Chapter Five
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WATCHING SILAS EAT his pizza was an aphrodisiac all by itself. Craeg couldn’t remember ever being so hard. He feared he was leaking a wet spot all over the front of his sweatpants.
Craeg placed a throw pillow over his crotch with the excuse of using it as a table for his plate of pizza and did his best to ignore the throb.
Besides, eyeing his sexy mate while he feasted on the food he’d provided gave him a different sort of satisfaction.
As odd as it sounded, Craeg received great pleasure in providing for his mate, even as simple as the meal was.
When Silas finished the last piece of pizza on his plate and began licking the grease from his fingers, Craeg nearly swallowed his tongue. He barely bit back a moan. He had to focus on reminding himself to chew his food or he would’ve choked on it.
Then the way Silas peered at him from beneath his lashes, his forefinger still between his lips, and smiled shyly at him...
Oh, gods. My sweet mate is goin’ ta be the death of me.
As Craeg watched Silas pop his finger free of his mouth, he decided it would be a hell of a way to go, though. He cleared his throat and returned his mate’s smile. He even managed to get his brain to sort of work. Although, Craeg couldn’t help the huskiness of his voice when he spoke.
“So, uh, would ya like more?” Craeg had ordered an extra-large, knowing how much shifters ate, and he knew there were a few pieces left. “Or I can order ya somethin’ else.”
Silas shook his head. “No, thanks.” Then he nibbled his bottom lip as he glanced around the room. His attention lingered on the flatscreen TV hanging on the wall fifteen feet away.
“Do ya wanna watch TV?” Craeg figured the young man probably hadn’t done much of that in the last few years. “I can turn it on. We could pick a movie.”
For an instant, Craeg thought Silas would refuse.
Then Silas slowly nodded.
Craeg leaned to the right and grabbed the remote off the coffee table that he’d shoved out of the way in order to set up their little indoor picnic.
When he turned back and pointed the device at the TV, he noticed Silas looking at the throw blanket folded on the back of his sofa.
Craeg also spotted the way his mate had his arms wrapped around himself, as if he was cold.
He clicked on the flatscreen before reaching over and grabbing the blanket.
After setting down the remote so he could use both hands, Craeg shook out the blanket, spreading it. He smiled at Silas and offered, “Would ya like to wrap up?” As much as he would prefer to be the one holding and warming his mate, he reminded himself to take baby steps.
A blush lit up Silas’s cheeks as he hesitated once more.
Craeg wondered what was going through Silas’s mind, and he waited patiently as his mate found his words.
“C-Can we—” Silas paused, hesitating. Then he swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed before starting again. “Can we b-both be under here?” Peering at him through his lashes, Silas spoke so softly that Craeg was more reading his lips than actually hearing him. “Cuddle together?”
Grinning widely, Craeg told him quietly, “I would love to cuddle with ya.” Keeping his hands to himself would be a bitch, but he would manage it...somehow.
Adjusting the pillows that had been propped against the sofa, the ones they’d been leaning against, Craeg laid them mostly flat.
Then he slithered down so his head was on one before spreading the blanket over himself.
Lifting the side close to Silas, Craeg smiled in a way that he hoped appeared inviting and not hungry or lecherous.
To Craeg’s pleasure, Silas immediately scootched toward him. He eased under the blanket and lay on his back. After Craeg spread the blanket over them both, he noticed how stiffly his mate lay. He grabbed the remote and pointed it at the television.
“Do ya have a preference?” Craeg asked. Figuring it’d been a few years, he offered, “I have a number of streamin’ services. I’m sure I can find somethin’ that was a favorite of yours.”
Silas’s eyes flicked left and right, appearing a bit blank, as if he was searching for something with his roving gaze. “Um, h-how about—” Pausing, Silas peered at him from beneath his lashes, clearly hesitant.
Smiling encouragingly, Craeg urged, “What? Anythin’ ya want.”
“Do you, uh.” Silas’s brows furrowed, his expression thoughtful. “Do you know the movie Miss Congeniality?”
Craeg barely kept his eyebrows from shooting up as surprise flooded him. “Uh, aye.” Nodding, he turned his attention to the TV. “I know that one.”
Many saw the movie as the quintessential date movie—a romantic comedy. Craeg couldn’t remember the last time he’d bothered to watch it, considering he didn’t date. Still, he would never question Silas’s choice.
If that’s what my mate wants to see, that’s what he gets to watch. At least, I’ll have him by my side.
With that thought in mind, Craeg found and started the movie. To his surprise, with his lower lip clasped between his teeth, Silas scooted a little closer to him. Taking a chance, Craeg slowly eased his arm under his mate’s shoulders.
When Silas didn’t tense or resist, Craeg urged him to tuck against his side.
He let out a sigh of pleasure when his mate settled in close to him, even going so far as to rest his cheek on Craeg’s shoulder and wrap his arm around his torso.
Unable to resist, he tipped his chin down a bit and bussed a light kiss to Silas’s forehead.
Tilting his head up, Silas smiled at him. He scratched his fingertips lightly over Craeg’s pectoral, causing delicious tingles to cascade over his chest. His nipples beaded, and considering he’d never put on a shirt, his buds drew Silas’s attention.
Silas glanced up at him, his smile looking all sorts of sexy even as his scent screamed of uncertainty.
“Somethin’ on your mind, my sweets?” Craeg couldn’t help but ask. After all, he couldn’t help but notice his mate didn’t seem to be paying any attention to the beginning of the movie. “Whatever it is—”
Before Craeg could finish, Silas cut in, “Can we make out?”
Gaping, Craeg was certain he’d misheard...or maybe imagined it. “Huh?”
Oh, real eloquent, ya dolt.
* * * *
DOING HIS BEST TO IGNORE his trepidation, Silas girded up his courage.
He sure hoped Craeg’s response was due to shock and not denial.
With that thought in mind, and enjoying the guy’s wonderful masculine aroma, Silas gently scraped the tip of his fingernail over the big man’s puckered, lightly tanned nub.
Hearing Craeg’s sharp inhalation coupled with the way his eyes widened, Silas paused.
When the big man made no move to stop him, he rubbed his fingertip around his nipple, exploring the hard point.
Then Silas swept his palm up and around Craeg’s thick pectoral before sliding down to trace over the lines of his six-pack abdominals.
Craeg’s arm around his shoulders tightened as his stomach sucked in on a sharp breath. His lips parted as he exhaled roughly. A sense of pride filled Silas as he realized that he’d done that...he’d made Craeg practically tremble with just that small touch.
Silas’s own body responded swiftly. The hairs on his arms stood on end, and his body flushed hot. His prick swelled in his sweatpants, and he couldn’t resist pressing his groin a bit against Craeg’s thick thigh.
The pressure caused a gasp to escape him. He just couldn’t help himself. The pressure just felt so wonderful. Better than anything he’d ever felt before.
“I-I’d love to make out with ya, Silas,” Craeg rumbled, his voice husky and deep. “But if’n we do...” His accent seemed more pronounced, making him sound even sexier. “We’re gonna do more than jus’ make out.”
A tremble of longing flowed through Silas. “Really?”
Craeg held Silas’s gaze, a smoldering heat in his eyes. “Aye.”
Silas had never done anything with anyone before, and back in the day, he’d hidden what he wanted. Thinking of being touched by Craeg, however? That caused a shiver of anticipation to fill him. Silas found he wanted it more than anything.
“Yes, please,” Silas whispered.
With a groan, Craeg tightened the arm he held around Silas’s shoulders. He used the hold to bring Silas up his body a smidge. At the same time, Craeg bent his head.
Just like the first time Craeg had kissed him, he started out slow...and Silas didn’t want that. He took the initiative and parted his lips. Flicking out his tongue, Silas touched it to Craeg’s bottom lip, and when the other man immediately opened to him, he pushed inside the man’s mouth.
Rich masculine flavors burst across Silas’s taste buds. Even mixed with the flavors of pizza and the soda Craeg had been drinking, he thought they were the most delicious flavors he’d ever experienced. His mouth watered for more, and he eagerly pushed into the kiss.
Craeg didn’t disappoint. His lips parted further, and he teased his tongue against Silas’s own.
The big shifter easily took over the kiss, and even though Silas clutched Craeg’s shoulder and moaned into his mouth, Craeg continued to keep the kiss slow and languorous, as if happy to take his time and explore every inch of his cavity.
To Silas’s dismay, Craeg eased the kiss to an end far sooner than Silas was ready.
He whimpered and chased the other man’s full lips, wanting more.
Craeg hummed and massaged his hip. Using the arm that had been holding Silas’s, he skimmed that hand down his back.
At the same time, Craeg pecked Silas’s lips lightly once, twice more.
“Easy, my sweets,” Craeg rumbled softly.
Then he began pressing warm, wet kisses along Silas’s jaw.
..then down his neck. “I feel your need pressed tight against my thigh.” As Craeg whispered the words, his voice husky and low, he slipped his fingertips under Silas’s shirt, teasing along his ribcage.
“Smell the heady scent of your arousal.” With a groan, Craeg muttered, “So fuckin’ wonderful. ”
Silas would have felt embarrassed by Craeg’s declarations—probably...maybe—but then Craeg latched his lips onto Silas’s collarbone and suckled lightly.
The sweet pressure sent a wash of sensations cascading up Silas’s neck, and he arched as he cried out.
He barely felt it when Craeg rolled him to his back or when his shirt was shoved beneath his armpits.
The feel of the larger man’s mouth moving from his shoulder to the top of his rib cage definitely registered.
Silas barked a cry. Arching instinctively, he pressed into Craeg’s ecstasy-inducing mouth. His body flashing hot, Silas felt sweat bead on his brow as he grabbed for Craeg’s head, clutching him tightly.
“Craeg!” Silas cried, unable to help himself. “Oh!”
Craeg scraped his teeth over Silas’s nipple once, twice, then began making a sucking, nibbling path across his torso.
He squirmed beneath the onslaught. He shivered, and his body shook as his breath came in short, sharp pants.
Vacantly, Silas stared at the ceiling, seeing nothing, as his body trembled.
When Craeg reached his stomach, he didn’t stop.
Instead, he grabbed the waistband of Silas’s sweats and tugged them down.
Silas would have felt embarrassed, having never been bare in such a way with another.
Except, then Craeg licked over his straining penis, sending fire up his shaft, then down again, and into his balls.
“Craeg!” Silas shouted the man’s name again, even as he lost control of his hips. He jerked and twitched, his body seeking something he didn’t understand. Digging his fingertips into Craeg’s hair, holding tighter, Silas felt his brain fuzz. “I...I...Craeg...Oh!”
Feeling Craeg flicking his tongue along Silas’s length, then over his head and back down again, caused his brain to get stuck.
Silas lost control of his tongue, leaving himself mumbling the big man’s name and little else.
Silas felt his body tightening in a way he’d never before experienced, and he panted harshly.
When Silas felt the warm, wet heat of Craeg’s tongue bathe his balls, he moaned as he jolted. He couldn’t stop it when his testicles tightened. His stomach clenched, but he couldn’t help himself.
A second later, Craeg wrapped his lips around Silas’s sensitive crown, and Silas felt himself erupt.
His balls ached deliciously as they pulled tight, and his orgasm swelled through him.
His senses buzzed with the sweet sensation of endorphins pinging through his system.
The feel of Craeg suckling on his dick’s head prolonged his pleasure, sending his senses soaring.
Whining and shaking, Silas shuddered and jerked as his orgasm swelled through him. Spots danced across his vision, and he groaned Craeg’s name. He couldn’t seem to control his fingers, keeping them buried tightly in the man’s thick, dark hair.
Finally, Silas began to regain his senses, his faculties drifting back into him. He panted harshly, still struggling to catch his breath. Silas felt beyond fantastic...the warmth still around his penis’s head kept his stomach fluttering.
That sensation soon caused a new thought to hit him.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Silas gasped, “Oh, god.” He jerked his fingers from Craeg’s hair and stared down at him. “I-I’m so sorry.”
Craeg eased his head up, releasing Silas’s flagging prick.
“Well, now,” he murmured roughly. “That’s not the way I’d hoped ya’d respond.
” With a wince, Craeg continued, “I know I shoulda asked permission ta suck ya, but gods, the way ya responded just went straight to my head.” Craeg offered him a tight smile as he added, “I warned ya I wouldn’t be able to stop at just a kiss. ”
Processing that thought through his sluggish mind, Silas cocked his head. “Y-You’re not upset that I—” He felt his face flame as he glanced at his softening prick, which was still on display. Waving a hand toward his groin, Silas fought against his embarrassment. “You know. Came so fast?”
A smug smile creased Craeg’s bearded face, the tension swiftly disappearing from his expression.
“Oh, my sweet mate.” He winked and told him, “That ya came so fast boosts my ego so damn much.” Then Craeg sobered and added, “Besides, that’d be a bit hypocritical considerin’ I came just from tastin’ ya. ”
When Craeg peered pointedly at the soaked groin area of his sweatpants, Silas gaped. “Wow,” he whispered, amazement flooding him.
Craeg grinned, clearly pleased by his response. He levered forward, pecked a kiss to Silas’s lips, then jumped to his feet. “Be right back with a cloth to clean ya, my mate.” Then Craeg was gone, hustling into the bedroom.
Amazed at what had just happened...and feeling so fantastic...Silas did as Craeg had bidden him and waited. Eager to experience anything else Craeg wanted.