Page 21 of Touch In Excess

He felt okay from head to toe. He’d managed to get most of the clay off his arms during his shower, and his long sleeves covered what was left, so he wouldn’t look like a total mess, which was something. He’d never look like a model, but he didn’t think that was the kind of man Skye was looking for.

Turning back and forth in the long mirror, he wasn’t sure if he was happy with what he saw, but he wasn’t unhappy. He was pretty sure Skye would enjoy him. Rami had looked a lot worse the day Skye had tumbled into his yard, though maybe that was just him being dazed.

Rami hadn’t taken this much care for the bar date either though, so he didn’t know why today mattered so much.

He was overthinking. “Ya yimma,” he muttered at himself. “He’s going to be just fine with you. Stop panicking.”

The doorbell rang and he jumped half a foot from the startling sound of it. He’d contemplated having the thing removed when he first moved in, but he was too nervous to make too many big changes to the house. He’d hated the chime as a kid—a big, heavy bong that seemed to shake him down to his bones. But now, even with the discomfort, it brought a little surge of sense memory and the smile it always brought to his grandfather’s face.

Hurrying down the hall, Rami came to a halt in front of the door, took a fortifying breath, then opened it. Skye was standing there, looking as nervous as Rami felt. His hands were twisting in front of him—not in signs, just anxiety. He shook them out, then stepped forward on the edge of a heavy inhale and put his hands on Rami’s hips.

“This okay?”

Rami’s gaze flickered to Skye’s ears to look for his hearing aids. They were in. He nodded, licked his lips, then said, “Kissing now?”

Skye laughed and eased Rami against the door, moving one hand to his cheek. His palm was so, so soft. Rami fought the urge to turn his face and nuzzle against it. Instead, he closed his eyes, parted his lips, and waited.

Skye didn’t keep him hanging for too long. He pressed their lips together exactly like he had that first time. It was a gentle,careful invitation for Rami to take what he was offering. And he did. He grabbed Skye by the front of his shirt, feeling the jersey-like fabric against his fingertips. He made a claw with his hands in the fabric, then surged closer and parted his lips.

Skye hummed with pleasure, his tongue pushing into Rami’s mouth. They went on and on, a careful dance of mouths and bodies until Rami realized he was very, very hard. He always wore pants that hid the fact that he had more than one bulge, but if both of his dicks got hard, Skye was going to notice.

And Rami was not ready to have that conversation with him yet. Soon, but not now.

“That’s enough,” Rami said, pulling back.

Skye nodded. He looked a little dazed, and his cheeks were flushed, but he didn’t push. He didn’t let go either. He stroked his thumb over Rami’s cheek, then trailed a touch back down to his waist. “That was nice.”

Rami’s smile returned. “It was.” Peering around Skye, his gaze fixed on the little sports car in the driveway. It was a convertible, but the top was up. “Is that your car?”

Skye nodded. “Yeah. I haven’t been able to drive it for a while. Do you have a license?”

“Yes. I can drive, but I don’t have a car right now, and I’m not always comfortable on the road. Are you asking because you might get dizzy?”

Skye chuckled. “Yes, sweetheart, I am.”

“I can do it in an emergency, but you’ll have to be very, very quiet if I have to get behind the wheel, okay?”

“Of course. I don’t think it’ll be a problem though. My new meds are working really well, and I’m having a really good ear day.” Skye took his hands before Rami could ask what an ear day was, and he pulled him over the threshold.

Rami stopped only to lock up, and then he followed Skye to the car and got in. The seats were very low to the ground, whichRami hated, but they were comfortable, which he liked. He wriggled until he was settled, then put his seat belt on as Skye turned the engine on.

It was a soft purr instead of a loud roar, which Rami very much appreciated.

“Please don’t put the top down,” Rami said.

Skye blinked, then quickly shook his head. “Oh, no, don’t worry. I never do that. I can’t hear at all if the wind is blowing like that.”

Rami’s brows furrowed, and he waited until they were on the main road to ask, “Why did you get a convertible, then?” He froze, wondering if his question was rude, but Skye just grinned.

“I got it before I learned I was going deaf. I’d already been diagnosed with Ménière’s, but that doesn’t always lead to hearing loss the way mine has. I always wanted to drive something cool.”

Rami wrinkled his nose. “Bugs in your face are cool?”

Skye laughed loudly. “Honey, that’s what the windshield is for.”

Rami wasn’t convinced, but it also wasn’t a hill he was willing to die on, so he let it go. Settling back against the seat, he let himself bask in how comfortable he was. Normally, car rides stressed him out. He’d spend the entire time worried about how safe it was, how aware the other driver was, and whether or not he’d survive depending on the place the car was hit.

But he didn’t want to be that way. Not right now. Not with how much he was enjoying Skye’s presence. Reaching over, Rami allowed himself to touch. He dragged a finger from Skye’s wrist to his elbow, feeling the soft fabric of his shirt.

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