“What are we watching?” Mark took a seat, stomach feeling like a boat caught at high tide.
“Well, you know me by now. I want that new zombie movie.” Isaiah did love scary movies, far more than Mark. “But that’s not the best massage soundtrack. I found a romance with two guys on the streaming service. No one dies, so win. You wanna give it a try?”
“I’ve never seen a gay movie,” Mark admitted, looking at Isaiah over his shoulder. But Isaiah seemed strangely vulnerable, biting his lip while he talked about the movie, so he wasn’t going to say no. “Sure. Bring it on.”
Isaiah hit play, then rested his hands on Mark’s bare shoulders. “This cool? I’m just going to rub lightly.”
“Yeah.” Mark liked how Isaiah asked permission, told him what to expect. Isaiah’s hands were warm and soothing. On the screen, the guys were having a classic meet-cute case of mistaken identity, a device he recognized from all the romances Danielle had made him sit through. But his attention was more on Isaiah’s touch, the way he found tight spots Mark hadn’t realized he had. It felt good, almost as good as massaging Isaiah did, a different sort of relaxation and connection.
The guys in the movie were having a disastrous first date, complete with some dirty looks from fellow diners. Mark frowned. “Are the people rude because it’s two guys or because they’re loud and obnoxious?”
Isaiah laughed, a warm rich sound. “Probably a little of both. But around here, it’s not as much of an issue. Sure, there’s some rude people, especially out in the burbs, but most people are like Lydia—more curious than mean. Are you worried about that?”
Mark had to think for a moment. Even if he and Isaiah weren’t doing the whole kissing thing, chances were still high for them to be mistaken for a couple in public. And Mark liked the kissing thing, had no intention of stopping it, so he guessed that made them...something. “I’m... I’m not sure.”
“Fair enough. I’m not going to push for anything public. But us plus kids is going to read as a family to some people.”
“You are my family.” Mark meant that. He couldn’t imagine doing the past few weeks without Isaiah.
“Aw. Man. Watch your movie.” Isaiah’s voice was strangled, and his hands tightened on Mark’s shoulders. He resumed his massage, and Mark tried to follow the movie. Isaiah’s thumbs felt so good on his neck, finding new nerve endings.
“I really want to kiss your neck,” Isaiah whispered. “Would that be okay?”
“Yeah.” Fingers were amazing. Lips might be even better, especially Isaiah’s. Sure enough, Isaiah’s mouth felt like little fireworks on his skin, crackling heat. Mark moaned, arching into the contact.
“Oh yeah.” Isaiah chuckled. “You like that?”
“More.” Mark felt greedy, like a kid with a giant ice cream sundae. Isaiah obliged, licking and sucking and teasing with the tip of his tongue. Mark had never really thought about the neck as an erogenous zone before, but this felt better than any of his lackluster attempts at sex ever had. He was vaguely aware of Isaiah sliding down behind him, kneeling.
“This okay?” Isaiah kissed right at the base of his neck. “Bending in half wasn’t working.”
“So okay.” Mark loved the warm weight of Isaiah pressed against his back, bare skin to bare skin. Isaiah’s waistband rubbed against Mark’s lower back as he peppered Mark’s shoulders with kisses. It wasn’t the first time he’d felt Isaiah hard, but it was the first that it was a serious turn-on.
“I want to kiss you,” he panted. If this was good, kissing would be even nicer, would mean more earthy sounds from Isaiah, more skin-to-skin contact.
“Absolutely.” Scooting next to Mark, Isaiah dropped kisses along his jaw. As always, he paused, letting Mark be the one to start the kiss. Mark claimed his mouth with new urgency, loving how Isaiah groaned. The position was awkward though, and he couldn’t get as much contact as he wanted. Gently, he tumbled Isaiah back against the floor cushions, landing on top of him.
“Sorry. I just want—”
“Don’t be sorry.” Isaiah reached up to cradle Mark’s face in his hands. “Whatever you want. Anything.”
Well that felt kind of like a dare, one Mark was only too happy to accept. He ventured away from Isaiah’s mouth, kissing across his bristly jaw to right below his ear. “You like neck kisses too?”
“Fuck. Yes.” Isaiah stretched, giving Mark access. And oh, this was fun, licking and sucking, finding which spots made Isaiah groan and gasp, testing whether teeth were okay, discovering Isaiah’s taste and smell in new ways.
“Yeah. Like that.” Isaiah was rocking against Mark, subtle motions that made their groins connect. And that felt right too, pressing their erections together, moving with him.
“I want to make you come,” he whispered, right next to Isaiah’s ear. “Is this how?”