Page 32 of Danger Close
“Then let’s finish it,” Ricky said.
Ezra didn’t answer.Didn’t need to.
He crossed the room in three steps, grabbed Ricky’s shirt, and kissed him like a man who had just run out of excuses.
Ezra kissed him like he was starving.No hesitation, no guarded edges.Just hands in Ricky’s hair, body flush, mouth hungry and bruising.And Ricky ...he gave it right back.One hand at Ezra’s jaw, the other gripping his hip like he needed to hold him still or risk losing him all over again.
They broke apart only long enough for Ricky to strip his shirt over his head and for Ezra to yank off his hoodie.Then they were skin to skin, pressed so tightly together they could feel each other's heartbeats, fast and thunderous.
Ezra backed up toward the bed, knees hitting the mattress, dragging Ricky down with him in a tangle of limbs and breath and heat.
Clothes were discarded with unceremonious urgency—kicked off, peeled away, until there was nothing left but hot skin and the burn of memory.
Ezra rolled them, hovering over Ricky, breath ragged.“Need to taste you.”
Ricky arched up, his hands trailing down Ezra’s ribs.“Then stop stalling.”
Ezra grinned—wild, sharp—and shifted down, pressing a line of kisses along Ricky’s chest, his stomach, the scar beneath his navel.Then he slid lower, lips wrapping around Ricky’s cock and he smiled when he heard Ricky’s head hit the pillow with a thud.
But before he could fully fall into it, Ricky tugged at Ezra’s thigh, urging him upward.“Turn around.”
Ezra hesitated then swung a leg over and settled above him.
Ricky groaned a sound of pure need.He didn’t wait.
He leaned up, wrapped his lips around Ezra just as Ezra moaned around him again—and for a long, perfect moment, they moved together.Mouths.Hands.Heat.A rhythm older than grief and sharper than forgiveness.
It was messy.Desperate.Beautiful.
Ezra came up for air first, pulling off with a gasp, shuddering as Ricky’s mouth left him.He rolled off to the side, chest heaving, and looked over at his lover—really looked.
“Last time,” Ricky said, voice quiet.“After we ...that night.You walked out before I woke up.”
Ezra’s heart ached at the hurt in his lover’s tone.“I know.And I—”
“I wasn’t just mad,” Ricky interrupted.“I was wrecked.Because that night wasn’t just sex for me.”He sat up, spine tense.“I’d never done that before.With anyone.”
Ezra’s eyes widened.“You were—?”
Ricky nodded.“Yeah.I gave you something I’d never trusted anyone else with.And waking up alone?It felt like I didn’t matter.Like it was just a hookup to you.Like I’d only imagined it meant more.”
Ezra sat up slowly, knees folding beneath him, stunned.“Ricky...Jesus.I thought you’d had a dozen lovers.You were so ...confident.In control.I never would’ve guessed—” He swore under his breath.“That night was the best of my life.I didn’t walk because it meant nothing.I walked because it meant too much.I was chasing Van’s trail.Trying to pick up where he left off.I didn’t realize...I didn’t know I’d left that kind of wound behind.”
“You did,” Ricky said, softly.“But you’re here now.”
Ezra reached out, brushing fingers along Ricky’s jaw.“Let me fix it.Let me give you what you gave me.”
Ricky stilled.“Ezra...”
“I’ve never let anyone in.Not like that,” Ezra admitted.“Not fully.I’ve had sex, sure, but I’ve never...I’ve never had that kind of intimacy.I was always the one in control.Always the one taking, never trusting someone enough to let them have me.But I trust you, Ricky.I want you.”
Ricky’s breath hitched.Ezra leaned in, voice trembling.“I want you to be my first.All the way.If you still want that.”
Ricky’s jaw clenched as he nodded, hands framing Ezra’s face.“Fuck, yeah.I want that.I want you.”
Ezra lay back, heart pounding, legs open and inviting.For the first time since they’d met, he felt vulnerable.Not weak—never that.Just open.
And for the first time in his life, Ezra felt cherished.
