Page 47 of Pervade Montego Bay

I’d misjudged him and I felt like crap for being the awkward guy who makes everyone around him feel a level of disquiet.

Turning my face into the stream, I closed my eyes to let the water whoosh over me. It crashed against my skin and burst against my limbs. My body acclimated to the pressure hitting each contusion.

Loneliness found me again.

I’d misspoken and pushed him away.

His expression had sent mixed messages, as though he himself wasn’t sure of his desires.

My brain was firing off at a constant rate, assessing every single interaction I’d ever had with him. Replaying every word from every conversation with every volition to curl the words this way or that in their meaning. What was not being spoken was just as powerful.

As a child, a neurologist had told me I’d grow out of it—this leaning toward quirky, with a side of genius. As a man it had only gotten worse. They’d labeled me “nature’s Frankenstein”. I’d been eight years old when I’d overheard a medical professor call me that.

I still felt out of place in the world.

Caressing my wrist, I tried to soothe the ache from where the guards had dragged me across the room before bashing my head against the wall. Apparently, water torture was still a thing. I’d personally learned how miserable it felt. Part of my ability to cope had been from knowing my enemy back at MI6 would eventually go down in history as being the traitor he was. But only if I could hang onto my sanity.

Opening my mouth, I let the water fill it to recreate how being suffocated had felt, desensitizing myself so I could face what they’d done to me.

I jolted at the bang of the bathroom door.

My back struck the tile when I saw Ballad storm in. His towel dropped from his waist as he rejoined me in the shower, his cock rock hard. Lifting my forearm in front of my face, I braced for his strike.

He paused right in front of me with his chest heaving. I closed my eyes, expecting to have new bruises added to my collection.

James yanked down my arm and pain resonated through my wrist. I exhaled in a rush as I braced for more agony.

Cupping my face with his firm palms to hold me still, Ballad stared into my eyes with a fierceness that warned of harsh words to come, both of us drenched in water as we readied for war.

“Forgive me,” I said, though unsure why.

James clenched his jaw as though trying to control his anger. His stern glare snapped to my mouth.

He crushed his lips to mine in a punishing kiss and his tongue darted into my mouth, searching and tangling with mine for control. I jolted with the shock and tried to pull back, but his hands tightened at my nape to hold me still.

I wanted to trust it, trust him…

My mouth opened wider to receive more of this delicious lashing. Familiar sensations of desire and surrender made my cock stiffen as he pressed his body to mine.

His right hand rose to my scalp and grabbed a fistful of my short hair. My moan echoed into his mouth as I sank into the thrill of feeling his firm chest against mine, his uncompromising strength. My erection nudged his and the sensation felt like life itself. Like everything I’d been through had happened for a reason—it had led to this moment.

Led me tohim.

He pulled back and glanced down at the sight of our cocks pressed together. “Oh, God.”

“Well, that was unexpected.”

“Did I hurt your arm?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m not sure what just happened…”

“Let me touch you.”

He watched my palm wrap around his full length and his face showed me the pleasure he was feeling. His jaw slackened and he nodded to let me know he wanted this to continue.

“Want me to lead?”