too.”
Not knowing what to say, Huv tried to step aside to put some distance between them, but Lexy wouldn’t allow it.
His Cedecian stayed right with him. “Most of the thinking I’ve done this week has been about you. Soon after I met you, I decided you were having an identity crisis, even before we threw sex into the mix. I think you saw your younger brother starting a family and Xindra getting married, and it made you realize you were ready to settle down. You’re the right age for it. Since you didn’t see that happening on Alluria, you decided to move here in hopes of something better.”
“I decided to move here because of you.” The confession tore out of Huv, leaving him exposed.
Lexy’s smile was gentle. “I love you.”
“What?” Huv was sure he’d just been knocked over the head.
Amusement entered Lexy’s gray-blue gaze. “I love you, Huv. If you can only love me when I’m a woman, then I’ll take what I can get. I want you in my life. But you know what? I think you can love me as a man, too.”
Huv’s skin felt too tight, although he couldn’t have said what emotions were churning inside him. “I’m not sure—”
“Not sure you can make love to me like this? Not sure how? You don’t have to be afraid, Huv. I am sure, and I know how to make it good for you. You just have to trust me to be in control.”
His heart beat a furious rhythm against his ribs, and his mouth was dry. If it had been anyone else asking that of him, Huv would have walked away. Instead, he was trapped by the tenderness in that earnest gaze.
He had to wet his lips before he could speak. “What if I don’t like it? What if I can’t go all the way?”
“I’ll take what I can get,” Lexy repeated. “The moment something makes you uncomfortable, we’ll stop. All I ask is that you try.”
It was one of those defining moments in life—a choice Huv knew would alter his future. He should have had a hard time of it, but his decision was shockingly easy. He simply didn’t want a future without Lexy in it.
“I’ll try.”
The relief on Lexy’s face was heartrending. Then his gaze heated, and his expression turned sly. Releasing Huv’s hand, he retrieved the two glasses of sparkling wine and handed one over. The glass felt cool and delicate in Huv’s hand, while the contents glittered invitingly. In desperate need of a belt, he took a large sip and felt the bubbles burst like liquid gold over his tongue.
Wreathed by a blend of shadow and colored lights, they drank companionably for a few minutes. After a final swallow, Lexy set their drinks aside and stepped into Huv’s arms.
“You lead.”
It took a moment for Huv to understand, but then he slid one arm around Lexy’s waist and took his hand. The mellow music mixed with the romantic atmosphere of the room as they turned and swayed to the beat.
“Do you remember our dance on the rooftop?” Lexy asked.
Huv drew him closer on the next turn. “This is even better.” Here, he had Lexy all to himself.
They fell quiet as they danced, and time seemed to slow. The width of Lexy’s shoulders and the size of his hands gradually ceased to matter. This was the same person Huv had danced with at sunset, the same one he’d fallen for along the way. One song faded into another until some unseen magnet drew them close enough that their chests brushed.
Huv rested his forehead against Lexy’s. “What are you doing to me?”
“I’m seducing you.” Lexy’s response was a sultry whisper.
For the first time in days, Huv laughed. “Is that what you’re doing? What’s your next move?”
“I’ll start with a kiss.” Leaning in, Lexy did just that. “Since I love your mouth, I plan to take my time and linger.”
“Sounds good.”
Huv instigated the next caress, nipping Lexy’s lip before sweeping his tongue inside. He loved Lexy’s mouth, too—the intoxicating blend of softness and aggression.
Lexy continued to outline his plan. “Once
Not knowing what to say, Huv tried to step aside to put some distance between them, but Lexy wouldn’t allow it.
His Cedecian stayed right with him. “Most of the thinking I’ve done this week has been about you. Soon after I met you, I decided you were having an identity crisis, even before we threw sex into the mix. I think you saw your younger brother starting a family and Xindra getting married, and it made you realize you were ready to settle down. You’re the right age for it. Since you didn’t see that happening on Alluria, you decided to move here in hopes of something better.”
“I decided to move here because of you.” The confession tore out of Huv, leaving him exposed.
Lexy’s smile was gentle. “I love you.”
“What?” Huv was sure he’d just been knocked over the head.
Amusement entered Lexy’s gray-blue gaze. “I love you, Huv. If you can only love me when I’m a woman, then I’ll take what I can get. I want you in my life. But you know what? I think you can love me as a man, too.”
Huv’s skin felt too tight, although he couldn’t have said what emotions were churning inside him. “I’m not sure—”
“Not sure you can make love to me like this? Not sure how? You don’t have to be afraid, Huv. I am sure, and I know how to make it good for you. You just have to trust me to be in control.”
His heart beat a furious rhythm against his ribs, and his mouth was dry. If it had been anyone else asking that of him, Huv would have walked away. Instead, he was trapped by the tenderness in that earnest gaze.
He had to wet his lips before he could speak. “What if I don’t like it? What if I can’t go all the way?”
“I’ll take what I can get,” Lexy repeated. “The moment something makes you uncomfortable, we’ll stop. All I ask is that you try.”
It was one of those defining moments in life—a choice Huv knew would alter his future. He should have had a hard time of it, but his decision was shockingly easy. He simply didn’t want a future without Lexy in it.
“I’ll try.”
The relief on Lexy’s face was heartrending. Then his gaze heated, and his expression turned sly. Releasing Huv’s hand, he retrieved the two glasses of sparkling wine and handed one over. The glass felt cool and delicate in Huv’s hand, while the contents glittered invitingly. In desperate need of a belt, he took a large sip and felt the bubbles burst like liquid gold over his tongue.
Wreathed by a blend of shadow and colored lights, they drank companionably for a few minutes. After a final swallow, Lexy set their drinks aside and stepped into Huv’s arms.
“You lead.”
It took a moment for Huv to understand, but then he slid one arm around Lexy’s waist and took his hand. The mellow music mixed with the romantic atmosphere of the room as they turned and swayed to the beat.
“Do you remember our dance on the rooftop?” Lexy asked.
Huv drew him closer on the next turn. “This is even better.” Here, he had Lexy all to himself.
They fell quiet as they danced, and time seemed to slow. The width of Lexy’s shoulders and the size of his hands gradually ceased to matter. This was the same person Huv had danced with at sunset, the same one he’d fallen for along the way. One song faded into another until some unseen magnet drew them close enough that their chests brushed.
Huv rested his forehead against Lexy’s. “What are you doing to me?”
“I’m seducing you.” Lexy’s response was a sultry whisper.
For the first time in days, Huv laughed. “Is that what you’re doing? What’s your next move?”
“I’ll start with a kiss.” Leaning in, Lexy did just that. “Since I love your mouth, I plan to take my time and linger.”
“Sounds good.”
Huv instigated the next caress, nipping Lexy’s lip before sweeping his tongue inside. He loved Lexy’s mouth, too—the intoxicating blend of softness and aggression.
Lexy continued to outline his plan. “Once
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