Page 237 of Labor of Love

“I am telling you, it will happen. I’m barely hanging on now, Lothian.”

Another wave of that deep scent washed over Lothian, and he breathed it in. Truthfully, he was amazed that even with Lothian rubbing up against his hard cock, Ryland hadn’t laid a finger on him.

Lothian tried to wrangle his own desire and think clearly. “I know nothing about you.” He didn’t let go of Ryland. He licked a stripe across his throat instead.

Ryland shook in his arms. “Lothian.”

But his subconscious had other opinions. “Except I do. I know you offered to keep watch on me. You got me water. You’re good at caring for an omega. So? Care for me.”

“Damn it.” Ryland pushed Lothian away and strode out the door. He closed it with a slam. Lothian crumpled to the floor. He had been so close to satisfaction! To have it taken away wasagony. His body had responded to the obviously virile alpha in proximity, drenching him with hormones. His skin felt as if it would burn off his body. His very bones ached.

He crawled back into the bed, stifling his cries against the pillow.

Lothian didn’t know how much time passed in that haze of pain and need, but he slowly became aware of raised voices.

“Let me by!”

“Get out of here.”

“We’ve every right to be here. Listen to him. Someone has got to help him. If he continues like this, he’lldie.”

“Bartholomew isn’t wrong, Ryland.” That was Dante. And no, Bartholomew, whoever that was, wasn’t wrong. Lothian couldn’t imagine another minute of this pain, let alone another day. He would never survive.

“You know what he said, Dante. He wanted a choice. There’s no choice in this. I don’t want to be the one who takes it away from him.”

“Then let someone else?—”

Ryland snarled at Bartholomew.

Everyone went quiet for a brief moment.

“Gods, you’re inrut. How are you fighting it, man?” There was awe in the other male’s voice. Lothian understood it. He’d never heard of an alpha being able to remain in control of himself once his rut was on him. It was nearly miraculous.

“Go to him.” Dante again, the words soft and firm. “He won’t blame you.”

“You don’t know that.” Ryland sounded anguished. “He could hate me forever.”

“At least he’ll bealive.”

Ryland cursed. The door slammed.

Lothian screamed when a hand stroked down his back, but it wasn’t pain that greeted the light caress. It was pleasure. Just that simple touch cooled some of the fire burning within him.

“More.” His voice was hoarse and his throat hurt again. Had he been shouting? That thick cloud of luscious scent washed over Lothian and he breathed a sigh of instant relief. “Ryland.”

“I’m here. Shh.”

The water glass was at his lips again, and he drank greedily. When it was taken away, he let out a long breath. “I need you.”

Ryland ran a hand back over Lothian’s hair, brushing it out of his face. Lothian looked into his golden gaze. His brow was furrowed, mouth turned down. “Please don’t hate me for this,” he said. Then, he pressed his mouth against Lothian’s.

The kiss began soft but quickly deepened as Lothian opened his mouth to suck in the alpha’s tongue. Ryland groaned, wrapped his arms around Lothian, and they were both lost.

He stripped the damp chemise from Lothian, baring his naked skin to the light. Lothian wound his arms around Ryland’s neck. He knew he should say something, soothe the alpha’s worries, but he could only focus on the friction of Ryland’s tunic against his chest. His nipples pebbled and his stomach twitched. He pressed closer.

A moment later the tunic was gone and they were skin to skin. Sweat created a delicious glide as they continued to kiss. Ryland pulled away and came back again and again, tasting deeply of Lothian’s mouth.

He buried his hand in Lothian’s long hair and held him still as he ravished his lips. With his other hand, he caressed Lothian’s arms and chest, stoking the fire that was already raging out of control. Lothian would have told him to skip the slow approach, but all he could do was whimper into another kiss as sensation crashed through him. Ryland rained kisses across his face.

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