Page 20 of Beyond the Ruby River
By the time he returned, Daka was waist deep, his most distracting part hidden, and Mahu had his confidence back. He swam right up to him and stood an arm’s length away. Though he couldn’t understand why, it seemed Daka was interested in more than friendship. The potential hovered between them so thick Mahu could feel its tingling tendrils of warmth.
“You’re an excellent swimmer.” Daka’s eyes and hair gleamed blue, reflecting off the surface along with the sky.
“Thank you. I look forward to teaching you some day.”
Daka reached out to touch Mahu’s chest, hand splayed over his heart. “Beating so fast now.”
Mahu returned the gesture, his palm on Daka’s smooth skin, still heated from the sunshine. To his surprise, Daka’s heart was racing. “Yours too.”
“Is it too soon to kiss you? I want to. I told myself to wait, but now I don’t think I can.” Daka’s brows crumpled. His lips formed an irresistible pout.
Mahu was powerless to stop it. His hand skimmed from Daka’s chest to his back to pull him closer. Mahu leaned down. His other hand caught Daka’s waist as their lips met. Soft, slick, and hot beneath his own, Daka’s mouth moved with his in delicious harmony. Mahu licked the sweet plum flavor from between his lips. Their tongues met in a slow slide that drew a moan from deep within his throat.
The chirping of waterbirds, the calls of bugs, the wind through the reeds, all of it faded next to the soft, wet sounds of their kissing.
Daka pressed close, melting into Mahu’s chest. He’d wrapped both arms about Mahu’s neck, and his body stretched taught. Where the river had cooled Mahu’s flesh, Daka heated it back up.
Mahu had a thought to angle back his hips, but when the delicate skin of Daka’s belly met his swelling cock, he didn’t resist. He couldn’t. Such was Daka’s power.
They molded together from thigh to chest, lips never parting, heartbeats thumping in parallel. Daka’s fingers burrowed through his dripping hair to massage his scalp. Mahu ran his hands over the curves of Daka’s back, learning each slope and valley. Their mutual exploration was a reward in itself.
Only when Daka’s length stiffened hard against Mahu’s thigh did Daka pull back. Eyes glazed over with pleasure, cheeks pink as flower petals, lips plumped from kissing, Daka was a young god in Mahu’s arms, extraordinary in every way.
“Mahu,” Daka murmured, voice husky and raw. His finger traced Mahu’s lower lip.
Mahu opened and Daka slipped the digit inside, seeking his tongue. Mahu sucked the offering.
“Oh.” Daka was watching his mouth. He went so loose in Mahu’s arms that Mahu had to hold him tighter or risk him falling. Daka’s head sank to his shoulder and nuzzled his neck. Pliant like this, Mahu could lift him up, carry him onto the grassy bank, and make love to him in the open, but he didn’t. They clung together, chest to chest, catching their breath.
Daka drove his hips forward as if he couldn’t help himself. His breathy whimpers, so close to Mahu’s ear, were better than any music he’d ever heard.
Mahu slid his thigh between Daka’s to give him something to grind against and matched his rhythm. A second finger joined the first in his mouth. Mahu welcomed it with his tongue. The novelty of the tender intrusions lit a fire in his veins. His cock swelled large, trapped between them.
Daka shuddered, pulled his fingers from Mahu’s mouth, and stilled. His lips moved against Mahu’s collarbone as he spoke. “We should stop.”
Mahu exhaled a shaky gasp. Stopping would be torture, but for Daka he’d bear it. “If you like.”
Daka’s laughter tickled his throat. “I don’t want to stop. I just think we should. Isn’t this how…people do it? First you kiss. Then later…”
The words flipped round in Mahu’s head as he attempted to make sense of them. Such an odd creature, his Daka. Gently, Mahu put some space between their bodies, but he didn’t let Daka go.
“We can proceed however you like, Nedjes. There’s no hurry. I hadn’t realized you were interested.” Mahu stroked Daka’s silky hair and dropped a kiss on his crown. “But tell me, have you never…?” He let the question hang, unsure of how to phrase it. Have you never had a lover? A male lover?
This time the laughter came quick and strong. Daka leaned back enough to see his face. “Plenty. I’ve had plenty. But I’ve never wanted to get it right so badly in my life.”
Mahu was relieved with this answer. It’s what he’d assume of a young man with Daka’s charm and looks, though there was something odd about the way he’d phrased the inquiry. And wishing to get things right implied they’d gone wrong before. Mahu would tread carefully.
“Come, let’s get out of the water.” Mahu took his hand and led them ashore. “Lie with me in the grass. We can watch the clouds drift by and perhaps you can explain your fears to me.”
No longer self-conscious to be nude in front of Daka, Mahu stretched out on his back along the bank. Daka lay next to him. This way they could be together without the pressure of each other’s gazes. The sky would bear that burden for them.
Daka reached for his hand and laced their fingers but offered no further explanation.
Mahu chose his words with care and spoke them gently. “I must admit, your interest has surprised me.”
“It shouldn’t,” Daka said, easing some of Mahu’s worry. “You’re a fine man, Mahu. Anyone would be lucky to bed you, but I want more than that.”
“I—” Mahu started, then discovered he didn’t know how to explain, and stopped.
