Max couldn’t believe he had Grady in his arms at last. And, oh my God, the way Grady looked at him with those big green eyes, as if Max was everything. He’d promised Marrok he’d wait for Grady to make the decision—not that it was truly a choice at all—that they should be together, and everything in Grady’s demeanour, in his expression, screamed he was ready. Still, Max hesitated.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Grady?”
Grady nodded, then buried his face against Max’s throat.
Max groaned at the feel of Grady’s tongue against his burning skin. “I need to hear the words,” he gritted out.
Grady paused, then pulled back, meeting Max’s gaze. “Yes. Yes, I want this. Yes, I want you.”
That was all Max needed to hear.
He grabbed Grady’s hand and almost dragged him to his bedroom. He’d waited weeks for this and with each week that passed the draw had only gotten stronger. Each transfusion had placed him on a sexual knife’s edge, and he’d almost reached breaking point. The bond between shifters was compelling, and it had been torture denying what his body was longing to do.
They stopped beside the bed where Max lowered his mouth to Grady’s once more. The kiss was intense, Grady groaning into his mouth and pushing against him. Max continued to kiss him, at the same time, fumbling with Grady’s shirt buttons. He soon had the shirt undone and on the floor, closely followed by Grady’s jeans. He finally broke their kiss and maneuvered Grady to the edge of the bed and nudged him. Grady took the hint and sat. Max knelt at his feet and took off his shoes and socks, then pulled the jeans the out of the way from where they had bunched at Grady’s ankles. Even Grady’s feet were beautiful—long and slim, with graceful arches. He stroked along one foot, and ran his hand up Grady’s leg, stopping with his hands on Grady’s knees. He looked up.
Grady met his gaze full on. He was flushed and kiss ravaged, his lids were hooded, breath coming fast. As Max looked at him, he flashed a small smile. Max rose on his knees and kissed him again. Will I ever get enough of his kisses?
He ran his hands up Grady’s slim thighs, the light dusting of hair tickling his palms. He allowed his palms to skim Grady’s sides, chuckling a little when Grady jerked. Ticklish. Interesting. As his fingertips trailed across Grady’s ribs, he couldn’t help but note how thin he still was. It gave him momentary pause, but regardless of his lack of bulk, Max knew Grady now possessed a strength that belied his size.
Grady gripped the sides of his head and Max gave in to the gentle tug, allowing himself to be drawn into another of those amazing kisses. Grady reached for his buttons, lips never losing contact, so Max raised his hands and helped. Together they made quick work of the buttons and Max’s shirt joined Grady’s on the floor.
Max skirted Grady’s sides again, lowering his hands to the waistband of Grady’s briefs. He pulled back slightly, the question in his eyes.
