Page 38 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Unable to hold back, Trent wrapped his free hand around his own cock. Now he was jerking himself too, hard and fast.

Trent cried out. His toes curled. All too quickly, a second orgasm smashed into him. His vision swam, and dots appeared before his eyes.

After a moment, Trent released his hold on both cocks. He closed his eyes as he tried to catch his breath.

Malachi pressed a kiss to his hair. After a moment, he got up. Trent snapped his eyes open, trying to see where Malachi went.

But then Malachi was back, wiping at Trent with a cloth. After, Malachi cleaned himself. He threw the cloth onto the floor and smiled at Trent.

For several moments, Malachi stared at Trent, pale-blue eyes studying him. Trent couldn’t read the emotion in them. Then Malachi tugged the blankets from under Trent and laid them on top of him.

Malachi swallowed, not meeting Trent’s gaze. “I’ll just tend to the fire.” Then he rose and walked to the fireplace.

Chapter

Twenty

Malachi stared into the flames. He didn’t really need to tend to the fire. What he needed was a moment to think.

Truthfully, he probably needed some time alone. But he wasn’t about to kick Trent out this late at night. Just the thought of suggesting the young man leave his bed and make his way home through the snowy, cold streets after Malachi had his way with him made Malachi nauseous.

So that meant Malachi stared into the fire while he took a few minutes to process.

The red-and-gold flames had dimmed. The dying embers glowed. The log had cracked and started to crumble to ash. Soon ash and soot would be all that was left of the fire.

He did not need to build it up for Trent’s comfort. Especially if he crawled into bed beside Trent. They’d keep each other warm through the night.

Malachi stared at the dying flames. He touched the seashell that hung from his neck.

For the first time in over ten years, he’d had sex. The last person he’d made love to was Forathia. He took a deep breath as that knowledge settled inside him.

He didn’t feel like he had betrayed Forathia’s memory. Truthfully, over the past years, Malachi had avoided contemplating what Forathia would think of how Malachi lived. His mate would probably weep to know how isolated, mirthless, and withdrawn from life Malachi had become.

Forathia had always been so cheerful. He’d constantly tried to make Malachi laugh or smile by telling jokes or stories. He’d probably be celebrating to know that Malachi had fucked someone after years of abstinence.

Still, it felt strange to have bedded someone. He’d not planned it. But when he realised Trent wanted him, his desire had reawakened with force. He still didn’t quite know what to make of that.

He glanced at the bed. Trent sprawled, eyes closed, breathing heavily as he slept. Not surprising considering he’d orgasmed twice.

Malachi smiled, and something inside his chest softened at the sight of the man so vulnerable in his bed. Malachi didn’t regret the evening. It had been more than pleasurable. He’d taken real enjoyment from touching Trent, from seeing the wonder and lust in his eyes.

But he wasn’t quite sure where they should go from here. He was still certain he did not wish to date or anything like that. Did he want to have sex with Trent again? Was that a good idea? Malachi didn’t know.

Sighing, he turned to the fire once again. After a few minutes of contemplation, he still didn’t have any answers. He rose and approached the bed. He took off his glasses, placed them on the bedside. Then he lifted the blanket and slipped beneath.

Tomorrow they could talk, and they could decide what they both wanted. Perhaps Trent did not want anything more from Malachi. After all, he had wanted to date. So now maybe he’d move on after they’d spent a night together.

Trent blinked his eyes open. “Everything okay?”

Malachi wrapped his arms and tentacles around Trent. “Everything’s fine. Sleep.”

And the young man closed his eyes, as if it were an order. But Malachi lay awake as the glow from the fire continued to die away. Because even though he had decided to sleep on it, the worries and uncertainty still came. His thoughts wouldn’t settle.

Still, it was nice to feel a presence beside him. For the first time in years, Malachi wasn’t alone.

He woke to movement above him. He opened his eyes, looking up at Trent.

“What are you doing?” Malachi asked, voice sleep-roughened.