Page 67 of Twist of Fate

For now, he settled for running his palm down the center of Connal’s chest.

“Is this what you meant by learning the differences between us?” Connal asked.

Luke looked up. “I’m conducting important research.”

“And what have you learned?”

“That you wear too many clothes.”

Connal’s mouth curved.

Luke reached for the fastening at Connal’s waist, but Connal caught his hand gently before he touched it.

“May I undress you?” Connal asked.

The careful question sent heat through Luke more effectively than any demand could have.

“Yes.”

Connal released him and reached for the hem of Luke’s shirt. He drew it upward slowly, pausing when Luke lifted his injured hand awkwardly over his head. Once the shirt was gone, Connal’s attention settled on the bruises crossing Luke’s ribs.

His expression hardened.

“Don’t,” Luke said.

“They hurt you.”

“And you nearly collapsed breaking me out of their trap. We can compare bad decisions later.”

“I do not consider saving you a bad decision.”

Luke touched the fading blood near Connal’s temple. “Neither do I.”

Something changed in Connal’s face. The fierce possessiveness remained, but tenderness moved beneath it now, quiet and almost uncertain. He touched Luke’s ribs with extraordinary care. “You are fragile here.”

“I’m human. That doesn’t make me fragile.”

“No,” Connal agreed. “It makes you precious.”

Luke’s breath caught.

He covered Connal’s hand with his own, then kissed him.

Connal answered immediately, one arm settling around Luke’s waist while the other curved behind his neck. The kiss deepened as Luke explored the shape of Connal’s mouth.

It wasn’t enough.

Or was it too much?

Luke couldn’t be certain anymore. All he knew was that he wanted Connal with a ferocity that he’d never felt before. He pulled away from Connal and sucked in a deep breath. “This…I don’t know the rules. If we…”

He didn’t even know how to ask the questions, which was another reason why this wasn’t a good idea.

Connal’s arms loosened immediately. “Nothing we do here will complete the bond without your choice.”

Luke searched his face. “And if I want this without knowing what comes after?”

“Then this is all it needs to be.”