Page 84 of A Thousand Cuts

But Fix’s hand went higher. Up his stomach and over his chest. Thumb sliding over a nipple. Catching his nail on it.

Liam arched his back, tears slipping free in frustration as Fix ate him out.

And then a chain reaction started.

Liam’s back curled, Fix’s hand slipped up his sweaty chest and fingers splayed over Liam’s throat.

His breath caught.

And Liam came with a scream.

He blacked out completely, detached from reality. He was shaking with it, vibrating out of his skin.

Through the haze he felt Fix easing his legs off his shoulders, gathering him up, and sitting down in the chair with Liam in his lap, naked and quivering. He felt Fix raining kisses on his hair, forehead, temples, and cheeks. He felt him running warm hands over Liam’s cooling skin.

He was talking to him. Whispering. Burning praise into Liam’s neck and collarbones. It all went to his head. He was good. Good for Fix. Good for his daddy.

He felt a surge of pride expand inside him. Waves of satisfaction at how good he was. Until he wiggled in Fix’s lap and felt him still hard.

He stiffened, looking up.

“But…”

“We have time, honey,” Fix said, standing up and relocating them to Liam’s bed. He put Liam down and curled his body around him, huge and warm and protective. “We have all the time in the world. Just let me hold you.”

Liam relaxed against him, boneless and tired, lowering his head to kiss Fix’s tattooed arms like he’d dreamed of doing ever since he’d first seen them. The hairs tickled his nose and he giggled softly before settling in and letting his eyes close.

A weird scratching sound drew his attention an undefined amount of time later, annoying and persistent. Something unfamiliar enough to bring Liam out of his sleepy daze. It was King’s sudden and loud barking that had Liam bolting upright in bed though, head turned toward the closed bedroom door.

It didn’t sound like King’s usual barking, this was the kind he saved for strangers and threats.

“King?” he called in worry, scrambling to get out of the bed as he felt Fix wake behind him.

“Honey, wait,” Fix whispered, grabbing his waist.

Liam shot him a sharp look, struggling against his hold. “King needs me.”

“I know,” Fix soothed. “Nothing will happen to him, but we have to be careful. Let’s not rush out there.”

Liam’s heart rate doubled in speed. “Do you think it’s…”

He couldn’t even finish the question. That dark figure haunted his dreams. He saw it in every corner and shadow, watching, waiting. Were they in his apartment?

“Shhh,” Fix said, cupping his face. “I’m here. Breathe.”

King continued to bark viciously. Anything could be happening.

Liam shook his head as he panted. “King. I need King.”

“I’ll get him,” Fix said.

Liam grasped his wrists tightly, begging, “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m not going anywhere, okay? Not ever.”

Liam nodded, trying to find some measure of calm as Fix slipped from his hold and off the bed. He pulled his shirt on quickly, tiptoeing toward the door before cracking it open and peeking through.

King’s barking was immediately louder and more distressed, and Liam’s heart ached. He wanted him in his arms immediately. He couldn’t stand it.