Page 78 of Leave

“We both do stuff around the apartment,” he went on. “Because we’re roommates. But I never expected you to do stuff for my cats besides, you know, be nice to them.”

“I like them,” I said softly. “I want them happy.”

And oh, God, when he smiled—yeah, he had to know that I knew making them happy also made him happy.

“I know you do,” he said. “But I never would have expected a roommate to buy them toys or keep them stocked on catnip. And I would never ask a roommate to buy them litter.”

“But… I mean… if I’m at the commissary, and I know we’re getting low, I—”

“I know,” he whispered. “But I still appreciate it. And you still don’t have to do it.”

Before I could insist that I would, Nolan found my mouth with his. The kiss startled me, but who was I to argue if he wanted to kiss me? Especially if he wanted to make out a little, which he apparently did. The conversation drifted away as we tangled up on the bed, lazily kissing while we slid our hands up and down each other’s bare backs. Some part of me tried to remember those difficult conversations we needed to have once we returned to Okinawa, but I wasn’t hearing it. Not now. I felt too damn good to think about why this wasn’t going to last.

I broke the kiss enough to breathlessly whisper, “Don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but you are anincrediblekisser.”

His lips curved against mine. Then he treated me to even more of that amazing kiss of his. I didn’t know what it was he did differently, only that the way he dragged his lower lip across mine, and the way he gently explored my mouth with his tongue—it was all intoxicating.

And oh, hell, this wasn’t just lazy kissing anymore, either. Nolan pressed his hips against me, and the brush of his hard-on alongside mine had my head spinning. I couldn’t help pressing back, and in no time, we were frotting hungrily as we kissed hard and messy.

I broke the kiss and went for his throat, and he rewarded me with a low, needy moan.

“God, baby,” he murmured, dragging his nails up my back. “I want you to fuck me again.”

Goose bumps instantly sprang up all over my body at the mere thought of pushing into his tight ass again. “Yeah?”

“Please,” he whispered. “Fuck me?”

I came up to meet his gaze, and the fire in his eyes matched the plea in his voice. Good thing I’d already come earlier, or I might’ve gone off just from looking at him.

I licked my lips. “You’re not too sore? From earlier?”

Nolan shook his head. “I’m good. Maybe go slow?”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Not because I’m sore.” He tipped up my chin and kissed me. “I like it slow sometimes.”

Oh. Well. I could get onboard with that, because oh, yeah, I loved a good slow fuck.

I put on some lube, and after Nolan turned onto his stomach, I positioned myself over him. He didn’t need as much prep this time, but I still went carefully. A little fingering just to be sure (and to add some lube), then a few slow, shallow strokes until I was sure he was taking me easily.

And then…

Oh, God.

There was something not just pleasurable butgratifyingabout that first long, slow slide into him. When he’d relaxed enough that I could move fluidly inside him, and there wasnothing to do now but find that perfect rhythm to drive us both out of our minds.

“Fuck, Nolan,” I whispered shakily as I withdrew slowly. Starting back in again, I shivered, and every curse I knew tumbled off my tongue.

“So good,” he breathed. “Holy…”

I closed my eyes and savored the long, slow slide in, then back out. It might’ve been because I hadn’t topped anyone in a long time until recently, so I was still just reveling in something I’d been missing.

I didn’t think it was that simple, though. Moving inside Nolan, making him moan and plead and gasp, especially knowing all the reasons why he’d been hesitant before—every stroke was like a victory. Like we’d beaten back enough of his demons—like I’d earned enough precious, hard-won trust—for him to take me easily and eagerly. Every time bliss registered on his face or in his voice, every time he shivered and begged me for more, the relief that went through me wasseismic. Like the release of a powerful orgasm combined with the long exhale after a firefight was over. And I hadn’t even come yet.

“This good, baby?” I asked.

The answer to that was a soft whimper, and he white-knuckled the edge of the mattress as he rocked his hips in time with mine.

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