Forgive and Forget(26)

“Kiss me,” Joe rasped, almost too low for Tom to hear. “Please.”

Those few little words were all Tom needed. Everything inside him sizzled and sparked with life. He captured Joe’s mouth and kissed him feverishly, desperate to explore and taste. His body felt like it wanted to consume Joe. Nothing had the power to control the blaze roaring within him except for the timid, beautiful man underneath him.

Tom reached between them and freed their erections, pulling away only long enough to spit into his hand before crushing his mouth back against Joe’s and taking them both in hand. Joe’s little gasps and moans urged him forward.

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Joe hissed, letting out a shaky breath.

“Is this okay?” Tom breathed, brushing his lips over Joe’s cheek. “It feels so damn good, Joe, but I’ll stop if you want me to.”

“No, don’t,” Joe all but begged. “Don’t stop, Tom. Oh, God….”

Feeling an overwhelming need to please Joe, Tom tightened his grip and quickened his pumping fist, delighting in Joe’s sweet sounds as he threw his head back, exposing the smooth, expansive flesh of his neck. Tom took advantage and poked his tongue out to taste and lick Joe from his collarbone to his jaw line.

“You taste like your pies, Joe. So sweet, warm, and full of life.”

Joe sprung forward as if some magic switch had been hit, and Tom couldn’t help his surprised gasp. His heavy breaths became pants as Joe buried his head against Tom’s neck and his hand joined in on the stroking, their hips thrusting wildly and erratically. Joe’s grip on Tom was almost painful, and his low growl reverberated against Tom’s scorching skin. Cupping his free hand at the back of Joe’s neck, Tom held Joe to him as he met every fraught thrust of Joe’s hips with one of his own.

“Tom, I—I’m going to—” Joe’s words cut off sharply as he cried out, clutching Tom so tightly he was sure there would be some bruising the next day. Joe’s body trembled and shook beneath him as he rode his climax, the feel of his warm come coating both their bellies enough for Tom to find his own release. He muffled his hoarse cry against Joe’s hair, the silkiness and scent of it swirling around in his head helping him lose himself in the rolling waves of pleasure, their hands milking every last drop from each other.

They slumped together, spent, each man’s weight holding up the other, their breathing slowly coming down from the clouds. Joe’s chest rose and fell steadily against his own, and Tom could feel himself starting to drift off. He moved his hand and Joe groaned, rousing Tom and reminding him that if he didn’t clean them up, they’d get stuck like this.

With his free hand, Tom carefully pushed Joe back into the cushions and leaned forward to place a tender kiss against Joe’s lips, smiling when he found the man’s eyes closed and his expression one of contentment. His heart swelled, knowing he’d been the one to put it there.

He pulled Joe in for a kiss, the touch of those soft lips a delicious sensation. He willed himself to go slow, allowing his hands to roam over Joe’s body, over his arms, his chest, coaxing him to open up. His efforts were rewarded more quickly than he expected, and Joe parted his lips. Not wanting to spook him, he took Joe’s mouth tenderly, his kisses more like caresses. He desperately wanted to feel all of Joe, to touch, taste, and explore every curve, every muscle. It took a great deal of self-control not to let his imagination run away with him. He wrapped his arms around Joe and his sinewy body that fit against Tom’s like it was molded to do so.

“You’re holding back,” Joe murmured against Tom’s lips.

“I don’t want to rush you.”

Joe pulled back, the fire smoldering in those ocean-colored eyes making Tom grateful that he was sitting, because his knees had turned to jelly.

“Why me?” Joe asked quietly, slipping his fingers into Tom’s hair and absently stroking. He must have made some kind of noise because Joe chuckled softly. “You like that, huh?”

Tom moaned and let his eyes drift closed. “Oh, yeah. Feels good.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Joe continued to stroke, and Tom had to be careful he didn’t fall asleep right here on Joe’s lap. Those long, slender fingers felt so soothing.

“Why not you?” Tom smiled when Joe gave his hair a playful tug.

“Look at you. Whoever you are, whatever you do, I’ll bet it suits you. I know you’re grateful for my help, and I’ll still help you, you don’t need to—”

“Wait a moment,” Tom cut him off, unable to believe what he was hearing. He would have been angry were it not for the utterly wretched look on Joe’s handsome face. It made him wonder what could possibly have happened to this sweet man to make him think so little of himself. He remembered Joe saying he’d been hurt, and he couldn’t even bear to think of some bastard breaking Joe’s heart. A dark, deep-rooted anger bubbled up inside Tom, scaring the hell out of him. He didn’t know why he felt so sick to his stomach, but he did his best to push it aside. He took Joe’s hands in his and met Joe’s reserved gaze.

“Joe, I’m not attracted to you because you’re helping me. I can make sense of my own feelings enough to know where they’re coming from, and I’m attracted to you because you’re beautiful. I’m fascinated by you because you’re like no one I’ve ever met, and I know that because there can’t possibly be another man like you out there. I’m sure of it. If I run into a cop, he’s probably going to throw me in jail thinking I’m all doped up because I can’t keep from grinning like an idiot, and it’s all because of you.” He ran his thumb over Joe’s bottom lip.