Page 22 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Brendon crouches until his nipples are covered and a chill climbs through his body.

“There we go.” Matthew swims up. His nose is just inches from Brendon’s. He smiles big from cheek to cheek. “It’s so nice—after such a hot day.”

Brendon cushions the chatter of his teeth with the tip of his tongue. Matthew’s flailing leg brushes against his under the dark water. The connection provokes the vascular map in his cock to fill. He clamps it hidden between his thighs.

The wake of Matthew’s laps circle Brendon and sway his balance. He flaps his hands to steady his float.

Matthew’s naked body sweeps against Brendon’s bare back as he loops in close. Rounding his front and resting both his hands on Brendon’s knees.

The stiffness between his thighs pleads and he chews the inside of his cheek.

Matthew’s face moves in and their lips touch. A hand wraps around the back of Brendon’s neck and wrenches him closer.

Matthew’s coconut-rum tongue slips into Brendon’s mouth. His soft wet lips are a warm treat in the cool lake. Brendon’s body shivers from the fire burning through his belly. His cock begs to spill with a desperate need for release.

“Matthew—“ Brendon whispers between pressed lips.

“Yeah?” Matthew breathes.

“I don’t think we should—“

Matthew pulls back. His mouth arcs in a sweet smile but his eyes drop and sink away. “Okay.” He dives into the black fluid enveloping them.

Brendon feels like a disappointment. He lets the inconvenience in his shorts subside before he trudges up the beach. He slips into his t-shirt and sandals, then sits on the downed log, watching Matthew kick and dive. Throwing water away from his head each time he rises from the surface, he pays no heed to Brendon for a while.

When he’s finally finished, his glistening body emerges from the dark water. Moonlight reflecting off glazed skin. His drenched curls send ravines down his face, trickling from his eyelashes and trailing his chest. He blots his body with crumpled shirts and pulls on his shorts.

“Let’s head back.” He smiles as if he’s already forgotten the kiss.

Brendon is sobered by the intense encounter but Matthew struggles up the trail.

“Here.” Brendon offers to link arms and steady him.

“Thank you.”

His soft gaze shatters Brendon’s chest. He wants to kiss him again, if it would help him feel better but he’s sure it won’t.

They climb the knoll and slip back into the sleeping house.

“Ow!” Matthew covers his mouth when his leg finds the edge of the sofa in the dark.

They both giggle and trudge up the stairs and into Matthew’s room.

The damp bundle of shirts drops to the floor and he slips out of his shorts again.

Brendon pulls back the covers to help him to climb in, savoring another glimpse of his rugged body before covering him with the comforter.

Matthew’s hand grasps his forearm. “You can sleep in here again. I promise I’ll behave.” His eyes are squeezed shut and his cheek is pressed into the pillow.

“Okay.” Brendon whispers. He rounds the opposite side of the bed and slips in between the top sheet and comforter to maintain a barrier from temptation.

Matthew rolls onto his back and drifts off.

Brendon lays still until his heart quits racing and finally lets him sleep.

Chapter 10

Exes and Oh-No's

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