Peeking through the peep hole, Allison relaxed and tucked the gun away before dramatically jerking the door open and throwing it wide.
“And that’s my cue to leave,” she tossed over her shoulder and blew Seth a kiss.
“Wait!” Seth protested with a pounding heart.
“It’s getting late anyways.” She smiled and darted out the door before he could say another word.
“What the…” Seth mumbled. The words trailed off, drying to a drizzle as Asher stepped inside and toed the door shut with his foot. Asher’s hair was windblown and he brought with him the salty air of the sea and a scent that was all Asher. Looking downright sexy, the man wore faded jeans molded to his hips, as well as a dark shirt that strained and stretched over muscles that didn’t quit.
What Asher held in his hands held his full attention. Having risen, he shakily sank back down onto the chair and held his breath.
“For you,” Asher declared, thrusting out the box of expensive chocolates before placing what looked to be a rose garden into his lap.
With his head tipped downward, he stared blindly at the roses. Blinking for several seconds, he staved off the sting of threatening tears. There were so many roses, some of them spilled from his lap onto the floor and covered his feet.
Seth curled his hands around as many as he could in order to keep the delightful flowers close.
Asher squatted in front of his chair. This put the guy at almost eye level. So close, it left him drowning in the blue of Asher’s eyes.
“You have every right to throw those in my face,” Asher said gruffly.
He nodded, but tightened his hands possessively around the fragrant-filled, velvety red petals.
“And I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I deserve that and more,” Asher finished. The man’s throat moved as if he were having trouble swallowing, and then suddenly, he looked away.
Seth reached out and traced the droop of Asher’s lips. Closing his eyes, Asher kissed the tips of his fingers before the man’s gaze once again searched his face.
“I don’t know how it happened, but you snuck in. You captured my heart when I didn’t think I had one to give,” Asher whispered against his fingertips. “These past few months while you’ve allowed me to get to know you have been the best months in my entire life.”
“Asher…”
The man froze at the sound of his name. It was the first time he had used Asher’s given name since his kidnapping.
Asher swallowed hard. “Please, Seth. Please give me another chance. I want that date even though I can’t dance. I can’t promise the road won’t be rocky, but I can promise to love you to the best of my ability.”
“You really do love me.” The air left Seth’s lungs and he held his breath.
“I’m so in love with you.” Asher gave a lopsided smile, one dimple flashing.
A joyful laugh bubbled up from Seth and he leaned in to meet Asher’s lips. Somewhere between the quiet, late night talks and long walks along the beach, he’d found it in his heart to forgive.
“Ditto,” he whispered, and fisted his hand in Asher’s shirt to pull him closer.
“We need to be careful,” Asher mumbled against his mouth.
“Fuck careful. Bed now,” he purred aggressively.
“Your injuries.” Asher lifted his wrist and kissed where the bruise used to be. Then Asher traced his fingers lightly over the healed marks around his other wrist where the chain had bitten deep.
“Asher, it’s been close to three months,” Seth complained. “Most of the pain is gone and the bruised kidney was pretty much healed in three weeks. Cracked ribs were healed in six weeks. I swear, I feel fine.” Of course, the pulmonary laceration had taken a couple of months to fully heal, but the doctor said the scar tissue and wound site had healed nicely. In fact, he could return to work in the next few weeks.
“I just don’t want to reinjure anything.”
“I need you, Asher.”
“I thought you wanted me to take you dancing,” Asher teased.
Seth drew his finger along the small dimple in Asher’s cheek. “Later, you can show me how you can’t dance, much later.”
“Then hang on,” his man warned and carefully lifted him. The muscles bunched and corded along Asher’s biceps and chest as he was lifted and carried to the bedroom.
“I love that you can pick me up,” Seth admitted breathlessly, his smile just a bit giddy.
“Me too.” Asher dipped his head.
Asher’s hand cupped the back of his head as he was eased down against the bed. The way Asher held him so tenderly sent his pulse thrumming. In the darkened room, Asher’s silhouette was a mixture of muscle and shadows with only the glimmer of his icy blue eyes reflecting in a small sliver of moonlight coming through the partially closed curtains.
“Condoms are in the drawer,” Seth breathed. “What?” He laughed at Asher’s arched brow. “I put them in there when we got back from Russia.”
He loved Asher’s deep, husky chuckle. From beneath his lashes, Seth watched as Asher removed each of his socks and then urged him to lift his hips. Asher pulled off Seth’s pajama pants with a light tug and made short work of the buttons down the front of Seth’s pajama shirt. The shirt slipped from his shoulders and left him naked beneath Asher’s intense gaze.
Hungrily, he devoured Asher’s body as the man yanked at his own clothing. Inch by inch, skin and hard muscle was revealed. Asher’s gorgeous body was all power and when Asher leaned over him to tenderly brush the hair back from his forehead, Seth bit his trembling bottom lip.
He’d missed this, Asher’s touch. The man’s hands on his body and the taste of his lips. Seth hadn’t known just how much he craved the intimacy they had shared until Asher’s hands stroked over his skin. A shudder rolled through him, making him ache. Nothing mattered except Asher, and when he lifted his head and their eyes met, Seth’s heart ached.
Asher’s hands slipped to the back of his head and drew him upward, and Seth eagerly closed the distance. When their mouths met, it was an explosion of heat sending Seth’s pulse throbbing.
It was a kiss that ruined him for any other man. When Asher took control, Seth gave it up. Tonight, he surrendered, helpless to deny this man anything. He wanted Asher like nothing he’d ever wanted before.
Asher kissed him again and again until Seth was lost in a hazy delight of pleasure. His only thought was that he was finally here in his arms. What Asher wanted from him, Seth would gladly give because he now knew Asher would give just as much in return.
Their limbs entwined, tangled, and brushed against each other. Asher was so very careful with him. Soft whimpers spilled from Seth’s mouth when Asher tipped his chin gently and trailed his lips along his exposed throat before biting and sucking. There’d be bruising against the tender skin, but Seth couldn’t be bothered to care. He relished in the knowledge that Asher was marking him. Leaving a mark for all others to see, and before the night was over, he’d be making marks of his own.
The weight of Asher’s naked body slowly pinned him to the bed and Seth stretched beneath him, loving the feel. Rather than fight his feelings any longer, he let go.
He needed this. He needed to know Asher was all in with his heart, mind, and body. Seth moved sinuously and when Asher let out a soft growl, Seth did it again. Spreading his legs, he closed them around Asher’s thighs and dug his heels into the man’s ass cheeks. Asher settled deeper between his legs and Seth lifted his mouth into a nipping and biting kiss.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” Asher muttered against his lips.
“I’m all banged up, but glad you think so.” Seth brushed his tongue against Asher’s bottom lip and drew the taste into his mouth.
Asher’s gaze glittered and he dropped his head and drew his mouth along Seth’s skin, drawing from him one shuddering breath after another. His back bowed, and Asher latched onto his nipple quickly, sucking each small nub until they were red and wet.
Asher’s teasing mouth nipped and tormented until Seth wanted to scream. His cock had been a solid, aching hardness from the get go, and it seemed Asher was doing everything in his power to keep him that way. The sharp bite of teeth turned his nipples so sensitive, Asher only had to lick lightly at them to lift Seth’s back in an arch.
Seth groaned. His body throbbed, becoming one sensitive bundle of pulsing sensation.
“Asher, please,” he begged, his hands lifting to twist and scrape along Asher’s back.
Asher responded by lifting up and fumbling with the lube. He coated his fingers and eased them between Seth’s spread legs. Asher’s heated gaze met his and Seth drew his bottom lip between his teeth and sucked on it. Asher groaned harshly and then slipped his finger inside.
“Oooh, fuck!” Seth released his lip and pushed his head back into the pillow. His legs splayed apart and his hips lifted as his back arched. Asher went deeper, and then another finger joined the first. It wasn’t enough, he needed more.
“Now?” The question sounded guttural, coming from somewhere deep inside.
“Yes, now,” Seth urged.
The muscle and sheer power of Asher was breathtaking. Hard-packed muscles bunched as Asher bowed over Seth, drawing him close. The man reached between them and Seth felt pressure. He bit back a groan when Asher pushed inside of his body.
Seth lifted his mouth for a kiss and Asher swooped down and took his lips, all the while pressing forward until he was deeply seated. The pain was instant and Seth panted against Asher’s mouth while his body adjusted to the length and girth. No one had ever filled him like Asher. The throbbing in his ass soon turned to pleasure when Asher pegged his gland on each inward thrust.
His arms were urged up over his head and their fingers entwined. Seth moved, grinding up beneath Asher. The aches and pains of his injury became distant memories as pleasure washed over him.
Begging between biting kisses, Seth sucked marks on Asher’s skin, pleading for the man to fuck him harder. Asher wouldn’t, though. This was going to be Asher’s pace. All Seth could do was hang on as Asher controlled each thrust. Sweat streamed down their bodies and the wet slapping sound of skin meeting skin melded with their panting moans.
He fucking had to come now! Like a wire on the verge of snapping, his movements grew jerky and quick. Asher slowed even more, teasing him relentlessly until every fucking touch sent shivers raking over his skin.
Asher seemed set on dragging out as much pleasure as possible. Seth was losing his fucking mind. He lifted his hands and buried them tightly into the dark, sweaty strands and squeezed hard.
“Asher, I need…” he whimpered, his voice broke, head tossing back and forth on the damp pillow.
“I know what you need,” Asher growled, thrusting deep. Asher’s large hand slid between them and he stroked and touched Seth from balls to tip, squeezing at Seth’s crown and then doing it all over again until Seth became frantic.
Asher linked their fingers and drew his arms back up over his head, holding him there. Seth went wild, yanking at the grip. Asher shoved deep and Seth could do nothing but fly apart. And fly, he did. Asher released his hands and gripped his cock, and Seth erupted between them.
The world whitened as he emptied every ounce of come he had over Asher’s hand, his own groin, and the man’s stomach. Seth tried to cry out, but the words ended up in a strangled “argh” of sound, but Asher seemed to understand.
After a moment, Asher released his sensitive cock and lightly gripped his hips. Pounding into his ass, Asher shuddered, paused, and then lost it, finding his own release. Asher’s dick pulsed and jerked as he pushed deep. Seth imagined he could feel Asher’s come filling the confines of the condom.
Asher’s arms shook as he tried not to sink down. But Seth was having none of that, and reached up to wrap his arms tightly around Asher. The man had no other choice than to sink down against him.
Breathing heavily, they lay entwined until their heartbeats slowed. Asher’s lips were caressing his temple, ear, and jaw. Seth ran his hands down Asher’s back; feeling the cooling of skin, he attempted to pull the comforter over them.
“I’ll be right back,” Asher whispered and pressed a kiss to his lips. Asher folded back the comforter before lifting up and striding to the small bathroom adjacent to his room.
In short order, Asher returned and had them cleaned up. Tossing the cloth into the hamper, Asher slid into the bed and pulled the comforter over them.
He curled closer, resting his head on Asher’s chest.
“Tell me if you want me to leave,” Asher whispered, drawing his fingers through his hair.
The soft yet firm strokes against his scalp lulled him. Seth closed his eyes.
“Stay.”
Frost
He lay with Seth in his arms, content to stay there for as long as Seth would have him. He hadn’t planned on coming here and making love to Seth. He’d only wanted to profess his love once again and give him the flowers and candy. If Seth asked him to stay and talk, all the better.
Sure, they’d had sex before, but this time it felt different. This time, the level of love and commitment gave meaning to everything.
Frost knew it was because of his own change. Before, their stumbling had never been on the part of Seth. Frost took full responsibility for their rocky start.
He had wanted to buy the whole damned flower and candy shop and have a truck deliver it, but Wild had talked him out of it. The tracker had only said that sometimes it was the smaller gestures that mattered the most. That sometimes fanfare and hoopla were just that and didn’t mean a thing. Wild was a wise man.
“I think the flowers are history,” Frost murmured, running his fingers slowly through Seth’s silky hair.
“I don’t think so,” Seth said, glancing up at him from where his cheek rested on Frost’s chest. “While you were in the bathroom getting cleaned up, I heard Noah and Mac come home. I’ll bet money they picked up the flowers.”
He smiled. “Good. I want you to enjoy them.”
“There must be two dozen.” Seth huffed out a laugh.
“Four,” he confessed. Lifting Seth’s hands, he moved his mouth in small kisses against each finger. Seth stilled and glanced over.
“What?” he asked huskily at the look in Seth’s eyes.
“You’re just so different,” Seth breathed.
“How so?”
“Fearless.”
“I am fearless.” Frost puffed up his chest.
Seth laughed. “I mean, not afraid to…to love.” Seth stumbled over the last words and Frost’s heart hurt at the hesitancy in Seth’s voice. He hoped with time he could erase Seth’s caution.
“I’m not afraid to love you, Seth,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “I’m not afraid anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.” He held his breath, his heart stuttering in his chest. He hoped Seth would allow him to redeem himself.
“Well.” Seth looked down at their entwined fingers. “I don’t think you need to spend the rest of your life proving it. Just spend the rest of your life showing it.”
“I will, baby,” he promised, and then gently eased Seth closer. His heart resumed its steady beat as he closed his arms around Seth’s slender form.