Page 26 of Night of the Living Manny
Brenden smiled. “Not a judgment. You kinda give me faith in the good guys.”
“Most days I’m just trying not to fuck up too bad, y’know?”
“You and everyone else.” That low chuckle made him scoot a little closer on the couch.
“Thank goodness for that. I’d hate to be the only one.” Sometimes Liam felt utterly alone.
“Nope. I mean, I sound like a parenting guru, which I’m not. All the child psychology mumbo jumbo aside, I like you.”
“Oh.” He knew his cheeks were heating, but he couldn’t help it. “That’s good to hear. I… I like you too.” And he felt like a fifteen-year-old with a brand-new crush. It was a breathless, wiggly feeling.
Brenden’s smile widened, the air in the room becoming charged, like the calm before a storm.
“This isn’t about you working for me; this is just you and me, okay?” Liam wanted to be clear.
“I get that. I was about to ask if this was too weird, but you make me feel—” Brenden kind of shrugged, but this time he scooted closer.
“It might be a little weird.” That was okay. Liam was a little weird.
“Well, we can just go with it.” Brenden leaned toward him, kind of swaying.
“Yeah.” He touched Brenden’s thigh, figuring this was no time for a vague motion.
Brenden drew in a breath, eyes going dark. Then he leaned in even closer, his offer clear.
God, let me still remember how to do this.Liam pressed his lips to Brenden’s, slow and easy, not wanting to rush or to lose his balance. There was a second, right before their lips met, where a jolt of electricity made him gasp.
Then they dove in, meeting each other with eagerness but a certain softness. Brenden’s hand settled on his chest, and Liam swore he could feel every single finger, every whorl of fingertips. Silly, maybe, but there it was.
Brenden reached up, sliding a hand behind Liam’s head to hold him in place; then Brenden deepened the kiss, the mixture of hops and them together making him moan.
They kissed for long minutes, just learning each other, gasping for air. When they sat back, they both laughed before they dove in again.
This felt like being young again, like being excited about the entire world. Liam couldn’t believe how fast this had come or how natural it felt. How wonderful.
The kisses went playful now, then deepened as they explored each other. Liam dared to touch now too, sliding one hand over Brenden’s shoulder. The muscles were lean, but there was a quiet strength there.
He pushed his hand down Brenden’s chest, feeling the heavy beat of Brenden’s heart.
Throb. Throb. Throb.
Oh, so good. Just that feeling that he wasn’t alone, that Brenden was as excited as he was.
Brenden put a hand over his, staring into his eyes.
“Hey,” Liam whispered.
“Hey. This is okay, right?” Brenden licked those stunning lips.
“This is more than okay. This is amazing.”
“I think so too.” Brenden moved in again, another kiss taking them over.
His body tightened, his cock beginning to fill. It had been so long that he almost looked down in amazement. His body was awake fully for the first time in years.
Wow. Also, whoa. And yay.
Brenden chuckled, a low, happy sound. “Well, hello there.” One warm hand settled just under his belt, covering his zipper placket.
