Page 24 of A Winter Crush

He continued pulling handles, but his eyes drifted to Ori again. His dark-grey tongue stuck teasingly out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrated, his hands wrapped around the clay. Specks and streaks of clay decorated his clothing. He looked at home in Wareth’s studio. Like he belonged.

Wareth wanted that. He wanted Ori to belong here. Wanted Ori to be his. Wanted to be allowed to walk over to Ori right now, pull him to his feet, and kiss him. Was it so impossible? Ori seemed happy here. And for whatever reason, he liked Wareth. He had made his interest clear.

Wareth shook his head.

No. I shouldn’t think like that.

Even if the fantasy appealed, Ori was still so young. Too young. Only twenty-two. Even if he was more mature than Wareth had initially thought, Wareth was twice his age! Ori couldn’t possibly know what he wanted long-term. Even if he liked Ori and Ori liked him, what sort of future could they have?

He glanced at Ori, whose brows furrowed in concentration.

But perhaps it didn’t have to be long-term. Ori might not be able to give him forever, but for a little while perhaps, he could have something of Ori.

His throat tightened. He was being foolish and rash. Two things he never was. He knew heartbreak, and he knew he was courting it. Because of course, Ori would eventually leave him. Just like Rin had. But for a while, his world would be a little less cold, a little more vibrant, a little warmer.

No. He pressed his lips together. He couldn’t do that to himself. He needed to resist Ori, just until the Solstice. Then Ori would be gone, and Wareth would no longer be tempted. His life would return to normal, a life without Ori. A life that now seemed empty.

“Look, Wareth!” Ori cried out. He sat back proudly. “I made a mug.” It hadn’t collapsed, and he’d even wired it off and put it on the board beside him. “I didn’t destroy it!”

Wareth smiled. “It looks good.” He walked over and looked at the wonky, lopsided mug. “It will make a lovely mug.”

Ori’s smile grew bigger. There was a streak of wet grey clay on Ori’s cheek. Wareth felt a sudden urge to wipe it away with his thumb.

Ori covered the mug with the linen cloth and stood. “I’m going to wedge some more balls,” Ori said, excitement lacing his voice.

Wareth should tell Ori no. He should tell him it was late and that Ori should go home before Wareth did something that he couldn’t take back. But he didn’t do any of that. Instead, Wareth reached out and touched Ori’s soft cheek, thumb stroking the streak of clay.

Ori froze, eyes widening.

Despite all the warnings in his head screaming at him that this would only end in heartbreak, Wareth leaned forward and took Ori’s dark-grey lips with his own.

Soft. Ori’s lips were unbelievably soft. And warm. After taking a second to recover, Ori responded to the kiss, moaning as he surged forward. Ori’s hand twined in Wareth’s hair, and he opened his mouth, tongue pressing inside. Ori smelled of the forest just after a fresh snowfall.

Wareth wrapped his arms around Ori’s body, his hands resting on his lower back. He could feel the muscles shifting beneath his hands as they kissed. After all these years of being alone, it felt overwhelming to have Ori pressed against him, moaning in his arms.

And now that Wareth had tasted Ori and held him, Wareth knew this would end in his heartbreak. He could still pull away. He knew he should. He could step back, break the kiss, and let their limbs untangle. He could mumble an apology and stop it all right here before it went any further. But he didn’t want to.

He ran his hands along the contours of Ori’s back, and Ori shivered. He relished the thought that he had such an effect on him. Ori’s cock strained against the fabric of his pants, pushing against Wareth’s thigh. Why had Wareth made Ori wear pants? It seemed ridiculous now that he wanted to strip Ori naked and feast on him like a starving man.

Without thinking, Wareth wrapped his arms around Ori’s waist and lifted him.

Ori laughed. “You’re so strong,” he said breathily as Wareth carried him to his bedroom.

Wareth kicked open the door to the tiny room and dropped Ori on his bed. Wareth fumbled to light the candle on the bedside. He wanted to see all of Ori.

Ori pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his smooth grey skin. Wareth’s mouth watered. Ori tugged and kicked off his boots. They fell to the floor with a thud. Ori lay back on the bed. His silver hair pooled around him, contrasting with the brown sheets.

Reaching down, Wareth unlaced Ori’s breeches and yanked them. Ori laughed and pushed them down, helping remove them. His hard cock, now freed, bounced up, slapping Ori’s stomach.

Wareth paused, his gaze taking in every inch of Ori’s body. Stunning didn’t even begin to describe him. Ori sat up and reached for Wareth, pushing and yanking at his clothes impatiently.

“I’ve dreamed of seeing you naked,” Ori whispered as Wareth’s clothes fell to the floor. Ori pulled Wareth down and kissed him, moaning as Wareth’s weight settled onto him.

Wareth wanted to take his time, licking, tasting, and touching every inch of Ori. But Ori was so eager, wriggling beneath him. His hands caressed and stroked along Wareth’s arms, back, arse, and thighs. Ori reached for his cock, stroking him with fluid, sure movements.

Wareth groaned. He didn’t want this to be over too quick. He grabbed Ori’s hands and pinned them above Ori’s head. “Wait.”

ChapterSixteen