Backward by Andrew Grey Page A

had to do was think about him and excitement surged in him. But at the moment, this was so very nice.
    Tristan chuckled and moved closer. Harry closed his eyes and groaned almost silently. “I’m trying to be good, but you’re making it difficult.”
    “What if that’s what I want?” Tristan rolled over and then immediately turned away as he yawned. “It was nice sleeping with you, but….” Tristan wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck and pressed against him, pushing Harry onto his back. “I lay here all night and….” Tristan wriggled his hips against his, and Harry groaned and thrust back against him. There was no way he could stop it. Tristan felt so damned good, even through his boxers.
    “Tristan,” Harry whispered, but it seemed Tristan had very strong ideas, and Harry’s intentions to take it slower went right out the window as Tristan kept rolling his hips against him. They’d left their underwear on when they went to bed, but it didn’t take Tristan long to dispose of those, tossing them to the floor with a flourish and a giggle.
    “What happened to you? What changed?”
    Tristan leaned forward, holding him tightly. Harry stroked his back and then down over the curve of Tristan’s butt. He was exceptional—that was the only word Harry could find. “I spent the entire night thinking about you,” Tristan said, “feeling you right next to me, and….”
    “Hey,” Harry whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. Nothing is going to happen, and I’m not going to run for the hills because we didn’t have sex.” He drew Tristan’s lips closer to his. He needed to learn to keep his damned mouth shut. He had Tristan with him, naked next to him, and Harry was hesitating. He knew it wasn’t because he didn’t find Tristan attractive or because he didn’t want to be with him. Hell, Harry was afraid if he didn’t do what Tristan wanted, he would think Harry wasn’t interested, and nothing could be further from the truth. “Tristan,” Harry began and then gritted his teeth as Tristan started moving his hips again. “Honey….” He held him closer to stop him. “I think we need to talk.”
    Tristan stilled, but Harry didn’t let go of him. “What did I do wrong?”
    “Nothing. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Harry gently lifted Tristan’s head until their gazes met. “I’m just concerned. You had the run-in with Eddie yesterday, and he’s been following you. I… I think that maybe you’re rushing into things.” He needed a way to show Tristan he cared without taking advantage of him. He wanted Tristan to be his, but not like this, with him hurting and scared. When they got together, if Tristan decided he still wanted to be with him once the fear and flux wore off, then it had to be special. “I want you to roll over,” Harry whispered into Tristan’s ear. “Lie on the bed on your belly and rest your head on the pillow.”
    “What?” Tristan asked with a slight sniffle.
    “Lie down on your belly.” Harry shifted and guided Tristan onto the mattress. “Good, I want you to get comfortable and close your eyes.” He settled his hand in the center of Tristan’s back and held it there without moving. All he needed was a continued connection. With the other hand he pulled open the drawer beside the bed and found some oil, lightly cinnamon scented. That would be soothing. He closed the drawer and opened the bottle, keeping his hand in contact with Tristan. That was important.
    Harry poured a little oil in his hand and then rubbed his hands together to warm it and coat both palms and fingers. Then he set the bottle aside and started at Tristan’s shoulders. “I want you to relax for me.”
    Tristan’s entire body remained tense, as though he were bracing for something.
    “You need to talk to me.”
    “Eddie used to like me like this. He liked to use toys and….”
    “Sweetheart, all I’m going to use is my hands on your skin. Nothing is going to happen except I’m going