The Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion - Marie Sexton Page 0,76
knees. Denver pulled him close, thrilled at the ease of it, and at the way Spence rose onto his toes to meet him.
Finally, he claimed the kiss he’d been denied a few nights earlier.
It wasn’t like the dance floor, when they’d been all over each other, grinding and groping. It wasn’t the kind of kiss that made him want to tear Spence’s clothes off then and there and drag him to bed, although Denver’s hands did find their way under Spence’s shirt to explore the soft flesh of his back. It was sweet, and soft, and filled him with a simple joy that warmed him all the way to his toes—a gentle kiss that only hinted at the desire they’d both been working to smother since Spence had moved on board. Spence’s arms tightened around his neck, the fingers of one hand knotted in Denver’s hair, his breath coming in short little gasps as Denver lost himself, irrationally elated that Spence still tasted exactly the way he remembered.
Denver lifted Spence onto the counter, moaning as Spence’s legs locked around his waist. Given the intimacy of the position, a slew of possibilities popped into Denver’s mind, but he was happy to leave them all for another night. For now, he wanted only this—Spence’s willing mouth under his, his soft moans echoing in Denver’s ears. It was the kind of kiss that could have gone on for an hour, driving Denver crazy the whole time, but without ever getting old.
If they hadn’t been interrupted after only a few wonderfully giddy seconds.
“For fuck’s sake. Get a room.”
They broke apart, both of them panting for air. Denver ran shaking fingers through his hair before turning to face Ginn, who wore only a skimpy silk robe and a snide smirk.
“As it turns out,” Denver said quietly, “my room is currently occupied, no thanks to you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Do I need to leave so you can fuck on the table, or are you done?”
Denver opened his mouth to speak again, ready to tell her it was his ship and she could take a fast dive out the airlock if she said another damned word, but Spence stopped him with a hand on his wrist.
“It’s fine. I should get back anyway. I told Treesa I’d read with her before bed.” He squeezed Denver’s fingers before stepping closer. He rose onto his toes again, his lips brushing Denver’s ear. “We’ll have other nights, once we find the ship.”
Denver smiled. “And a lot more privacy.”
Spence kissed his cheek. “Exactly.” He stepped away, his cheeks red. “Good night, Denver.” He even managed to smile at their unwelcome guest. “Good night, Ginn.”
Ginn didn’t reply. She turned to face Denver as Spence left, her fists on her hips.
Denver felt like he was flying, and he wasn’t about to let Ginn ruin that. If he couldn’t have more time with Spence, he could at least have the comfort of his bed and his brother. He took Laramie’s glass of water and bolted, telling himself he wasn’t being a coward. He was only being expedient with Laramie’s request for a refreshing beverage. Never mind that he’d wasted who knew how long with his self-confessed obsession.
Laramie’s eyes were closed when Denver entered their shared room, but Denver knew by his breathing that he wasn’t asleep.
“Jesus,” Laramie grumbled. “I can tell you were with Spence.”
Denver laughed. “How? Is it the blissed-out thing again?”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Laramie snorted in derision. He sat up to take the water. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” His color was better already. Denver resisted the urge to feel his forehead again. He’d probably get his hand slapped for his efforts.
Laramie drained the glass and set it aside in order to lie down again.
“Do you need more?”
“Yes, but I know Ginn’s out there. I can wait.”
“I appreciate that.” He really didn’t want to have to face her again. If that made him a coward, well…
At least everybody else on the ship shared his cowardice.
Denver turned off the light and stripped down to his shorts before easing into his side of the bed. It’d been years since they’d slept together. The innocent intimacy reminded him of their days at the orphanage. The machine was loud, but it