Page 244 of Alessio

“Depends on what it means,” Corrado returned.

“It means while I’m fucking you, or you’re fucking me … or we’re playing this stupid game with each other, then it’s just us. It’s you,” Alessio said, pointing a finger at Corrado, and then turning it around on himself as he added, “and me. That’s it. No other man gets to have you while I do, you got me?”

That’s what he wanted?

Corrado cleared his throat. “That’s what you want? Exclusivity?”

“No, loyalty. Because if you can’t give me anything else, then you at least owe me that. And if you can’t give me that, either, then this isn’t happening at all.”

All right.

Corrado let out a slow exhale, both annoyed and amused. But wasn’t that what Alessio had always done to him? Frustrated and fascinated him to no end? Challenged and tested him every step of the goddamn way?

Why would this be different?

“Well?” Alessio demanded.

He was so close now, his mouth nearly grazed Corrado’s as he spoke. And yet, it was still the intensity in his eyes leveling on Corrado that kept him ensnared, unable to move.

“Just you and me,” Corrado replied. “Any other rules you want to slap on this while we’re here?”

“Is that what we’re going to call it—rules?”

“Why not?”

Alessio sighed harshly. “Don’t joke. This isn’t a joke.”

“I’m not. I’m trying to give you as much as I can. You want control here? Fine, you have it. What are the rules, Les? Tell me. I’m listening.”

“Just that one, then.”

Alessio inched closer. Not that there was much space between them left to close now. In fact, this put the two of them practically skin to skin, but he was fine with that. Closer was always better with this man. Like this, he saw more; found more that Les liked to hide. Maybe they weren’t all that different, after all.

Corrado felt Alessio’s knuckles as they grazed the line of his stomach just above where the towel rested on his hips. It was a soft touch—barely there at all, if he were being honest. Except it was there, and that was important.

That was Alessio.

It was him being okay.

Connection in his silence, and that’s what he offered. Corrado would take it. Even if it was just knuckles stroking his skin. He’d always take what Alessio gave him. No questions asked.

“No other men, got it.” Corrado grinned a bit, murmuring, “Women are okay, then?”

That touch stilled on his stomach.

Alessio’s head snapped up, and his gaze leveled on Corrado at the same time his tongue peeked out to swipe along the seam of his lower lip. Maybe it was the way the blues of his eyes darkened a bit, or it could have been how that soft touch against his skin turned into rough fingers grasping tightly to his side.

Whatever it was, Corrado saw it.

Felt it.

He just wasn’t sure what it was.

“What was that?” he asked quietly.

Alessio’s throat jumped when he swallowed thickly. “I was just thinking about that.” He made a rough noise, adding, “It was a nice picture, and … yeah.”

Huh.