Rayne wouldn’t allow this to be downplayed. He inched in closer and closer until he was inhaling Mike’s clean-smelling cologne that was just hovering over his natural scent of spring sun and wildflowers, a fragrance intoxicating enough to make him light-headed.
Mike hadn’t come to tell him he’d be too much of a risk to date and had instead brought him the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given him. And he’d done it without expecting anything in return. Rayne gazed up at Mike, his breath warm near his temple, and laid both hands on his chest. He could feel the heat of his skin through the thin material of his shirt. Desire sizzled and crackled in the air between them as time slowed to a crawl. Rayne swallowed thickly, his mouth watering as Mike’s strong fingers gripped his waist. They were quiet for a long moment, their gazes silently calling to the other.
“Thank you,” Rayne whispered, breaking the silence. All he could hear were the crickets outside his window and the sound of their short breaths. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
Mike nodded once, his ebony eyes and relaxed mouth dangerously close to his as Rayne tilted his head back. “You’re welcome,” Mike answered with steel in his tone.
Rayne shivered, and Mike didn’t miss it as he dug his fingers in deeper.
“Can I hug you?” Mike asked calmly, but there was an undeniable sense of urgency in his touch.
Rayne was stunned for a moment. Mike had asked to touch him deeper… he hadn’t taken what he wanted like so many others tried to do.
“Yes.” The word escaped Rayne’s lips on a shuddered exhale. You’re the one I need, Mike. Please.
Mike slipped both hands around his waist and pulled him impossibly closer. He melted into Mike’s firmness and heat, his eyes drifting closed. He wanted to imprint this exact moment into his mind and never forget it.
Never forget the moment he began to fall hard for Mike Stockley.
With his face pressed against Mike’s beating pulse, Rayne shivered at the unique sensation of feeling the true embrace of a man. He couldn’t hold in his sigh of relief and pleasure when Mike’s big hands began gliding up and down the silky material of his robe. Capable hands moved over his back, along his sides, and down his arms, but never crossing the line or trying to cop a quick feel of his ass. The embrace was everything he needed it to be, all he’d been waiting for.
A powerful rumbling reverberated from deep in Mike’s chest. Rayne could feel the vibration emanating under his palm that he held in the valley of Mike’s pecs as he wound his other hand behind the back of his neck. Mike’s movements were torturously languid, intoxicating, and seductive.
Oh god. How had Rayne functioned all of his life never once experiencing this kind of touch, this kind of comfort? The sensations swelled in his stomach until Rayne couldn’t explain it, couldn’t comprehend it, until his only option was to surrender to it.
“Damn, you smell good,” Mike rasped against his temple, his rough hands searing him through his flimsy nightwear. “I like what you’re wearing. It feels nice.”
“Tighter … please.” Rayne’s moan was pleasure-filled as Mike did exactly what he’d requested, those big arms squeezing him tighter.
“Mike.” The name tore from Rayne’s throat, leaving it raw and thirsty.
“Careful how you say my name,” Mike rumbled against the rim of his ear.
A lick of fire from that command burned Rayne down to his balls. He couldn’t keep the passion out of his voice at the feel of his and Mike’s bodies pressed together, beating, pulsing, being.
Mike began to release his firm hold, his hands falling loosely along Rayne’s arms. He dragged his rough cheek over Rayne’s forehead, then dipped low enough to position his mouth against his cheek. “I hope you enjoy the classes. I should get going.”
“Okay,” Rayne exhaled, making his frustration known. With everything he was feeling, he knew he should let Mike go, but damn if he didn’t want him to stay just a little longer. It’s been so long. All that hardness he’d had against him felt promising, and he didn’t want to let it go for fear of never feeling it again. Rayne kept their bodies close, having to bite his bottom lip to stifle the moan when Mike’s hard shaft grazed his thigh and ecstasy flared beneath his skin.
A deep crease was nestled in the center of Mike’s forehead as those dark eyes scanned his face in the most predatory way. And Rayne loved it. Everything about Mike was so serious… so dangerously intense, and Rayne couldn’t get enough.
Mike went toward the bedroom door, and a strange panicky feeling kick-started Rayne’s mind to act. “Will I see you again… soon?”
Mike paused with his hand on the knob just long enough to answer with a simple, “yes.”
“When?” Ughh. Rayne wanted to slap his palm against his forehead. He knew he sounded desperate, but he couldn’t be left so unsatisfied. He appreciated the gift Mike had brought him, but the man’s dominating presence outweighed any present he could give him.
Pupils with the sheen of polished onyx met his, and Rayne’s throat threatened to close off his air supply when Mike answered in a deep rumble, “Sooner than you think, sweetheart.”