Page 100 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Ellis studies his profile, the way the light from the screen plays across his smooth skin. Something happens in the movie that makes his eyes crinkle and causes a dimple to appear in his cheek.

Ellis wants to kiss it.

As he contemplates actually doing it, Gabriel ceases the touching, slowly turning his neck to look at him. His eyes glow gold, lips curling into a smirk.

“You’re making it veryhardto concentrate, you know?” he whispers, loud enough to be heard over the speakers.

“I’m not doing anything,” Ellis lies.

Amusement flashes in Gabriel’s eyes. “My mojo disagrees.”

Oh god. Can he feel the arousal thrumming under Ellis’ skin? That’s so humiliating.

“Maybe your mojo is malfunctioning. Like your filter.” Deflection. That should work.

Not.

Gabriel’s fingers wrap tight around his wrist. “That’s what you think?”

“That’s what I think.”

Gabriel’s teeth flash in a dangerous grin. He leans in until their faces are an inch apart. “So if I were to suggest we get out of here and go to my place where I would do some very indecent things to you, you’d say you’d rather stay and watch the movie?”

Ellis swallows, proud when the words come out steady. “It is a very good movie.”

“Yeah? What is it about?”

“Aliens?”

Gabriel’s lips press together. “Sure. Guess we’ll stay, then.” He molds back into his seat and slurps on his slushie.

Ellis stares. Is Gabriel really not going to do anything? He’s not unaffected. Ellis can see it in his features, tense with anticipation and the way he’s focusing intently on the movie. Does it mean they’re playing chicken? Fine. Ellis can play.

He lasts 43 seconds.

“When you say indecent things…”

Gabriel doesn’t even look away from the screen. “Veryindecent things.”

Ellis drums his fingers on his thigh. “I guess…we can watch the movie some other time.”

Gabriel is out of his seat before Ellis has finished talking. “That’s my man,” he says, brushes pieces of popcorn from his clothes, and walks away.

Ellis tries to follow him calmly, not run.

It doesn’t work.

Once the door to Gabriel’s apartment closes behind them, Gabriel pounces like a wild cat, barely giving Ellis time to step out of his shoes. He shoves Ellis against the wall near the doorway, pulling a startled gasp out of him. Their mouths collide, Gabriel’s tongue pushing between his lips. Tasting salt and sugar, Ellis moans, hooking his fingers into the waistband of Gabriel’s pants and tugging him close. The hard ridge of Gabriel’s cock presses against his, causing his thoughts to scatteruntil the only thing that remains is the sensation of Gabriel’s body against his.

Gabriel rips his mouth away and growls, “Walk.”

Blinking his eyes open, Ellis stares at him dazedly, unable to process the word. Gabriel huffs, stealing another kiss. Then Ellis is being walked—pushed—backwards, tripping twice because Gabriel won’t stop kissing him.

He doesn’t mind at all.

Once in the bedroom, Gabriel flicks on the lights, steps back to give Ellis a hungry once-over, and orders, “Naked. On the bed. Now.” He gives no indication of doing the same, just stands there and looks at Ellis like he’s a delicious meal.

Heart pounding, Ellis strips, equal parts nervous and excited under Gabriel’s watchful eye. With a deep breath, he tugs his briefs down his legs and steps out of them, naked as per Gabriel’s orders. He blushes when Gabriel’s gaze lowers to his straining cock, and turns bright red when it twitches under the attention. Desire sweeps over him in pulsating waves, curling around him like a warm hug. It feels a little strange, like standing at the shore while water laps at your feet. It’s not the first time he’s felt something like this.