Page 50 of Hard Bargain

Dominic didn’t move. Didn’t help. Just stood there and watched, like he had all the time in the world and Knox was the most interesting thing in it.

Knox swallowed, his throat tight enough to hurt. Then, before he could stop himself—before caution or pride or common sense could get a word in—he hooked his fingers under Dominic’s waistband and dragged both his pants and boxers down in one motion.

Oh, fuck.

Dominic’s cock was bigger than he’d expected. Thicker. Harder. The sight sent a rush of heat through him so abruptly it made him dizzy. His entire body reacted before his mind could catch up. A flush climbed his face, his chest, even the tips of his ears.

Get it together, he told himself.

When he risked a glance upward, Dominic was watching him with dark, intent eyes. His fingers flexed at his side, like he was holding himself back from doing something even more reckless.

Knox dropped his gaze. He couldn’t hold that stare, insecurity creeping in under the want. Dominic seemed to read him without effort. “Using your hands is fine. For now,” he said.

Something in Knox’s chest loosened at that, relief tangled up with the arousal already thick under his skin. He reached out and wrapped his palm around Dominic’s cock. The first touch nearly undid him. Hot skin. Solid weight. Velvet over steel. His breath caught. For one absurd second, all he could think was that this was real. That he was actually doing this. His hand tightened reflexively.

Dominic made a low sound—rough and involuntary—and Knox felt it like a physical thing. Something inside him shifted. The nerves didn’t disappear, not exactly. But they were drowned out by something hotter. The need to do this right. To prove something. A need to make Dominic react again.

He moved his hand, slow at first, feeling the heavy slide of skin beneath his grip. His thumb brushed over the thick ridge on the underside before squeezing more firmly. He worked his way back up, feeling every vein, every twitch.

This time, when he glanced up, Dominic’s head was tipped back, Adam’s apple working. The sight sent a vicious ache through his body. His own arousal pressed painfully against his jeans, impossible to ignore.

This was wrong.

It had to be wrong.

So why did it feel—

No.

He tightened his grip and stroked again. Another sound slipped from Dominic, rougher this time, and Knox’s pulse kicked harder in response. His hand sped up, emboldened by every crack in Dominic’s composure. Dominic was trying so hard not to react, but Knox could see it happening anyway. And God help him, he liked it.

A rough exhale.

A muttered curse.

The subtle shift in his posture.

Knox watched all of it with growing fascination. There was something thrilling about this. About seeing Dominic this way. This man who always seemed so controlled, so untouchable. And Knox was doing this to him. That realization only made him want more.

He found a rhythm, his hand moving confidently, but the drag of skin against skin was rough, not enough.

Without really thinking about it, he pulled his hand away, spat into his palm, then wrapped it around Dominic again.

The effect was immediate. Dominic jolted.

“Fuck.”

The word came out deep and rough, almost disbelieving. His gaze dropped to Knox’s hand, then snapped back to his face, pupils blown dark.

Something hot surged through Knox. The slick glide changed everything.

“Jesus, Knox…” Dominic’s voice sounded different now. Less controlled. His expression twisted, something almost angry flashing across his face, as though he resented how much this affected him. “Yeah,” he muttered hoarsely. “Like that.”

Knox’s cheeks burned. The need to please, to see Dominic unravel because of him, was bigger than the fear. He kept stroking, every second winding the tension tighter between them.

He couldn’t help it, his free hand dropping to his own dick. The pressure over his jeans was pathetic relief, nowhere near enough, but he needed something.

He was so painfully turned on he could barely breathe.