3. James

3

JAMES

Eli disappeared off to Parker's when they returned from Storm House. He'd been staying with James each night while Sebastian lay unconscious, but James insisted Eli didn't need to keep him company again that night.

Sebastian went to sleep as soon as they got back. James let him rest and only hovered a little.

Around dinner time, James climbed into bed with Sebastian, planning to wake him to eat soon. Parker had given them a pot of vegetarian chili, which James thought Sebastian would enjoy, but before James could decide how to wake Sebastian, he opened his eyes.

"Hey, there." He wiggled closer to James, who'd gotten under the covers with him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better. My head is clear." Sebastian ran his hand over James's bare chest. "You got undressed."

James wore only his boxer briefs, the same as Sebastian. "I wasn't going to wake you up right away."

"Mm," Sebastian hummed. "What were you going to do?" He bit his bottom lip and raised his eyebrows.

James shook his head and attempted to repress a grin. "I was going to hold you. Maybe stroke your hair."

"My sweet James." Sebastian pressed closer. "But now that I'm awake, we can get more creative than that."

"Can we?" James tried to play it coy and failed. Sebastian turned him on so damn much, and coming so close to losing him made James yearn for every bit of closeness they could have.

Sebastian hitched a leg around James. "I'm thinking yes."

James threaded his fingers through Sebastian's curls and took his mouth in a deep kiss that wasn't just about sexual attraction but connection. James needed to release all his feelings. He needed to kiss Sebastian roughly and give him all his affection, knowing it always made Sebastian moan and melt in his arms. "Tell me what you need, sweetheart."

Sebastian whined, his cock hardening against James's stomach. "What about what you need, James?"

"I've got it right here. Need to make you feel good." He kissed down Sebastian's neck, just how he liked.

"You always do." Sebastian arched into him. "But we always do what I want. What about you?"

James paused. He wanted to please Sebastian, to show him he was chosen and cherished. But James knew what Sebastian meant. He almost always deferred to Sebastian when choosing how they came together.

"How can I take care of you tonight?" Sebastian slipped his hand into James's boxer briefs and cupped his balls, then slid his hand up to grip James's growing erection.

Their eyes locked, and Sebastian waited, stroking lazily. What did James want, and why did asking for it make him feel so exposed?

James pushed his hesitation away and let his imagination take over. An erotic image filled his mind, and he knew he needed it to become a reality. "Would you fuck me?" he breathed .

Sebastian's grin turned wicked. "I'd love to. I didn't realize you were interested in bottoming."

"I don't do it often." James's cheeks burned. "Besides, I like giving you what you want, and I know you like me fucking you."

Sebastian cocked his head. "Is that why you haven't asked to bottom before?"

James shrugged. It wasn't quite the reason. "I like giving you pleasure. But, um… I have to be in the right mood to want someone fucking me. It has to be with the right person."

Sebastian smiled at that, not a hint of mischievousness in sight. It was all tender affection. "I get that." He pressed his lips close to James's ear. "Fucking you would give me lots of pleasure."

James swallowed. "Yeah. I hope it would."

Sebastian ran a hand down James's body. "And are you in the right mood, babe?"

"Yes, I am," James rasped. His eyes fluttered closed for a second, and he let how much he wanted this consume him.

Sebastian hummed. "I like it when you tell me what you want. When you ask for things."

Of course Sebastian would like that. James was practically addicted to the reverse. And lying here, pressed together, the way Sebastian looked at him, James liked this just as much. He could do with more of it in his life.

James had slowly opened up and was ready to throw the doors wide open. He didn't have to worry about rejection or judgment with Sebastian. He could let go of all the reserved pieces of his personality he'd used to protect his heart and express any desire he had.

"I liked it when you played with my hole," James confessed.

"Mm. I could tell." Sebastian tugged James's underwear off, then removed his own. "Want me to do it again?"

"Yes." James shivered.

Sebastian grabbed lube out of the bedside table drawer. Back on the bed, he threw the blankets aside and looked down at James splayed beneath him. James bent his legs and spread them wide.

Sebastian's attention fixed on James's core as he opened the lube. "Seeing you like this gives me all kinds of ideas."

James let out an involuntary whine of anticipation. "I'm sure it does."

Sebastian's fingers delved between his legs, seeking out his hole. James bit his lip and moaned softly at the contact. Sebastian rubbed his rim with slick fingers until he relaxed more fully, then pressed his finger in.

"Oh fuck." James squirmed.

"You're so tight, babe." Sebastian rubbed James's taint with his other hand as he worked his finger inside. "Is that good squirming, or is it uncomfortable?"

"No, it's good. Just…" James took a breath. "Keep going."

Sebastian pumped his finger in and out. "Tell me when you're ready for more."

James nodded. He was hot, sweat prickling along his forehead. It had been a while since he'd had anything inside him, but it didn't take long to get used to the sensation. The more Sebastian touched him, the more he wanted.

The second finger stung when Sebastian breached him, but James wanted to be stretched and the discomfort didn't last long. He was caught up in how gorgeous Sebastian looked, looming above him. His soft skin glowed in the evening light, freckles dusting his shoulders and cheeks, his tousled, curly hair in his eyes. Every time Sebastian peeked at James's face, James's heart stuttered.

James whimpered and groaned—he was desperate—and they'd barely started. He wasn't sure he'd ever made this much noise during sex. When Sebastian found his prostate, he lost it completely. He moaned and swore, his cock leaking onto his stomach.

"Fuck me, Sebastian." James thrust against Sebastian's fingers. He had to be up to three by now, but he was so far gone it was hard to be sure.

Sebastian withdrew. "Let me get a condom."

"Wait." James grabbed Sebastian's hand. He felt empty, and his mind spun. He needed Sebastian. "We don't have to use one."

Sebastian paused. "True, we're both negative. I thought, since you always use one..?"

"It was just habit. I've never not used a condom." James's heart pounded. He wanted Sebastian back inside him. To feel that special closeness.

"I haven't either." Sebastian's cheeks flushed dark red. "Fuck, I really want this, James. With you."

"Me too."

Sebastian slathered his bare cock with lube. James hitched his knees up and Sebastian lined himself up, rubbing his cockhead over James's hole.

"Please," James begged.

He always loved hearing Sebastian's pleas, and it seemed Sebastian felt the same about his. He groaned and thrust forward, stretching James, pushing in with nothing between them.

"Oh fuck," Sebastian whined as he bore down. "You feel so good, babe."

James let his legs fall and wrapped them around Sebastian. His breaths came out in hard pants. He'd enjoyed bottoming in the past, but there was a reason it wasn't his preference. He found it hard to get out of his head when someone was filling him and had always assumed there'd be as much discomfort as pleasure. It wasn't like that this time. He trusted Sebastian enough to not need to think. He wasn't worried or self-conscious. He was free to fall into the good sensations, making the overwhelming fullness not only enjoyable when it was Sebastian stretching him but something he couldn't get enough of.

His hands found their way to Sebastian's shoulders and pulled him close. Sebastian thrust forward until his hips met James's ass, and James wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck.

James couldn't have formed a coherent thought if he'd tried. He was stuffed tight. Sebastian was everything, and it all felt so good.

They kissed and panted into each other's mouths. Sebastian thrust slowly at first, but when James started meeting his thrusts with firm ones of his own, Sebastian snapped his hips, sending a jolt through James's whole body.

"Sebastian," he groaned. "Don't stop."

Sebastian didn't. He took James apart like no one else ever had. James couldn't think beyond the feeling of Sebastian inside him, and he loved it. He just existed in this special space where there was nothing but the man who was everything to him.

"Fuck yeah, James." Sebastian's chest glowed with a sheen of sweat. He pumped his hips, looking down to see their bodies joining. "You're perfect."

James felt like it. This moment was perfect. He wanted to convey that but found himself begging instead. "Please, Sebastian. I need…please." He didn't know what he was asking. He was getting everything he wanted.

Sebastian seemed to be in control of his brain and responded as if he knew what James was babbling about. "I've got you. You need more?"

James nodded, and Sebastian sat back, grabbed James's legs, and ran his hands along his thighs to his calves before gripping his ankles and bringing James's feet over his shoulders.

James's body tilted. "Sebastian." He arched as Sebastian's dick thrust deeper, swiping over that sweet spot inside him, and moaned for all he was worth.

Sebastian was absolutely beautiful as he fucked James, head thrown back, exposing his pale neck and the fading bite-mark bruises on his shoulder. "Oh, James. James," he chanted, hips snapping .

It was so intense. James needed release. He had to come before his brain exploded, overwhelmed with too many erotic images and feelings. He took hold of his aching dick and stroked. Sebastian hit his prostate again, and James came on a shout.

Sebastian gazed down at him with heavy-lidded eyes. His thrusts turned erratic, then he stiffened and flooded James with his cum.

James whimpered as Sebastian filled him. Sebastian held his stare, and James had never felt closer to another person. He was wrecked, exposed, and aching with affection for the man he'd let take him apart.

Eventually, Sebastian pulled out and lowered James's legs so he could lie on top of him. James wrapped his arms around Sebastian but couldn't manage to move more than that.

"Oh my god, James. That was amazing." Sebastian nuzzled the side of his jaw.

James's hole ached. "No one's ever fucked me that well."

Sebastian preened, his dimples making an appearance. "No one's ever filled you up either."

James would have blushed if he wasn't already hot all over. "No, that's just for you."

Sebastian nipped his ear. "Mine."

James tightened his arms around him. "Yours."

The next morning was Monday, but James didn't get up and go to work. He figured he'd go in that afternoon if everything was fine with Sebastian. After the epic pounding Sebastian had given James the night before, James didn't doubt he was well recovered, but the headache he'd had yesterday was worrying.

James's body ached as he got up. He winced at how tender his hole was, not that he wished Sebastian had gone easier on him. He wanted to do it all over again.

He let images from last night play over in his mind as he dressed. Eventually, he made himself think of other things, or he wouldn't have been able to resist waking Sebastian and losing himself in him again.

Downstairs, James's phone rang as the coffee brewed. He answered it.

"Hello, James?" Eleanor's voice came through the speaker.

"Yeah, hi. How are you doing?"

Eleanor made a frustrated sound. "Never mind that. I heard Sebastian is doing better."

James confirmed.

"Would you mind asking him if he can stop by my office? I'd like to know what happened with that shade."

"I'll talk to him when he wakes up." James couldn't fight off the sinking feeling in his gut. He didn't know what to do about Eleanor.

After the mayor hung up, James called Hazel. She didn't think it was a good idea to avoid Eleanor. Sebastian could say he wasn't up for explaining today, but they couldn't put it off indefinitely. Hazel said she'd meet James at town hall and see Eleanor with him and Sebastian. James was relieved because anything they told the mayor would seem like something Hazel was hiding from her, and James didn't want to cause more problems than the two women already had.

James cooked eggs and pancakes for Sebastian, who seemed to come downstairs just in time for the food to be ready. James filled him in as they ate.

"I can try to bullshit my way through." Sebastian piled his plate with a second helping of pancakes. "Pretend I did some sort of lightning spell, maybe? But if anyone asks me to do it again, it's not happening."

"That might be the best we can do," James agreed. He didn't want to lie to Eleanor, but what choice did they have?