The Red King [Book II]

XVI

As an adult, Alex couldn't have imagined himself on his back—not until he'd met James.

ㅤAs intolerant as James was to immasculine shame, it didn't remove Alex's. James had bottomed so easily, a strong and prideful man, and that may've been what Alex had needed to follow suit—to see that it wasn't a feminising act. But, even if he'd allowed it the last time, he hadn't craved it as animalistically as this.

ㅤWielding control to another was equivalent to stripping oneself of armour and equipping another with a sword. It was against any reasonable soldier's instinct of self-preservation, which applied to Alex especially.

ㅤSo, to be trembling under the weight of another man, to want it heavier like oppression, felt like a humiliating self-betrayal and defeat.

ㅤPerhaps James felt this hesitance, nipping his neck comfortingly. Alex couldn't tell if his body was tense or pliant. Inside, he felt muddled and hot, sticky like the summer air.

ㅤ'It's been far too long,' James said, a hand pressing into one of Alex's pecs.

ㅤAlex kept his jaw clamped shut, his fists by his sides.

ㅤJames hummed. 'You're strangely obedient right now. I've somehow shut up your nagging.'

ㅤ'Am I?' Alex grumbled, looking away. He didn't feel obedient. That word pricked him sharply.

ㅤ'Ah, I know what it is. You're fighting yourself instead of me.'

ㅤ'You really talk way too fucking much, once again.'

ㅤJames gazed down at him, smiling gently. Alex found it difficult to look away this time.

ㅤ'You like my voice.' James returned his lips to the shell of Alex's ear. 'You think it's sexy.'

ㅤAlex resorted to petulant silence. James' smooth and rich laugh reminded him of the unfairness. James had been designed with ostentatious opulence to make him the most tempting con artist. He'd been bred for perfection spanning back dozens of generations. He was an expensive stallion so it was hard not to assume his certain victory.

ㅤIn any situation.

ㅤA thick palm slid up his bare thigh and Alex's breath hitched as it reached under his clothes, gripping the handle of his pelvis.

ㅤ'You can blame it on me,' James allowed. 'If it's too much for you, make it my fault.'

ㅤ'What do you mean by "fault"?'

ㅤWithout warning or expectation, James crushed their lips together, a low moan rumbling in his throat. His strong fingers on Alex's hip were bruising, lifting his thigh so he could push between them.

ㅤAlex's eyes fell shut, sighing through his nose. Their hardened groins ground together, James' tongue stroking his. It felt good and Alex momentarily forgot the position he was in, his hunger flared and wanting.