Page 7 of Captivated

To stop holding onto everything so tightly.

The air in their bedroom was warm and familiar, a blend of their scents that comforted him. He flipped the shower on and stood under its jets, hoping the hot water would remove some of the tension in him.

Toby was a master at spotting that.

The shower door opened, and Toby stepped into the steamy enclosure. “Something told me you might need your back scrubbed.”

He smiled. “Your instincts are on the money, as usual.” He placed his hands flat on the tiles, reveling in Toby’s firm strokes, the smell of the body wash, the anticipation rocketing through him when the edge of Toby’s hand strayed into his crease. He pushed back, and Toby’s chuckle set up a delicious vibration.

“Now I know what you want.”

Robert moaned as Toby penetrated him with his thumb, slick with the silicone lube they kept in the shower for just such an occasion. He writhed when Toby gave his prostate a drawn-out massage, leaving him aching for more. All too soon the flow of water stopped, and then Toby dried him with brisk strokes.

He led Robert by the hand to stand in front of the mirror, Toby’s hands sliding over his shoulders, down his arms, a slow, steady motion. He nuzzled Robert’s neck, sending a shiver through him.

“Let go.” Toby’s voice was soft, but his words were a low command, not demanding, not rough?—

Sure, the way he always was.

Robert’s breathing hitched. With Toby, letting go was easy.

Toby turned Robert in his arms and cupped his jaw, his thumb tracing the edge of Robert’s mouth.

“What do you need?”

Robert drew in a deep breath. “Just you, inside me.”

Toby’s eyes darkened, his pupils enlarged, and Robert knew he wasn’t the only one who needed.

The kiss that followed wasn’t hurried, not a taking but a claiming, and Robert let him, sinking into the certainty of Toby’s touch.

It brought more than comfort, more than the promise of physical reconnection.

It was the way Toby knew how to take control, the way he took the weight of everything Robert carried and made it melt into nothingness, until all that was left was the feel of Toby’s firm flesh against his, Toby’s mouth on him, his fingers exploring, teasing, stimulating…

Toby’s cock driving deep, robbing him of breath, filling him, stretching him, pushing him closer to oblivion.

To the moment when he felt that throb inside him, heard Toby’s groan of pleasure, and soared high when Toby pressed his lips to Robert’s ear.

“Love you.”

Robert loved the way Toby always held him close after making love, his body warm and solid beneath the sheets. Robert laid his head against Toby’s chest, his heartbeat steady in his ear.

A soothing, comforting sound that took the remnants of the day from Robert’s grasp and tossed them aside.

Toby kissed his shaved head. “Sleep.”

He closed his eyes and gave himself up to velvet-soft invisible hands that pulled him, tugging him deeper into slumber.

His last thought sent warmth flooding through him.

The last two years hadn’t removed the grief from his past, but they’d eased his pain and given him closure. They’d helped him to realize Toby was exactly what he needed, someone who grounded him, took control, and loved him in a way no one else ever had.

Or ever will.

Chapter Three

July 6, 2024