Setting Fire to the Stars (a MM Sci-Fi Romance)

Chapter 12: Temptation [M]

**(Note: This chapter contains sexual themes that may be inappropriate for young readers including explicitly sexual content and pearl-clutching smutty language. Age +18 Reader discretion advised.)**

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Lauren
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A wave of déjà vu swept over me as I blinked up at the dark gray ceiling. Thunder rolled as lightning flashed from the dark depths beyond my window. Confused about where I was, I attempted to roll onto my side, only to release a sharp hiss at the pain. My entire body ached as though I had taken a swim in barbed wire. I brought my fingers up to prod at the tender area of my ribs.

"Shit—ow ow!"

Forcing myself upright, I snuck a tentative glance down at my aching abdomen and an unintelligent whimper fell from my lips. My torso was colored a frightening shade of purple, standing out against my freckled skin. It looked like someone had sloppily tattooed smears of grape jelly onto my chest.

A deep intake of breath from the dark corner of the room caused me to whip my head around, my hands rising in defense. Instead of the masked assassin, I was shocked to see a certain raven-haired man.

Peter reclined in the same leather chair that I had slept in yesterday, chest rising in falling in slumber. I sighed in relief, my shoulders falling as I took him in.

He was splayed out in the chair, his chiseled jaw slack, features lacking his usual brooding mask. This unforgiving lips, normally twisted down in a grimace, met together like gentle lovers. Tousled black hair tumbled over his forehead, the strands messy and untamed. I liked it better that way. His hard chest rose and fell, looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in a long time. It wasn't my first time seeing him sleep, but seeing him this peaceful was a rarity, so I spared myself a few moment to appreciate the view.

Being our school's star athlete, it was no wonder that he was bigger than me, all that football and weightlifting resulting in firm muscles and deliciously sharp edges. Against my better judgment, my gaze perused his body. Jesus, the guy was seriously shredded, from his defined pecs all the way down to where his shirt rode up above those immaculate washboard abs. Heat tickled my cheeks as I darted my tongue out to lick my chapped lips. Slowly, my attention drifted down to the deep 'V' of Peter's hips. I . . . should probably stop, right? Ogling a straight man in his sleep is a big 'no'. Besides, I wasn't that desperate.

So stop looking. You can do it. Just look away, Lauren.

. . .

Look away, dammit!

But being the weak man that I was, my sights only delved further down to the slight treasure trail leading into the band of his jeans. Then lower still, until—

Hoooooooo boy. I'm in trouble.

A dark, twisted heat rocketed through me, my hands wringing together in an attempt to cease my lustful thoughts. Seriously, I had to stop, or I was going to have something else to worry about other than my injuries.

Unfortunately, my fears were soon realized as a sinful burning sensation crawled down my body, working wickedly to the part of me already straining against my jeans. Capturing my lip between my teeth, I pulled the blankets around my lower half. Desire coursed through me, hot and inviting, molten lava erupting in my lower belly as I forced my head down.