Haunted Heart by Susan Laine Page A

Duncan’s thoughtfulness warmed Ruben’s heart. “Here’s fine. The bedroom’s fine too. But if you’d prefer here….”
    Sighing with relief, Duncan nodded. “Here it is, then.”
    Duncan pressed his hand gently on Ruben’s shoulder and pushed a bit. Ruben got the message and leaned back, first on his elbows, then on his back. The woolly blanket tickled his neck where his skin was exposed. But he felt warm and mellow, unafraid.
    Licking his lips, Duncan knelt between Ruben’s legs. His hands hovered over Ruben’s groin, but he met Ruben’s gaze. “Tell me to stop, and I will. I promise.”
    Of that Ruben had no doubt. He may have been inexperienced, but he wasn’t a naïve youngster anymore. He didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, and he didn’t lay down his trust like a welcome mat. “Yes.”
    Duncan popped open the top bottom of Ruben’s jeans. The sound seemed awfully loud in the quiet house, almost obscene with the sensual promise ahead. Then he placed his palm over Ruben’s growing erection, squeezed gently, and then rubbed.
    Ruben moaned. He had no control over the reaction. The sound escaped from his core without his permission. But he felt he could show this part of himself to his lover-to-be.
    Duncan is already my lover. My. Lover . Ruben sighed at the thought. He had been so sure he would never have that.
    And, God, how good it felt to have another man’s hand resting on his dick. Ruben felt the heat emanating from Duncan, the weight, the pressure. It was heavenly. And that slow rubbing, no rush at all, made Ruben’s toes curl.
    That’s when the questions rose from the sea of doubts. Was his cock too small or too pink? Did he smell clean enough? Would his come taste horribly bitter? Were his balls too tiny or too big? Should he have shaved? Not that he had much hair down there.
    Panic began to swell in Ruben’s chest, compressing out all the air, leaving him gasping for breath.
    Duncan touched Ruben’s thighs, caressing them soothingly. “Shh. It’s all right, Ruben. Nothing’s going to happen you don’t want, okay? Can you calm your breathing for me?”
    That must have been Duncan’s lover tone, Ruben concluded, so tender, reassuring, and soft. Ruben felt like the fall into the dark pit within halted when he landed in warm, white cotton. Duncan kept the panic at bay, and serenity took its place.
    “Y-yes.” And he did too. The constricting feeling subsided, and his lungs felt normal again. His heart slowed down from its frantic beat, and his muscles relaxed. “S-sorry.”
    “No.” Duncan shook his head, adamant. “You have nothing to apologize for, Ruben.” His hands made comforting circles over Ruben’s thighs. “You want to stop?”
    Alarmed, Ruben called out, “No!”
    “All right, all right.” Duncan smiled, but it was kind and understanding. “That was my wish too.”
    Then Duncan gripped the zipper of Ruben’s jeans and tugged it down. The sound was sharp and scratchy, and Ruben swallowed hard. His insecurities were wreaking havoc with his self-esteem, but he willed himself to stay still. He stared at the ceiling, unable to look down where his lover was about to touch him. He just knew if he did, he’d run away.
    And Ruben didn’t want to run away.
    Closing his eyes, he focused on feeling. Duncan parted the flaps of his fly, and Ruben felt his cock push out, restrained only by the tight cotton briefs he wore to hide the signs of his libido on the rise. Now, though, he no longer needed to. Duncan was allowed to see his arousal.
    That was when Duncan made a long, appreciative sound deep in his throat. It sounded like the yum-yum noises he made when he ate, and Ruben beamed. Duncan liked what he saw!
    Duncan pressed his palm against Ruben’s dick, massaging the growing member to a full erection. Ruben bit his bottom lip to prevent the whimpers from escaping. Cool air brushed over his cockhead. He realized his penis had broken free from the briefs, on its own or with