Pride (Living In Sin #1)

Chapter 23

Pry

I didn't want to tempt fate more than I already had, but kissing Alec was like a dream come true. Or like coming home. It was like nothing else I'd ever known. I was glad that I didn't have to share him just yet.

But with how well we'd just meshed, I was thinking Alec might actually be made for us. The bridge we didn't know we were missing. I wasn't going to say that Crave had been right when he'd brought it up all those years ago, but I was beginning to see it. It pissed me off, though. I didn't like it when my greedy brother was correct.

Perhaps I'd never have to tell him, but I also doubted that. Not that it mattered, he'd find out soon enough. They all would. Except for Alec. I'd work even harder to make sure that he didn't find out what he'd walked into. Keeping him safe and content was quickly becoming my priority. And I could be very, very possessive.

My fingers tangled in the loops of his pants and that meant I could pull him even closer. It was delightful, slanting my lips over his, deepening the kiss. Alec soundlessly moaned beneath me and there was no way I would not take advantage of his lips parting. To taste him finally.

Alec was the sweetest thing I'd ever tasted. There was something hidden beneath the flavour of Chef's cooking. I'd always be able to tell the flavour of my brother's work, but there was something beyond that. Something that was Alec's very essence. And it was something I didn't want to ever stop tasting.

His tongue was not idle. It was a delightful surprise. With the fight he'd put up all week, I had not expected him to be such an active participant. But I was not going to argue. In fact, I was going to enjoy every part of this. I pushed into him, gathering his arse in my hands and hitching him up onto his toes. He had to hold on to me to keep his balance and now he moaned. The sound reverberated through us and I couldn't stop myself from grinding against him.

Alec's fingers kneaded against my scalp, the tips of his nails scratching at my skin. It dragged sparks through me and I wanted to crawl into him. At least he seemed to want the same thing. He ground against me; the feel was amazing, even through the clothing. I was beginning to wish the main floor had a 'pants free' policy like Des had suggested.

The kiss lasted longer than I could have imagined but all too soon Alec's fingers tightened in my hair. He tugged hard, and it had me hissing at the enjoyable pull.

"Slow down, Buddy." The words from Alec were rough. His lips were bruised. I seriously had to put the brakes on the need to devour the boy in my arms. I wanted him in a way that should have worried me. It didn't. Nothing about Alec was going to worry me.

"Don't you like this?" I wasn't above tempting where I could. I certainly wasn't a saint. If it could get me an in, I was going to use any underhanded trick I could get away with.

Alec rolled his eyes. "You know you don't need to ask."

It was true; Alec's cock was still hard, pressed against my own. I could feel every throb, and it wasn't something the little human could deny. Still, Alec's sigh held more frustration than I wanted to hear.

"One dance. That was your stipulation, right?"

It was. But it didn't mean that was all I wanted. At least Alec's body could be honest about what it wanted. Very honest and I would enjoy exploring it when his brain and moral compass caught up.

I still had my pride, though. With a small chuckle at the stray thought, I closed the distance for one last kiss. A gentler press of lips. A reminder of what we were missing out on. Alec wasn't able to hide his tortured moan. Or maybe it was my own. We both wanted each other and denying that was pointless, even if I had to respect his stupid brain for now.

"Another time soon then?"

Alec hesitated, and my ego swelled. I could feel the energy pulse through the room. Everyone would strut around the town like they owned it just from my response. I couldn't say I minded; it was part of our job after all. We were supposed to be tuning mortals into their baser instincts. Being with Alec just seemed to make that process all the easier.

"Maybe. I can’t say I didn't enjoy that. But you're still my boss."

"I might be," I allowed, taking a step back. I already missed having him in my arms. "But you're the only one who's worried about that."