Building an Empire [M/M]

Extra: In the Shadows

The click that went through the otherwise silent room seemed like thunder in a storm. Loud. Violent. Dangerous. The air was crackling with the thrill of anticipation. I shivered as I felt hands gliding up my back and gripping my shoulders tightly before pulling me back so our bodies had no space between them. "I love how you smell," Mercus whispered and rubbed his cheek against my neck. A blush crept up in my cheeks. No way that could be true. I probably smelled horrible. With my salary I couldn't afford those scented waters or perfumes that the nobles used. Not that Mercus needed it. He always smelled divine.

"Oh god," I groaned as Mercus rubbed his hard-on against my arse. We were both still fully clothed, but I could still feel him through the constricting layers. My muscles twitched as that nervous yet hungering feeling flooded my veins. I was just about to turn around so I could kiss Mercus better when the world tilted and I suddenly had a face full of linen. Mercus groaned low in his throat and I turned around to watch him. His face was one of awe and need. Cheeks flushed and slightly swollen lips from our earlier kissing. Slowly he pulled his lower lip between his teeth and his hand moved – without him noticing it would seem – down to rub at his bulge. I watched with rapt attention as his hand moved. I knew exactly how the cock beneath it felt and I wanted, no, I craved feeling it again. Eagerness made me clumsy, but quickly I got my clothes off and thrown down on the floor. Mercus watched me while continuing to rub himself.

"Will you only be watching tonight," I asked cheekily and let my knees fall to the side so I was spread open. For him. Mercus smiled and his gaze roamed my body. It felt like physical caress and a shiver followed where it touched. "I haven't gotten to really see you lately, I need to drink my fill with the sight of you," he answered. My cheeks heated again. I really had no idea what Mercus saw in me. I could see the love in his eyes, the way he seemed to adore every part of my body. It was weird. Especially when someone like Alexander was around. With her fiery red hair, golden eyes, and stunning features I stood no chance. My hair was an odd shade between red and brown. Almost like it couldn't decide what colour it wanted to be and just took a bit of both. My eyes were a boring mud-brown that you could find on every third citizen in the city – and every second in the poor parts. I was in no way a great beauty like Lady Alexander. And yet... and yet Mercus looked at me like I was. Trying to hide my embarrassment I sat up and started undoing the laces of his clothes. The fabric was soft and warm to the touch. My own coarse clothes were discarded on the floor, but his I made sure to put on a nearby stool so they wouldn't get dirty. Mercus pushed me back on my back as soon as he was naked too, and I felt his skin slide against mine. It felt good. Like coming home after a long journey away from everything. His touch could at once calm everything inside me and stir it up like nothing else. Letting my hands slide down his back I felt his heat, the muscles that tensed and relaxed as he let his hands explore my body. We were both re-acquainting ourselves with the other after such a long time. His hands were only slightly rough against my skin as he caressed and kneaded anything he could reach. Not able to bear it anymore I let my fingers slide into his hair and pulled him closer so our lips could meet again. I nearly sobbed with relief as an internal ache was soothed. The kiss was a bit wet and sloppy as we were both trying to do too many things at once, but it didn't matter. It was perfect. It was him. I opened my eyes to see his turquoise ones burning into me. Mercus was the one to break the kiss even as I made a sound of protest.

"I want you to make love to me," he said with a voice that did nothing to conceal his desire, low and husky. My stomach flipped over as he said it. God, I wanted to. I wanted to so badly.

"I am," I said and tried to lean in for a kiss again, hoping to distract him. It didn't work, he gave me a quick peck on the cheek before pulling back a bit more so he could better look at me. "You know what I mean." I disliked the small frown that had appeared on his forehead, but I couldn't do it. It was shameful enough for me to have seduced him like this. To continue dragging him down into sin with me. No, I couldn't also make him bend over like a woman. That shame would be for me to bear. And I would. Gladly. There could be no better heaven than to be in his arms, and no worse hell than to be denied it. But that did not mean that Mercus should have to suffer the same. Of course if I told him that he would never agree to it.