XXIX
The bedroom was a lot darker than when they'd left it. The evening light had completely subsided and the candles James had lit had mostly burned to their ends, leaving only a small lamp on the bedside table to guide them.
?James immediately went for the bed, catching his toe and nearly tripping on a rug on the floor on his way, cursing under his breath.
The thought that such a careful-footed man was so rushed that he'd stumbled made Alex laugh.
James glared at him in the dark, but the heat in his gaze wasn't only malice.
?"If you laugh again I'm pushing you off the balcony." James growled, pointing accusingly.
?Alex did his best to hide his grin behind his hand, trying to press his lips together tightly.
?James shed his shirt, pulling it over his head, his working frame glowing orange around the edges from the light.
Alex stepped forward and reached his hands out with the desperate desire to touch him.
James was still, allowing Alex to explore his chest and shoulders with his palms, Alex could feel James' quickened pulse under his fingertips.
It surprised and excited him, knowing that James was just as keen as he was.
?Holding the bottom of Alex's shirt, James pulled it upward, urging Alex to undress. Alex brushed James' hands away and leaned forward to distract him with a kiss, pushing his tongue to tangle with James', earning him a throaty moan.
?Pushing his luck, Alex held either side of James' hips, his trousers hanging low, firm and warm to the touch, and guided him towards the bed. Although James tensed at being handled, he quickly relaxed again as if he willed his body to become pliant.
?Alex always found James' fight against his own instincts interesting; it was as if James' mind and body were on separate pages and often he had to wait for one opinion to overthrow the other.
He was especially sensitive when it came to physical vulnerability.
It was somewhat thrilling knowing that Alex was being deemed trustworthy enough in that scenario to win.
?Spurred on by that knowledge, Alex pushed James onto his back onto the bed and quickly climbed on top.
He gave James a moment to recover his bearings and made sure it was okay to continue before descending and retaking his lips once again.
James responded enthusiastically, his hands snaking down to Alex's arse to pull him down between his legs, the friction made Alex hiss with the unexpected pleasure.
James was just as hard as he was through the thin cotton material.
?"Fuck."
?James bit Alex's lower lip in what was probably agreement, his hands moving up Alex's spine over skin so sensitive that Alex shivered. Alex once again felt James playing with the hem of his shirt, trying to push it upward.
?Alex shifted his weight to one elbow and used the other to hold down James' forearm, stopping the attempt. The scarred skin was softer than he expected but he didn't let himself get distracted.
?"I want it to stay on." he murmured, looking down at the unbelievably attractive man underneath him.
James' pupils were blown in a sensual daze and the red was nearly nonexistent, gold reflected within them from the lamp, his lips parted with a wet shine.
Alex let go of James' arm to trace the lower lip with his fingers and James caught his thumb between his teeth, biting it softly.
Swallowing roughly, Alex pushed it in further and James sucked on it, his gaze molten.
?"Can I feel underneath?" James asked, releasing his thumb with one last small kiss to the pad.
?Alex would just about give that man just about anything, like a dog, if he asked at that moment.
He nodded before hungrily taking James' lips again, he felt a low rumble resembling a laugh vibrate through their chests as James chuckled at his eagerness, a noise that melted into a long groan as Alex licked as far in as he could, their hips shifting together.
?Alex wasn't entirely sure how to proceed.
He released James from the kiss and pressed his lips against his neck, breathing in James' scent deeply.
Beyond the floral bath smells, he smelled like sun-baked skin and fresh cotton, it was heady.
Grazing his teeth along the juncture of his neck and shoulder, James tilted his head to give better access, the soft muscles tensing and swelling with the tension, he sighed happily when Alex nipped at the skin, biting lightly.
?"No marks." James whispered, holding the back of Alex's neck encouragingly.
?James reached his other hands under Alex's shirt to explore his chest and abdomen, the pads of his fingers rough from years of violent use and scraping delicately against his front.
?In his adult life Alex had always taken the masculine role in bed, his partners had always matched by being submissive. But, James was anything but that and Alex wasn't quite sure how this dynamic would work.
?As if James was able to read his mind, he hooked one of Alex's legs in his own and flipped them round within a second, Alex's heart lurched at the shock of suddenly finding himself on his back with a heavy delicious weight pressed up against him.
?"You think too much." James scolded, holding Alex's chin in his hand and forcing his tongue into Alex's mouth. He began to move his hips over Alex's, granting them both the friction Alex had been too hesitant to provide.
?He groaned long and loud into James' mouth, one hand holding James' hip so he could feel the way he moved against him and the other going into James' soft hair, using it as leverage to tug his head closer. James pulled back and Alex whined in complaint.
?"I appreciate the noises," James whispered into his ear, the brushing of air against the sensitive spot going straight to his groin, "but I have no idea how sound-proof these walls are."
?Alex was beyond the point of caring but he nodded anyway. He pushed his hips up to try to encourage James to move again, his cock begging for stimulation.
?James granted it, rutting against him rougher than the last time, the clothes an annoying barrier.
The hand that James had had on his chin moved downward, cupping the side of his neck as James explored the other side with his lips and teeth, nipping at small patches of skin which caused Alex's whole body to tingle, his fingers tightened in James' hair which only prompted James to bite harder, the sting hot.
?"Trousers off." Alex managed to get out through his heavy breathing.
?James didn't need to be told twice. He did Alex's first, tearing them off without grace or precision, Alex had to lift his hips to help him, leaving Alex's cock exposed, his arousal obvious and on display.
?James was next, he got off of Alex and stood, kicking off one leg at a time. The light was a little too dark to see properly but Alex felt confident that James' body was obviously as eager as his.
?Before Alex could even consider moving, James was back on top of him, rushing more than before, his grip harsher and stronger.
Lifting back onto his knees, James lined their cocks together and Alex gasped and hissed, hiding his mouth behind his hand as James' velvety skin pushed against his own.
James took them in hand and started to jack them both and Alex could hardly stop the noises from spilling from his lips.
?"Fuck, fuck."
?It felt dizzingly good, the pleasure rippled throughout his whole body and heat built within him. The sight of James licking his lips as he stared down at their dicks pressed up against each other further flared up his arousal.
?Although they weren't doing anything more than some hand-play, Alex suddenly wasn't sure he was happy lying down and taking it.
He lifted his head, ready to sit up, before James stopped him by placing his other hand onto Alex's chest, forcing him down.
He gave Alex's cock a squeeze with his hand and he groaned from the mix of pleasure and pain.
?"Alex," James rumbled, the heavy way his name was said made him shiver, "you have a very attractive mind but I don't find it so pretty when it's getting in my way."
?James leaned his body over Alex, supporting himself with one elbow, the other hand traced up from Alex's clothed chest up to his neck, stopping there. Alex's breath hitched. James' thumb splayed out and came around so that his throat was being held in James' palm, lightly.
?"Can I?" James asked, biting his earlobe, "I can stop those thoughts for you."
?Alex didn't immediately answer, his body flooded with a heat that he couldn't tell if it was lust or fear, his heart thudding heavily in a rhythm that James could no doubt feel in his neck.
?James pulled back, though kept his hand in the exact same place, trading his supporting elbow to start touching Alex's cock again.
Alex pushed his head back into the bed, groaning, James' fingers on his neck twitched like he was holding them back.
After a few moments, that hand began to feel comfortable, like it fit there.
Drunk on the pleasure James was milking with each rough stroke, Alex finally nodded.
He was stronger than James, he could buck the man off of him if he needed to.
?It wasn't Alex's airways that was constricted, surprisingly, he could still breathe just fine.
Instead, as James' fingers began to squeeze his face began to feel hot, his head tight, the pressure building up just like the pressure in his groin as he got closer and closer.
James was stroking him in earnest and all other thoughts became quiet background noise, his brain unable to think about anything but the tightness in his balls and the adrenaline-fueled thrill of James' viced hand gently asphyxiating him.
?Noises began to slip out as Alex lost reason, overcome with heightened sensation. As Alex got more and more desperate, James pumped him harder and faster, his heart thudding stronger, his pulse echoing tightly in his ears and against James' fingers.
?"You have no idea how beautiful you feel right now." James growled, his voice slowed by what Alex thought could be awe.
?It was becoming too much for him. Alex could begin to feel himself tip over the edge, a fizzing prickling under his skin, a heat building to a height. He felt lightheaded.
?"Fuck," he swore, "fuck, fuck."
?James strengthened his grip with both hands as if he could tell Alex was close.
Alex choked on a groan when it finally hit him, the release cooling the stinging heat into a soothing warm.
James stroked him throughout, helping him ride through his orgasm.
His come settled on his stomach, his cock spent.
James released his hold on both ends, freeing his neck again and Alex laid there, panting like he'd run several miles.
?Supporting himself on his folded knees, James stared down at him, taking himself in hand as he admired Alex's body with a distant gaze.
It was so unapologetically sexy that Alex would have jumped him if he hadn't already been finished off so soon, below his ridden up shirt, his own cock softening despite the view he had.
?James' muscles clenched and unclenched and stuttered as he got himself off, his shoulders tensing and untensing.
Alex wished he had more light to see it better, so he could drink the whole view in.
James' apple bobbed with each rough swallow and each harsh gasp.
The view was downright sinful, Alex was enthralled.
?It didn't take long until James followed him off that edge, his orgasm shaking his body. He came onto Alex's abdomen, where Alex's own spend remained, cursing and hissing under his breath.
?After a moment where James stopped to catch his breath back, he stood up on wobbly feet, retrieving their clothes from the floor.
James threw Alex his own discarded shirt, gesturing vaguely at the mess on him.
Alex used it to mop up their come, getting as clean as he could without water.
If Alex had the energy, he would have gone to the bathroom where James disappeared to.
?James was back moments later with a wet towel, throwing it to Alex. Alex didn't bother sitting up, but gratefully got rid of the last remnants so he was clean. He shut his eyes, basking in the refreshed bone-deep feeling that comes after an orgasm.
?He felt and heard James lie down next to him, his breathing still laboured.
?Alex knew he should probably feel regret about what he'd just done but he didn't, although it would be a lie to say he didn't feel uneasy. No one had to find out and it didn't have to mean anything. It was simply about feeling good. No need to complicate it.
?"I'm gonna need to grow a third hand." James said, the words cut through their quiet laze. "One for your dick, one for your neck and one for your mouth. Aren't you a needy thing?"
?Alex was sure his face was flushed but it would have been too dark for James to see it. Though, the implication that James would happily do this again was an ego-boost.
?"What were you thinking about?" James asked him.
?Alex sighed, but finally opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. "I just wasn't sure what to do. We don't exactly fit the mould."
?James snorted, lightly brushing his fingers against Alex's hand.
?"I've witnessed enough orgies to know the whole man-woman thing doesn't always fit." James said, his voice laden with amusement.
?Alex felt a spike of something in his chest and he turned his head to look at James. Surprisingly, James' eyes were closed.
?"You've been to an orgy?"
?Alex watched as a long smile split James' cheeks.
?"I've watched them." James said, his voice a low quiet rumble. "I never participated. I've always been worried I would catch something."
?The discomfort subsided and Alex relaxed.
?"Who was on duty outside?"
?"Thomas." Alex replied, wincing.
?James' smile somehow got wider, his teeth showing. "Better hope that door is made of something thicker than iron. I did my best to shut you up."
?Alex frowned. "I was nearly silent."
?James opened his eyes, looking at Alex's face. "Well, you weren't loud," James hedged, "but you weren't silent either. Nothing a good oak door couldn't block."
?That was good enough for Alex. Even in the worst scenario, Thomas was the king of keeping his head down and minding his own business. Alex was more worried about whether there was anyone in the rooms either side of them.
?"How did you know how to do that, by the way?"
?"Do what?" James murmured sleepily, his eyes shutting again.
?Alex gestured awkwardly even though James wouldn't see it. "You shut my brain up real good," he settled on.
?James chuckled quietly, understanding. "I've been strangled before, just not in a good way. And, hey, I think your neck is sexy. It's all strong and defined and corded. I just put those two ideas together. I didn't think you'd actually agree."
?Alex did feel embarrassed he agreed but he couldn't ridicule it when it worked well. He wasn't sure if he'd do it again though, he was concerned it would leave marks.
?James was silent for a moment and then suddenly laughed a little louder. "Gods sake. I can't believe you let an assassin strangle you, you're fucking insane."
?Alex grinned, seeing the humour in it. "I was fine.
" he said back, "I could have kicked you off in a heartbeat.
And what kind of assassin asks for permission first?
It's a wonder you've managed to kill anyone.
What do you do, go up to them and say; 'excuse me sir, may I stab you? I promise it will only hurt a little'?"
?"Of course, that's why I was never arrested. It was never murder if I got permission." James sniggered.
?Somehow Alex didn't quite believe that. "There's no way you can tell me you've never been arrested before me."
?"Of course I have," he muttered, though he was still smiling when Alex looked at him. "You were just the first knight who cared enough to check the facts. I was just lucky until now."
?For some reason that fact made Alex feel a swell of pride followed by an extinguishing disappointment. It said something about the knight's order that none of them paid enough effort to realise they had Jay in their custody when it was so obvious.
?"I ought to go." Alex said, sitting up, his legs felt a little weak but he reckoned he could still walk in a straight line.
?James didn't fight his departure and tangled himself up into the bedsheets.
Alex could feel his eyes on him as he moved around the bedroom, putting his trousers back on and then his shoes, not bothering with his socks.
He made sure he looked presentable in the mirror, running a hand through his curls.
?He hesitated before he left, looking back between James and the wardrobe. Finally, after a moment of internal debate, he walked towards the wardrobe and picked Eris out of it, her heavy weight cold against his hands.
?James didn't scold Alex, nor did he appear thankful. Something complicated was in his gaze.
?"Don't keep her in here," Alex said, fully aware he was overstepping James' boundaries. The only thing that was probably saving his hide was that James knew he wasn't pushing those boundaries out of ignorance.
?Alex didn't dare approach him but went and put Eris on the table instead, their wine glasses still set there.
?"You probably know what would happen if you don't let her do her job," Alex went on, "I have my opinion, but it's up to you. She kept you safe up to this point, right?"
?James didn't respond but he was still staring at him blankly. He was listening.
?"Although it's not right now, it will become my business if you become a threat, so don't make it so."
?Finally, a small nod in acknowledgement came from James. Alex let out a relieved breath, it wasn't an affirmative, but it meant James would reconsider. That was enough for him.
?"Where are you going at this time of night?" James asked in return.
?"Work," Alex replied, moving back towards the door. "There's some stuff I need to read up on."
?He needed to get back into the records office quickly, as well as the library.
If he wanted to figure out who James was he was going to have to look at the Ankaid family tree and parallel families.
Not only that, but it would be valuable to read up on King Fabian and witness statements spanning from his family's assassination, James had given him enough clues to know what to look for.
?A few weeks ago Alex wouldn't have dreamed of looking up information that his father hadn't directly given him. However, this was different. Too many threads in his mind didn't lead anywhere and he was going to need all the knowledge he could get to prepare him to deal with the future.
?Alex didn't glance at Thomas once as he left through the door, waving his hand vaguely without looking back. Despite James' concerns, these walls were thick, it was doubtful Thomas heard a peep from them. Even so, he didn't want Thomas to read it on his face; this was his walk of shame.
?He had a long night ahead of him.