Chapter 21

"I can't put my finger on exactly why, but your condo relaxes me," Grant said.

Delighted, Roman smiled as his gaze swept the casual, overstuffed furniture with a generous amount of throw pillows in his favored shades of green and blue.

"It does the same for me," Roman confided. "When I moved in, I wanted a clean slate. I took nothing from my last apartment but my clothes and shit like that. For months, I visited shops and browsed online for what you see now."

"Are you addicted to interior design now?"

Roman shook his head emphatically. "As much as I love this place, it was a relief to finally be fucking done. If something breaks or wears out anytime soon, there will be a big-ass blank area where it used to be because I'll be damned if I return to shopping anytime soon."

"Good thing I don't want to change anything."

"You're welcome to change whatever you want to suit you, but don't ask for my help. You're on your own."

"Relationships are about teamwork, Calixtus."

"Then focus on something that we both like, not decorating."

Grant shuffled closer to Roman on the sofa, and his smirk was devilish. "I can think of one thing we both like."

Cupping the back of Grant's neck, Roman nipped his chin and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Could you be more specific? As Venerable Knights, we share many interests."

"This has nothing to do with work," Grant said, sinking his fingers into Roman's hair.

Roman laid his palm on Grant's denim-clad thigh and moved his hand upward until he was millimeters from his mate's groin. A second later, he sealed their lips together. Grant immediately tilted his head, and Roman eagerly accepted his invitation to deepen the caress. His tongue hit Grant's as the scent of limes filled his senses.

It was difficult with them both sprawled on the sofa cushions, but Roman wiggled closer to Grant. His cock demanded he go much farther, but Roman wasn't ready to rip Grant's clothes off and feast. Although he didn't have to ask if Grant was willing to go along with the now-throbbing erection straining the front of Roman's jeans, his other half was innocent.

Grant deserved better than to be fucked fast and hard for his first time. The voice in Roman's head urging him to demand Grant strip and lift his ass right there on the couch to be fucked had to be ignored. Another night , Roman assured himself. They had an eternity waiting for them; there would be plenty of opportunities for that fantasy.

As if sensing Roman's current state of admonishing himself for his desire to move too damn fast, Grant pulled away and frowned.

"Let me guess," Grant said, frustration tightening his jaw and causing his brows to furrow. "You think we're getting carried away and we need to focus on other aspects of our relationship?"

With a devilish smile, Roman dragged his knuckles up the rigid cock pressing against Grant's zipper. The other fallen knight gasped, and those lime-green eyes Roman loved widened in surprise.

"I have every intention of pleasing you tonight," Roman insisted. "However, I'm ignoring my dick's plan to fuck you face down on my new couch."

"What if I fully endorse your dick's plan?" Grant rushed out, shifting awkwardly on the cushion. "My dick fucking loves that plan. So does my ass."

"This time my mouth wins."

"Huh?"

Roman stood and held out a hand to Grant. "Come to the bedroom with me. I want to suck you off."

Grant's gaze narrowed, and he ignored Roman's outstretched arm. "This isn't a trick, is it? Like I'm going to get up and when we get to the bedroom, you'll insist we change into jammies to sleep?"

"You're so fucking suspicious," Roman replied with a laugh. "I'm not sleeping in jammies tonight, baby."

With a bright grin, Grant slapped his palm against Roman's and nearly jumped off the sofa. "I get to suck you off too, right?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Roman squeezed Grant's hand affectionately as he led him out of the great room. "Yeah. I can't promise I'll last long enough to give you that opportunity after I've ensured that I've squeezed every drop of come from your cock."

"Backup plan is we take a little rest and have a round two."

They made it to the bedroom, and Roman flipped on the light. Grant immediately pulled away and tore his T-shirt off, revealing smooth, creamy skin and the toned muscles that came with being a defender of the Council. Roman licked his lips at the delicious sight but stalked forward as Grant unbuttoned his jeans.

Roman hauled Grant close and shook his head. "What's the rush?"

In Grant's eyes was a beguiling mixture of lust and innocence. "I want you."

"I want you too," Roman said, slowly leading Grant backward toward the king-sized bed covered in a blue-green paisley coverlet. "But we're not in a hurry. We can take our time. Explore." Roman kissed Grant and sucked a little on his bottom lip. "Taste each other."

His cock jerked as Grant molded himself to Roman's body, and he grabbed a chunk of Roman's hair in his fist. "Good plan. Love it."

Roman smiled as his mouth touched Grant's. There was no hesitation from either man as their tongues eagerly stroked. Kissing was a pastime Roman had enjoyed, but he realized he'd known nothing about the true passion of such caresses until he'd met the other fallen knight who was now so pleasantly close.

Banding his arms around Grant, Roman stroked his hands across the broad planes of Grant's naked back. Grant moaned as Roman shifted so their rigid lengths bumped. Roman loved the surge of excitement and desire that swept through him as he rubbed against Grant. The deep grumbles of eagerness filling his ears only heightened the tension gripping Roman.

He forced himself to lighten his hold on Grant as he teased him with little nips on his chin and jaw. Roman cupped Grant's taut ass and squeezed. Grant arched his neck and growled. Happy to please Grant, Roman kneaded his firm gluteus muscles as he brushed his lips along his exposed throat.

Grant shifted and tugged on Roman's shirt. Since the article of clothing was doing nothing but preventing his skin from touching Grant's, Roman released the other fallen knight and tore the T-shirt over his head. Roman tossed it aside and didn't bother to note where the damn thing landed.

Instead, Roman tugged on Grant's zipper and nearly lost his footing when Grant shoved him back.

"What's wrong?" Roman demanded instantly, ready to do whatever was necessary to ensure Grant was happy.

"Nothing," Grant replied, shoving his jeans to the floor. Underneath them, he wore a pair of boxers as lime green as his eyes. Roman nearly grinned at the discovery, but Grant slid his underwear down, exposing his beautiful cock.

It was tempting to tear off his own clothing with such reckless abandon, but Roman didn't. With his gaze glued to Grant's groin, he slowly undid his pants.

"I can't decide whether to scream at you to hurry the fuck up or enjoy the goddamn show," Grant remarked a bit breathlessly.

Roman chuckled and continued to take his time as he pulled off his jeans.

"Fuck. I wore some stupid bright boxers. And you…"

"And I what, baby?" Roman asked as Grant's words trailed off.

"You know what? Who cares. I like you in your little black briefs."

"Thank you. And for the record, I like your boxers. They match your eyes."

"Yeah, look at them later," Grant said, grabbing his cock and giving it a quick tug. "Right now, I want your full, undivided attention on my dick."

"Let go of it."

Grant stroked himself again. "Feels damn good though."

"You want me to suck it or not?"

Nodding vigorously, Grant released his hold and threw himself on the bed. Roman's balls were begging him to hurry the fuck up, but Roman hooked his fingers into the waistband of his briefs and dragged them down his legs with no hint of impatience. He'd lived for centuries and gotten off in a variety of ways. Tonight was about Grant. As Roman stepped out of his underwear and flung them aside, he privately acknowledged that every damn night in the future would be about Grant.

Grant was his, and it was both Roman's duty and pleasure to ensure his other half had everything he wanted. That included putting Grant's desires above his own. Which was no hardship. Roman took great delight in satisfying Grant's wishes.

"Yeah, bring that dick over here," Grant enthused. He wiggled on the coverlet as Roman climbed onto the bed.

Roman slapped his questing hands away. "No touching."

"It's a good thing I like following rules," Grant grumbled.

"Spread your legs, baby," Roman requested softly.

Without hesitation, Grant slid his feet apart, ensuring there was plenty of room for Roman between them. Keen to take Grant up on his unspoken invitation, Roman planted himself between Grant's knees. He smoothed his palms up Grant's lightly furred legs. Rising from a nest of brown curls, Grant's cock strained toward his belly.

Pre-come had the head glistening slightly in the low light of the bedroom. It was the sexiest thing Roman had ever seen. His mouth watered for a taste, but he had to take at least a few moments to explore Grant. So, he shifted until he could drag his tongue up Grant's stomach. Grant's muscles tightened, and his breath caught as Roman lowered his body closer.

Roman's brow winged up as, instead of grabbing at him, Grant lifted his arms above his head and grabbed two of the round poles of the headboard. While Roman hadn't considered that delightful advantage when he'd picked out his bed, he had no complaints. But he was past worrying about anything mundane like interior design.

His entire being was focused on the gorgeous man writhing beneath him and the desire rocketing through his veins. Hoping he wasn't rushing either of them, Roman maneuvered until he could balance himself with one hand and use the other to grab Grant's straining cock.

Since Roman was determined to drive Grant delirious, he didn't tease him. Roman didn't gently wrap his lips around Grant's dick. He took Grant into his mouth and shoved his face into Grant's groin so he could swallow around the head of his shaft.

Grant bucked beneath him as he hollered Roman's name.

If Roman wasn't busy using his tongue to memorize the ridges of Grant's length, he would've chuckled. Instead, Roman hummed as he sucked. Grant's movements grew more enthusiastic, so Roman once again changed his position slightly. Roman splayed his hands across Grant's hips to keep him relatively still as he bobbed his head over his mate's tasty cock.

For reasons perhaps explainable by Fate alone, the intensity of Grant's scent was deeper near his groin. The fruity scent of limes surrounding Roman was a beautiful reminder that the salty taste teasing him belonged to his mate.

His heart squeezed, and Roman wondered how it was possible to be falling for Grant so easily and quickly.

"Roman," Grant whispered urgently.

The thick thighs resting inches from Roman's head shook. Grant was close. So was Roman. Sparks skimmed along his spine, but Roman wanted to ignore them. That was an impossibility. No one had ever driven Roman to the edge with such ferocity or speed.

Beneath him, Grant's breaths were coming in pants and his muscles were vibrating as he strained to delay his release. But it was Roman who moaned around Grant's dick as his balls emptied.

It happened without warning. Roman swore he nearly blacked out with pleasure as his orgasm thundered through him. Thankfully, he kept his lips tightened around Grant, but he must've stopped moving for at least a few seconds because his mate whined a protest.

Contrite, Roman wondered how the fuck he'd come without touching himself and happily swallowed around the head of Grant's cock again. It was the right move. Grant roared out Roman's name again as his back bowed. Roman enjoyed the salty taste of his desire as Grant spilled his release on Roman's tongue.

Roman sucked Grant as he committed each lovely moment of their encounter to memory. A wave of tenderness flooded him, and he thanked Fate for the man in his bed. Grant wiggled in a way that told Roman he was trying to get away, so he regretfully pulled his mouth off Grant's dick.

He opened his eyes, and his gaze traveled up Grant's flushed shoulders, past the small smile playing around his enticing mouth, and landed on the hands wrapped around the headboard. The skin of his fingers was white, as if he was straining with everything in him not to let go. It was sexy as hell.

"You didn't wait, did you?" Grant huffed out.

"Sorry. No choice in the matter. I didn't touch it, and I still came. No one but you has ever done that to me before."

Grant smiled. "Even if you're lying, thanks for saying that."

Irritated, Roman sat up and swatted Grant's thigh.

"I'm not lying," Roman said, swallowing his regret that he was keeping a secret from Grant.

" Ow . Stop hitting me and get up here."

The moment Roman shuffled forward and was within reach, Grant hauled him down. Roman grunted as he landed ungracefully on his mate. Grant tugged at Roman's hair and stabbed his tongue through his lips. Chuckling at Grant's impatience to taste himself in Roman's mouth, Roman leisurely returned the voracious kiss as he settled himself more comfortably on Grant.

"I can't wait to do that again," Grant murmured.

"I know the feeling."

"So, I was good?"

"The very fucking best, baby."