bed. Especially not when it smelled so strongly of alpha and sex.
William returned with a tray in one hand and a basin in the other, a towel thrown over his shoulder. He set the basin on the bed with the towel and a sponge. The tray he put on the bedside table, with two glasses and two bowls on it. Harper eyed it with interest, but William had other plans.
“Let’s clean you up a bit first, and then we’ll break out the refreshments.”
“Maybe a shower?” Harper ventured.
“It’s better not to completely scrub yourself down mid-heat. Confuses your body about what’s going on. But if you feel you can’t live without a shower…”
He left it open-ended, giving Harper the choice.
“I guess a sponge bath from a handsome alpha isn’t the end of the world.”
William grinned, soaking the sponge and wringing it out. The first touch of it to his skin had Harper sighing happily. The water was just right, warm enough to feel good without being hot. He shouldn’t have been surprised that the alpha was all gentle efficiency, cleaning and drying each patch of skin in turn. Harper sucked in a breath when the alpha lingered over his groin, gentling the press of the sponge. Heat stirred within him, and it took a few deep breaths to hold back the rising tide.
“Flip over,” William said as he finished up.
Harper stretched out on his stomach, a hand under his chin so he could watch William work. The alpha stroked his hands along his wrists, his touch gentle as he pressed along the joint. Harper hissed a little at the soreness and found concerned eyes meeting his.
“Was I too rough?”
“No,” he rushed to say. “It was good. Too good, maybe. You set the bar high.”
William grinned, his concern softening to something darkly pleased.
“I promised I’d give you what you need.”
“Yeah,” Harper ventured. “People say that, but then usually end up giving you what they need. Or worse, what they think you need. You might just be the first person who truly listened to what I wanted.”
William was quiet for a long moment, a serious look replacing the easy grin he’d had only moments before.
“I’m sorry you’ve had those experiences. It isn’t right.”
Harper hadn’t meant to dull the mood.
“Hey, it is what it is. And it’s not as bad as I painted it. I wouldn’t even call the sex bad. More like… unfulfilling.”
“Still. You deserve better.”
William patted him dry with the towel. “All done. You want some clothes, or are you happy with a blanket?”
Harper considered that. “Something that’s soft on my skin? Preferably something that smells of you.”
William rolled off the bed. “Just a second.”
He returned with a piece of clothing Harper recognized—the soft pullover the alpha had worn their first evening at William’s apartment, when he’d all but admitted to being touch-starved.
“Are you sure? I thought this was your favorite.”
“It is. That’s why I want you to wear it.”
Harper knelt up and took it from him, shrugging into it. He sighed quietly as the soft material caressed his skin. It was just long enough to reach the top of his thighs. He wouldn’t go cavorting around in it outside, but here, in the privacy of William’s home, he was more than comfortable.
“Sit up here, against the headboard.”
William patted the pillows, and Harper moved, shuffling around until he was comfortable.
The alpha picked up a glass. Harper went to reach for it, but his hand was gently nudged away. William held the glass to his lips and tipped it. Harper drank, making a sound of surprise when the sweet liquid hit his tongue. He got through about half the glass before William set it aside.
“Savory or sweet?”
Harper bit his lip and considered. “Savory.”
William picked up a bowl and reached inside, then offered him a piece of cheese on a cracker. Harper was tempted to take it from him, but just lifting his hand seemed like too much effort. William held it to his lips, and he took a bite. Crumbly saltiness hit his tongue, and he was a little embarrassed to realize that he’d moaned out loud. But the pleased look on William’s face erased that emotion.
“More?”
“Yes, please.” His eyes flicked to the tray. “What’s in the other bowl?”
William grinned. “A sweet surprise.”
It triggered Harper’s memory of their first roll in the hay. “You called me honey.”
The alpha faltered.
“What?”
“When we were… you know.”
William's brow furrowed. “You don’t like being called honey?”
“No. I’m just surprised. It doesn’t seem like your style.”
A dark look crossed