Page 30 of Rust and Stardust

I took a sip of my beer, watching him out of the corner of my eye. The moonlight cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting his strong jawline and the curve of his lips. God, he was beautiful.

“City life must be pretty stressful,” I ventured, trying to keep my voice casual.

Lucas chuckled, a hint of bitterness in the sound. “You have no idea. Deadlines, meetings, constant noise, the threat of eviction from an apartment I can’t afford... sometimes I feel like I can't even hear myself think.”

I nodded, understanding despite never having experienced it myself. “Is that why you really came out here? To get away from it all?”

He was quiet for a moment, taking another swig of his beer. “No. I told you… I have that marketing research… thing.”

“Right, the food festivals.”

“Yeah.”

“But did some part of you take the assignment so you could get away for a while?”

Lucas just shook his head. “No. I didn’t have a choice.” His eyes darkened as he turned his face toward the stars. “But being out here and meeting you… well, it’s been nice. It’s just too bad it can’t last.”

I reached up, my hand coming to rest on his jaw as I turned him to face me. “Well, then we should probably make good on the time we have then, huh?”

“You sure you want to do that, cowboy?” he asked, his expression melancholic. “I… I’m not the guy you think I am.”

“I think you’re just fine, darlin’,” I smiled, pulling him closer. Just as I was about to kiss him, I paused. “Wow…” I breathed, taking him in. “You are so beautiful. And your eyes… they look like they’re full of stardust.”

Lucas’s cheeks heated under my touch, and I knew he was blushing despite the darkness surrounding us.

“Why do you have to be so nice?” he sighed, like it hurt him to be complimented. “And handsome… and perfect.”

“I’m far from perfect, darlin’.” I pulled him closer, my hat pushed high by his forehead. “But out here, all by ourselves, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

“Really? You’re not scared anymore?”

“Fuckin’ terrified,” I grinned. “But I’m not gonna let that stop me. Not tonight anyway.”

“Then kiss me… please.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I leaned in, closing the distance between us, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if we were both still unsure of this newfound intimacy. But then Lucas's hand came up to cup the back of my neck, his fingers threading through my hair, and suddenly the kiss deepened, became more urgent.

I tasted the beer on his tongue, mingling with the lingering flavors of barbecue and something uniquely Lucas. My hand slid from his jaw to his waist, pulling him closer until our bodies wereflush against each other. The heat between us was palpable, even in the cool night air.

Lucas broke the kiss, panting slightly as he rested his forehead against mine. “Damn, cowboy,” he breathed, his voice husky. “For someone without experience, you sure know how to make a guy feel good.”

I chuckled, my voice low and raspy with desire. “Just doin’ all the things I’ve only dreamed about.”

Lucas lifted an eyebrow. “What other things have you dreamed about?”

“This,” I said, reaching down and grabbing the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head. Immediately I placed my lips against his collarbone, kissing my way down his chest.

“This.” I playfully bit at his nipple, making him squirm as I tipped him back onto the blanket, crawling over top of him. “And this.”

My lips were on his abdomen, just above the waistband of his jeans. I kissed and licked his skin, tasting his unique flavor as he moaned softly into the stillness of the night. I breathed him in deeply, enjoying the mixture of his scent and the cologne he wore. My fingers fumbled with his button and the zipper, trying desperately to release that dick that I’d been dreaming about tasting since the day before.

Lucas's breath hitched as I slowly pulled down his zipper. My hands were shaking slightly, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through me. I glanced up at him, seeking reassurance, and found his green eyes twinkling in the starlight, watching me intently.

“You don't have to—” he started, but I cut him off with a shake of my head.

“I want to,” I said, my voice low and husky. “God, I want to.”

I tugged his jeans down his hips, revealing a surprise and the unmistakable outline of his arousal. I gasped as I stared. He was wearing a jockstrap. Of course I’d worn one back in high schoolwhen I played football, but this wasn’t the same. It was silky and soft, clearly not meant for sports. But the way the straps hugged his ass, and the fabric stretched over his throbbing cock turned me on more than I thought possible. My mouth watered at the sight.

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