Page 32 of Snow Storm

So how could this one man make him feel so much in such a short span of time?

Maybe it was the holidays. Maybe the loneliness of Christmas and knowing his life was in shambles was getting to him. But that didn’t seem fair to Claude, and Harley was a realist. He’d spent dozens of holidays on his own with a quick call to Wes to say hello and then locked in his office with only work to distract him.

This was different.

“It’s almost time to eat,” Claude said, his voice still very soft. “But before we do, I think I’d like to kiss you.”

Harley felt heat rush from his chest to his face, the force of it making him dizzy. His mouth was suddenly too dry.

“But if you don’t want?—”

“I want,” he blurted quickly. He suddenly felt like he was going to die if he didn’t get this man’s mouth on his own in the next ten seconds. His hands trembled as he turned his whole body and reached for Claude. “I really,reallywant.”

Claude’s smile widened, and he reached out, taking Harley by the wrists. He guided his hands to his chest, flexing his pecs against Harley’s curious fingers. They were rock hard, his nipples stiff beneath his shirt. His mouth went from Sahara dry to nearly drooling with his need to get his tongue on them.

But that wasn’t on the table.

Not yet.

For now, it was just a kiss. He wasn’t even sure what kind of kiss it would be, but he didn’t care. He tilted his head to the side the moment Claude’s palm touched his cheek. He let himself be guided, drawn in, body loose and pliant and ready to take anything he was given.

“You are so beautiful,” Claude murmured.

Harley blinked. “Ha. Well…thank you, but…”

“No.” Claude leaned in and silenced him with a swift peck. It was so quick Harley wasn’t exactly sure it had happened apart from the way his lips tingled after. “No ‘but.’ I don’t need to lie to get what I want. You haven’t been appreciated enough, and I’m sorry for that.”

Harley shook his head. “I know I’m not bad-looking.But,” he laughed when Claude rolled his eyes, “get to know me a little better, and you’ll probably see why my shitty ex is the onlyperson who ever stuck around long enough to be considered a relationship.”

“He was a fool who took up your precious time, and I’m sorry you suffered for someone who never appreciated you the way you deserve. But I’m not sorry it left you single and here this Christmas.” The words rushed out, liquid, poetic, and before Harley could react, Claude drew him in and kissed him.

His breath rushed out through his nose as his lips parted, and a moment later, Claude’s warm tongue was touching his own. He was gentle and careful but persistent. He urged Harley into a soft dance, their bodies surging and moving with the rhythm of the kiss, and Harley knew that if Claude wasn’t careful, he’d give up sleeping, eating, and breathing just to keep doing this.

The only thing that mattered was this man’s hands on him as they explored down his chest, around his ribs, up his spine, then back down to grip the globes of his ass. He lifted Harley with a strength that startled him, arranging him on his lap with his knees pressed into the couch cushions.

He groaned, and Claude caught the sound on his tongue, swallowing it down before kissing him harder. Deeper. He matched Harley’s groan with one of his own as he urged Harley’s hips to rock against him.

His cock ached with the need to be touched. Rubbing off on Claude’s hip through his pants wasn’t enough. But he knew, in that moment, that was all he was going to get. It was all Claude would allow until he was ready.

The kiss broke with a gasp, and Claude kept him in close, holding his forehead against Harley’s. “Just as I imagined.”

“Oh?”

“Beautiful.”

Harley didn’t know what to do with that word. Twice now, he’d used it for Harley. Most of the compliments men threwhis way had been indirect and insincere. Even in the beginning, when Darren had been trying to win his attention, he never called Harley beautiful.

He swallowed heavily. “That was the best kiss of my life.”

Claude smiled and stole another peck before pushing Harley several inches back. “Food.”

“I don’t need to be fed.”

Claude’s smile got wider, and he cupped Harley’s jaw. “You need to be spoiled, and I’ve worked hard on our dinner. I have a fragile ego, so I’d like you to try it and tell me how amazing I am, even if you hate it.”

Harley burst into laughter. “Okay, okay. Wow me with your culinary skills.” Then, unable to stop himself, he leaned in and took a kiss of his own.

Claude gave over willingly. Happily. Enthusiastically. It went on and on until Claude pulled back and groaned. “Enough for now.”

---