Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Well, I do have the roasting pan now. Thanks to you.”
“Thanks to me.” Esteban smiled at him, slow and intimate. Eyes sparking with mischievous intent, he removed the container, placing it on the coffee table before straddling Russ’s lap in a smooth motion that stole Russ’s next breath.
“What are you doing?” His voice came out low and husky as his hands automatically went to Esteban’s sides.
“Unwrapping my Christmas present.” Esteban started unbuttoning Russ’s white dress shirt with deft fingers, stopping to drop a soft, sugary kiss across Russ’s lips.
“Pretty sure I’m not all that.”
“Uh-huh. Fishing for compliments again.” Shaking his head, Esteban abandoned his work on Russ’s shirt, dipping his head to kiss Russ’s neck and collarbones, finding all sorts of unexpected spots that made Russ shiver.
Deciding that two could play at the button game, Russ pulled Esteban’s shirt loose. The fabric was slightly slick, a shimmery sort of gold that accented his brown eyes and dark hair in a way that had been driving Russ crazy ever since Esteban opened the door. The guy really was too handsome for his own good, and Russ still wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing fooling around with Russ.
But he wasn’t going to turn it down, fingers stilling on Esteban’s buttons as he captured Russ’s mouth in a searing kiss, one that had Russ’s toes curling inside his dress shoes. Esteban tasted sweet with little hints of spice, and the explorations of his tongue had Russ groaning, cock already throbbing.
“You know…” Esteban paused for another kiss. “I think my bed is jealous of the couch…”
“Oh? Can’t have that.” Despite several make-out sessions involving various combinations of hands and mouths, they hadn’t made it as far as a beds, and Russ hadn’t pushed, not wanting to risk an end to the kissing.
The new phase of their relationship was tenuous, and he didn’t want to call attention to their slow slide from friends into…something else. But tonight felt more deliberate, less accidental or spontaneous, like Esteban was purposefully choosing the sex.
“Fuck. I love kissing you like this. Want to ride you.” Leaning in, Esteban kissed Russ’s jaw, then his ear. “Do you want to fuck me? Is that something you’d like?”
“Uh-huh.” Russ answered with a groan. Apparently he’d done something to make Santa happy and was getting everything on his personal holiday wishlist. Yes. Not that he needed fucking. He’d survived fine without for years, but his cock leapt at the mere idea. “Not…ah…ton of experience. But yes.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got no problem talking you through it.” Esteban waggled his eyebrows. “I’m a good teacher.”
“That’s you. The talker.” Russ laughed and kissed him again. “As long as you’re not acting, okay?”
He was serious. He was done with pretending and didn’t want to worry whether Esteban was being genuine.
“I don’t seem capable of it where you’re concerned.” Esteban’s voice was light, but his eyes were serious.
“Good.” Done with heavy topics, he stood, taking Esteban with him. “Now where’s this bedroom of yours?”
“I can walk!” Esteban made an adorable squawk as he scrambled down. “Besides, your knees!”
“I’m going to take you up on the offer of finding me a gay-friendly gym where I can lift. Used to be I could deadlift more than you, no sweat.”
“Are you calling me too skinny?”
“Never.” Unable to stop smiling, he let Esteban tug him down the short hall off the dining area. The bedroom door was in same spot as Russ’s, but where Russ’s room was dominated by his big, no-frills bed and gray comforter, Esteban’s space was full of color—ripe mango walls, colorful woven comforter, and lots of little touches like art on the walls and a pretty lime-colored candle on the dresser.
Doing the kitchen design for Esteban had been like re-opening a long-buried part of himself, the shy, big kid in art class who had been afraid to admit a love of color. Esteban made him want to explore, to rediscover, and to embrace all of life’s many shades.
“Your room is fabulous.”
“Are you going to admire my decorating all night?” Shirt gone, Esteban started in on his belt and snazzy black dress pants next.
“In a hurry?” Russ toyed with his remaining shirt buttons, suddenly, painfully aware that he wasn’t a ripped eighteen-year-old recruit anymore while Esteban looked like an ad for an adults-only vacation resort, the kind of guy totally at home in skin-tight swimming trunks or even less, all long, toned limbs, golden skin, tawny nipples, dusky cock, and not so much as a mole out of place.
“Yes.” Making an exasperated noise, naked Esteban moved to stand directly in front of him, batting Russ’s hands away from his shirt and making short work of sending it raining to the floor along with Russ’s belt. “Hottest guy in the neighborhood in my bedroom after weeks of teasing? Yeah, I’m in a hurry.”