Chapter 1 #8
“I mean,” he grinned, reading my expression perfectly. “That right now, in this room, you’re the person I love most in this world. And I’m going to show you just how much your happiness means to me.”
I felt my heart stutter at his words, but all I could do was nod and say, “Please.”
He lifted me slightly, then guided me back down, setting a rhythm that was maddeningly slow and perfect.
Each time he filled me completely, those ridges dragged against my rim in ways that made my breath catch and my vision nearly disappear.
And true to his word, he took his time, watching my face with those golden eyes, adjusting his angle until I was gasping and shaking with each thrust.
"That's it," he murmured, one hand moving to stroke my cock in time with his movements. "Let me take care of you, beautiful.”
I'd forgotten this feeling. Not just the physical sensation, though that was incredible, but the emotional weight of it.
The feeling of being seen, being wanted, being treated like I was precious.
Kieran moved inside me like he had all the time in the world, like my pleasure was a work of art he was creating with careful, deliberate strokes.
"I can't—" I started, then lost the words as he hit that spot inside me that made everything else disappear. "Oh god, Kieran—"
"I've got you," he said, his voice rough with his own arousal but still steady, still in control. "Let go for me, Cal. Just let go."
And I did. I came harder than I had upstairs with Erik, harder than I could remember cumming in years, my whole body seizing as the orgasm tore through me.
I was distantly aware that I was making sounds, probably loud ones, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
Kieran's hand kept working my cock, drawing every last pulse from me while he continued to move inside me with those perfect, measured thrusts.
When my vision cleared, I found him watching me with something that looked almost like wonder.
"Beautiful," he breathed, and then his rhythm faltered, his grip on my hips tightening as he found his own release. I felt him pulse inside me, hot and thick, and the sensation sent aftershocks through my oversensitive body.
We stayed like that for a long moment, both breathing hard, his arms wrapped around me while I slumped against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek, fast but steadying.
The water lapped gently around us, and somewhere in the room, those pan pipes continued their soft melody without him playing them.
"How do you feel?" he asked eventually, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back.
I took inventory. My body felt loose and satisfied in a way it hadn't in years. My mind, usually racing with deadlines and obligations and the endless mental noise of my job, was quiet. For the first time in months, maybe longer, I wasn't thinking about what I needed to do next.
"Like a person again," I said, and meant it.
Kieran smiled, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. "Good. That's what this place is for."
Eventually, we separated, both of us slipping back into the cool water to clean up. I watched him move, still marveling at the otherworldly grace of him, the way his body moved like it belonged in this forest-like space. When he caught me staring, he grinned.
"Enjoying the view?"
"Very much." The words came out easier than they would have an hour ago. "Thank you. For... all of that."
"Thank you for letting me." He moved closer, his hand brushing against mine under the water. "Will you stay for the night? You could stay here with me or we could go upstairs and interact with more of the night crowd. They’re always a lot of fun if you want to explore more.”
The question caught me off guard. I hadn't thought beyond this moment, this room, this experience. But the idea of going back to my empty apartment, my king-size bed that I slept in alone, felt suddenly unbearable.
"I'd like that," I said. "Though I should probably eat something first. I haven't had a real meal all day."
"If you don’t mind being seen outside with me, I know of a nice little Greek place not far from here."
I shook my head. “Of course I don’t mind.”
“Even if I stay in this form?” he asked, gesturing down at his furry digitigrade legs.
“Absolutely,” I replied without hesitation.
We climbed out of the pool, gathering our towels.
As we headed toward the door, I caught sight of my reflection in the dark window and stopped.
The man looking back at me was still recognizably me, but different somehow.
Looser. Calmer. Like the person I used to be before I forgot how to be anyone other than a senior partner at a white-shoe law firm.
And maybe that’s not who I wanted to be anymore.
"Cal?" Kieran was holding the door open, waiting.
"Coming," I said, and followed him out into the hallway, leaving my reflection and whatever remained of my old anxieties behind in that forest room.