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 I said I loved you, and I meant that.
He stifled another whimper when he realized Rafe was
speaking in past tense, and it made him forget that he d
intended to sneak away.
 Our entire relationship has been nothing more than one
deep, dark secret. I was prepared to stick, to try and see if any
of what we had was real. Except now, after a day and a half,
you re ready to cut and run. And I m betting you weren t
going to leave a note. Rafe glanced up, the fire gone from his
eyes.  So I m asking you, is it even worth it? Or should I just
let you go?
The storm of emotions howled through him so violently
that he couldn t make sense of them. He needed help.  I-I
don t understand. Could you explain it to me?
Rafe shook his head.  No, Seth. Not this time.
He d been lone thirty-two years, but he d never felt it so
much as he did now.  Please, I need you to explain. Like you
always do.
Rafe closed his eyes, took a breath, and rose to his feet.  I
need you to give me something.
Something? Why couldn t he just say it? He was usually
so straightforward when explaining things.  What? Whatever
it is, I ll give it to you.
 It doesn t work that way.
 Rafe&  What did he need? He fought the urge to pull at
his hair as he desperately tried to figure it out.  Help me.
For a while he just stood there, looking down at him. Then,
finally, he closed the distance between them and knelt on the
floor, placing warm hands over his thighs.  Do I hurt you,
Seth?
 No, he answered immediately, palming his own chest.
 You ve never once hurt me.
A soft sigh escaped him.  I m not talking about physical
pain. Have I ever hurt you?
He frowned and shook his head.
 So yesterday when you told me you were a Ravager, and
later that night I pulled away from your kiss& that didn t hurt
at all?
 I deserved 
Rafe gripped his jaw.  We re not talking about what you
think you deserve. All I want to know is whether it hurt you.
 Y-Yes.
He released him.  I hurt you a lot? Especially since the
bookstore?
 Yes, whispered Seth.
 Do I give you pleasure?
A smile touched his lips.  Yes.
 Even after I found out what you were?
Heated memories from a few hours ago simmered through
him. And afterward, Rafe had held him, stroked his hair.
 Yes.
The hands on his thighs tightened.  Now, close your eyes.
Seth closed his eyes.
 Think about the pleasure and the pain. All of it. And tell
me which feeling is stronger.
He sat quiet, trying to puzzle it all out. The knot inside him
was difficult to unravel, but when he did, he opened his eyes.
 More pleasure, Rafe.
Rafe s chest hitched.  Then&  In a burst of motion, he
stood and flipped the suitcase over, scattering a flurry of
clothes onto the floor.  Then don t leave. Try to make this
work. I know I ve fucked up a lot, and I know I ll fuck up
more before things are settled. But stay with me and try.
When he only stared up at him, Rafe shook his head and
walked away. Wings of sunlight danced over his back, and
Seth watched the pattern, entranced, realizing with a start that
he wanted him to stay close.  How?
He turned, bathed in orange sunshine; still naked, still
beautiful.  I m willing to meet you halfway. Hell, I ll meet
you most of the way. All I m asking is for you to take one step
toward me. Just one.
Seth leapt from the chair and threw himself forward,
wrapping his arms tight around Rafe s body.
Chuckling, Rafe stroked his back.  That s not what I
meant. But it s a start.
A start. Yes, he wanted a start. He would learn, and
whatever it was that Rafe needed, Seth would give it to him.
* * *
Seth pulled on a pair of khaki slacks and a sage green
sweater. The natural fibers of both felt good against his skin.
Not many werewolves enjoyed synthetic materials. It was
comforting to know that, in this small way, he wasn t so
different. While his Ravager form could barely tolerate any
clothing at all, his human form needed the coverings.
Not like Rafe, who was completely comfortable with his
body.
He glanced up, taking in the sight of him as he leaned
against the frame of the open balcony window. Even now,
Rafe only wore a pair of dark blue jeans. Hunger arose as
Seth s gaze traveled upward from his bare feet, to the denim
hugging his calves, his thighs, his hips. One of his thumbs
hooked into a belt loop as he stared out at the cityscape, and
his naked torso called Seth forward, step by step.
The word left him on a soft, husky breath.  Rafe.
He didn t turn his head.  It really is a nice-looking city,
isn t it?
Reluctantly, he looked out at the skyline, at the Capitol
Building in the distance.  It is.
 Up here, it just seems like a quiet Saturday morning. Hard
to believe that werewolves, vampires, and warlocks are
walking around down there.
Seth s gaze darted up, but Rafe was still staring at the city,
his face expressionless.  Nightkin can be found almost
anywhere.
 In Brier?
He d never seen Rafe so subdued.  I think I m the only
Nightkin in Brier.
 You can tell? Just by looking at a person?
 Yes. He placed a hand on Rafe s wrist, but the big man
didn t move, didn t acknowledge the touch in any way.  I can
sense them. He ran his hand up the hard cords of his forearm,
to the large muscles of his triceps.  And I can smell them.
The skin of his palm tingled as he glided it up to Rafe s
shoulder. Caught in a moment of quiet exploration, he lingered
a while, before sliding his fingers behind. Seth paused when
he felt some sort of bandage there, and he started to peel it off.
Was this because of yesterday? Had he hurt Rafe so badly?
 I wouldn t do that. Not unless you want me in a foul
mood for the rest of the day.
Seth stopped, smoothing the edge back into place as he
stood on his toes. He took a sniff at it and glanced up in
surprise.  A nicotine patch?
 Yep.
He frowned, trying to remember the last time he d seen
Rafe with a cigarette.  When did you quit smoking?
 Monday night.
The night Shining Moon attacked him.  You quit because
of me?
 Turns out nearly losing you was just the kick in the ass I
needed.
Rafe still hadn t met his gaze. It was beginning to worry [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]