Page 36 of Snow Storm

Harley laughed and pushed up slightly on his elbows, pressing back against Claude’s hand. “I don’t know that I ever have been, so I’m glad you like me this way.”

“I have a feeling I’d like you in all the ways you come, chéri.” Claude leaned in, bracing himself on Harley’s chest, so close their lips almost brushed with his next words. “So to speak.”

The kiss started off a little hesitant, a little unsure. Harley’s lips were stiff, but Claude was careful with him. He stretched his legs out, lying beside him, and used his arms to draw him into his side. Harley let out a long breath of air, and then his body relaxed. His arms came around Claude—tentative to start and then tight. His mouth opened, tongue meeting Claude’s. He tasted rich like the spices from dinner and unique—his own flavor that had no real name except his own.

“Mm. I could kiss you for the rest of my life,” Harley murmured softly. The words were faint, unthinking, and Claude didn’t call him on them because they were also honest.

He felt the same way.

If their lives had been different—if there was any way forward—Claude knew damn well he wouldn’t let go. But he wasn’t about to trap Harley in this mountainside prison he’d made for himself. Harley deserved the world.

He would allow himself this—just this little while—and then he’d let go.

“How do you want me?” Harley murmured into the kiss.

Claude broke away, cupping one hand against Harley’s cheek. “I think you’ll need to ride me. My legs aren’t very strong today, and I’m not sure I could hold myself up long enough to make it good for you.”

Harley snorted. “I swear to God, if you blew a puff of warm air over my balls, I’d probably come all over myself. But I also really, really want to…um. Be on top.” The last three words were whisper-quiet, like he was afraid to say them aloud.

Claude groaned at the image of making Harley lose total control without being touched. He thought maybe he could use that—play with him a little. He could toy with him, even underneath him. Gripping Harley by the back of his hair, Claude kissed him fiercely before rolling away and pawing through his nightstand.

He had enough supplies to last them through the next week if they were a little stingy.

“May I ask?—”

“I haven’t used these with anyone,” Claude told him before Harley could finish his sentence. “I used the lube on myself. The condoms were…impulse. I suppose I’m grateful for that now.” He pushed up to sit against the headboard, feeling his dick once more. It was still perfectly stiff, and he shuddered at the thought of watching Harley sink onto him. “I haven’t…with anyone in a long, long while.”

“Since your ex?”

Claude let his eyes close in a slow blink. “It was difficult with her. She wasn’t happy with my body, and I wasn’t brave enough to try again and be rejected. So forgive me if I’m nervous.”

“Trust me, I won’t judge you. And you’re already a thousand times better than my ex has ever been.” The honesty in Harley’s words was painful. Cutting. Claude wished more than anything he could have five minutes alone with that man. He’d make him very, very sorry for ever hurting the one person Claude was pretty sure didn’t deserve it.

After a beat, he urged Harley close. He got one leg to swing over his thighs, and he settled Harley over him, loving the feel ofhis weight. His sensations were so dulled that being pressed into the mattress was one of the most glorious feelings of all time.

“Am I too heavy?” Harley asked.

Claude blinked at him. “No, chéri. You feel amazing.”

“Okay, because I know I’m on the heavier side, so if you need me to?—”

“No,” Claude said again. Harley had started to lift up, so Claude pulled him down. “I’m not able to feel my lower half the way I could before my accident. This is perfect.Youare perfect. Please don’t move. Let me have all of you.” He dug his fingers into Harley’s hips, making him moan.

“You have me.”

Claude kissed him for that, and when he pulled back, he answered his other question. “Right after my divorce was finalized, I went out once with my cousin in an attempt to regain my confidence. But it didn’t go well. Men in clubs are…perhaps not the men I should have been seeking out with my age and my body.”

Harley looked down at him, his eyes heavy-lidded. “I get that. Not the age thing. Not yet, anyway,” he added with a laugh. “I know I don’t fit the standard of perfect, but I’ve always liked who I was. I’ve never wanted to change for anyone.”

“Good,” Claude said fiercely. He gripped him by the jaw and met his gaze. “I mean that.”

Harley smiled. “I know you do. But I also understand the weight of…expectations. And not living up to them. Some days, it’s hard, and some days—when I remember that I am who I am and I deserve to find the person who loves me for me—it’s easier. Like now.”

Claude felt a rush of heat in his chest, and he groaned, sinking his teeth into Harley’s neck and suckling gently. He wanted to devour this man. “I want to fuck you,” he murmured against his skin.

“Then fuck me,” Harley answered like it was the only thing he could say. “Tell me how you want me.”

“Just like this.” Claude ran his hands up Harley’s thighs, stopping just short of his dick. When Harley whined, Claude smirked at him. “Mm. I think I want to see how well you take my cock without me touching you. Do you think you can do that? Can you be that good for me?”

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