happening.”
Declan sighed. “One thing you’ll learn the longer you’re around people, when they think with their heart, emotions tend to skew someone’s idea of right and wrong.”
Sean frowned. “So having emotions is bad?”
“No. Not at all, baby. I just mean sometimes our emotions blind us to seeing the truth.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“You know how you feel about Sam and Tara, right?”
He nodded.
“What if someone were to harm them again?”
Sean growled, anger rising quickly at the thought of one them being hurt. “They’ve been through too much already.”
Declan placed his hand over Sean’s heart. “That anger you have right now, it’s what the clans feel for their lost children. Now think of someone harming Sam, but you know nothing about it until someone tells you.”
Sean furrowed his brow, struggling to truly grasp what Declan said. “But it wouldn’t be that person’s fault.”
“No, but what if they could have stopped it? Like Maximus?”
“But I don’t blame Max!” Sean protested.
Declan smiled affectionately. “Your heart is so pure, my love. The purest I’ve ever known. You know my anger toward Max?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand why I am mad at him?”
Sean tilted his head a fraction. “Because he didn’t tell anyone about us being held there?”
“Yes.”
Finally, Sean understood what Declan meant. “I can see how you would be angry at him. Even though it wasn’t him hurting us, he didn’t do anything to help us either.”
“That’s how the other clans feel.”
“But you didn’t know about us. It still doesn’t seem to be the same thing.”
“Their feelings blind them to the truth of your words, baby.”
Sean still struggled to fully grasp why anyone would be blinded by how they felt about someone or something, but he did sort of understand after Declan’s explanation.
“After dinner, Dr. Binson is coming over to introduce herself and start her sessions with you.”
“Okay,” Sean replied, figuring Dr. Binson was the one Declan had mentioned the other day. “What do we talk about?”
Declan moved to the nearby couch, pulling Sean along with him. He sat and gently urged Sean onto his lap. “She is going to help you deal with the things you feel and the experiences you’ve had.”
“Can we go for another run soon?” Sean asked.
“Any time you want, baby. What about tomorrow morning?” Declan asked.
Sean nodded eagerly. “It was fun.”
“It certainly was, sexy. I loved being able to run with you at my side.” Declan cupped Sean’s cheek and brushed his thumb over Sean’s lower lip. “Especially what happened afterward,” he growled low.
Sean blushed, but whispered, “So did I.”
He’d never known there could be such pleasure from another person touching him. “Do-Does it always feel that way?” Sean asked, dropping his gaze to stare at the base of Declan’s throat.
“If two people agree to it, yes, it should. There are many things I have yet to teach you, my love, but we have time to explore.”
Biting his lip, Sean looked at Declan from beneath his lashes. He wanted to try some of the same things on Declan. He’d seen how much Declan enjoyed using his mouth on him and he couldn’t help his curiosity in wondering why. “Can I…” he stumbled to a stop, nervous about asking.
“Can you?” Declan nudged, moving both hands to encircle Sean’s slender waist.
“I want to touch you the same way you touch me,” Sean rushed through. “Um… with um… your mouth.”
Sean saw Declan’s eyes widen a fraction and he heard Declan’s breath stutter a bit. “Are you sure, Sean? I don’t expect anything from you.”
He nodded and met Declan’s gaze fully. “I want to try.”
“I would never say no if it’s something you truly want to do,” Declan replied.
“I want to make you feel good, too,” Sean murmured, lowering his gaze once more to study the interesting design of the shirt Declan wore.
Declan used his index finger to tilt Sean’s head back until their eyes met again. “Never, ever feel as though you owe me anything, Sean. I would love for you to find the confidence in yourself to do whatever you want to do, not what you think anyone else wants you to do. Including me. Understand?”
“But I do want to,” Sean said.
A low rumble vibrated in Declan’s chest and Sean watched an almost wicked smile curve the corners of his mouth. “Close and lock the door, sexy.”
Sean climbed from Declan’s lap and went over to do as he bid. When he turned back, his heart leapt into his throat. Declan had removed his shirt and now slouched casually against the sofa. He held out