Page 46 of Strut

“Oh, thank fuck.” I took myself in hand and it didn’t take long. A half-dozen strokes and my body lit up, pleasure exploding through me in waves as I shuddered and spilled between us.

Seconds later, Alec cried out with his own orgasm, slamming inside me, pressing and pressing until I could practically feel the fucker in the back of my throat. I held tight as his body jerked with pleasure and he moaned my name into my neck. Held tight until he slumped on top of me, silent, slick with sweat, and heaving for air.

And there we lay, still, spent, and quiet, the air in the room humming with arousal, redolent with pheromones, our bodies slack, sated, and boneless. Alec pressed soft kisses into my shoulder and neck while all I could do was hold him, stare at the ceiling, and wonder what the hell had just happened.

But when his weight threatened to press every scrap of air in my lungs out my back and into the bed, I finally found some words. “Hey, babe?” I croaked, kissing the damp knotty mess of hair I’d been running my come-sticky fingers through.

“Mmmm?” He didn’t move.

“Oxygen would be good.”

“Oh, shit, sorry.” He slid onto his side, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “I think you broke me.”

I snorted and kissed his forehead, pulling his matted hair up into a pointy mound on his head.

“You’re having aSomething About Mary, moment.”

Alec patted around his head until he found the tangled spike and laughed. “Very attractive, I’m sure.”

I kissed him again. “I’m impressed you recognise the pop-culture reference. Aren’t you a bit young?”

He dug a finger into my ribs. “Hey, it’s a classic.” Then he opened an eye. “Is there any of the good stuff left?”

I lifted my head to check my belly. “A little.”

“Then I suggest you don’t waste it.”

I snorted. “Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”

The idea clearly amused him. “Maybe? Is that a problem?”

I kissed him long and slow, savouring the slightly salty taste. “Not at all. Just... surprising, but in the best way.” I ran my fingers through the wet puddle on my belly and twisted another topknot in his hair to make a matching pair of sticky horns. “I happen to like bossy, especially when it comes with a side order of sexy-as-all-fuck.” I gathered more come, licking my fingers as he watched before holding them out for him to suck clean.

“Mmm.” He cocked his head and batted his lashes. “Please, sir, can I have some more?”

Laughter spilled out of me. “I rest my case about the sexy as fuck thing.” I dealt with his condom and dropped it off the side of the bed before pulling him into my arms. He sighed and snuggled close, and I tried not to let the moment explode in a mess of feelings in my heart. Steven hadn’t been a snuggler and I’d spent my life avoiding exactly this. What an idiot I’d been.

“Stop overthinking. Enjoy it.” Alec wriggled closer, resting his cheek on my chest.

He was right. I let it go and focused on the feel of his skin on mine instead, and it wasn’t long before his breathing evened out and he hummed contentedly.

“Go to sleep, baby.” I kissed his forehead and brushed my nose against his. “We can shower when we wake. Then it’s my turn.”

“Mmm. Can’t wait.” And just like that, his body relaxed.

But I didn’t sleep. I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t do anything except watch the easy rise and fall of Alec’s chest—the way the evening shadows played across his long, long body in the soft light spilling through the door from the lounge. The bark of traffic and harsh sirens of the city rose and fell like a familiar tide as he slept and I watched. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, couldn’t slow my heart, couldn’t step away from the cliff I was teetering on. Didn’t want to.

He’s not Steven.I calmed the wash of fear that threatened to drown me.I can have this. I can have him.Alec stirred and I tightened my arm around him.

“Hunter?” he whispered sleepily.

“Mm-hmm.”

He settled against me. “I like this. A lot.”

I smiled and kissed his head. “Me too, baby. Me too.”

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