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“Ollie?”

“Ye… Yes?”

I met his eyes as he stopped near the side of the bed. They about popped out of my skull when Connor crawled onto the mattress, keeping me in his sights, as I fought hard to keep still, anticipating what would happen next.

Stopping halfway up the bed, he nodded toward the nightstand and asked, “Can you grab the lube for me?”

Nodding, I stumbled over and opened the top drawer, almost laughing at the size of the bottle I pulled out, but then swallowing hard when I sent up a wish for the gods to grant, begging we would spend the next however many days using all of it. An unexpected thought popped into my head, but I shook it off and handed Connor the bottle.

“What were you thinking just then? Your beautiful eyes flashed as your breathing sped up?”

I shook my head, but he squeezed my thigh and asked, “Please, tell me?”

“It was only a fleeting curious thought.”

“About?”

Heat warmed my cheeks and chest as I explained, “I wondered how it would feel to be inside you. But we’ve never talked about?—”

“Yes!” Connor all but shouted.

“You want… that?”

“I want you inside me. I’m vers, but you’ll have to take it easy on me because it’s been a while.”

Connor handed me the bottle of lube and relaxed on his back, hands holding his head up as he gave me a wink as my cheeks heated at the thought of being inside this man. My eyes roamed down his fit and beautiful body, and I salivated at the thought of being able to sample him everywhere.

“Can I ask why it’s been so long? Because if you prefer topping, I’m okay with that. I want you to enjoy yourself.”

“What do you see when you look at me?” Connor asked.

A smile quirked up the side of my mouth as I answered with the complete truth.

“I see a man who has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Someone who will put other’s needs ahead of his own, takes criticism without comment, and keeps victories as routine, everyday occurrences. You live life brimming with the thrill of not knowing what comes next, but you’re excited about the unknown because of all the possibilities. You love your family and friends with a fierce intensity, support their dreams, and are their biggest cheerleader, and they love you back with the same fierceness. I’ve never once seen you look down on anyone. Instead, you treat everyone with respect. People are envious ofyour career and success, but they have no clue how much hard work you put in and how brilliant you need to be in order to survive in this business. On top of all those admirable qualities, you’re sexy-as-fuck.”

With each word spoken, his eyes widened and by the end, his mouth dropped open and he looked stunned.

“Are… are you serious?”

I tilted my head and said, “Yes. How do other people see you?”

“As a stupid actor who can’t break out of the mold of being an action star, or someone who lucked out finding work because my parents gifted me with good genes.”

Rage built up inside my chest, and I growled.

“Well, fuck them because they don’t know you. Anyone who bases their opinion on your looks seems stupid to me. Yes, you are gorgeous, but that’s because of your beautiful mother and handsome father. All of your siblings are stunning, but you used your skills as an actor, and there is not a single thing wrong with your career. On top of all that, it’s fucking hypocritical how your critics watch your movies and find them entertaining, but then criticize you for making them. Make that make sense.

“But you are more than an action star. I’ve seen all you do for the production company you run with your friends; because you give a voice to those who can’t share their own perspectives with the world. And I know what it’s like to come from a family who couldn’t care less about the child they brought into this world, but you support your siblings and root for their success as they root for yours. I believe you can do anything you put your mind to and make the world a better place without effort. Look what you’ve already done for me.”

Yes, I might have gotten carried away with my speech, but it was all true.

“I suppose as human beings, we forget no one knows what they are doing as we stumble through life. The older I get, the more I realize that almost everyone I know doesn’t have their shit together no matter what age, and it’s hard to live this life without stumbling a bit from time to time. It’s your life and you’ve made the best of your talents. And that’s on top of being a good man. Anyone with another argument can fuck themselves sideways.”

The truth of my words seemed to make him think, and I drew closer and leaned down, brushing a kiss over his mouth and smiling against his lips at his quick inhale. He pulled me onto him and deepened the kiss as our heated skin pressed together. Lust flared between us, and I groaned as my hands rubbed up and down his chest.

“Thank you for being… well, you, Ollie. I’m lucky to have ever met you.”

My answer was a bright smile before capturing his lips in another heated kiss. As though on instinct, and driven out of my mind with the need to touch him, my thumbs caught on one turgid nipple and I broke the kiss, needing to explore Connor. I kissed down his neck and chest, and flicked it with my thumb, before sealing my lips over it, tongue darting out, learning what Connor needed.