Page 53 of The Bait

Harry only held him tighter. “We’re not doing that today,” he murmured.

Damn him for being so much bigger, so much stronger.

Asher struggled to get free. “Need you to fight me,” he bit out. “Hold me down and?—”

“No.” Harry was completely still, gripping him in his vice-like hold. “We’re not doing that today. I won’t fight-fuck you. Not today.”

Asher tried to fight him off one last time but Harry was too strong, and Asher didn’t have the strength or the will to keep trying. He stopped and sagged, a sob escaping him, and Harry’s hold on him became a warm embrace.

“I’m sorry,” Harry whispered. “It’s okay to be scared.I’m sorry I was foolish today. I’m not as agile as I used to be. I can’t think like I used to. I’m sorry it scared you.”

Asher let himself cry for a second, Harry rubbing his back. “It would kill me, Harry.”

“I know. Like it’d kill me if something were to happen to you.”

“I missed a shot today,” Asher admitted. “I didn’t mean for the car to explode; I meant to take out the engine block but I was scared for you, and I’ve never missed a shot in my life.”

Harry pulled back and wiped Asher’s cheek with his thumb. “I wondered about that.”

“Did they move the fuel tank in those cars?”

Harry almost smiled but then seemed to think twice about it. “I’m sure they did.”

Asher nodded. “It was your fault, because you almost got shot and I panicked!”

Harry nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“And then you went into the trees and I couldn’t get a clear shot. Christ, Harry, I’ve never been so scared.”

“I think I was reckless because I knew you had my back.” Harry inhaled deeply. “You know this Radovic guy?”

Asher froze. “Yes. But I can’t talk about him tonight.”

Harry cupped Asher’s jaw, his palm calloused and warm. “Okay. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll listen.”

Asher leaned into it and closed his eyes, his chin wobbling. “I came so close today to losing you. And I’m worried about what comes next because we’re not as good as we used to be, Harry. And it’s only going to be harder, and I left the MAC 50 behind. I wiped it down, of course, but I couldn’t pack it up and bring it with me.”

“You were right about the 36s though. It’s a good weapon.”

Asher sniffed and nodded. “Then you had to take over asking Rozga the questions because I couldn’t even slice some tendons properly.”

“You did great,” Harry said. “That Achilles slice was flawless.”

Asher frowned, getting teary again. “I’m just not good at the close-up stuff. You’re so much better at it than me.”

“And you’re better at sniping than I could ever be.”

Asher still didn’t feel any better. “Look at me. I used to be precise and cold and mysterious, and now I’m a mess, crying, and you won’t even fuck me like I need you to.”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Harry whispered, lifting Asher’s chin and kissing him softly. “I’ll fill your ass to the brim if you want me to, but I won’t be rough.”

Asher frowned again, but he considered this proposal. “To the brim, huh?”

Harry chuckled, brushing his lips over Asher’s. “I’ll make love to you, bury my cock in you, long and deep. I’ll come inside you. Show you how much you mean to me.”

Asher groaned, and Harry crushed his mouth to Asher’s, kissing him deeply. He held his face with one hand and pulled him close with the other, their bodies flush.

Asher pulled his towel away and Harry groaned, walking him backwards to the bed. He laid Asher down, pulling his shirt over his head, and Asher pulled at Harry’s button and fly.

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