chapter 14

The dim light of the room cast long shadows across the walls, the only sounds a faint breeze rustling the curtains and the quiet breaths they shared. Max stood near the edge of the bed, his chest rising and falling steadily, though his composure seemed precarious at best. Alex, standing just a step away, watched him with an intensity that made the air between them hum.

“Why do you always look at me like that?” Max finally asked, his voice soft, barely above a whisper.

Alex smiled—a slow, knowing curve of his lips as he stepped closer. “Like what?” he replied, his tone playful but edged with something deeper.

Max averted his eyes for a moment, shaking his head. “Like you’re about to devour me.”

Alex laughed softly, the sound low and rich as he closed the distance between them. “Maybe I am,” he said, his voice dropping as he raised a hand to brush a strand of hair from Max’s forehead. His touch lingered, his fingertips trailing down Max’s temple and along his jaw.

Max swallowed, his pulse quickening under Alex’s gaze. “You’re always like this,” he muttered, though there was no conviction in his tone.

“And yet, here you are,” Alex murmured, leaning in. His lips grazed the corner of Max’s mouth, not quite a kiss but enough to make Max shiver. “Tell me, Max,” Alex continued, his lips brushing against Max’s skin as he spoke. “Do you like it when I do this?”

Before Max could answer, Alex pressed his lips to the side of his neck, his kiss warm and deliberate. Max let out a shaky breath, his hands instinctively gripping Alex’s arms. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught in his throat as Alex’s lips moved lower, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin just above Max’s collarbone.

Alex pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Max’s face. “Well?” he prompted, his hands slipping around Max’s waist. “Do you?”

Max nodded, his voice failing him for a moment. “Yes,” he finally managed, his tone breathless. “You know I do.”

Alex hummed, his lips curving into a smile as his hands moved to the buttons of Max’s shirt. Slowly, deliberately, he began to undo them, his eyes never leaving Max’s. “Good,” he said softly. “Because I plan to do much more.”

Max’s breath hitched as Alex pushed the shirt off his shoulders, the fabric falling to the floor in a soft rustle. The cool air against his skin was nothing compared to the heat of Alex’s touch as his hands moved over Max’s chest.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” Alex said, his tone reverent yet tinged with mischief. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Max’s collarbone before trailing his lips lower, across his chest. When Alex’s lips closed over his skin, Max couldn’t suppress the gasp that escaped him.

Alex looked up, his eyes dark with intent. “Do you like it when I do this?” he asked again, his voice low and teasing as his teeth grazed the edge of Max’s chest before sucking lightly on the skin.

Max’s head tipped back, his hands tangling in Alex’s hair. “Alex,” he breathed, his voice trembling. He wanted to tell Alex to stop teasing, but the words wouldn’t come. All he could do was hold on as Alex continued his deliberate exploration, leaving a trail of warmth and sensation in his wake.

The sound of Alex’s laughter, soft and pleased, sent a shiver through Max. “I’ll take that as a yes,” Alex murmured before his lips returned to Max’s skin, his kisses growing more insistent.

Each touch, each kiss, left Max feeling like he was teetering on the edge of something he couldn’t name. His thoughts were a blur, a swirl of emotions and sensations that left him breathless. How does he do this to me? he wondered, though he didn’t dare say it aloud.

When Alex finally straightened, his hands still resting on Max’s hips, his eyes burned with an intensity that made Max’s knees feel weak. “You’re mine,” Alex said softly, the words carrying both a promise and a command.

Max met his gaze, his breath coming fast. “Always,” he whispered, the word slipping from his lips before he could think twice.

Alex smiled, his expression softening even as his hands tightened on Max’s waist. “Good,” he said before leaning in, capturing Max’s lips in a kiss that was slow and deep, filled with all the unspoken emotions between them.

Max melted into the kiss, his hands sliding to Alex’s shoulders as he let himself be swept away. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads resting together, Max couldn’t help but smile.

“That,” he said softly, his voice still shaky, “will definitely leave a mark.”

Alex laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I hope so,” he replied, his fingers brushing lightly over Max’s cheek. “Because I want you to remember this.”

Max nodded, his smile widening as he leaned in for another kiss

While their lips were still locked, Alex’s hands moved to Max’s chest, his fingers teasingly pinching. A soft "Ahmm..." escaped Max’s lips, the only sound he could manage. Alex’s touch continued to linger, playful yet deliberate.

Breaking the kiss, Alex leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Max’s forehead. “You know I love you, right?” he murmured softly.

Max responded with a quiet “Hm,” his cheeks flushed with warmth.

Time skip .

Max lay on his back, his legs draped over Alex’s shoulders as Alex moved slowly, his body pressing intimately against Max’s. Alex’s right hand cupped Max’s cheek, a tender gesture amidst their closeness.

Max bit his lip, his expression a mix of tension and passion, while his hand rested gently against Alex’s face, their gazes locked in unspoken connection.

"I'm going all in this time, alright?" Alex whispered, his voice low and steady. Max nodded in response, a soft "Ah..." escaping his lips as Alex pushed himself deeper.

"Ahm..." Max murmured, his breaths hitching, followed by a quiet "Agh..." as Alex let out a restrained grunt, their movements filled with intensity and passion.

"Can you go faster?" Max asked, his voice trembling with need. Alex smirked, leaning in closer as he picked up the pace, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm.

"Ah... ah... ah..." Max moaned softly, his hands gripping Alex’s shoulders as waves of pleasure rolled through him. Alex kissed his forehead tenderly, his movements steady yet intense.

"I need you to know something," Alex murmured between thrusts, his voice thick with emotion. "I... thrust... love you... thrust... more than anything. thrust I'm yours, Max... and yours alone, my love."

"I love you too, Alex," Max managed to say between gasps, his voice trembling with emotion. Unable to hold back his moans, he bit his finger in an attempt to muffle the sound.

Moments later, a wave of heat washed over him as he felt himself nearing the edge. "A... Alex," he stammered, his breath hitching. "I’m... cl... close," he gasped, his body trembling as the tension built to an overwhelming peak.

Alex understood immediately, his movements growing more urgent, his pace almost animalistic. "Me too, love... let’s finish together," he murmured, his voice thick with passion.

Max’s back arched as a loud, trembling moan escaped his lips. "Ah... Alex!" he cried out, his release overtaking him in a powerful wave. Moments later, Alex groaned deeply, his body shuddering as he reached his own peak, their breaths mingling as they came undone together.

Both of them lay tangled together, their bodies still warm and trembling from the intensity of their shared moment. Alex pressed a tender kiss to Max’s forehead, then trailed his lips gently down to his cheek, lingering as if savoring the closeness.

Max shivered slightly, his body still adjusting, and Alex noticed immediately. Without a word, he reached for the blanket at the edge of the bed, pulling it over both of them. He wrapped his arms securely around Max, pulling him close against his chest.

"You okay?" Alex murmured softly, brushing his fingers through Max’s hair.

Max nodded, his face nestled against Alex’s neck. "Yeah," he whispered, his voice still shaky. "I just... I love you so much."

Alex smiled, his heart full. "I love you too, Max. More than anything." He tightened his embrace, their breaths slowing in sync as the quiet comfort of the night surrounded them.