Hearts Under Fire (13 page)

Daniel pushed with one finger against the taut ring of muscle, Clark felt it give, and Daniel’s finger slid within. “Just?” Daniel asked softly, and pumped the single, slender digit, crooked to brush against Clark’s prostate.

Clark’s body tensed, and he groaned at the invasion.
More, more, more,
his need sang, and he loved that everything shrank; the world got smaller and all that existed was the bed, Daniel, and instants marked in sweaty seconds and lust. Clark struggled for words, didn’t find them, and instead looked at Daniel.

Chuckling, Daniel answered by sliding first two and then three fingers into Clark in quick succession. He started a steady rhythm, stroking Clark’s inner heat. His hand on Clark’s cock moved more surely, and he bent to the head, eager tongue tasting. Clark lost track of what his body did or his mouth said. Seconds, days, hours -- Clark didn’t know. Time ceased to be important, along with everything else but what his body could feel. His hands unlocked and clutched violently at the pillow beneath him.

“So good...” Heat swirled low and hot in Clark’s gut and behind his balls. “Christ,” Clark croaked as his spine stiffened into an arch.
“Mmm-ah!”

It was a perfect assault on his insides: quick and invasive and delicious. The mouth working on his cock made his mind and lips go numb. “Daniel... God...” Clark moaned, shivering. “Can’t...” His body rolled, his eyes squeezed shut, and the quest for the end game made him want more.

“
Please
...”
Clark panted. “Please... please...”

Daniel dragged his lips off Clark’s cock. “God, you’re driving me completely insane,” Daniel said, panting and dripping with sweat. “Condom,” he gasped, and hugged Clark’s leg as he withdrew his fingers, lunging for the nightstand.

Clark groaned and shook while Daniel searched for latex. “Top drawer,” Clark managed to say, before he rose and circled arms around Daniel’s straining torso. He kissed, nibbled, and sucked any skin he could find, one hand dropping lower to squeeze Daniel’s ass. Daniel shuddered, hips moving. Then he started laughing as he finally ripped open a box and yanked one of the packets from the string.

“Oh God, Clark, you’re killing me,” Daniel said, as he twisted back and slid on top of Clark. He kissed Clark’s lips, tongue stroking and hips grinding against Clark’s, both their straining hard ons between them.

Clark grinned and bit Daniel’s lower lip, pulling it between his teeth. “Fair’s fuckin’ fair,” Clark growled, and bucked back against Daniel, hands reaching to grab twin handfuls of flesh and force-roll Daniel into the grind.

Daniel arched and moaned, pulling back to get free. He pushed up, hands flat on the mattress, and ducked his head to drag his teeth over Clark’s nipple, his tongue working the tip. Clark’s breath caught and then exhaled in a sighing rumble. He dragged blunted nails over Daniel’s back and side, toying with Daniel’s piercing again. He pinched and pulled, mind redlining and body in a fever of anticipation and need.

“C’mon...” Clark husked. “Before I just throw you down and ride you, everything be damned.”

Daniel ripped apart the packet and covered himself with a few expert motions. He found the lube, clicked it open, and poured it generously onto his cock, slicking himself. Moving fast, Daniel lifted Clark’s legs onto Daniel’s shoulders, pressed his tip to Clark’s entrance, and leaned forward, all his weight behind his cock.

Clark’s breathing went chaotic and tinged with soft syllables of lust. There was too much to feel. Focus and thought broke, and the pieces flew apart in a scattered spray.

“Oh fuck...
ooooh
fuck...” Head going back and eyes slipping closed, Clark reached up and wrapped one hand around the back of Daniel’s neck. The other fisted into the sheet and yanked, the fabric pulling free with the force.

Daniel groaned, sinking slow and deep into Clark’s body, inch by inch. He didn’t stop until he was seated all the way to the root of his cock. Clark’s body wanted to move, curl, reject, and find more, all at the same time. He panted with his head back, and God but he loved this: filled, fucked, taken, pressed, and pinned. His body was Daniel’s, and he remembered his love and hate at being so full. He gritted his teeth and willed his muscles to accept and relax.

Arms wrapping and holding onto the trembling man above him, fingertips digging into any skin they could find for purchase, Clark moaned, long and low. “God... yeah... oh... Daniel...
ooh
...” he said between rushing breaths.

As Clark’s body unclenched, Daniel began to move, short, hard strokes, and he gasped, “Clark... ah... God...” before freeing one hand to wrap around Clark’s cock and pulling rough and fast.

“Fuck!”
Clark called, voice echoing off the ceiling. Daniel’s cock dragged with perfect precision, and the nearly cruel hand on his length made heat boil and surge through his body with stunning force. Clark felt shoved toward release, body getting there so quickly that he felt dizzy and out of his mind.

“Daniel,” Clark gasped. “Oh, holy shit.” The words were high-pitched, and he shook all over, legs tensing and insides clenching, making things burn and ache and tighten in ways that pushed Clark even closer to the edge.

“
Please, oh,
fuck me, God, yeah
,
” Clark babbled, hands sliding over slicked skin and body pulsing, moving, and needing relief so badly it obliterated sanity.

Daniel moved faster, harder, shifting back so that his urgent motions toward release would hit Clark’s prostate with each jolt. Clark jerked as he tightened in involuntary prelude, and Daniel cried out, hand working Clark’s length with vicious speed.

“Come on, Clark.
Come
. Oh God...
Fuck!
” Daniel snarled, and Clark made a strangled sound. Daniel’s strain, the near-desperate command, the feel of Daniel inside him and the friction on his cock: it all rushed headlong toward the edge. The sensations demanded reaction, screamed for it, and Clark’s body went taut. He sucked in a labored breath, let go of a startled grunt, and his eyes squeezed shut as the orgasm ripped through him.

Daniel bucked into Clark’s shuddering body and cried out as his orgasm smashed through his control. He collapsed on top of Clark and lay there, panting against Clark’s chest. Clark’s lungs pulled in a long drag of air, remembering how to breathe. Daniel’s weight was sticky, warm, pleasant, but Daniel adjusted as Clark gingerly got his legs down, spreading akimbo, and rested a hand on his lover’s back.

Daniel hummed on one of his gradually slowing, panting breaths. He rubbed his cheek against Clark’s shoulder and sighed.

Clark traced light patterns with the tips of his fingers across Daniel’s skin, eyes closed and pulse finally starting to slow. He felt his way up Daniel’s arm and tucked a piece of wet, curling hair behind Daniel’s ear, smiling to himself.

“Stay tonight,” Clark rumbled.

***

Daniel’s eyes widened in surprise. He never stayed.

This isn’t one of your jobs, Daniel.

He relaxed and nodded against Clark’s shoulder. “I’d... yes. Thank you.”

Clark turned his head, eyebrow cocked. “Good. Would’ve been a pain to tie you to the bed for the rest of the night,” he said, voice a hoarser, lower, version of his usual tone.

Contentment now pooling in his belly, Daniel hugged the solid body below his. “You have the most interesting approach to submission I’ve ever come across, Clark.”

“Just thinking and doing what’s best for you, Sir,” Clark said, with a lazy grin. He hugged Daniel with one arm, the other hand smoothing back and through Daniel’s hair.

“Mm... yes,” Daniel said. “You are amazing, and when you give... God...” He shuddered.

Clark hummed. “That’s...” He shrugged. “I think I knew when I met you what you could be. For me.” He smiled. “An exception. And I’m happy to give you anything you want, Daniel.”

Daniel knew Clark’s words were true, and the evidence of that truth surrounded him: the scent in the air, the feel of slick and tack between their bodies, and the ache he felt in his shoulders and back. “You amaze me.” He sighed and lifted himself slowly, leaving Clark’s body with a soft groan. “Uhm... shower? Or should I get towels or something?”

Clark winced. “Shower,” he said immediately. “Can’t sleep well when I’m a mess.”

Daniel got off the bed, ignoring shaking legs and stiffening muscles. Tossing the condom in the garbage, Daniel turned to watch Clark get off the bed. Clark moved slowly, stretching his back as he stood. He chuckled at Daniel’s watchful gaze, and as he walked by, he swatted Daniel playfully on the ass.

“Not broken, Professor. Just stiff.” Clark headed for the bathroom.

“Clark,” Daniel said in warning.

“Hm?” Clark said, turning to look over his shoulder. And he froze. “Yes?”

Walking up to Clark, Daniel kept his face very still. “Turn just a bit. I’m glad to know you’re not broken, but...”

Clark blinked and obeyed with a frown.

Daniel swatted Clark across his tender ass. “I know you don’t even treat your barmaid like that, so please don’t do that to me.”

Clark’s frown deepened, and Daniel awaited an outburst or a protest with dread. Instead, Clark licked his lips. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Sir.”

Sighing, Daniel suddenly felt tired. “Thank you,” he acknowledged, and bit his lip on an apology. He felt like he had just kicked an adoring puppy.

Clark slowly reached out to clasp Daniel’s hand. “Come on... shower...” His voice was soft, and he gently tugged Daniel toward the bathroom. Clark didn’t let go until he had to open the shower door and turn on the water. He leaned against the glass with his fingers under the spray as it warmed up.

Watching Clark, Daniel felt dazed. He closed his eyes as the rush and flow of the evening went through his head. It felt so good to be with Clark that the small correction made him worry about damaging what they had. And now Daniel was going to do something he hadn’t done in a long time: sleep with someone, stay with them after sex, and maybe even wake up with them and talk over breakfast or something. He wasn’t sure what would happen, but he wanted to find out. Even if it scared him half to death.

Clark adjusted the temperature, stepped to hold the door wider with his back, and held out a hand to Daniel. “It’s warm.”

Taking Clark’s hand, Daniel sighed. “I’m glad.”

Clark brushed their lips together. Daniel delighted in the taste of Clark’s mouth, his easy strength, his compliance with Daniel’s control. Gone were the games, the masks, and the barriers that had kept him -- no -- kept
them
at arm’s length.

The idea of “together” had seemed impossible at Break. But now impossible pressed against him, and Daniel wanted -- needed -- so badly he ached. His mind turned over and discarded dozens of things he’d done with others. None of them could even match this kiss. Maybe it wasn’t the action or the technique; maybe it was just the man.

Clark climbed into the shower when Daniel released him. “Glad for what?” Clark asked sleepily, stepping under the spray. “Warm water?”

“Mm... yes. And that you asked me to stay.” Daniel found the soap and rubbed lather over Clark’s back.

“I’m happy you agreed,” Clark said, bracing his hands on the wall. He ducked his head, and water ran through his hair to the tiled floor. “You could stay for days on end and I’d be fine with it. But I understand if you’re attached to your own bed and to-do list.” He laughed nervously. “I’m kidding, of course,” he added, words barely audible. “Unless you don’t want me to be.”

“Well, for the weekend, the lists can take care of themselves,” Daniel answered. “I don’t even want to think about Monday.” Daniel got another handful of soap and cleaned Clark’s backside and lean legs, lingering on the insides of his thighs.

Clark’s hands made fists on the tile. “I’ll call Heather at the bar; explain I need some time and make arrangements.” Clark sighed as Daniel cleaned all traces of their lovemaking. The gray-haired man didn’t say another word. Daniel liked it when Clark remained still, but he loved it when Clark shivered beneath his hands.

Eventually Clark straightened and looked at Daniel over one shoulder, blinking water away and reaching behind him to grip Daniel’s hips. Daniel swayed, and he rested against Clark’s back.

“Mm,” Clark murmured, turning to face Daniel, hands still on the other man’s hips. His touch was light, and when he lowered his face to Daniel’s, Clark’s mouth hovered over Daniel’s lips. Clark’s body asked permission, heavy-lidded eyes searching Daniel’s.

Daniel’s breath caught. He reached for the kiss, surprising himself with the soft sound of need he made as their lips made contact. He really was tired.

With a long exhale through his nose, Clark closed his eyes and kissed Daniel, a slow exploration of texture and tongue. While his mouth worked, Clark took the soap and slid it up Daniel’s back. Daniel shivered. There was nothing in the world but the kiss, the feel of body against body, and the water sluicing over skin. Daniel’s hands moved to Clark’s chest for balance, and he kissed back, feeling Clark’s slow, languorous touches soothe his sore body. Everything felt so good, and he let himself rest in Clark’s care.

With a contented sound, Clark rubbed soap over damp skin and kneaded along Daniel’s spine with probing fingers. Daniel pressed closer, and Clark sighed when Daniel’s shoulders relaxed. Clark kissed and tasted while he worked, and when Daniel’s hands roamed, Clark pulled Daniel’s lower lip between his own to suckle and nibble. Clark finally broke away from Daniel’s mouth to kiss his jaw and along his neck while soaping the planes of Daniel’s chest and stomach.

“Taste so good,” Clark murmured, sprinkling slow-press kisses behind Daniel’s ear. Daniel tilted his head to allow Clark access, even though some part of him warned that this was dangerous, that he should resist, stop Clark from being so familiar and intimate. But Daniel trusted Clark, so he made his body relax.

Carefully, Clark eased Daniel toward the wall. “Just going to wash your legs,” he whispered. “Lean back. You won’t slip. I’ve got you.”