Page 88 of The Vanishing
“Whatever works best for them.” Haruka shrugs. “They are not bonded, so if they wish to explore this new life independent of each other, they should be free to do so.”
“I think so, too.” A gentle silence settles over the room, the scent of leftover tea and salty rice crackers wafting from the tray on the low table just in front of them. Nino checks his watch. 3:46p.m. He looks at his mate. “Hey, panther.”
“Yes?”
“We’re alone in the house… probably for the next fifteen minutes before Asao gets back from dropping everyone off.”
“So?”
“So…” Nino turns and pushes his mate so that he falls to the couch. He climbs over him, grabbing the back of Haruka’s knee and pulling so that his legs are gaped and he rests on his back. He kneels in between his knees, grinning. “Someone tends to be a little more open with me when Asao isn’t in the house and potentially listening.”
Haruka shakes his head, frowning but unsuccessful in hiding his amusement. “Not here… It’s too close to the front door and—”
Nino is swift in sliding his palm against the inside of Haruka’s thigh and firmly gripping his shaft through his pants. Nino caresses him, and Haruka’s chest heaves in a shortened breath.
“Here. Just a quickie…” Nino leans down, whispering and brushing their lips together. He can feel Haruka’s soft, rosy breaths puffing out cool against his mouth. “We’re alone, tesoro… What do I have my hand on?” Nino gives him another firm squeeze for good measure, rubbing their noses. He lifts his face, waiting.
Slowly, Haruka opens his burgundy eyes, his expression flat and his rich, creamy voice resolute. “My cock.”
Everything inside Nino—his blood, his nature and energy—rushes down to his groin like fire, his heart rate skyrocketing. But he holds it together and takes a breath. “And what should I do with it?”
Haruka lifts his arms, sliding his long fingers against the back of Nino’s head to hold him close. “You can undo my pants and touch me.” He lifts his chin, licking Nino’s lips with a quick flicker of his tongue. “Or put it in your mouth.”
“Holyshit.” Nino sits upright, shaking his head. He runs his palms down his face. “He said it… Shit. I might come from this alone. God…”
Haruka huffs in a clipped laugh as he lies beneath him. “This is ridiculous.”
“It’s not.”
“You have been pushing me to say these things formonths.”
“I—I know. But… I don’t think I was mentally prepared… I didn’t know it’d hit me this hard…”
Nino jumps slightly when Haruka shifts and sits up straight. His mate places his palm against Nino’s chest to urge him backward, turning the tables. When Haruka is settled between his thighs, he caresses his pointer finger across Nino’s lips. “How hard, exactly?” he asks, his brow lifted. Nino parts his lips, taking Haruka’s finger into his mouth, letting it slide against his tongue.
While Nino sucks, Haruka shifts against his groin, slow and intentionally rocking so that their bodies align in just the right spot through their clothes. Haruka grinds and Nino moans in utter, perfect satisfaction. He sighs, his body inches away from release as he snakes his hands underneath Haruka’s shirt to feel his cool skin beneath his palms, encouraging his movement.
But Haruka stops dead. Confused, Nino’s eyes fly open.
“God help me…” His mate slips his finger from within Nino’s mouth and places his palm flat against his face. A second later, the front door swings open. They’re frozen in their intimate position as Asao passes by the tearoom. He doesn’t stop, but glances inside as he strolls by. “Left the grocery list on the counter.”
Haruka shifts to move but Nino reaches up and holds his hips, shaking his head with a nervous smile. Within another moment, Asao walks back toward the front door. Just before exiting, he calls out to them, “Don’t make a mess in the tearoom.”
“Ugh.” Haruka drops his shoulders, crumbling as the humiliation rolls from him in waves. Nino sits up, snickering and wrapping his arms around his mate’s waist.
“We can keep going—we just have to clean up our mess!”
“Absolutely not.” Haruka exhales, his palm plastered to his face. Nino reaches up and grabs his wrist to pull it down. Haruka’s eyes shift, reluctant in meeting his gaze.
Nino lifts his chin beneath him, smiling sweetly. “Thank you for giving me that. It was hot.”
Haruka rolls his eyes, smirking. “You’re welcome.” He leans down to meet Nino’s mouth. The kiss is gentle, just a peck at first. But Nino keeps his chin lifted and Haruka dips down into him once more, lingering, teasing. He tilts his head for a new angle against Nino’s mouth, moving slowly and sliding his tongue inside as he breathes into Nino.
When he lifts his head, Haruka’s voice is quiet. “Bedroom?”
“Mm.” Nino grins. “We’re not stopping again. I don’t care who walks in.”
-The Middle-
