Page 74 of Midnight Ink

Instead of saying anything, I touch him. My fingers trace along the ridge of his abs beneath the soft red sleeveless shirt he’s wearing. I know how much he hates to wear shirts in the summer. He’s normally shirtless in the shop unless we have clients. He’s like me with the heat, he can’t stand it.

He’s fucking beautiful. “Ian?”

“Today was a really great day.” I swallow and drag my eyes up to his. Warm eyes. Soft and brown. “What if . . .” I swallow. “What if I want to have an even better night?”

I crawl onto the bed. He sets his phone aside while I crawl up his body between his thighs. My fingers slip under his shirt, and I feel the way his breath stutters with my fingers. Julian isn’t much taller than I am, we’re about the same size, but he has this way about him that makes him feel larger than life.

Maybe it’s the weight and power in his eyes as they grow heavier with my touch. Without another word he leans in and slants his lips over mine. My body nearly collapses against his.

He cups my face, deepening the kiss, his tongue dipping into my mouth to play. Mine meets his eagerly. I let him in, and I feel his hands slide down my back and into the band of my boxers. “Take them off.”

Instead, I move to straddle his waist and lift his shirt over his head. “Fuck, Jules.” His umber skin feels so soft against my fingers, a beautiful canvas for all the artwork we’ve created together. Julian has an incredible eye. His understanding of movement is fucking brilliant. He’s the reason the one on his back looks like a living, breathing work of art.

“You sure? We don’t have to.”

I understand his hesitation. I’ve freaked out a lot this week, but right now I’m the calmest I’ve ever been. My mind is clear. I left something behind at that rage room today and I haven’t quite figured out what. All I know is I’ve never felt lighter or been surer about something. About someone.

I feel seen when Julian is with me. There are so many things I love about him. He doesn’t dismiss my fears or make them seem silly. Instead, he reasons with me, talks me down and reassures me. I like that.

And I want this.

I want a piece of myself back.

“I want it.” I nod then look at him. He’s got stubble along his jaw and I kind of hope he keeps it. He looks so handsome. Well rested. Bright and brilliant. “I want you, Jules.” Not a rebound. Not a step toward moving on. None of that. I want Jules because I’ve wanted him for years now and I’ve been too afraid to try. Too stuck in the sludge my grief has filled me with.

His fingers lace around the back of my knees, pulling me up his body a bit. My fingers wind around the nape of his neck. I can’t help kissing him. I want to kiss and lick every inch of his body.

His arm wraps around my waist and he moves, lifting me up and then laying me down.

Slowly, he slides his jeans down, revealing the impressive hardness behind his briefs. They cling to his skin. I want my lips on him. “I didn’t bring condoms,” he says. “I have lube, though.” He bites his lip, his cheeks deepening in color as he looks away.

I can’t help but laugh. “Oh, now we’re embarrassed?”

“Shut up.” He bites with the force of a puppy. I catch the warm flush on his ears.

“You’re adorable.”

“Stop making fun of me. I brought it because I uh, brought a friend. I thought we were going to be in a resort where I could use that friend whenever I wanted. With the beach as my backdrop.”

I bark out a laugh. “We were always going to be sharing a room.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t know that when I packed!” He shakes his head. “Just so you know, he’s been a little neglected since we got here.”

“I wonder what TSA thought of your friend.” Julian rolls his eyes, reaching into his bag and grabbing out a purple dildo. “Holy shit, Jules.” Okay, now I just want to watch him use it.

He points it at me. “He’s the best friend I’ve had in years, okay. He wanted a vacation too. He works hard!”

I laugh even harder. “Oh my god, grab your lube so you can fuck me.” I stop then think. “Unless you want me to fuck you. I mean, I’d settle for watching you fuck yourself.”

All his humor dies when his eyes travel up my body. “I want to fuck you.”

“Then fuck me.”

He takes off his briefs and tosses the lube onto the bed, then he climbs over my body. His fingers dip into my boxers and he slowly drags them down my legs. “Looks like someone prepared.” I laugh, tugging my cock. I trimmed a little and scrubbed every inch of my body in the shower. I want this so bad.

His fingers slide down my calf before he gets onto his belly, my leg fitting over his shoulder. My other falls back giving him space.

He hits me with a look before he licks up my dick. My back arches as he takes me down as far as he can go, sucking me so hard my eyes roll. His warm mouth is killing me with every rough pull. He sucks two fingers, letting them go with a pop. “You need me here, Ian?” He drags those wet fingers along my hole.