Unearthed (The Dungeon Black Duology 1)

Ah. There it was. That telltale look. Max was definitely bisexual if nothing else.

But all too soon, Max’s lips pursed tight, his brows furrowing down atop his eyes. “Sit on your heels, Sean. Just like before.”

Sean’s smile faded fast. Okay. That was strange. He promptly complied, parting his knees about a foot, and waited for further instruction.

“Good. Like that.” Max seemed to ease. “Now this time I’m gonna want you to rest your palms on your thighs.”

Again, Sean obeyed. So far so good. Looked like this pose was going to be easy.

Max studied him. “Straighter posture, Sean. And pull your shoulders back a bit.”

Sean did, tightening his abs for good measure.

Max nodded. “Yeah, like that. Damn, you’ve got a great physique.”

Sean instantly beamed. Though, why exactly, he wasn’t sure. Praise from others was typically no big deal. Sometimes even a turn off. Unless for some reason he looked up to the person. Admired them. Wanted to impress them. He regarded Max thoughtfully, supposing it made sense. Because crushing on someone encompassed all those things. Or at least they did for Sean. Evidently that’s how crushes worked for him. That’s definitely how they worked with Rick. Aka the only other infatuation Sean had to compare.

“Alright, Sean. Now turn your head to the left.”

Turn his head? Well, damn. He’d been hoping he’d be able to look at Max for this one.

He looked toward the windows. “You mean like this?”

“Yeah. Well. Hmm. Try tilting your chin down some.”

Sean tweaked his head’s angle. Slid Max a sideways look.

“Better, but, um, maybe just a little...” Max took a step forward, lifting a hand toward Sean’s chin, but at the last second, caught himself and pulled back. Sean fought not to frown. He’d been excited for the contact. Why didn’t Max want to touch him?

Max cleared his throat a second time. “Just, ah, turn a tiny bit back toward me.”

Sean intentionally overshot his mark. “Like this?” he murmured.

Do it. Just touch me.

Max made a face. “Um, not exactly.” Again, he absently reached to assist, and again he stopped himself just shy.

Sean looked at him curiously.

Max met his eyes. Then that voice of his dipped super low. “You mind if I touch you? Just for a second.”

Fuck no, I don’t mind! Touch me all fucking day!

“Of course not.” Sean’s heart pounded. He swallowed. “Go for it.”

Max nodded briefly, and reached for Sean’s chin. Warm fingertips made contact. So firm. So unyielding. Yet somehow, so tantalizingly gentle. Sean’s skin tingled instantly. Current washed through his body, waking every nerve, every cell. Sean drew in a breath and restlessly held it. It was either that or exhale a moan.

Slowly, Max moved him to just the right angle.

“There,” he murmured. “Just like that.” But now his voice sounded tight.

Sean slid his eyes sideways, wondering why, but Max was focused heavily on Sean’s chin. No, scratch that. He was watching his own fingers, following them as they skimmed up Sean’s jawline. Sean’s heart kicked faster. His lips parted, too, as more current fired through his body. To the ends of every limb. To his brain. And his junk. Stimulating him everywhere. Too much.

Max eased a stray lock of hair behind Sean’s ear. His fingertips lingered behind Sean’s lobe.

“You always wear your hair in that bun?”

Okay, now his voice sounded husky.

Sean gave his head the tiniest shake. “No. Not always.” His pulse pounded steadily. “Just figured you’d want it out of the way.”

Max’s eyes stayed on Sean’s hair. Then they slid down the length of Sean’s neck. Sean’s pulse raced haphazardly. Holy shit. He’d thought Max’s gaze felt hot from afar. Up close it was scorching, searing a trail down Sean’s throat.

“For the class pose, you’re right.” Max nodded. “I would.” He cocked his head, roamed his fingertips lower. Sean shivered. Ah, God. He was going to get hard. “But I don’t think I want that for this one.”

Sean exhaled. Smiled brightly. Max wanted his hair down. “Um. Okay. Permission to move?”

Max blinked from his thoughts, whatever they were, then shook his head and smirked. “Permission denied. But I like that you asked.”

And Sean liked that he liked that he asked.

His heart sped faster. Max reached for his bun, bringing his other hand up, too. Damn. Their bodies were so fucking close. Like less than a foot apart. Sean could smell Max’s clean scent again. Deep inhale. Blissful sigh. Which was kind of strange. Sean had been around plenty of guys who smelled good, but none pleased his nose like this.

Max freed Sean’s hair, then gently raked it forward, his fingertips grazing Sean’s shoulders. Sean all but purred, loving the feel of Max’s primping, of him arranging Sean’s hair just the way he wanted it.

All too soon, though, those fingers went still. Max curtly stepped back. “You smell like cigarettes.”

“Probably because I smoke.”