Page 122 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Shit,” Ellis hisses, hands flying to Gabriel’s hips to halt his movements.

It only makes Gabriel smile wider, eyes darkening with desire. “So? What do you say?”

This isn’t fair. Gabriel knows full well Ellis is terrible at saying no to him—and that’s on a good day. What is he supposed to do when Gabriel is pinning him down and looking at him like he wants to have him for dinner?

“You’re very manipulative,” Ellis says unhappily.

Gabriel bites his lip, as if that could somehow cover up the shit-eating grin trying to break free. “Is that a yes?”

Ellis scowls. “…Yes.”

Then Gabriel’s is on him again, plundering his mouth. His body on top of Ellis is a comfortable weight, making him feel warm and safe and wanted. Not that feeling wanted is ever a problem with Gabriel. He always looks at Ellis like he’s a present under the Christmas tree that he can’t wait to unwrap.

Between needy kisses and wandering, impatient hands, the few clothes they’re wearing disappear one by one, until it’s just Gabriel’s hot, sweat-slicked skin against his.

A large, warm hand wraps around Ellis’ cock, giving it a firm stroke.

“I really want to feel your dick inside me.”

“Jesus, Gabe,” Ellis moans, thrusting into his hand.

Gabriel makes a pleased sound, starting to kiss Ellis’ neck. “I like it when I get you to call me Gabe.”

“I should call you menace,” Ellis says, turning his head for more access, more kisses. He lets his eyes drift shut, just enjoying the sensation.

“Apt,” Gabriel agrees. “Do you have lube and condoms?”

Ellis makes a vague gesture towards the nightstand.

“Sweet.”

A gust of cold air washes over Ellis when Gabriel moves away to get the lube.

“Hmm, an unopened box. Did you want to be prepared?” Gabriel teases, examining the box of condoms Jordan has left behind.

“It’s a long story.”

Ellis found it when he came back from dropping Jordan off at the airport. His first instinct was to chuck it, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He probably owes his friend a thanks.

There’s the sound of a cap being flicked open, forcing Ellis to open his eyes.

The first thing he sees is Gabriel slicking his fingers, grinning seductively when he notices him looking. “Do you want to watch?”

Ellis can only nod. And when Gabriel reaches behind himself, rubbing the lube between his cheeks, it becomes a trial to even remember to breathe.

Then Gabriel does something that makes his body jolt, two vertical lines appearing between his brows. “Damn, it’s really been a while,” he says with a chuckle.

Instantly, alarm bells go off in Ellis’ head. “Are you sure you want to do this? I’m not…you know…” He pointedly glances at his cock, standing tall and proud, inches away from Gabriel’s.

Gabriel gives a hearty laugh. “I know, you’re a big boy. Don’t worry, I like the burn.”

Christ on a cracker. “O-okay.”

The moments that follow are one of the, well,hardestof Ellis’ life. Because Gabriel is stunning when he’s wearing a dirty apron and serving coffee. Breathtaking when he’s seconds away from tipping over the edge, his face flushed and contorted in pleasure. But like this? Pinning Ellis in place, hips rocking as he rides his fingers so he can get ready to take Ellis’ cock, a look of complete bliss on his face as he gazes down at him…

He’s a fucking vision. The stuff that dreams are made of.

Needing to touch, and needing to make sure it’s real and not a hallucination, Ellis croaks out, “Can I—Can I try?”