Beast leaned in, watching Laurent’s face from up close, and met the brown eyes surrounded by the dry surface of the mask. It looked odd, but nothing to be scared or scream about like men in old comedies did upon walking in on their girlfriends in this state.
“Do you want me to help?”
It took Laurent a while to answer, and he slowly got up, standing close to Beast and looking positively ridiculous. “Maybe.”
Beast swallowed when the whiff of cocoa reached him again. Would Laurent’s skin taste of chocolate now? “Is it supposed to hurt?” he asked, touching the bits of the thin sheet-like mask peeled off by Laurent’s jaw line.
Laurent shifted his weight with a groan. “Nao said it might. But that it was worth it, and it would leave the skin refreshed and supple. I now question if it was worth it, but it’s difficult to make a judgment while it’s still on me.”
Beast grinned and slowly pulled on the elevated bit. The mask was peeling off, but it clung to Laurent’s skin as if it intended to melt with him forever. Beast wanted to be that mask. “I heard women have a higher pain threshold because of birth, so maybe they can take it.”
Laurent didn’t answer, just bit on his lips and squirmed. When Beast pulled on the mask harder, to see if he could get on with it faster, Laurent whined and pressed his palms against Beast’s chest, as if to steady himself.
It was difficult not to shiver at the sudden touch, and Beast gently stroked one of Laurent’s shoulders. It was so wonderfully soft, as if he’d massaged it with rich oil. “It’s okay. I’ll try to be gentle.”
Laurent took a deep breath, making his cheeks puff up for a moment. “I’m ready.” He closed his eyes, but as soon as Beast pulled again, he squeezed them shut tightly, curling his fingers in Beast’s T-shirt.
Beast felt like a creep for enjoying this, but Laurent was being so incredibly cute in his helplessness. It took Beast two heartbeats to make up his mind about what to do, and he pulled Laurent close with one arm, cradling him tight against his side. “Easy now,” he said, methodically pulling on the mask.
“Shit,” Laurent hissed beneath his breath, and it had to be the first time Beast heard him swear. He curled up under Beast’s arm, fitting perfectly against Beast’s chest. The way he shivered and whimpered so close to Beast was a guilty pleasure Beast wouldn’t admit to. And Laurent was half-naked too. If only he were willing to pull down those tight pajama pants, Beast would gladly forget the viewing of the building if he could watch Laurent instead.
Beast was almost regretful when he was done pulling the black film off, because it meant Laurent would soon pull away. Panting as if he’d ran a marathon and rubbing his face, Laurent stood still with his eyes closed for a while longer. Beast couldn’t help but envision Laurent panting against his chest for very different reasons, but he didn’t move from the spot and didn’t try to pull Laurent any closer, simply watching the dark hair that slipped out of the bun, dancing along Laurent’s pronounced cheekbones.
He was surreally beautiful, like a creature out of this world, and the worst thing was that faced with this kind of allure only reminded Beast of his own shortcomings in that regard.
Laurent took one more deep breath and opened his eyes, with traces of tears on his long eyelashes. He frowned and shook his head. “The brutality of this treatment is beyond words! But touch how soft it is now!” He grabbed Beast’s hand and put it against his own cheek.
Beast hardly suppressed a gasp, frozen in place as he traced the smooth softness that was Laurent’s cheek. He must have shaved earlier today to be so completely smooth. The fingers of Beast’s other hand danced between Laurent’s shoulder blades. He already imagined how the warm skin there tasted, how it would feel against his face.
But then Laurent pulled out of the embrace and the moment was gone. He smiled though, so there was that scrap of affection for Beast to lick up. Laurent rubbed his own cheeks. “Is my skin red?”
Beast nodded, unable to find his voice. He raised his finger, eager to touch the rosy cheeks once again, but stepped away instead. “Don’t do it again.”
Laurent shook his head. “I won’t, I promise. I’m so sorry to have pulled you into this ghastly business.”
“It’s fine. Maybe just put some cream on it now,” Beast said, licking his lips when his gaze trailed over Laurent’s softly toned chest. He was short, and yet so perfectly proportioned.
“I have one for that, yes. Thank you so much! I will be ready in no more than ten minutes.”