Page 59 of Filthy and the Beast

“Really.” He inches closer to me. “Your feet move so fast. You’re graceful, even though you’re like a tank.”

I rub the back of my head. He thinks I’m graceful.

“Well, thanks.”

“Is that okay to say?” He scoots even closer. “Honestly, it’s kind of intense watching a teddy bear like you fight. I don’tlikeseeing someone hit you, or you hitting someone else. But your skill is just jaw-dropping.”

Well aware of the sport's reputation, I nod. “I understand. A lot of fighters I’ve met, though, boxing gives a safe place to work their aggression out. The discipline teaches us how to keep that shit in the ring where it belongs.”

Damian nods. “Makes sense. Considering you’ve been a straight jock bottling your emotions up for most of your life…” Trailing off, he purses his lips. “Are you still a straight man?”

I snort air out my nose. How am I supposed to answer?

“You don’t have to know,” Damian says. “Just curious.”

“The neighborhood I grew up in, the attitude around the boxing gym, all of it meant we didn’t talk about that kind of thing.” When he gives me an expectant look, I realize I owe him more. “I’ve had… moments. Didn’t realize it at the time, but I guess I’ve checked out a guy here or there. Took me this long to realize that was something more than curiosity.”

Damian nods. “I happen to have thought about my sexuality a lot. I prefer the label queer because, even though I tend to go for men, there’s enough wiggle room in my experience and my desires. I don’t like to be boxed in.”

I tighten my brow, feeling inadequate that I don’t know how to talk about this better. “I guess if I’ve enjoyed sex with women and men, that makes me bisexual.” The word is strange on my lips.

“If that feels right, sure.”

I rub the back of my head. “Like you were saying about jocks. We aren’t encouraged to talk about this stuff. I hope I don’t offend you.”

“Offend me?”

“My hang-ups,” I tell him. “When I get acting all funny. It’s not you. It’s just me getting used to… this.”

Damian pushes his leg against mine. “You’re doing fine. Far exceeding the expectations for a formerly straight jock.”

“Thanks to you.”

It’s true. He makes it easy. Drives me out of my fucking mind, too, but I’m realizing that’s part of the fun. And when it comes down to what matters, Damian listens to me. He cares about me in a way no one else has.

Before I can get lost in my thoughts, Damian brushes his soft lips across mine. I pull him close, and as our bodies slide together, heat swells at my core.

Instead of rushing to sex, we move slow. I remove his glasses for him, drag my hands up under his sweater, stroke his sides. We keep kissing, gentle and sweet, and my desire builds like beating a drum.

Fuck, he’s hot. I want him so bad. Every way I can have him.

Damian crawls on top of me, hands at my hips. When I thrust my erection against him, he drags his palms down to my ass and squeezes. A jolt of pleasure sparks to the center of me, and my dick pulses in response.

I tense.

He slows down, pulling his lips back. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry.” I shake my head. “Still just a little hung-up on that one.”

He takes a minute to realize what I mean. “Oh. Your ass? I wasn’t trying to initiate that.” He bites down on his lip. “I was just enjoying a squeeze, if that’s okay.”

“Oh. Right.” Embarrassed I derailed us, I shake my head. “My fault.”

“Like I said, I don’t need anal to be happy with you,” he assures me. Although thewith youpart implies he might with someone else, stressing me out again.

I grunt, not sure what else to say.

Damian puts his glasses back on. “What makes you nervous?” he asks sweetly.

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