Something was different. I felt it the moment he positioned himself between my legs. Gabe was so tender, so reverent, it was like he was worshipping me with his mouth and tongue.

He worked me slowly, gently, but also relentlessly.

The way his hands gripped me, holding me firmly as I came, shaking and arching off the bed. The way he didn't stop licking me until I'd peaked again and again.

And when he slid inside me a half an hour later, I saw it in his eyes.

Gabe was looking at me like he owned me. He paused with the tip of his cock against me, his eyes blazing with heat.

"I don't want to wear a condom."

"What?"

"I just want to feel you- just for a little while. I'm clean."

"Oh."

He waited until I nodded. I wanted to feel him too. I knew it was stupid, but I was so relaxed and turned on, I didn't care.

He moaned as he pressed forward, his cock nudging my lips apart as he sank into me.

I gasped at the feel of his bare cock inside me. It felt amazing- so different from the condom. He was so big, and silky and hot. And somehow- more.

He moaned and whispered soft words to me. I was tossing my head so I almost missed it. He said it again. "What?" I stammered.

Gabe stared down at me, pausing the slow and steady circular motion of his hips.

"Do you love me Tabby?"

"I-"

I didn't know what to say. I had been in love with him from afar for so long. But he couldn't know that. And this was different.

I'd been so careful to protect myself. How had he figured it out?

"I love you Tabby. Do you love me back?"

I stared up at him. He loved me? Gabe flexed his hips, driving his cock deeper and then pulling out again. I cried out, my fingers gripping his shoulders. Then he went still again.

I was close, and he knew it.

"Tabby... tell me. Do you love me?"

"Please Gabe... Oh!"

Something about the immoveable force of his cock was doing strange things to me. He was utterly still, poised halfway inside me. I could feel every inch of him as my body squeezed him, trying to pull him closer.

But he held still, waiting.

Then he pinched my nipple.

"Fine. But I'm keeping you up all night until you say it."

"What?"

I gasped as he shifted back and the cool air hit my skin.

"I'm keeping you up until you admit that you love me back. And it's not going to be fun."

"It's- not?"

He licked his lips and looked over my body.

"No. It's not."

Then he got to work.

I was flat on my back, already on the verge. He told me to close my eyes and I did. Then he covered my eyes with his shirt, tying it behind my head. I reached for him, but found only air.

"Gabe!"

He shushed me and grasped my hands, pressing them down to my sides.

"Behave."

I squirmed and he chuckled. He trailed his fingertips over my skin. He started at my chest and dragged them down over my belly, skimming my hips and thighs until he reached my ankles. Then he did it again.

I whimpered as he blew cold air on my nipples. Then lower, on my belly and thighs. Then on the soles of my feet.

"Gabe..."

"Tell me."

But I couldn't.

I felt him settle beside me and then my torture began in earnest. He played with my nipples for a while before letting his hand slide down to my belly.

He traced the outline of my pussy once, and then again. I moaned as he toyed with my clit before moving his hand away.

My hips jerked, seeking, but not finding the pressure of his fingers.

"Please..."

"Tell me."

"I- I care about you."

"You love me. Say it."

I wanted to say it. But I couldn't.

"Don't be such a coward."

But I was.

So he kept going. I tossed and turned but he held me down, teasing me until I was on the verge of tears. I wanted him so badly, I could have screamed.

When he finally pushed himself inside me again, I did.

He pulled the blindfold off as he rode me, both of us desperate for release. We stared into each others eyes as our animal instincts took over. We rocked wildly until we came together.

Gabe shouted his release as I said his name, my body locking down on his.

It was later when we were curled up on the tiny bed that I made my mistake. I thought he was asleep when I whispered the words into his neck, so softly there was no way he could have heard them.

"I do love you, Gabe."

He squeezed me and smiled without opening his eyes.

"I know."