Page 27 of Painted

“Yes.” Rhys swallowed his bite, then said, “You know I’ve been having trouble with that landscape. Well, Mum keeps suggesting I try something different for a while. Inspired by the live model class, I was wondering if you’d be interested in posing for me privately.”

Early’s stomach flipped so hard they had to put their fork down. They were suddenly far too giddy to eat.

“I’d love to pose for you,” they said, so emotional their voice came out as a shivery whisper. “Just tell me when and where and I’ll be there with bells on. Or with nothing on.”

“I was hoping for nothing,” Rhys said, his voice dropping to a deeper register.

This was it. This was definitely it. They were totally going to lose their virginity tonight, and in the best way possible, with their dream man.

“Do you want me on the couch or in the bed?” they asked, barely able to get the words out. Internally, they were freaking out so much that it was a miracle they managed to maintain the seductive demeanor they were going for.

Rhys stopped chewing for a moment and studied them. The air between them hummed like a fluorescent light, the tension was so high. Early could feel it. They could feel the way Rhys was undressing them with his eyes. They could feel Rhys’s desire, but also the way he was battling it.

“Have you had enough?” they asked, sliding their hand across the table to touch one of Rhys’s that rested against the table, clutching his fork like it was his only hold on sanity. “I could always pack supper up so it could be reheated later, if there’s something else you’d like to do right now.”

“I told myself I wouldn’t,” Rhys murmured, like he was talking to himself.

“Why though?” Early asked. They rested their elbow on the table and their chin in their hand so they could gaze at Rhys sensually. “Why hold back when I’m right here, ready, waiting…eager?”

“Are you trying to seduce me?” Rhys asked, one eyebrow arching up.

Early swallowed, suddenly terrified they’d miscalculated the entire thing.

“What if I am?” they whispered, lowering their eyes. Hopefully Rhys would see that as seductive and not as an attempt to hide from an answer they didn’t want to see.

The room went suddenly still. Rhys studied them without moving. Early could hear their heart pounding in their ears as heat flushed through their entire body. Rhys was thinking about it. He was actually, seriously thinking about it. This was it. This was the moment when?—

“Fuck it. I’m done holding back,” Rhys said, pushing his chair back and standing. He stepped out from the table and offered Early his hand. When Early stood, he tugged them away from the table and straight into his warm, strong arms. “This has been too long in coming,” he said before slanting his mouth over Early’s.

Instant heaven. Early moaned and closed their eyes, throwing their arms over Rhys’s shoulders as they got exactly what they’d been waiting forever for. They had to lift to their toes to match Rhys’s height, but that stretch made everything so much more alive.

Early knew fuck all about kissing, but it didn’t matter as Rhys devoured him, lightly at first, with gentle kisses that nipped as their lips, then with deep, searching kisses that brought their tongues into contact. Rhys didn’t seem to mind that they could only hang on and follow instead of taking the initiative. It didn’tmatter. Nothing mattered but the two of them twining together at last.

Rhys shifted a hand down across Early’s back to grab a handful of their arse. The silk made it so much easier, and the possessive way Rhys’s fingers dug into their flesh had Early panting for everything that came next. The world was a spinning carousel, and they didn’t want to get off.

“Come on,” Rhys growled as he broke their kiss. He grabbed one of Early’s hands and pulled them out of the kitchen and across the flat’s main room to the bedroom.

Early had thought ahead where the bedroom was concerned as well. Praying that everything would work out in their favor, they’d stripped and remade the bed with fresh sheets, positioned some candles around the room that could be lit, and made certain there was lube and condoms in the bedside table drawer, within easy reach.

Rhys didn’t seem to be in a mood to light candles or turn on soft music, though.

“Did you find this upstairs in the clothes room?” he asked, tugging at the tie of Early’s kimono.

“Mmm hmm,” Early hummed, unable to form words.

“There’s all sorts of crazy stuff up there,” Rhys said, splitting it open, then pushing it off their shoulders.

The first crack of overthinking hit Early with that statement. Did Rhys think the kimono was crazy? Did he think the pajamas were silly and over the top? Did he thinktheywere silly and over the top?

Those doubts were blown away when Rhys unbuttoned the pajama top and pushed it off as well, then tugged Early back into his arms for more amazing kisses. Kissing made all the doubts go away.

At least for a few seconds.

Rhys reached for the waistband of their pajama bottoms and pushed them down, sliding them over Early’s backside and growing cock. They immediately slithered to the floor, leaving Early naked in Rhys’s arms.

Naked and borderline panicking.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” Rhys said, voice rich and hungry, as he dipped down to kiss Early’s neck. He spread his hands along Early’s bare skin, sliding one hand into the cleft of their arsecheeks.

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