his. He was warmer than I’d expected, his lips hot against mine. Adrenaline surged through me as I pulled his body in closer, hungry for him now. He opened to me, another rush of warmth as his tongue slid against my own, and I tasted fresh mint.
“Mmm,” I hummed, my voice low. “Liar.”
“What?” he murmured.
“Said you weren’t going to try anything. And now you’re making me hard.”
“You ever think that maybe I like you being hard?”
I groaned, burying my fingers in his impossibly soft hair. “Bad. You’re bad.”
“Maybe I want to be a whole lot worse.”
3
Cam
Luke’s lips were on mine again the moment I spoke, kissing me in a devilish combination of punishment and reward.
And holy hell. Apparently I’d been wrong about my flirting game, because my mouth had a fucking mind of its own now. I was saying things I never dreamed I could say to Luke, and also putting my mouth in places it definitely shouldn’t be. Not that I had any chance of stopping now.
I was so hard my cock was mashed up against the front of my jeans, straining like hell for any touch. I was regretting my choice to wear the tightest boxer briefs and jeans I owned today. Sure, part of me had gone to the bar knowing it might feel good to get hit on by some hot guy, but I certainly never expected anything to actually happen.
Luke pinned me up against the greenhouse wall, my back flat against the glass and metal. He was good with his tongue, swirling it just a little on mine, then pulling back and biting my lower lip. I was struck by how big he felt.
In the past boatload of years, I’d only ever kissed Rachel. She was only a little over five feet, and had always felt small in my arms.
Now I felt lost in this man, like he really could pick me up and put me wherever he wanted. It was thrilling and strange and so fucking hot.