Equation for Love by Sutherland, Fae (13 ebook reader TXT) 📗

He forgot about being anxious and let Liam help himonto the boat, suddenlylookingforward to the night on the water, not dreading it. It was strange how Liam being a little nervous made Skye's own nerves ease. Was it the old "misery loves company" thing or more? Skye liked to think it was more about them balancing eachother out thananythingso self-serving.

He set the bag of food on one of the built-in couches in the seating area behind the open entrance to the cockpit--was it called a cockpit on boats or only planes? "Is there anythingI cando to help?"

Liamshook his head, touching his back lightly as he squeezed past himinto the cockpit. "Not yet. When I'm all set, you could untie us, but let me run through my checklist first."

Skye moved over to the open entry to the wheel room/cockpit/whatever it was called and watched Liam. He moved around efficiently in the small space, flipping this switch, testing that knob. After a minute or two, Liam turned to head back out onto the deck and Skye smiled, turning to press back against the wall so Liamcould pass.

Except he didn't. Skye's breath caught as he found himself staring into Liam's eyes. So close, even in the dim light, Skye was amazed by how beautiful they were. Mostlya warm, goldenbrownwitha ringofpaler green around the inside and scattered with bright gold flecks. Skye had never seen eyes like his before. Then again, Skye had never known anyone like Liambefore, period.

"Hi." He was at a loss for what to say when Liam had him blocked back against the wall, looking at him allintense and delightfullyhot.

His lover smiled, just a hint ofdanger inthe curve of his lips. "Hi."

Then Liam kissed him, and Skye moaned into it, sliding his arms around Liam's shoulders, arching away fromthe wall and toward him. God, he craved the man like he never had anything else. It was this constant, gnawing hunger deep inside that nothing satisfied. An emptiness onlyLiamfilled.

When the kiss broke, Skye whimpered in loss and tried to follow his lover's mouth, leaning in when Liam leaned back. Liam chuckled and caught his shoulders, pushinghimagainst the wall.

"The food's going to get cold," he reminded with a smile. "Go and untie the moorings; we're just about ready."

Just about ready? Skye bit back a frustrated groan. He was more than ready, personally, but it had nothingto do withthe damnboat.

But he made himself do as he was told and forced down the desire to pounce on Liam and have his way with him. Not going to be a brat today, Skye, remember?

Right. He tried not to sulk as he yanked loose the knot in the rope and unwound it fromthe mooring post. He turned back to Liam. "Allset."

Liamgave hima knowing smile, as if he knew how worked up Skye was inside. "Thank you, my own. Come, sit down. I don't want youfallingoverboard."

Skye plopped down next to the bag of food. "I can swim."

He must not be doing a very good job at not being sullen because Liam laughed again. "Good. You know, Skye, the not kissing you isn't meant to be a punishment. This is about a date. Not sex." He glanced back over his shoulder as he started up the boat.

"Sex happens on dates, you know. Even I know that much."

Liamdidn't look back this time, apparentlytoo busy maneuvering them out of the slip and toward the open water of the lake. A few minutes later, cleared of the close quarters ofthe marina, Liamspared hima glance.

"Don't you go fucking every man lucky enough to get you out on a date, Skye. Understand me? Be sparingwithyour body. It's precious."

Says the man who sells his to the highest bidder every night. Skye didn't dare say it out loud. Most of himwasn't bothered by what Liamdid, but the part that was bothered mostly just wondered if maybe Liam didn't think he was worth more than only money. And that thought made him sad because he wanted to tell Liam he would give him more than money. He just didn't know if Liam even wanted it. Maybe he was perfectly happy--and he seemed to be--to take the cashand not the emotion.

Then Liam smiled at him, and it was so warm and sincere, and Skye didn't believe for a second that this man didn't want somebody to love, to love him in return.

Skye was goingto be that for him.

Chapter 12

Liam smiled as Skye walked into the hotel room. His dark eyes widened at the sight ofthe rope in Liam's hands, and Liamcould see himswallow hard.

"Close the door, myown. Come here."

Skye licked his lips and obeyed, though his steps might have been a little hesitant. "What's going on?" He nodded at the rope. "What's that for?"

"So many questions, as usual. Today, Skye, I'm only going to answer the ones I think are necessary." He loved Skye's natural inquisitiveness, but the young manneeded to learnto trust his Dom, too.

Skye bit his lower lip. "And mine wasn't?" Liamsmiled. "Not really, no."He took Skye's hand. "Come here."He led Skye into the bedroomand tossed the vivid blue rope--one he'd thought would look beautiful against Skye's skin--onto the bed. He took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest, gaze rakingover Skye. "Undress."

It was a simple command, one Skye had been obeying for a couple weeks now, but still his lover's neck flushed, and Liamcould see the faint tremble in his fingers as they reached for the hem of his ever-present T-shirt.

It was always intriguing to watch Skye strip. Liam wondered if he was as conscientious when he was alone as he was with an audience. Skye neatly folded his shirt over the back of a chair, followed by his belt if he wore one--today he didn't;