Page 57 of Sharpen Your Claws

“Unwell, yes, but I would not have become like this if I did not love you before. It was that love that pushed me to the edge and I wish you would not blame yourself for it. You cannot fix what is broken in a day. The shadowed disciples, your patients, they will be dealt with. I will deal with them, if it will make you happy. We know what to do and we have a journey ahead of us, both of us. But right now,” he caught William by the chin and brushed his thumb against William’s bottom lip. “Let us get lost in one another.”

William released a sad laugh, but his hands fell upon Nicholas’ neck. “Is there ever anything else on your mind?”

“Not much.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I am ridiculously yours. Forever.” He had never spoken truer words. Being with William was indescribably known to him, as if he understood every aspect of the world, his world. “We belong together, and that is not my curse speaking. It is the truth. I know it.”

He hoped William did, too. William’s body became an extension of himself, undeniably right. Like this, he felt more alive than ever, more himself, even as the desire burned brighter than the dawn. He knew, even without this damned curse, he would react the same in William’s arms.

“Shall we head out then, if you are feeling up to it?” Nicholas asked.

“Not yet.”

They sat silent for a long moment, then William kissed him. It was sad and desperate and wanting all in one, and still perfect, all of them and nothing else. He could stay like this forever, savoring William’s feverish touch. They kissed like it was their first time, like they were back in the cold wastes of the Deadlands, so overcome by the other they couldn’t resist temptation. He tasted the same too; pure revelry.

“I don’t want to make you worse,” William panted against his mouth.

“I never feel more like myself than when I am with you,” he replied earnestly.

“I wish I could make everything better for you. I want to save you.”

“Do not put such pressure on yourself,” he interrupted. “This is an unfortunate path I was laid on at birth. I much rather want you than anything else. In that way, you are saving me, my wicked.”

William held him, kissed him, ran his fingers through his hair and all felt right. He dreamed of those moments, the weight of William, his touch, his taste, how he’d drive Nicholas to the brink of madness. But when he caught the first button of William’s shirt, he flinched. Nicholas brushed their foreheads together. Their lips touched, gentle and sweet. He undid the first button. William clung to his shoulders.

“Why are you shaking?” Nicholas undid another button, relishing the sight of William’s pale shoulder.

“You know why.”

Silver glistened beneath William’s shirt, revealed more by his questing fingers descending to circle a pink nipple he yearned to devour. If he could rip apart William’s flesh and burrow himself into his veins, then Nicholas wouldn’t hesitate to do so. There, within William’s heart, he would nest for all eternity.

“Mortals may see this as a curse, perhaps you as well, but I do not. I will never. I shall worship every part of you.” Another button undone and another while his lips descended upon William’s chest. “I love you, my wicked. I shall adore you even when you do not.”

William’s shirt fell. Nicholas lavished him with attention, kissing along his chest to his nape. William’s response was perfect, a pleasured moan caressing his ears like a spell. Nicholas caught his lips, more addicted to the taste of William than ever. He took hold of William’s wrists, departing to catch the leathered glove between his teeth.

William did nothing to stop the removal of his gloves. Nicholas kissed each silver knuckle and did the same for the other, never breaking eye contact. “Tell me to stop. Tell me if you don’t want this.”

William said nothing as he dragged his lips over William’s palm to his wrist. There, William’s heart raced on his lips. He kissed and took the skin between his teeth, then further up to his bicep, then his shoulder. Finally, he reached that delectable nape. William lifted his head, letting Nicholas mark him more and more. He tasted William’s sweat, salty and addictive and promising so much more.

“I want this, Nicholas,” William finally moaned, the sound reverberating against his tongue. “Touch me more.”

He yearned to map out William’s body to ensure nothing changed, and he could still make William a withered mess. He wished they had more time, more patience to enjoy each other, but their feverish want had them rushing to touch and kiss and grind.

William’s mouth fell on his neck to mark his skin when he tugged on a useless belt. William moaned against the skin between his teeth when Nicholas curled a hand around his arousal. He felt incredible, hot and ready. He wanted to see William, to watch him. Tugging at his pants, the fabric fell enough to free him. Nicholas licked his lips at the sight of William’s cock.

“I wish to have rid you of your clothes so much sooner,” he said, grinning from the thrusts of William’s hips.

William kissed him over and over, his words spoken between every breath. “It was foolish of us not to, wasn’t it?”

“We’ll have to make up for all the lost opportunities. There is so much I want to do to you.”

William caught him by the hair, bringing them face to face. He licked the palm of his opposing hand before returning the favor, slipping beneath his trousers to bring him to ecstasy. His cock throbbed in William’s grasp, hips rolling against a hand that could ruin him completely. Nicholas thought of this moment a thousand times, but nothing compared to the lust in William’s eyes or the bliss overtaking him.

“What do you want to do to me, trouble?” William whispered, retreating whenever Nicholas tried kissing him. His hand dared to stop, and Nicholas thrust fruitlessly.

“I want to fuck you,” he growled, then took William’s bottom lip between his teeth while his hand slowed.

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