Chapter 9

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed open the door to Thorns each beat a reminder of the high stakes of this encounter. His senses were heightened. Every nerve in his body tingled with anticipation, his mind racing with endless possibilities of what a reunion might bring.

The moment he saw him, Ethan's breath caught in his throat. Hunter was perched on a stool, leaning against the bar. With a drink in hand, he looked both out of place and entirely at ease in the sea of bodies. His presence drew Ethan's attention irresistibly across the room like a beacon. The memory of their last encounter, the intensity of Hunter's submission and the connection that forged something unexpected between them, sent a shiver down his spine.

As he passed through the crowd, Ethan felt the weight of multiple eyes on him. He brushed it off, focusing on the figure at the bar. The noise around him faded to a dull background hum, and every step increased his pulse.

Finally, he reached Hunter, who looked at him with guarded pleasure. "Sir," he greeted, his voice low and sending warmth through Ethan's body. "I was hoping to meet you."

As Ethan's smile broke through the tension, his shoulders eased, the stiffness that had gripped him melting away. His heart pounded with desire and longing as he reached for the glass in Hunter's hand. He set it gently on the bar with a soft clink. In a fluid, unspoken agreement, he tugged Hunter off the stool, his fingers curling firmly around the back of Hunter's neck, drawing him close with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

Their lips met in a collision of pent-up passion, each kiss a mingling of urgency and aching need. The scent of leather and aftershave blended with the wild, untamed essence that was uniquely Hunter.

Their lips met in a fiery dance, their mouths moving in perfect sync. Ethan's heart raced as he tasted the blend of sweetness and raw desire. Hunter's flavor was as addictive as he remembered.

Time seemed to stand still as their tongues tangled, exploring each other with a hunger that had been building for far too long. Heat radiated from Hunter's body, as their chests pressed tightly together. Electric currents surged through every point of contact, igniting a firestorm of pleasure that consumed him. As their hands roamed each other's bodies, caressing and claiming, the world around them faded into oblivion.

The rough graze of Hunter's beard against his skin sent sparks of primal heat coursing through him, every touch and breath weaving them tighter into the fabric of the night.

Strong fingertips delved into the base of Hunter's skull and firm lips pressed against his, as Ethan slanted his head.

Hunter loved how bold and forward he was.

A wet tongue probed his lips, and he parted them, accepting what felt like a claim and giving as good as he got. Ethan tasted like coffee and mint, which should have been an odd combination, but fit perfectly for a man who was as bold as he was a fresh breath of air. Hunter's heart raced with excitement and vulnerability as Ethan's lips explored his own. Ethan's unique flavor mingled with a rush of desire, creating a sensory overload that consumed him.

In sync with each other like they'd been partners for years, they both drew back to inhale. Tippingtheir heads the other way, they dove back into the kiss. Their bodies moved as though they were two puzzle pieces finally finding their perfect fit. Every touch, every kiss, and every breath exchanged between them ignited undeniable chemistry. Hunter's blood rushed through his veins like molten lava as Ethan ate at his mouth.

Hunter shuddered as Ethan sucked on his bottom lip and he could imagine the man's mouth around his cock.

Would this dominant male go down on his partner?

His jeans suddenly became too tight, and Hunter groaned as Ethan withdrew.

Resting his forehead against Hunter's, he said, "Hey."

"Hi." A little awkward, Hunter stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked on his heels. "Would you mind taking off your glasses for me?"

"Sure." Ethan pulled the sunglasses from his head. "Why?"

"You have gorgeous eyes, Sir. I like to look into them," Hunter confessed.

Ethan cocked an eyebrow, studying him. "I like yours too. They are like a forest pond."

Hunter scoffed. "What… like… muddy and murky?"He hated his own eyes, which never seemed to be able to decide what color they were.

Ethan narrowed his gaze into slits. "Not at all. I meant mysterious and deep, sometimes reflecting the green from the surrounding trees, sometimes grey and dark like a stormy sky."

Hunter blinked, at a loss for words, before settling on, "Thank you, Sir."

"I'm happy you returned to the club."

"Me too."

For a few heartbeats the silence stretched between them. "Would you like to do another scene with me?"

Oh I like his assertive straightforwardness.

Hunter's heartbeat sped up and his libido surged into overdrive. "I would love that, Sir. It has been on my mind constantly since last week."

"Same for me." Ethan thrust his hips forward, grinding his cock against Hunter's, showing that they were equally affected.

"Do you have any requests or stipulations before we begin?"

Hunter mulled the question over in his head. "Is there somewhere more private we can go?"

"Didn't you like the dungeon?"

"I did." Hunter dropped his gaze. He was unsure how to phrase his wants without overstepping the dynamic they had in effect.

A strong hand gripped his chin. "Speak up, boy."

He should have bristled at the order, but the dominant move and demanding tone melted something inside him like asphalt underthe blistering sun.

"Last time was amazing, but it was all about me and my needs and wants.I would like to give you pleasure and since you didn't take anything last week, I figured you might not like getting naked or vulnerablein front of people." The words rushed from his mouth like a torrent, and his cheeks heated.

"Thank you for your honesty."Ethan's hand relaxed, and he rubbedhis fingers acrossHunter's short beard. "It's true.I'm a private person. However, I don't have to get naked to fuck, which by the way, I never do in a first scene."

"Why not?"

In a gesture Hunter recognized, the Detective Dom tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. It was what he called Ethan's thinking face, and it was a damn sexy look on the man.

The midnight blue gaze locked on him. "I'm all for safe, sane, and consensual. A first scene can be overwhelming. I'd rather not fuck someone who doesn't seem to be thinking clearly." He waved his thumb across Hunter's cheek. "I think I would like to have some privacy with you tonight." His grip tightened again. "I'm not saying we'll fuck, though. That's up to me. You'll take what I give you, when I give it to you, boy." He let go of Hunter's face and created a bit of distance between them.