A Long Way Back (Unfinished Business #2) - Barbara Elsborg Page 0,47

you’re homeless and hungry, and it’s a matter of survival… I wanted to live. I’m not infected or anything, in case you’re thinking about that. They used protection, but I still got tested. I’ve not been with anyone for over three months. I did go with a few guys out of choice, nothing to do with money, because…I wanted to be held for a while and pretend that I was important to someone, part of a guy’s life, inside his world and out of mine. But I’ve never kissed anyone and I never let them kiss me. I figured that was one thing I could keep for myself, wait until it was the right time.”

Ink let out a shaky breath. “I know that’s a lot to tell you when all we were going to do was kiss, but I just wanted you to know.”

“Is this the right time?”

No. Yes. “Maybe. Maybe it’s just time.”

“Right, so this is a first for both of us. First kiss for you. First time kissing a guy for me.”

Ink smiled.

“No pressure then.” Tay smiled back. “Since I’m the experienced one here, except only with women…and not many of those…”

“Did you get any complaints? Too much slobber? Too much tongue? Too much dental inspection? Too much noise?”

Tay chuckled.

“Did you warn them that you don’t take criticism well?”

“I think you need to shut the fuck up now.”

He moved forward and lightly brushed Ink’s mouth as if they had all the time in the world. The breath hitched in Ink’s chest as Tay covered Ink’s mouth with his own, sucked at Ink’s lower lip, and groaned. Ink’s heart went wild, bounding around his chest like an excited puppy. He’d thought Tay would be more…pushy, but it was enough to turn Ink on. When their tongues touched, Ink moaned into Tay’s mouth. So much for not letting this go too far.

I can run if I need to.

They reached for each other at the same time, pulling until they were pressed together along their lengths, legs entwined, cocks nestled together, pressing against the material of their underwear. Ink started to shake as the kiss turned hot and wet. He was falling, falling, falling…

Why not fall together?

Take the risk.

Just don’t open your heart, because if you do, you’ll not only break yours, you’ll break his as well.

Tay ground himself against him and heat raced down Ink’s throat and along his veins, forcing precome from his cock. Tay kissed and licked and nipped at Ink’s mouth, lips, chin, throat, but kept coming back to his mouth. Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop! They held on tight to each other, clinging to each other, writhing together, kissing as if they were afraid someone would tear them apart before they were done. In that instant, Ink’s heart shattered because, in the end, he was the one who’d do the tearing.

But it made no difference. Common sense, knowledge and future plans were irrelevant. Whatever this was couldn’t be stopped. It burned like a wildfire and neither of them could stop feeding the flames. Ink put his hands on Tay’s neck, pushing his thumbs into the delicate skin of his throat as held his head. He dipped his tongue into Tay’s mouth and their tongues danced together. He kissed Tay’s face, tasting him, exploring the slight scruff of his chin, the softness of his eyelids, the hard lines of his cheek bones, the curve of his jaw, the smile on his lips. Ink was planting these memories deep in his head, just in case this was all he could have. Then their lips were together again and they kissed until neither of them could breathe.

Only the need for air pulled them apart.

“We have to stop before this goes too far,” Tay whispered. “Some nosy neighbour is probably glued to the window with her or his finger ready to call the police.”

“Or maybe the fire brigade.”

Tay laughed. “Yep.”

Ink dropped onto his back panting. Once oxygen flowed back into his lungs, surged around his body and fed his brain, he came to his senses. He sat up and reached for his jeans. “You’re right.” They did have to stop, but not just because they could be seen.

This was a bad idea. So how was he going to stop it, now that the door had been opened?

“I’ve never had sex.”

Tay’s words hit Ink as if he’d been struck with a hammer. He literally had no words in response. When Ink failed to speak, Tay averted his face and pulled