Page 64 of Damaged

“You’re not mean.”

“I keep you from your sleep.”

“I can nap anytime,” Wrath countered.

“I’m a loner.”

“So am I.” Wrath kissed his fingers, and Rogue felt the warmth all the way into his stomach.

“I can’t watch you die.”

“As opposed to watching me live?” Wrath’s eyebrows shot up.

“You know what I mean,” he growled, pulling his hand free.

“I think I do.” Wrath sat back and crossed his arms against an impressive chest.

The man studied him and then took a deep breath as if coming to some silent conclusion. Rogue was too afraid to ask, but he figured Wrath would tell him.

And boy did he.

“If you don’t want to be with me, then don’t. I’m done chasing you. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of letting you know I lo—like you. But if I go any further and you don’t want this, then you’ll break my heart.”

Well, shit.

Wrath had been on the verge of saying the L word and changed it to like instead. Fear blasted him that Wrath wouldactually walk away. What the fuck did he want? Was he too fucked up in the head to just chill and be? Probably, but Wrath didn’t seem to mind.

“I’m so fucked up.” Tears made his voice come out thick and choked.

“Listen to me.” Wrath reached out and took his hand again, and this time, he linked their fingers tightly together. “All of us are damaged in one way or another. You’re no different than me. Sure, you have more shit in your past that you have to deal with, but we can deal with it together. If you want to give us a chance.”

Six weeks later…

Taking sex slow took on a whole other meaning for Rogue, but he would never fucking complain. He would take Wrath any way he could get him.

They were at his place because he’d yet to commit to living with Wrath.

He needed to think before he made a decision. He had always been like that and even though he knew Wrath wanted him to move in, so far, the man had not pressured him.

It had been a stressful six weeks.

Two weeks in the hospital had been the worst, but the last four weeks since he had gotten out of the hospital had been a whole lot better.

“Where are you going?” Rogue complained when Wrath walked toward his small kitchen instead of the bedroom.

“Oh, did you want something?” Wrath whirled and cocked one eyebrow. The corner of his sexy mouth twitched.

“Yeah, the hand jobs are not cutting it,” he growled, prowling over. Wrapping an arm around Wrath’s waist, he pulled the man up against him.

He knew Wrath wanted to talk, but he was hungry and not for food, so whatever Wrath wanted in the kitchen could wait.

Maybe it was his need for sex that took over, but he knew it was more than that. Something primitive took over in his brain and he was tired of being denied.

Fisting the long blond hair in his hand, he took Wrath’s mouth, fusing their lips together.

Wrath’s strong arms closed around him, so he wrapped his arms around the man’s back, widening his stance. Rogue cupped the back of Wrath’s head, easing his grip on the man’s hair. Wrath’s hips bucked against him and fuck if he didn’t need to get closer.

Rogue wanted skin on skin. He pulled his mouth away, heaving for breath, and roamed his lips over Wrath’s neck. The man’s head tipped back beneath his onslaught and hands clutched at him.

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