Chapter 17
Seventeen
M y favorite place in the world was in Verus’s arms. Even after weeks of being with the clan, it still surprised me that he could carry me around so easily. He didn’t even look strained while doing it. His broad smile never wavered as he carried me back to his tent. It was no wonder they had to hunt daily. I’d seen the amount of meat the clan needed to have members so thickly muscled fed and taken care of. It was astounding.
Once I was settled on the thick furs, Verus claimed my lips in a hot kiss. I never had to ask for affection from him. He gave it freely, sought it out the minute we were close to one another. It made me feel loved and wanted every single time. That someone as perfect as him would want me as badly as Verus seemed to felt like a dream come true.
I ran my hands up his thighs after he straddled my hips, still thrilled I could touch him freely without worrying about someone finding us. It was finally starting to sink in that I could be with him without restriction here, without needing to hide. Not even in the towns where same sex relationships were legal were people so obvious about it. I’d never heard of a town where two men could walk down the street hand in hand, much less one man carrying another around in a bridal carry or kissing him before he left for work. They kept that part of their life private. Here, I could just be with Verus without consequences. It felt a little like heaven.
Verus hummed, leaning into my touch as my palms slid up his chest. I wanted to touch every inch of him all the time. He had the kind of body that needed to be worshiped.
“Patrick,” he groaned, grinding his butt against my erection. I moaned into his mouth, gripping his hips to encourage him to do it again.
Rocking his hips, Verus teased me with the promise of more. We hadn’t gone a day since the first time he brought me to completion without getting off together, but we hadn’t done this before. I wanted to, and I wanted him to take me too, but Verus was taking it slow. He was worried about hurting me.
Still, I couldn’t help but encourage him, slipping my hands to grip his cheeks and knead them. His groan was filled with lust, and he ground a little faster against me, like his control was slipping and he couldn’t help himself. Each roll of his hips made me gasp, and I felt myself edging closer and closer to release.
Ripping his mouth away from mine, Verus moaned. “Patrick, I need—” He gasped and shuddered when I slipped my hands into his trousers and squeezed again. “Oh gods, I need it.”
“Please!” I wasn’t above begging at this point. I knew what he wanted, and I was desperate to give it to him.
Like my please was the permission he was waiting for, Verus jerked away from me, yanking off his boots and trousers and tossing them aside. He went after my clothes with the same urgency, and I barely had time to draw in a breath before I was naked underneath him. I had no time to feel embarrassed about it, my focus glued to the beautiful man above me. He snatched the oil out of the chest nearby and dribbled some on his fingers. Despite my lack of experience, I knew why he needed it and reached for it, wishing I could help prepare him.
Verus pushed my hands away, shaking his head. “If you do it, I’ll come. I need you too much, ravsol. Let me just—” He shuddered, and while I couldn’t see it, watching his face as he stretched himself almost pushed me into completion.
Wrapping my hand around his cock was both a distraction and a small punishment for denying me. He shouted in surprise, thrusting into my hand and back onto his fingers. I watched, fascinated, as he fought to keep his orgasm at bay, his teeth gritted together and his eyes squeezed shut.
He shook his head, prying open his eyes to look at me. “I can’t—I can’t take anymore. I need you too much.”
Happiness and desire swirled in my chest, making me just as needy as he was. “I need you too. Please, Verus.”
He groaned in response, pulling his fingers free and spreading the excess oil over my length. I had to squeeze my eyes shut to stop myself from coming just from his touch, so I wasn’t prepared when he notched the head of my cock against his entrance and sank down onto me.
My eyes flew open on a gasp, and I scrambled for purchase, the pleasure out of this world. Tight, slick heat wrapped around my member, and it took every ounce of control I had not to come instantly.
“V-Verus!”
“Gods, you feel so good,” he groaned, rocking his hips to take more of me. His head was thrown back, his eyes shut. The image only made the experience hotter, and I whimpered, fighting back the urge to come.
He paused after taking all of me, both of us panting. I was grateful for the reprieve, giving me time to pull myself together. I wanted it to be good for him, too. I wanted to make him feel as good as he made me feel.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his fingers drifting over my cheek.
I hummed, lifting my chin in a silent request for a kiss. He gave it without question, smothering me with kisses. Not full of passion but what felt like love instead. They were sweet and caring and made tears well in my eyes. If Verus loved me, I think I would die happy. It would be like a dream come true.
Verus shifted, and I could feel the mood change as he grew restless. Running my hands down his back, I gripped his thighs, encouraging him to move. His answering moan was like music to my ears. He started rocking his hips like he had before, only this time with me inside him. My fingers flexed and my toes curled as pleasure coiled in my belly with every move.
It wasn’t just the pleasure of being inside him that set me aflame. The noises he made, the ecstasy on his face, it all added to the moment. I couldn’t look away.
“You’re beautiful,” I murmured.
Patrick’s whispered comment made me melt. I didn't think the moment could get any better, but with each caress along my skin, each murmur of encouragement, I was proven wrong.
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck, drawing me back down for another passionate kiss. Our tongues tangled, a mimicry of what was happening below. With every grind of my hips, the heat in my belly expanded, ready to explode in an instant. I craved it, craved the release he offered me. Craved the feeling of being claimed by him.
Shifting movement caught my attention as Patrick’s good leg drew up, giving him a little more leverage. He snapped his hips, meeting mine on my next downward thrust, and I cried out in surprise from the force of it. I wanted to protest that he would hurt himself, but I couldn’t form words. Patrick’s thrusts only added to the pleasure, until I couldn’t see straight.
“Patrick! Patrick!” I chanted, slamming my hips down to take him again. Each time his hips met mine, it felt like lightning, heat and pleasure coursing through my body. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take, but I wanted it to last forever. I never wanted this moment to end.
My head flew back as Patrick fisted my cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts. The pairing was too much, and I came with a shout, grinding down on Patrick’s cock to feel him deep inside me. It set him off, and he writhed beneath me, the heat of his release filling my channel. Claiming me.
I collapsed on top of him, my body throbbing with aftershocks of pleasure. I was careful to keep my weight off his leg, but I was too wiped out to move fully away. And the thought of losing the connection between us felt like torment.
Patrick’s arms slid around my shoulders, hugging me tightly against him. I let out a sigh of happiness as I hugged him back. This was the perfect place to be. I wished I could stay here forever, with us wrapped around each other.
The reminder that I couldn’t made me sigh, and I buried my face against his neck to hide from the truth.
Strong fingers cupped the back of my head, stroking my hair gently. “Verus? What’s wrong?”
He knew me so well already that he could feel the shift in my mood. Despite not wishing to, I pulled away to look at him, pouting when his softened cock slipped from inside me. Had it been possible, I would’ve wished him to stay that way all night.
Patrick’s hand cupped my face, his thumb stroking over my cheek as he studied me with a worried expression. “Did I hurt you?”
A smile tugged at my lips, and I turned to press a kiss to the middle of his palm. “No, ravsol. I felt no pain. I am wishing I didn’t have to leave you.”
His brow furrowed, and true fear swept over his face. I realized my mistake immediately and was quick to reassure him.
“Not forever, my Patrick. We must go on a long hunt. The coiwak move too frequently for us to return home each night. We must track them and that takes time. Time I must spend away from you. It hurts my heart to think about, but I must go for my clan.”
The fear settled, and sadness and understanding took its place. “Okay… How long will you be gone?”
With a heavy sigh, I rolled to my side to remove my weight from him. I stuck close, pressing myself against his side, and tucked my arm under my head to pillow it. “At least a week. Perhaps more. It depends on where the herd is and if they notice our approach. They are not dangerous creatures, but they are fast. It is hard to take more than one at a time, and they run after each is taken down, forcing us to chase them. It will not be an easy hunt.”
“When do you go?”
I didn’t want to answer. It would only hurt him. We had such little time before I had to leave.
He seemed to understand without me saying the words aloud. “So soon?”
Leaning to rest my forehead against his, I gave him a soft kiss. “I’m sorry. Morak needs hides tanned before we move on from this place. We must go quickly to have them finished in time.”
“What for?” he asked curiously.
I hummed, thinking about it. “Many things. Boots, straps to tie up the tents, bags, armor. His leathers are needed for repairs as we move. His work is very important for our clan so we try to give him what he needs when he needs it.” Pressing a kiss to his temple, I hugged him a little tighter. “Promise you’ll wait for me, ravsol. I cannot bring myself to go if you won’t be here when I get back.”
His fingers dug into my skin as he clung to me. “I promise. As long as you promise to come back.”
“Always, ravsol. I will always come back to you.”