CHAPTER ELEVEN #2
“Yeah. All the time. I meant . . . I don’t know what I meant.
I can’t believe you painted this from memory and that you captured the adrenaline and sentiment of that day.
I feel it in my bones. Seeing these pieces brings back the excitement and euphoria I think we all felt at the success of that tour.
It pushed our career to the next level. I love these paintings so much.
It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” He wanted to say, “I love you so much,” but he didn’t.
“Thank you. Thank you so, so much.” He wrapped his arms around Wolf in a hug that was meant to be uncomplicated and express appreciation for a wonderful and thoughtful gift, but a tingle ran up and down Harris’ body as Wolf squeezed him tightly.
He heard Wolf’s breath deepen and then felt it on his neck, causing a shiver to run down his back and goosebumps to rise on his arms.
“I want to tell you something,” Wolf said softly.
Harris pulled back so he could see Wolf’s face, but didn’t remove his arms from around this man, and waited.
“The reason I panicked and got mad that night you kissed me—the night we kissed. It wasn’t just you.
I kissed you too. I want to be clear on that.
Anyway, the reason I reacted that way was because I got scared.
I knew something was going on between us.
I felt it. I feel it. But when we kissed, I knew it meant things were going to change, and I didn’t want to get my heart broken again.
Trust doesn’t come easy for me. I can’t help it.
I’ve been burned badly by people who were supposed to love me.
That took its toll on me. I wish I was stronger, but I’m not. My heart is made of glass.”
“I would never hurt you, Wolf.” Harris wanted to cry for his friend.
Wolf deserved everything, not the shitty parents who fucked up his head.
He cupped Wolf’s face in his hands firmly.
“You are strong. Stronger than you know. Look how much you’ve accomplished in life, despite what you’ve been through. ”
Wolf shook his head. “I’m a mess.”
“No. You’re not. You’re a survivor. Do you have any idea how much I admire you?”
Wolf’s eyes were trained on Harris as he listened intently.
“I wish I had your courage. You don’t stand down for anything.
You say you don’t trust people easily, but I’m telling you, you can trust me.
I know you, and I care about you. I’m not going anywhere.
I want to be there for you. I hope I have been there for you.
That’s not going to change.” Harris gulped down the lump in his throat.
“Unless you want it to. Unless you don’t want me around. ”
Wolf seemed to melt as his entire body relaxed. He gazed into Harris’ eyes, almost looking into his soul. “I don’t want it to change. I want you here. With me. I want to take a chance. I trust you.”
Those were the words Harris longed to hear, and emotion quickly spread through his chest and landed in his throat.
He swallowed it down and gave Wolf a tiny smile.
“You won’t ever regret it. I promise. I’ll always be here for you.
No matter what. You can always count on me.
I’ll never hurt you.” He delicately placed his hand on Wolf’s cheek and slowly leaned in.
Wolf did the same, and their lips met tenderly.
Wolf deepened the kiss, and their tongues met and swirled together.
Technically, this wasn’t their first kiss.
But it was the first kiss where they admitted they had genuine feelings for one another.
This kiss meant the start of something new between them.
As far as Harris’ hormones were concerned, it was the first kiss of first kisses.
His stomach got all fluttery, and his head felt woozy as if slightly drunk.
His skin tingled, and his heart raced. His breathing grew heavier as he realized they were still kissing and now Wolf’s hands were on Harris’ waist. He pushed his fingers through the hair at the back of Wolf’s neck and loved that it got lost in the soft tresses.
When their mouths separated, Wolf was smiling. “That was really nice.”
Harris responded by kissing Wolf again, this time with more passion and heat.
He still couldn’t believe they were kissing, but instead of the wobbly knees and shaking hands, he held Wolf in place with possession and want.
He pressed his body against Wolf’s and felt the hard erection against his leg.
“Do you want to go in the bedroom?” Wolf whispered.
Oh. My. God. Harris thought they were just kissing.
He didn’t expect anything more tonight. He thought Wolf wanted to take it slow and this was first base.
They weren’t in high school, he reprimanded himself.
They were adults. But he was still afraid of rushing Wolf into something he wasn’t ready for.
Even though the guy had a thick outer layer, Harris knew it protected Wolf’s sensitive heart.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? I can wait.
I’ve waited this long. I can wait a little longer if you’re not ready. ”
An erotic chuckle left Wolf’s lips. He took Harris’ hand and placed it on his crotch. “Does this feel like I’m not ready?”
Harris’ mouth covered Wolf’s in an impatient kiss, almost knocking him over.
“The bedroom,” Wolf managed to say, and took Harris by the hand and led him through one of the closed doors in the hallway.
Wolf immediately started stripping off his clothes, and Harris had to hurry to catch up, because he was mesmerized at the sight in front of him. “Let me look at you,” Harris said once they were both naked, and raked his eyes over his soon-to-be lover.
Wolf’s cheeks flushed, and he lowered his gaze, but a tiny smile hid in the corner of his mouth. His bashfulness, so different from his usual extroverted self, sent a wave of heat through Harris. Everything about this guy was a turn on.
Harris took in Wolf’s naked physique. His trim body had just enough muscle in all the right places, and he still had a warm summer tan. “You’re beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”
The smile on Wolf’s face widened. “You’re not so bad yourself. Now get over here and kiss me.”
Wolf tugged on Harris’ wrist, and they both fell onto the bed. Harris covered Wolf’s body, their hard lengths smashing together with the most exquisite pressure. He grinded his hips and rubbed against Wolf, moaning at the friction.
“I said, kiss me,” Wolf repeated, and pulled Harris’ face in for a hard kiss.
This man had raw, sexual power flowing from his veins, and Harris could barely catch his breath.
Every part of him was buzzing. His lips moved to Wolf’s neck, tasting the sweet flesh that he craved for so long.
He licked that beautiful bare chest and kissed his way lower.
For a man with an incredible mane of hair on his head, Wolf’s body was clean and smooth, and Harris wanted to touch every inch of it—with his mouth.
He tickled Harris’ body with his lips and tongue, tasting this man.
When he reached one of those sexy hip bones on Wolf’s lower abdomen, he gave it a little nip.
Wolf suddenly pulled Harris up by his arms and onto the bed so they were side by side.
A kiss came down on Harris’ mouth that devoured him.
Wolf’s hand traveled over Harris’ chest and torso, softly caressing every inch of it.
When Wolf clenched Harris’ length, Harris let out a long moan.
He’d imagined what this man’s touch felt like so many times.
It was surreal, almost like a dream, but the sensations making Harris shudder proved that this was no dream.
This was happening, and Harris was sizzling from the inside out.
Still kissing Harris, Wolf’s hand moved lower, cupping and caressing Harris’ most delicate area.
His hand snaked behind Harris and grabbed a chunk of his butt cheek.
“I love that ass,” Wolf whispered, huskily.
“I was watching it that day we went surfing. That’s the first time I ever looked at you differently. ”
“Really? I had no idea.”
“I didn’t know what it meant, but I didn’t think too much about it. I don’t like to read into things. I let things happen on their own. And this is where it led. This is what was meant to happen.”
Wolf’s mouth returned to Harris’ chest and kissed and licked its way south. He flipped Harris over and gave his butt a light smack, then a little bite.
Harris shuddered again. He had no idea Wolf was such an exquisite and aggressive lover, then a thought hit him. “Wait.” He grinned over his shoulder at Wolf. “Are you trying to top me?”
Wolf snorted a laugh. “Did you think you were gonna top me?”
“Um. Yeah.”
They both let out a small laugh.
“I think we have a problem,” Harris said, sitting with his back against the headboard.
“Not a problem. I’m verse. I don’t mind if you top.”
“Are you sure?”
Wolf nodded. “I usually top, because it’s a trust issue. I prefer to bottom, but there are only a few people in my life I’ve trusted enough to bottom. I trust you, Harris. Completely. I’m yours.”
Those words and the sincerity in them meant everything to Harris. He’d waited so long for this moment, and now it was here. It was real. He kissed this man, tenderly but with possession, holding onto the back of Wolf’s neck so he couldn’t get away. Nothing would come between them. Ever.
Impatient, his lips moved down Wolf’s body leaving a trail of kisses.
Wolf moaned and jerked under Harris’ touch, confirming that he was hitting all the right spots.
A bottle of lube was tossed onto the bed, and Harris used it to prepare the man he loved.
Gently, he used his fingers, inciting more moans and impatient little whimpers.
The noises and sounds were an incredible turn on, and Harris became impatient, moving his fingers quicker and deeper.