Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
His heart thundered against his ribs, rattling his chest, every beat sharper, harder—climbing, escalating—until he swore he might explode.
The heat inside him had grown unbearable, a fever he knew this man could quench. Lucas Brewer wasn’t just undressing. He was unraveling Thorn’s control, peeling away the last of the defenses he clung to. Stealing what he’d been foolish enough to guard—his thoughts, pride, ego…heart.
When Lucas’s pants hit the floor, Thorn tried not to overact, but his appetite was so severe it was painful. It was a hunger that wasn’t simply physical—it was primal, spiritual, an ache carved into him.
He wanted this man as he had never wanted another, with staggering desperation, and the kind of longing that made him feel both ruined and reborn.
And as Lucas towered above him, shirt hanging open, his dick bulging at the front of his boxer briefs, authority radiating off him in waves, Thorn realized, Lucas wasn’t the only one surrendering to his hesitation.
“If your haven really is what you say it is…” Lucas stepped out of his pants and socks. “Then yeah, maybe I’m a little interested.”
Thorn exhaled with relief. “Good to hear.”
“But I reserve the right to keep company with the gentleman of my choosing.”
Oh damn. Thorn was a second away from exploding.
He wasn’t a fool—he knew who Lucas wanted. But he didn’t know if his heart was repaired enough to heal another’s.
All he knew was, for the first time in many years, he wanted to try.
Thorn removed his black Armani suit jacket, but nothing else. He pressed his back into the soft cushion, keeping his eyes locked on Lucas, and slowly pulled the elastic band down his ponytail, letting his long black hair flow over his shoulder.
Lucas’s look was pure approval as he lay on top of him, his hot, naked skin searing him even through his dress shirt.
Lucas wove his blunt fingertips through his hair until they reached his scalp.
He moaned, his hips thrusting in response to the massage.
Lucas grabbed a handful of his locks and pulled until his throat was accessible.
Thorn’s cock was solid steel in his unforgiving tailored slacks as Lucas sucked and bit at the hot skin over his pulse.
Lucas’s dick nudged against his own and sent their fondling into overdrive.
It was a heat that’d been brewing for days, and the urgency with which Lucas tore away his shirt was proof enough.
Thorn’s lips parted on a ragged breath as Lucas dragged his palms over his chest, teasing the pads of his thumbs over his nipples until Thorn released a full-body shudder.
What is he doing to me? I need to take control.
Lucas moaned against his throat, grinding his hips languidly into Thorn’s.
“So do we have an arrangement, Mr. Blackwell?”
It took a moment for Thorn to gather a thought he could articulate. His breaths were short and labored when he answered, “This isn’t exactly how pairings—not arrangements—are made at Belladonna.”
“Mmm, maybe not, Thorn…but this is how ours will be.”
Goddamn him.
Thorn didn’t have the chance to argue before Lucas pressed his heavy body harder into him, and whatever Thorn was about to say no longer mattered. All he cared about was what he was feeling and the myriad sensations he was experiencing at that moment.
Taking responsibility for a heart was exactly how his gentlemen had described—Thorn was excited, nervous, and a whole lot terrified.
God help me to not mess this up.
Before Thorn had arrived tonight, Lucas had been drowning his hurt in booze and work, and according to Oliver, his friend had been in that habit long before his divorce was finalized.
But now Lucas was buried between Thorn’s legs, his heart beating wildly, life still existing inside him.
Yeah. I know how to do this.
Thorn clenched his thighs tight against Lucas’s waist. “And if I agree to be your heart’s haven, how will we seal the deal?”
Lucas kissed him, his eyes falling closed as he repeated softly into Thorn’s mouth, “My heart’s safe haven, huh?” Lucas pressed their foreheads together. “I don’t know if I can handle or…”
“Shhh. I know.” Thorn held Lucas’s stubbled jaw. “Your betrayal is fresh, and it seems crazy to attempt this now. But I promise you that now is the perfect time. And…it’s the perfect time for me, Luc.”
Lucas swallowed visibly as he leaned harder into Thorn’s touch, a serene smile creasing his handsome face. “No one has called me Luc since I was a kid.”
Thorn hadn’t even realized he’d said it.
“It just kinda rolled off my tongue, but it seems like you don’t mind.”
Lucas huffed with mild amusement. “Fuck, Thorn. I have a feeling you’re gonna get away with a lot of shit I don’t typically allow.”
He accepted Thorn’s gentle peck before he deepened the kiss more, working Thorn’s slacks down his thighs until he was able to kick them off along with his shoes.
The tempo was slow and sensual. Now that Lucas was reassured he’d have access to Thorn for longer than just tonight, he could take his time and savor.