As he drew away, he pulled Liam back down to the bed.
“Lie with me, Liam. This has been a hard night for you. You need more rest.” He guided Liam back into place on the large mattress as he canceled the lights and maneuvered the covers back over them without losing contact. Liam’s breathing gradually calmed and evened out as Hadrian kissed his head and held him tighter still.
HADRIAN WAS STILL unaccustomed to how dark it became on board with the lights off. Never having been off planet before, he hadn’t been prepared for how absolute the shadows could be. Thankfully, he didn’t need light to feel what was in front of him at the moment.
He had woken spooned to Liam’s back. His hand rested on Liam’s firm stomach under the ridge of his shirt, while grazing his little finger along the border of his jock. Soft hair tickled his palm as he began to make small circles, quietly exploring Liam’s body.
He had never known this kind of freedom. To have sanction to touch your partner without contract or obligation was virtually unimaginable to him. He nearly wept at the joy. Sight wasn’t needed to be aware his manhood nestled between the bare mounds of Liam’s backside. He pressed tighter, allowing the warmth to envelop him, causing a surge of blood into his organ as he pulled Liam closer. The resulting friction was making his breathing hard to disguise.
The heat threatening to swallow his cock was making him push in a short, gentle rhythm. He found himself unable to resist. Sweat and his arousal were, little by little, gaining him access.
Liam moaned and Hadrian froze. Liam began to move and Hadrian heard the sound of spitting.
“You need to be wetter.” Liam twisted around and ran a slippery hand over Hadrian’s length. A moment later, he backed himself onto Hadrian’s cock with a happy sigh as he sank to the bottom. The tight, searing heat wrapped itself around Hadrian, and he couldn’t help pushing forward and back, Liam matching each thrust.
Liam grunted like an animal every time Hadrian slid in to the hilt. He reached down to cup Liam’s cloth-covered groin, but Liam stopped him, pulled his hand up to his chest, and rocked ever stronger with the ride.
Pulling out, Hadrian abruptly rolled Liam onto his back. Liam gave no resistance as his legs were lifted and Hadrian unerringly found his way back inside, making Liam groan.
Liam panted between each plunge. “You don’t have to be gentle.”
Hadrian knew Liam couldn’t see his answering smile, so he just snapped his hips forward harder than before. He was determined to give Liam exactly what they both needed.
The heat built in the room faster than the atmosphere generators were prepared to compensate for as the two men accelerated into full rut. Only nonverbal communication was of use in the frenzy, and the sounds of flesh gained volume.
Leaning forward, Hadrian found Liam’s mouth. The kiss was messy and primal. Liam wrapped his arms around him and held him tight as Hadrian moved into a brutal, erratic pump, making sure to press himself down against Liam’s cock. Hadrian could feel the rising tide in Liam as his own made him howl into their kiss. With a few forceful pushes, he unloaded as deeply as possible, with Liam finishing right behind him.
Moans faded as they refused to break the kiss, absorbing every iota of intimacy they could. Both of them seemed determined to caress every spot of skin they could find. The embrace tightened as Liam wrapped his legs around Hadrian, refusing to let him out. The pouch of Liam’s jock was damp against his stomach.
“Damn. That’s another piece of clothing that’ll be hard to wash.” With his cheek pressed to Hadrian’s, the pair laughed to themselves in the dark.
DANVERSE WAS RESTLESS. Liam had been out of the infirmary for over a week and they had barely seen each other. There were no late-night chats over whiskey or vids in the entertainment room. He had been forced into working out by himself as well. All because Liam was spending every spare moment with Hadrian Jamison.
He felt a sharp twinge of jealousy at the thought. He knew he should be happy for Liam, but he wondered what would happen next. Would Liam leave with Hadrian when they arrived on Alpha Centauri? Would Hadrian disembark, leaving a shattered Liam behind? He felt that no matter how this ended, his relationship with Liam was at a critical point.
He didn’t want Liam to leave. Their sexual history aside, he relied on the companionship they shared. Life on board the Santa Claus without Liam would be very different indeed.
“Mrs. Claus, has the dinner meal service begun?”
“Yes, Captain. The evening meal service began thirteen minutes ago.”
“Where can I find Mac Smith?”
“Mac Smith is in engineering, Captain Danverse.”
Recently, every time he thought about Liam and Hadrian, he sought out Mac’s company. Mac’s amiable nature soothed him, and Danverse realized he needed Mac's presence more and more. It was a practice in self-control. Mac had no idea how close Danverse was to simply claiming him, but he resisted. He couldn’t bring Mac that far into his world. He would be content with having him near and absorbing the positive nature that brought a smile to his face.
As he strode down the hall, he repeated to himself Mac’s friendship would be enough. He wouldn’t ruin the boy by sullying him with his carnal needs.
He took the lift down to Gamma deck, which housed most of the main engineering and mechanical access. The doors hissed open and he rounded the corner to engineering. A harsh, staccato beat of metal on metal was echoing through the hallway. Following the noise, he found Mac working inside a large open bulkhead. Mac was on his hands and knees, his upper torso hidden inside the crawl space as he banged away on something. Tools and multiple data pads surrounded his workspace, as usual.
Danverse didn’t need to see Mac’s face to know it was him. He recognized the thick legs inside the weathered overalls he was wearing. During work shifts, most of the maintenance crew wore traditional coveralls, but Mac never cared for them. Danverse wasn’t complaining. He visually traced the seam that wrapped between the curves of Mac’s ass, the meaty globes straining the fabric. Smudges of grime stained Mac’s skin. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Danverse shook his head to clear the indecent thoughts brimming to the surface.
“Dinner, Mac.”
The pounding stopped as Mac jumped at the sudden voice. “Cap’n? Is it that time already?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry. Let’s get moving.”
Mac growled. “Gimme a sec. This last piece won’t drop into place.” He reached behind him with an oil-stained hand. “Pass me the hammer.”
“Hammer?” He stepped closer to Mac and slipped the tool into Mac’s outstretched hand. “What have you been beating that thing with up until now?”
“Don’t ask.” The banging resumed, louder than before.
Mac’s legs shifted apart, and Danverse could see the bulge dropping down between his thighs. The worn fabric was showing off every smooth detail. Perfectly smooth. There wasn’t even a hint of elastic strap or barrier fabric beneath. The buttons at the side of the overalls had come undone, revealing bare skin all the way down Mac’s flank.
Danverse’s breathing hitched as arousal made his breeches bind. A growl escaped him, or maybe it was more of a moan.
“Mac, why aren’t you wearing any underwear?”
There was the unmistakable sound of a hammer clattering to the ground as Mac stilled. Danverse watched as Mac’s upper body rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths.
“I said, why aren’t you wearing any underwear?”
Mac cautiously backed out of the enclosure. Eyes wide, he looked over his shoulder. There was something very enticing about the way Mac licked his lips as he hesitated.
“I didn’t think you would care.”
Danverse leaned forward so close Mac could no doubt feel his breath. Goose bumps rose to the surface over all that exposed skin. Mac’s flesh was searing hot as Danverse snaked his hand into the open seam of Mac’s overalls, gripping the vulnerable crease of his hip. Mac’s gasp urged him on. Sliding his hand farther in, he cupped Ma
c’s package, the erection growing in his fist.
“I don’t like my things being put on display.”
“Y-your things?” Mac’s heart was beating so hard, the pulse pounding straight through the eager cock in Danverse’s hand.
The beast inside him snarled as he gave the hard flesh a squeeze. “Yes. Mine.” Releasing him, he tugged Mac’s hip, pulling him up until they were standing, facing one another.
“Really?” Mac’s lips trembled and his gaze dropped to the floor.
Danverse slid his hands up Mac’s neck, weaving his fingers into the thick locks of his hair so they were again face to face, though he couldn’t force Mac to meet his eyes.
“Was I unclear?”
He licked his lips at the heated trembling of Mac’s body. Mac's mouth hung open, panting as he shook his head. Mac curled his hands and pulled them close to his chest. Danverse memorized the lust on his face as he stroked his scalp.
Danverse knew this was a bad idea. He’d resolved to leave Mac alone, but the sight of him, the scent of sweat and grease… Everything about Mac beckoned to him, making him ignore all the reasons this couldn’t work. Need rose up and stamped out all the rationality he’d spent so long hiding behind. He might go to hell for it, but at least Mac would be with him.
Mac’s whisper was faint. “Please…”
“Please what?”
“Please don’t…”
Danverse stiffened as an icy rush ran over his spine. He swallowed harshly. “What?” Had he read this all wrong? A terror built with every worry he’d ever had over Mac refusing him behind it, threatening to crush him.
“Please don’t start if you don’t plan on keeping me.” Mac looked at him, finally, tears forming in his eyes.
A burst of relief tore down the fear. Danverse gripped his thick hair and brought Mac so close his breath brushed over his lips. If he still harbored any doubts, they were smothered by the lust in his head at the moment.
“I’m sorry, Mac. I should have done this a long time ago.”
Mac gasped as Danverse closed the gap between their mouths. A hot tear slipping free from Mac became trapped between their cheeks, and Mac found a place for his arms around Danverse’s neck. Needy whimpers filled the air as their embrace tightened.
Danverse pulled back slowly. Mac continued to lick and nip at his mouth, his desires nearly out of control. A firm grip on his hair was necessary to snap him back to reality and remind him who was in charge.
A pleased growl slipped out of him. “Now, boy. You will wear a jock from now on unless I tell you otherwise. I want you contained. I don’t want anyone getting more of a show than they should.”
“What about in the shower?”
“You’ll shower in my quarters from now on.”
Mac’s uncontrollable, beaming grin warmed Danverse’s soul.
“Why a jock? There are other types I could wear.”
He leaned forward, lips brushing Mac’s ear. “Because if I strip off your pants to get to that ass, I don’t want anything in the way.”
Mac gasped. “Yes, sir.”
Danverse chuckled as he stood up tall, bringing Mac with him. There was no way to hide the obvious tents in both their trousers. He eyed Mac’s endowment and chewed his lip. Mac’s blush could probably be seen across the cluster.
Danverse cleared his throat. “Let’s get these dicks to go down and get something to eat. We’re going to need the energy. Besides. A little denial builds character.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re wearing underwear.”
He grinned with a leer. “Actually, I’m not.”
Mac frowned. “You’re not helping.”
SEVERAL LONG MINUTES passed before the pair could walk the corridors toward the mess hall. Danverse kept a hand on the small of Mac’s back, refusing to let him go now that he’d finally thrown out his reservations but making sure his hand never left the fabric of Mac’s clothing. He wanted to touch his skin but knew they’d never make it to dinner if he did. There would be time for more exploration soon enough. He had a great deal to teach Mac about the art of discipline. It was going to be a slow process, but he was determined. Mac was his now, as he always should have been.
Leaning forward, he spoke so only Mac could hear. “I’m going to lock us in my quarters and breed you so many times tonight.”
Mac’s shudder was visible, his eyes half-closed at the thought.
Leading the way, Danverse kept Mac close as they entered the mess hall. They went to the food line and filled their trays, all the while brushing against one another. He was barely aware of his choice of food. Each soft touch sent fire through his skin. He inhaled, taking in Mac’s natural musk, to prove to himself this was real. He never wanted to spend another lonely night staring at the empty side of the bed.
Mac wasn’t his usual chatty self, but his glowing smile told the story. Danverse met his sparkling eyes, trying to show Mac how prized he was without saying a word. Intense and shimmering, Mac’s gaze only darted away when a rosy blush colored his cheeks.
They sat together as usual, but their body language was more familiar tonight. A little closer than normal. Conversation more private than typical. Food on the plate being neglected. He could feel the happiness radiating off his boy and returned it in kind. Mac took a long drink from a glass of water. The way his lips caressed the rim as he swallowed made Danverse’s mouth dry. He couldn’t help leaning in closer to the heat of Mac’s body. With his nose mere centimeters from Mac’s ear, he began memorizing the scent he planned to wake up to every morning from now on.
“Are you two finally an item?” Danverse and Mac broke their fixation on each other to turn to James, standing in front of them with his own tray in hand.
“Hi, James.” Mac tipped his head and turned away, smiling, as if he didn’t know how to respond.
Danverse found the newfound shyness endearing. “We’re getting to know each other better. How’s your shoulder, James?”
The blond rolled his shoulder. “A lot better. I almost can’t tell anything happened.”
“You’re lucky Hadrian didn’t do worse.”
“Oh, I know. But, enough about me”—James’s grin was huge—“I’m glad to see you two get together.”
“Thanks. I might just keep him.” Mac reached over and squeezed Danverse’s arm.
Danverse chuckled. “He hasn’t learned who’s in charge yet.”
“Well, go easy on him, Captain. He’s had to wait a long time for you to come around. I thought after you ran us all off, you’d have gone after him a lot sooner.”
Mac stiffened, the grin fading from his face. “Ran you off?”
“Oh, hell yes.” James laughed. “He made it very clear you were off-limits. It was an order.”
Danverse ground his teeth. “James…”
“Oh, sorry, guys. I don’t want to intrude. I’m glad to see the two of you together. Have a nice dinner.” James walked away to join a small group at an adjoining table.
Mac’s glow was gone and his posture was rigid as his eyes went unfocused the way they did when he calculated in his overactive head. All traces of happiness were gone. There was no way this could be good.
“Mac…” He grazed Mac’s arm with gentle fingertips, but Mac flinched away.
“Don’t.”
That same icy touch he’d felt when he thought Mac was rejecting him was back.
“Do you have any idea what the last year has been like?” Mac’s whisper was rough. “After James and I got together, everyone stopped talking to me. They weren’t being mean or impolite, but I wasn’t being included either. I wondered what I’d done. I wondered if I was such a lousy fuck that they’d all talked about me and no one was interested in getting near me. You and the boss have been the only ones I could talk to.”
Mac shook his head as he spoke. His eyes were growing wider and his hands and face were starting to twitch. It reminded Danverse of the manic state he’d found Mac in after the raiders boar
ded the ship.
“You know, it was like being back in the orphanage. You have a few friends if you’re lucky, but in the end, no one wants to adopt you, and then you’re out on your own.” Mac dropped his glass as if it were something vile. It bounced across the table, spilling its contents and sending his silverware clattering to the floor.
“Do you remember what it’s like to be my age? How much you crave being touched? Do you have any idea how horrible it’s been, feeling so unwanted on a ship filled with men who fuck each other all over the place?” Mac’s eyes began to fill and he closed them tightly. “Do you know how bad it gets, knowing that all you have is your hand while everyone else gets to be intimate with another human being, even if just for a night to take the edge off?” Mac’s stuttered gasp bordered on agony. “It’s not that I wanted to run around and screw every member of the crew, but I wanted to feel like someone, anyone, wanted me.”
The ice was strangling his heart. Mac was only moments away from meltdown, and this time, Danverse knew he couldn’t dominate him into submission. Mac’s reddened eyes zeroed in on his.
“I’ve had a crush on you from the day I applied to come on board.” Mac’s twitches had become full-on tremors. “I never thought for a second you might show an interest in me. If you wanted me all to yourself, why couldn’t you tell me right from the start?”
Danverse sat there, mouth open, not knowing how to respond.
Mac shook his head, his volume increasing. “What were you waiting for? To make me so lonely that when you finally decided I’d suffered enough, I couldn’t refuse you? Is that it?”
“It wasn’t like that, Mac. I swear.” Even to his own ears, he sounded small and unconvincing.
A tear escaped Mac’s eyes. “A whole year of feeling unwanted. A whole year of feeling repulsive.
“It might not be so bad if I thought you’d done without too.” A bitter sneer formed on Mac’s lips. “But I know better. I’ve heard your locker-room talk with the boss. I’ve seen the security vids. You’ve taken turns with most of the crew. Just not with me. Because, supposedly, I’m special.” Danverse grabbed Mac by the arm. The shudder he felt under his palm showed how unwelcome his touch had become. He pulled Mac close so he could look into his eyes.
The Luxorian Fugitive Page 11
