Page 119 of Luxuries of Lust

On the walk back to the tram, Rusty chittered playfully and climbed up Gem’s back to wrap his arms around his neck. Gem easily shoulderedhis weight, middle arms hooked under his knees as his top hands clasped Rusty’s wrists and squeezed.

Nuzzling under Gem’s ear, he purred, slicking his rough tongue over the sensitive flesh there. Then he tugged on Gem’s earlobe with his teeth, making the Araknis hiss in reprimand.

“I thought you weren’t going to fuck me in public?”

“I’m not,” Rusty whispered, nosing along the shell of Gem’s ear. “Doesn’t mean I can’t mess with you a bit.”

With a shiver, Gem picked up his pace. “We’re going home now so you can fuck me.”

“I can do that,” Rusty promised, nibbling on the nape of Gem’s neck.

Side by side on the tram, they kissed and giggled like teenagers in love, and it was the stupidest thing. Yet it made Rusty ache in a wondrous and exquisite way. Then he pulled out the card he’d made for Gem and handed it over, double-checking that no one was close enough to see what lay inside.

Gem opened it, then squawked, slamming the card shut. “Well, that’s not safe for work!”

Snorting, Rusty rested his head on Gem’s shoulder as the Araknis peeked at the card again. “I cannot believe you actually drew us having sex.”

“You asked me to,” Rusty defended himself, hating the way his cheeks heated under his fur.

With a wriggle of excitement, Gem admired the drawing of Rusty railing him over the back of his couch, claws digging into his hips. “And you dressed me up like a cow? Rusty, you kinky, little slut.”

Blushing hotter, Rusty slumped low in his seat and grumbled nonsensically. His embarrassment made Gem snicker, and the Araknis leaned in to peck his cheek.

“I love it so much,” he whispered against Rusty’s fur as he pressed the card to his chest with two hands. “Thank you.”

“Happy hatchday,” Rusty said, smiling like a lunatic as Gem kissed him again and again and again.

Once they arrived at Gem’s flat, Rusty expected Gem to jump him, but the Araknis took his time removing his boots. Then he made a show of setting up the handmade card beside the purple three of keys on his dresser. He dragged a finger over the frame, then over the card, and sighed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” Gem mused, and Rusty’s throat cinched tight.

“Me too,” he said hoarsely, and Gem smiled at him like he’d painted the Montana stars.

The kiss they shared next was gentle and sweet, not at all what their earlier affections had been. Maybe Gem had changed his mind about having sex. That was okay, even if Rusty was still half-hard from their making out on the tram. Just to be sure, he dragged kisses over Gem’s jaw until he reached his ear.

“What do you want, Gemae?”

A shiver worked its way down Gem’s spine, and Rusty didn’t even try to hide his smile. He liked the way he affected Gem, liked that he could make Gem melt and shudder. He liked that he could give Gem pleasure, and he planned to put all his best skills to work tonight to do just that. If it was what Gem wanted too.

“I want,” Gem said, throat bobbing. “I want you to do whatever you want.”

“What?” Rusty asked, cocking his head up at the Araknis, sure he’d misheard.

“I want you to do whatyouwant tonight. To me. On me.” Gem dropped his voice to a purr, mouth stretched in an evil grin. “Inme.”

It was Rusty’s turn to swallow thickly. “But it’s your hatchday.”

“I know, and what I want for my hatchday is for you to do whatyouwant. Not what I want or what you think I want.” Gem rubbed a hand over Rusty’s racing heart. “What doyouwant?”

Rusty wanted a lot of things, but he’d never been given full rein to pursue them. He’d never felt out of control with Gem, of course, but Gem was bossier. He naturally took the lead, and Rusty followed, content in knowing that Gem would never take anything he wasn’t willing to give.

But Gem wanted Rusty to decide? It was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Like Gem could read the indecision on his face, he lifted Rusty’s paws and kissed his knuckles. “And while you think on it, I’m gonna freshen up.”

With a parting peck to Rusty’s lips, Gem dropped his hands and took a step toward the bathroom. Before he got too far, Rusty snagged his wrist, and Gem paused, meeting his gaze. They had to discuss this more, right? Rusty didn’t want to do anything that Gem didn’t like or might make him uncomfortable.

Again, Gem understood without him having to speak. “I’ll tell you if I don’t like something. Plus, you know my safe word, and I’m pretty sure I’m kinkier than you, so I’m not too worried on that front.” He winked playfully, tonguing a fang. “I might push your buttons because I’m a brat and because I like it when you push back. But this doesn’t have to be rough either. You can make sweet, sweet love to me missionary style, and I’ll love every second of it.If”—Gem bent down to brush a teasing kiss across Rusty’s lips—“it’swhat you like.”

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