Page 17 of Lips of an Angel

Raleigh was being secretive.What he hadn’t counted on—what he should’ve known—was that I knew him better than anyone, even himself. My powers certainly helped me understand his emotions, but I liked to think it would have happened anyway after living with him for nearly twenty years. From the moment his designer clothes disappeared, I knew exactly where he was and what he was up to, but that knowledge didn’t stop me from panicking. When I woke up the next morning and he still wasn’t home, I guilted him into a FaceTime call, where the airport bathroom in the background and the announcements overhead confirmed my suspicions. He assured me that he was fine and he would be home soon.

Needless to say, I hadn’t slept. Sleeping didn’t come easy to me anyway, but knowing Raleigh was hundreds of miles away made it worse.

Eli had been called in for another night shift too. As if he could hear my thoughts, my phone chimed and my heart warmed when I saw his name on the screen.

Come over? I’ve been thinking about you all night.

I checked the time—I had to open the bar in a couple of hours. It was no secret what Eli wanted, and if my erection tenting the sheets was any indication, Iwanted to give it to him. But I didn’t have enough time or energy to fake it.

I loved Eli with my whole heart, but sex was… difficult. Eli didn’t have a dominant bone in his body, and neither did I. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him thatIwanted to be dominated for once. Especially after seeing what submission did to him. Sure, he was the only person I’d ever been with, but I’d never seen someone look sofreeafter sex.

I wish I could, sweetheart. I have to open the bar. But why don’t you get yourself nice and comfortable for me? I’ll help you relax so you can sleep.

When the FaceTime request popped up on the screen, I hit accept and set my phone on a pillow next to me. I stretched out on the bed exactly the way he liked, letting the sheet dip low on my hips. The sun streaming in through my sheer curtains gave the illusion that my skin was glowing.

All right, I might’ve hammed it up a bit with my powers.

The look on Eli’s face was worth it. He was sprawled on his bed, head on the pillow and phone propped against the lamp on his nightstand. Goddamnhe was gorgeous. His hazel eyes looked back at me, sparkling—trusting. He had one arm curled behind his head, chestnut brown waves splayed over the skin. The other disappeared below the screen, the gentle, rhythmic movements making it clear what he was doing.

“Did I say you could touch yourself?” I signed. I didn’t needboth hands to sign, but at times like this, it helped. I could keep my focus solely on him.

When my thoughts wanted nothing more than to stray toward my best friend, I needed all the help I could get.

Eli whimpered at my question, obediently bringing his other hand to rest behind his head. He said nothing but his eyes pleaded with me, begged for me to let him relieve the pressure between his thighs.

“Slowly,” I instructed. “And I want to see.”

With a shaky hand, Eli lifted the phone and the screen rotated, giving me full access to his body. Flawless golden skin stretched over his lithe frame. His hips jerked, pulling my attention downward. Dominance didn’t come naturally to me, so I tried to summon the swagger of someone like Ryder—or Raleigh—and smirked. Every time I did it, I expected Eli would laugh in my face. Instead, he trembled from head to toe and his hard cock leaked, making a sticky mess of his stomach. His left hand crept slowly down his body. Long fingers wrapped around his shaft and he sighed, grateful to give his engorged cock some attention.

“Good boy. I know you’re close, but take it slow for me.”

My own dick begged for attention, but I ignored it. It was Eli’s turn.

I watched intently as he gave himself slow, deliberate strokes. It wasn’t long before Eli brought himself to the edge, begging for release.

“Please,” he whined, “I can’t wait any longer.”

I didn’t give him permission immediately, instead watching for several long moments, amused at the way his body seemed to begforhim. His trembling increased, his dick leaking like a faucet. My mouth watered, and I licked my lips.

With one last plea from his lips, I nodded—and Eli erupted. Erotic moans gave way to sighs as he painted his chest with his release. I closed my eyes, my own cock throbbing beneath the blanket.

After cleaning up with the tissues he kept nearby, Eli turned onto his side and faced the phone with heavy-lidded, sated eyes.Thatwas the reason I kept doing this: His look of bliss was worth a little dissatisfaction. “Are you going to finish?”

I shook my head. “No time,” I lied. “Get some sleep. Text me later?”

Eli smiled, already halfway gone. “When have I ever let you down?”

At that, something in my chest ached, but I didn’t have time to question it. We said our “I love yous” and ended the call. No longer distracted, my raging erection below the blanket made itself known again.

I flung the bedsheet away with one hand and fumbled around in the nightstand with the other. I located the bottle of lube first, then withdrew my favorite toy, tossing it on the bed beside me. Drizzling lube over my cock, I slowly pumped it through my grip, shuddering. I lifted my right leg and planted my foot flat on the bed. The slick fingers of my unoccupied hand found my eager hole and circled it, encouraging my muscles to relax. I sighed, dropping my head back onto the pillow. I didn’t indulge in this type of pleasure very often, mainly because Eli had no interest in taking me.

As I slowly jacked myself with one hand, two of my fingers pushed into my entrance. I gasped, waiting for my body to adjust before I continued. My eyes fluttered shut, and I was helpless against the image that formed behind closed lids.

Raleigh.

It was no secret what he looked like naked. It was all I could do not to picture what he looked like during sex. God knows I knew what hesoundedlike after so many years of living together. Despite his rugged appearance, he could be a teddy bear in the bedroom, making sure his partner was taken care of before himself. Countless nights I’d lie awake and fantasize that his sweet words were directed atme.

I pushed my fingers deeper, imagining they were his. His would be bigger, I knew, more confident, able to fill me completely. Crooking my fingers, I tried to imagine how the bulky rings he always wore would feel, creating a sensation that would send me crashing over the edge before I could think twice about it. My cock jerked in my hand, precome puddling on my stomach.

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