Page 74 of Love Bleeds

Luke puffed his cheeks, and then he straightened. "You know what? You're right. I don't have to be."

"That's the spirit. You don't have to be ashamed of anything." Crimson took the lube and condoms and put them on the bedside table. And then he cupped Luke's chin and kissed him to distract him from those silly thoughts in is mind.

Luke didn't protest, chasing Crimson's tongue with his own until they were both out of breath. At that point, Crimson encouraged Luke to lay down on his back. He climbed over him to whisper in his ear. "I don't need lube and condoms to make you feel good." With that, he slid his hand under Luke's shirt, reveling in his smooth, warm skin. "You don't have to worry about anything, okay?" he promised. "Just lay back and relax." With his hand on Luke's chest, he could feel the small tremor going through his friend's body as he rubbed his nipple between his thumb and index finger.

He'd never push Luke to do anything he wasn't ready for, but that didn't mean he couldn't introduce him to some innocent new pleasures. Slowly, he moved his thumb in circles over Luke's nipple, smiling as it hardened under his touch.

Probably at much the same rate as his own cock.

There was nothing sexier than that little sound Luke made when Crimson decided to pinch him. It was somewhere between a shocked gasp and a moan, and Crimson wanted to hear more of it.

It was time to get rid of the fabric between them.

If this was going to be his last night with Luke, he didn't want there to be any barriers between them.

Just as Crimson took his hand away, though, Luke spoke up.

"Crimson?" he asked in an almost cautious tone of voice.

"What?"

"I've just been wondering... Were you ever ashamed of... liking men? I mean, I don't know if you remember or anything, but..."

"I'm not sure," Crimson said, truthfully. "Maybe. I remember this being something that I shouldn't talk about. My 'preferences', I mean." He leaned down to kiss Luke's nose. "But I doubt that I was ever truly ashamed." After all, how could he have been ashamed of loving someone as pure as Luke?

"Why did you never say anything?" Luke stared up at him, eyes shining.

Crimson brushed his thumb over his bottom lip. "I've told you. I didn't want to make you feel bad. I didn't want to pressure you into doing anything you might not want."

"I'm not feeling pressured. I want you." Luke's eyes widened a little, as if he was surprised by his own words, but then determination took the place of astonishment. "I love you," he said, voice firm. "Not just who you were," he added. "Who you are. I love you."

"I love you too." Crimson claimed Luke's mouth again, unable to hold back. An odd mix of joy and desperation washed over him. Luke loved him. But Crimson couldn't stay with him, not after tonight. Not until they could get rid of Nicolai.Ifthey could get rid of Nicolai.

Crimson couldn't risk anything happening to Luke.

He'd died to prevent others from hurting Luke, and if he had to, he would die to prevent himself from hurting him.

Luke's blood was a temptation far too sweet. Even now, Crimson had to keep a tight lid on himself to prevent his fangs from extending. He could do it. For now. For Luke. After tonight, all bets would be off.

But they still had tonight, and Crimson planned to make the most of it.

Piece by piece, he removed Luke's clothes. First his shirt, then his pants. Luke squirmed a little as his underwear came off and his cock was revealed, but Crimson kissed him again before he could feel self-conscious for too long. After all, Luke had nothing to be ashamed of.

He was absolutely perfect.

Perfect and deliciously hard, his cock straining toward his belly. Crimson ached to touch it, and so he did, wrapping his fingers around Luke, squeezing just a little bit. Just enough to make Luke gasp into his mouth.

Yes, Luke was absolutely perfect.

And if Crimson could just stay with him...

No, he wasn't going to go there.

Thankfully, Luke didn't give him time to think.

"You too," he demanded as soon as he could get enough air to speak.

"You want to see me naked?" Crimson teased, just to see if he could make Luke's skin redden again. "Such a bold request."