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Primal Instinct |
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He was mildly surprised to realize he was waking up to warmth and quiet, instead of the expected numbing cold of the woods. There was a painful twinge in his shoulder, but not the agony of before, and he felt rested and stronger. All in all, things seemed to have taken a turn for the better.Ezra opened his eyes, smiling slightly as he saw Vin sitting on a chair by the bed, Josiah on the other side. JD and Buck were talking quietly by the window, Nathan was leaning against the wall, reading a book.
"Vin?" he called out softly, when he noticed their leader was missing. "Where's Chris?"
Vin looked at him with an uneasy smile. "Hey, pard. Glad to see you awake. Ya been out of it for almost twelve hours."
Ezra took a few sips of the water provided by Josiah, his eyes never leaving Vin. "You didn't answer my question. Where's Chris?"
Vin sighed wearily. "Next door."
"Why aren't we sharing a room as usual? What are you not telling me?" Ezra asked, a sense of dread taking over his heart.
"The doctors thought it best to keep him alone in a room," Nathan replied. "After you passed out Chris went nuts again, wouldn't let us touch you. It took me, Josiah and Buck to pin him long enough for them to sedate him. When he woke up a few hours ago he nearly strangled a doctor."
Ezra slumped back into his pillow, eyes focusing on the ceiling. "No change, then."
"No." Buck confirmed. "Nathan's been readin' Levit's journal, the bastard who kidnapped Chris, but so far there's not much info. No antidote, no way of knowin' what kind of damage this drug has done, if it's permanent, nothin'. The doctors aren't even givin' him anythin' 'cause they're afraid it might react with the drugs in his system."
A loud scream had Ezra sitting up on the bed. "My Lord," he whispered. "What is that?"
"Chris," Josiah told him grimly. "The doctors had him restrained. He's been out of his mind ever since."
"What?! And you allowed them to do such a thing?" Ezra threw the bedding away from his body. "Where the hell are my pants?"
"Ezra --" Vin began.
"My pants!" He interjected with a growl.
Buck handed him a clean pair of pants and a sweater and Ezra donned the garments rapidly, ignoring the increasing discomfort his wound was causing.
He rushed out of the room, following the hoarse shouts to Chris' room. He stopped in his tracks at the vision before him. Chris was bound to the bed by his wrists and ankles, snarling and shouting wordlessly as he writhed on the sheets. Two male nurses were trying to calm him down without success.
"Keep these morons away from me!" Ezra snapped angrily to the others as the two nurses tried to intercept him.
He freed Chris' ankles, hearing Vin and Josiah arguing with the nurses, not caring what happened as long as no one stood in his way. When Chris' wrists were released from the soft leather bindings, Chris jumped from the bed, throwing himself at Ezra and knocking both of them to the floor.
Ezra leaned against the wall, his arms suddenly filled with the warm blond. He parted his legs, letting Chris settle between them, shuddering as the other man nuzzled his neck.
"Rest," Chris rumbled.
"Yes, rest," Ezra choked out, rubbing his cheek tenderly on the silken hair, feeling Chris snuggling closer. "Lord, what am I going to do with you, Chris?" he murmured sadly.
He became aware of the heavy silence in the room and looked up. The male nurses were gone, leaving the others behind, watching him and Chris with expressions which ranged from stunned to suspicious. He gestured for them to come closer, Chris' quiet breathing letting him know he was sleeping peacefully.
The others sat in a semicircle, making a protective barrier between the two of them and the door.
"He talked," JD finally said, his voice hushed and astonished.
"Yes. He did it twice before when we were alone." Ezra informed them, then cursed himself inwardly as Josiah asked the inevitable question.
"What did he say?"
"Well," Ezra began carefully. "When the guard shot me, he carried me away and said 'protect'. Later in the cave..." he swallowed thickly.
"Yeah?" Buck prompted softly.
"He said 'mate'." Ezra finished, waiting for the explosion.
Vin blinked. "Mate? As in... mating?"
He nodded, watching as the others analyzed what they had been told. Finally, Josiah ventured a question, "Ezra," he said, his tone gentle. "Did Chris do anything to you? Sexually?"
Ezra exhaled softly. "He tried. I handled it."
"What did you do?" Nathan asked.
Something in Nathan's voice made him narrow his eyes as he looked at the black man. "I handled it." He repeated through gritted teeth.
"That's not good enough, Ezra. What did you do?" Nathan insisted.
Anger bubbling at the surface, Ezra replied, "If you really must know, I gave him a blowjob. Unless you would have preferred for him to rape me."
"Jesus," Buck whispered, sharing the others' shock at his words.
"It don't make it right," Nathan snapped. "He's not aware of what he's doin'. You, on the other hand, took advantage of him. We've all seen the way ya look at Chris when you think no one's watchin'."
"Advantage? Christ, why does everything always have to be so difficult with you, Nathan? Maybe I could have found another way of dealing with the situation, or maybe not. But think about this; what would have happened if he had raped me? I would have been all right in the end. But would he? Do you really think Chris would be able to live with himself? There's no way of knowing if he will recall any of what's happening, but if he does... It will be bad enough to realize he acted in such a manner, that he attacked me. I wish it could have been different, but I did what I thought I had to do, what I thought was best. For me and for him, as well. If you don't like it or can't accept it, that's your problem, Nathan, not mine."
"And if he doesn't remember?" JD ventured.
"That would be for the best." Ezra replied tiredly.
"Even if he never remembers how you cared for him, how much you love him?" Vin asked softly, understanding shining in his blue gaze.
Ezra looked down at the man sleeping in his arms, then up at Vin, knowing the unconditional love he felt for Chris was showing in his eyes. "Yes, even then. I have always believed there was some truth to the saying 'if you love somebody, set them free'. All I want at this moment is for the old Chris to return, even if all he will ever be is my friend. It will be enough."
He closed his eyes, the pain in his shoulder making itself known again, now that the worst of the conversation was over. He knew the subject would likely rise anew in the near future, especially with Nathan, but he was too tired and too depressed to care.
+ + + + + + +
"We have to talk."
Ezra closed at his eyes at the firm words uttered by Nathan. During the last five days he had seen the other man about four times at best. While the five men had gone back to work two days after he and Chris had been admitted to the hospital, he knew that was not the real reason why Nathan stayed away. After all, the others spent as much time visiting as possible.
Released within twenty-four hours of his arrival, as the shoulder wound was not serious enough to warrant a longer stay, Ezra remained at Chris' side. He seemed to be the only person the blond allowed close enough, the only person who he seemed aware of. And, especially, the only person capable of making him eat and drink enough fluids to keep his system from shutting down.
Ezra looked down at the man sleeping peacefully on the bed. At least Chris' condition was improving. He spoke more now, even if he still was incapable of full sentences, and more thought process went behind his words. His eyes occasionally showed emotions as well, which was more than he had been able to do when Ezra rescued him. Perhaps in time they would get the old Chris back; at least he desperately hoped so.
Suddenly remembering Nathan was still in the room, he exhaled gently. "So talk," he whispered, not bothering to face the man.
"I... I want to apologize." Nathan began, his voice oddly hesitant. "When Buck told us some months back that he thought you were in love with Chris, I didn't believe it. You always seem so aloof, so distant, I..." He sighed. "Then I saw the way ya looked at Chris and I figured Buck had lust confused with love, ya know? That's why I reacted the way I did when you told us what happened in the cave. But... I've seen the way you've been watchin' over Chris, and the others told me how determined ya have been to see he gets the best medical care... It made me think. Maybe you do love him."
Ezra turned to him, emotions held in check. "I do love him, Mr. Jackson, very much so. But I would have done this regardless... Not only with Chris, but with any of you gentlemen as well." He stated calmly, enjoying the way Nathan flinched. "And if we are being honest, I have to tell you that I enjoyed what happened in the cave. Not when I believed Chris was going to hurt me, but what I did to make sure that wouldn't come to pass. He had stopped, and perhaps he would have stayed away, but I don't really think so."
To his surprise, Nathan grinned ruefully. "Can't say I blame ya. I probably would've enjoyed it too, had I been in your shoes with Rain. I've been thinkin' about it a lot, actually."
Something about Nathan's mischievous expression made Ezra relax and smile back. "Apology accepted, Nathan."
The other nodded, coming closer. "There's somethin' else. I know I don't show it or say it often, but I care 'bout ya, Ez. We're about as different as day and night, and I guess we'll always disagree on stuff, but you're family, same as the others." That said, he surprised Ezra even further by putting his arms around him and hugging him tightly for a moment. "I am sorry." Nathan said again as he pulled back.
Feeling somewhat awkward at Nathan's strange emotional display, Ezra merely shrugged. "Like I said, apology accepted."
Nathan sighed, relief clear in his voice as he spoke. "I have to go. I sneaked out of the office so I could come here; the others are probably wonderin' where I've gone to. We'll be back at lunch."
"I will be here."
He watched Nathan walk over to the door, open it, then turn back to him. "Ezra... Thank you."
Ezra smiled, understanding the meaning behind the words. "You are quite welcome, Mr. Jackson."
After the older man left, Ezra sat by the bed, leaning back on the chair and closing his eyes. Tired from his constant vigil he promptly fell asleep, failing to notice the stormy eyes fixed on him.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra startled awake, not sure what had brought him to sudden awareness.
He brushed a hand tiredly over his hair, then glanced at his charge, his heart lurching in his chest as he realized the bed was empty; Chris was gone. Jumping to his feet he rushed to the bathroom, his worry doubling as he found it empty.
He ran out of the room, bumping into a nurse. "Have you seen Chris Larabee, the patient in room #303?"
The young woman frowned. "No, I haven't. What's wrong?"
Ezra didn't bother to reply, his eyes already scanning the corridor for the other man. He searched room after room, ward after ward, ran through every corridor, finding no clues as to Chris' whereabouts. He decided to do a floor by floor sweep, starting at the lower levels and moving up.
Minutes stretched painfully into an hour, his anguish reaching new heights as his search failed to provide him with any results. He was about to call the others for help when he finally made it to the roof.
And there, hospital gown floating on the winter's chilling breeze, eyes looking lost as he stared at the horizon, stood Chris.
"Thank God," Ezra breathed, walking cautiously to the other man until he was standing before him. "Chris? What are you doing out here? Why did you leave your room?" He touched the blond's arm and hissed. "My Lord, you're freezing! Come on, let's go back inside."
Chris pulled free with a rough jerk, his face twisted into an angry grimace. "Betray!" he shouted into Ezra's face.
Ezra shook his head in confusion. "I don't understand. What's wrong, Chris?"
"Betray!" Chris snarled again, grabbing Ezra abruptly and kissing him ruthlessly, the contact painful and bruising when it should have been tender and loving.
Ezra managed to break free from the tight grip, fingers touching his kiss-swollen lips gingerly. "Chris, please," he begged as the other man made to reach for him anew. "Don't."
Something in his voice must have broken through, for Chris stopped advancing, his eyes lowering to the ground. Ezra moved closer, carefully, once again placing a hand on the other man's arm and guiding him to the door. As he took the now shivering man back to his room he couldn't help but wonder what had caused Chris to react in such a manner. It was the first time in five days that Chris had shown any signs of violence.
And that worried him.
+ + + + + + +
When the others walked into Chris' room at lunch, they found the blond sitting on the bed with a distinctively sulking expression, Ezra watching him warily from a chair.
"What's wrong?" Buck asked immediately.
Before Ezra could reply, Chris growled furiously. He leapt from the bed, punching Nathan in the face and throwing him on the floor. Apparently not satisfied, he straddled Nathan's body, grabbing his shirt and shaking him violently, causing Nathan's head to connect with the marble floor repeatedly.
"No take! No take!" He snapped, rage evident in his features. "Never!"
"Chris, no!" Ezra shouted, rushing over to separate the two men.
Chris flew away from Nathan then, stalking closer to Ezra with an angry stride. He grabbed the Southerner by the forearms, slamming him brutally against the wall. "Betray!" He shoved Ezra again and again into the white plaster. "Betray!"
Ezra cried out, his healing shoulder impacting against the wall. "Chris, stop!" He pleaded brokenly. "Please!"
Chris didn't listen to him this time. Instead, he practically carried Ezra over to the bed, fury giving him an unexpected bout of strength. He pinned the Southerner to the mattress, wrists held tightly over Ezra's head.
Realizing fighting back would only make things worse, Ezra froze under Chris' body, barely daring to breathe. He saw the others standing uncertainly by the bed, obviously wondering if they should act or not, afraid of hurting either Chris or Ezra himself.
"Don't do anything," he whispered softly.
Chris retreated abruptly, tilting his head in confusion. "Why?" He asked, the fight gone out of him.
"Why what?" Ezra queried softly, sitting up slowly on the bed.
"Fear, now. Fear, cave."
So Chris had sensed his fear back at the cave, that's why he had stopped their 'mating'. A stab of overwhelming tenderness shot through Ezra and he placed a gentle hand over Chris' heart.
"I don't know how much you understand of what I'm saying, but I am afraid *for* you, not *of* you. You are getting better, Chris. And I know once you are back with us, the thought of having hurt me would be too much to take. I'm afraid of losing you to guilt." He confessed.
Whether he was responding to the words or Ezra's soothing voice, Chris laid back on the bed, taking Ezra with him and snuggling to his warmth.
"What the hell happened here?" Vin asked, careful to keep his voice low.
"Considerin' he attacked me and Ezra, I think I can guess," Nathan replied ruefully, touching the lump at the back of his head. "I was here earlier. Ez and I... we needed to talk. I'm thinkin' maybe Chris saw me give Ezra a hug and misunderstood?" he half-asked.
Ezra nodded slightly. "My guess, as well."
"You okay, Ezra?" Josiah asked.
He gave the older man a weak, but genuine smile. "I'm fine, Mr. Sanchez."
"Ya know, Ez," Vin began. "Under all that anger and the apathy, this is still Chris. I don't think it's a coincidence he responds only to you or that he got jealous of Nathan. I've been wonderin' for a while if Chris didn't return your feelings."
"I would love very much to be able to believe that, Vin. But I think I will just wait and see, it's safer. You didn't happen to bring us any nourishment, did you?" he asked, changing the subject.
"We brought sandwiches," JD told him, placing a small paper bag on the nightstand.
"Thank you. I will make sure we both enjoy our repast as soon as Chris awakes."
Little by little the others began to relax, spreading throughout the room and telling him, in hushed voices, the latest gossip at the ATF office. Ezra closed his eyes, listening absently as his body slumped deeper into the bedding, the feeling of Chris' arms wrapped around him, comforting.
He never heard the others finish their lunch or leave the room quietly.
+ + + + + + +
He was going to be late for work.
Locking the front door, he stood for a moment on the porch, watching with an amused smile as Sarah and Adam chased each other around the car, their laughter echoing in the woods around the ranch. After seven years together, his heart still sang every time he looked at Sarah, at their boy. He hadn't really thought he would be able to adjust to married life so easily, but here he was, the family man, happy, complete, settled down.
His only complaint was his broken wrist, which prevented him from active duty. Desk work was not his favorite thing. Like any cop, he would rather be out on the streets, chasing the scum polluting Denver. Not to mention Sarah had to drive him everywhere and although he loved her dearly, her driving drove him crazy.
She waved at him with a wide smile, ushering Adam inside the vehicle and sitting behind the wheel. He saw her lean forward to start the engine just before the whole world blew up into flames, taking him along.'
Chris sat up on the bed with a pain-filled gasp, sweat bathing his body, heart racing in his chest. He hadn't dreamt of his family's death in months, and certainly not with all that vivid intensity.
Forcing his breathing to slow down, he glanced around, realizing he was in his bedroom, back at the ranch. It didn't make any sense; the last thing he remembered was being kidnapped by Levit, being injected with a drug. Maybe the others had rescued him? But why couldn't he remember anything?
Rising from the bed, he donned his robe and walked out of the room. Seeing light in the living room, he followed its beacon, stopping in the doorway as he found Ezra sleeping on the couch. He approached the slumbering man, taking the rare opportunity to see the younger man without his usual shields.
Before Sarah, Chris had ventured into a few relationships with other men; nothing too serious, just the mutual enjoyment of each others bodies and hot, powerful sex. When he met Ezra he had felt the pull, the attraction, but had chosen to ignore it. They would be working together and that was one complication he didn't need.
As the months went on and turned into years, he surrendered to the knowledge that the attraction had changed to love. But Ezra had never given any hint he was into men, so Chris had swallowed his feelings, content to watch, to be there, to be a friend.
It didn't mean it didn't hurt sometimes, that he didn't wish to take things further instead of wondering 'what if'.
He watched as Ezra stirred slowly, eyes blinking sleepily, then settling on him. "Chris!" Ezra started. "What's wrong? Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine." Chris replied, wondering where he should start, what question he should ask first.
Ezra was faster. Head tilted to the side in puzzlement, he regarded Chris silently for a long moment. His eyes widened suddenly, and Chris was surprised to see sadness and relief shining from within the green depths.
Before he could comment on that, Ezra spoke. "You are back, aren't you? You remember?" He asked, voice hushed.
Chris sat on the couch. "I had a nightmare, a memory actually. Sarah and Adam's deaths," he added at Ezra's quizzical expression. "And when I woke up I was just... *here*. What happened exactly? Last thing I remember is Levit injectin' me with some drug, but I have this feelin'... That was some time ago, right?"
Ezra nodded. "Yes. You were kidnapped approximately two weeks ago. I... We rescued you a week ago, you spent six days at the hospital. They discharged you yesterday. The doctors had no way of identifying the drug Levit injected you with, or reversing its effects, and since you were showing much improvement..." He shrugged. "We thought familiar surroundings might help you recover. I guess we were right," he remarked ruefully.
"So, these two weeks... Have I been unconscious the whole time?"
A strange expression flashed over Ezra's features, but it was gone so fast Chris didn't have enough time to grasp it. "Hmm..." Ezra pressed his lips together, his whole demeanor awkward. "You weren't conscious per se, but you were moving and even speaking. Maybe I better call our colleagues. I'm sure Mr. Jackson will be able to explain better."
At the mention of Nathan's name, Chris felt a cold fury surging through him. That only confused him further. He had always liked and respected the other man, why would he feel such rage against him? He had a sudden vision of throwing himself at Nathan, of hitting him, and blinked, startled.
"Ezra, did I ever hit Nathan durin' these two weeks?" He asked carefully, almost afraid to hear the answer.
To say Ezra was shocked at the question was an understatement. He flinched, turned frighteningly pale, lips parting as if to speak although no actual words were spoken.
Chris frowned at the unusual reaction, forcing his mind to focus on the vision. It came back with amazing clarity, the moment when he punched Nathan, throwing him to the floor. He recalled the feeling of betrayal, thinking Nathan was trying to take Ezra away from him.
That gave place to other images; Nathan hugging Ezra, speaking to him at the hospital. He saw himself attacking Buck in the woods; carrying Ezra over his shoulder and taking him away from the place where Levit had kept him prisoner. And he remembered with a sickening heart as he raped Ezra in the cave.
"Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God..." he mumbled, jumping from the couch and backing away from Ezra. He was a monster. He had raped his friend, the man he was in love with. Bile rose in his throat, threatening to choke him.
Ezra rose slowly, brows knitted together in confusion. "Chris?"
When Ezra made to approach him, Chris shouted, "Don't! How can you stand to be in the same room with me?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"I raped you, Ezra!" Chris growled desperately.
Ezra sucked in a startled gasp, taking a step back himself. "You... you remember? Lord, Chris, you didn't rape me, I --"
"Didn't I?" Chris spat at him. "I held you down, took your clothes off, nearly rammed myself into you! You were forced to give me a blowjob and you say I didn't rape you?!"
Ezra's reply was forestalled by the opening of the front door, Buck's voice intruding on their anguished confrontation, "Hey, Ez, we decided to join ya for dinner. Ezra? Ez, where are ya, pard?"
The mustached man walked in the room, the others right behind him, all of them freezing immediately as they took in the tableau before them.
"What's going on?" JD asked cautiously.
Chris looked at the five men, knowing he would have to talk to them, but unable to deal with their questions or the situation at the moment. "Leave," he snapped.
Vin crossed his arms across his chest stubbornly. "I don't think so, Cowboy. I take it you're back with us?"
"Yes, and I want you all to leave. *Now*. This is between Ezra and I." When they didn't move, he snarled, "Fine! Stay!" He turned back to Ezra. "Are you still goin' to deny I raped you?" He ignored the gasps coming from his men; there would be time for them later.
Ezra exhaled slowly, eyes lowered to the floor. "All right." He finally looked up, eyes locking with Chris'. "You were holding me down and yes, I was frightened. But as I explained at the hospital, I was afraid for you, because I knew this would happen. And no, I would never have done it if you hadn't... taken the initiative. But..." Ezra firmed his stance, facing him head on. "You weren't the first man I gave a blowjob to and I can't really say I regret what happened."
Chris reeled at the words. He had been expecting disgust, hate, contempt. The calm confession was something new and definitely intriguing. He also realized how much it had taken for Ezra to make it, especially in front of the others.
"Out." He ordered, glaring at Vin.
Vin smiled knowingly at him, then glanced at Ezra. "Ez, it's up to ya. Want us to stay or go?"
Ezra nodded slightly. "It's all right, Mr. Tanner. I believe I will be quite safe with our leader."
"We'll be back in the morning." Josiah assured, giving Ezra a wink before leaving.
Chris waited until he heard their vehicles driving away, then asked slowly, "Not the first man?"
Ezra flushed slightly, but replied honestly. "I have always been attracted to men, Mr. Larabee, although there have been a few women as well. However, trust is a big issue with me, so I rarely acted on that attraction. I... There was an agent in Atlanta. We became good friends from the start and later, lovers. He was the only man."
"How long were you together?"
Ezra grimaced. "Not that long. We were still... experimenting when the rumors about me being on the take began. He chose to preserve his career over a relationship with me. There was a lot we never did try, including what you first attempted to do at the cave." A pause, then, "Can I ask you something?"
Chris nodded, curious. "Sure. It's only fair, after all."
"Why did you react to me the way you did? You were protective, possessive, and of course, you attempted to 'mate' with me," he teased gently.
"Ah." Chris sighed softly. Time to come out with the truth. "I love you, Ezra. I have been in love with you for some time now." He replied. "You were the last thing on my mind before those drugs took over. I can't tell you exactly why I did those things, but maybe it had somethin' to do with the way I feel about you."
"And are you experienced with male loving?" Ezra asked hesitantly.
"Yes. I had a few relationships with men before Sarah." He looked at the man before him. "You haven't said anythin' about my big declaration of love. Are we talkin' unrequited love here, did I just make a fool of myself? Because from the way you took care of me these last weeks, from what I remember, I'd say you love me too."
To his surprise and delight, Ezra gave him a wide smile, his whole face lighting up with happiness. "I do love you, Chris. Very much so."
Chris returned the smile, feeling his heart swell. "So, what's the next step?"
Ezra grinned wickedly. "Hot, dirty, wild monkey sex?" he suggested hopefully.
Chris felt his groin tighten at both the words and the grin. He remembered the feel of having Ezra beneath him, whimpering and thrashing as Chris rimmed him; remembered the urge to mate, to possess, to make Ezra his.
He growled deep in his throat as Ezra slumped against the couch in silent invitation, eyes closed, head leaning on the armrest. Before he was even aware of what he was doing, Chris was moving forward, until their lips were barely touching, sharing each other's breaths.
He stilled then, remaining that way until the green eyes opened and locked with his, both knowing they were about to cross the line, that there would be no turning back, both accepting the commitment. Questions answered, they moved together as one, closing the distance, kissing for the first time.
Tentative and gentle at first, the kiss gradually deepened as their lips parted. Tongues met and dueled frantically, their senses overloading into the searing kiss.
They broke apart long enough to tear at each other's clothes, tossing them carelessly onto the floor, then Ezra was on his back, Chris blanketing him on the narrow couch. Hands and mouths moved over sweat-slick skin, everywhere at once, tasting and touching and exploring.
Chris kissed a path down the smooth column of Ezra's throat, across his collarbone, a wave of fierce possessiveness overtaking him as he sunk his teeth into the muscled padding of his lover's shoulder. He began to nibble on the addictive flesh, applying a firm pressure until it left a mark -- his mark; a proof of his ownership, a warning to any would-be trespassers.
Wanting to savor more of the body offered so willingly to his touch, Chris turned his attention to Ezra's muscular chest, eyes focusing on the two flat, rosy nipples. He licked and sucked one little nub into his mouth, his fingers playing with the other, teasing the protrusion to a hard, aching peak.
Ezra whimpered and groaned, head pressing back into the armrest, body sliding against Chris' as his hands roamed over Chris' body, fingers digging into his back in ecstasy.
Satisfied both nipples were now sensitive to the merest of caresses, Chris continued his journey down the canvas of silken skin spread out for his delight, licking and kissing his way down Ezra's chest and abdomen. He spread his lover's legs apart then settled between them.
His finger trailed over the tip of Ezra's hard cock, drawing the moisture he found there and tasting it wantonly. Taking the throbbing erection into his hand, Chris ran his thumb over the head, Ezra's body arching off the couch with a groan, hands clutching at the large pillows.
Chris' hand began a slow pumping motion, gradually increasing the tempo of his strokes as Ezra responded to his actions. His lover was panting, quick, shallow breaths as his hips thrust up, driving himself into Chris' hand.
Needing to taste more of his lover's unique flavor, Chris shifted his body downward, nuzzling Ezra's cock gently before taking the head into his mouth, sucking and licking until Ezra was whimpering continuously. He wrapped his fingers around the base of Ezra's length, letting his tongue flutter along the large vein on the underside, trying his best to take all of his lover inside. He relaxed his throat muscles, uncurling his fingers from the base, and lowered his head until every last inch was sheathed inside his mouth.
It was all it took; he felt Ezra's shaft swelling, felt his balls tighten up, and then Ezra was coming, pouring himself down Chris' throat in long pulses, crying wordlessly as the orgasm ripped through him.
Chris reluctantly released Ezra's softening cock as the younger man's tremors started to subside, patting the quivering belly gently. "I'll be right back," he whispered, rushing to his bedroom for lube.
Quickly finding the tube of lubricant, he returned to a still recovering Ezra, who smiled sensually as he noticed the tube in his hand. Chris squeezed some lube onto his fingers, breath hitching as Ezra opened up to him, legs parting to allow him access to his virgin portal.
Chris took his time preparing and stretching Ezra, slick fingers twisting and burrowing into the tight opening, teasing and arousing. He was amazed at Ezra's response to his touch, as the other man writhed feverishly, crying out, pleading for more. He twisted his fingers, rubbing against the little pleasure point inside, grinning as Ezra arched, sobbing broken pleas into the air.
"Please, oh, please... I need you, Chris... Please!" Ezra moaned, thrashing and thrusting against Chris' digits.
Judging Ezra to be ready for him, Chris withdrew his fingers, moving over the other man's body. He stroked his lover's thighs gently, raising Ezra's legs over his shoulders, kissing first the inside of one knee, then the other, chuckling as Ezra's legs quivered at the ticklish caress.
Finally, he guided his aching cock to his lover's opening, pressing forward, slowly burying his length in the smooth warmth until he was fully inside Ezra's body. He forced himself to wait, moving only when Ezra bucked against him, trying to take him impossibly deeper.
Chris began to thrust into the furnace that was his lover's body, backing out almost to the tip, then plunging back in, reveling in the overpowering feeling of having Ezra beneath him, panting and twisting and moaning his name.
Suddenly he ceased all movement, ignoring Ezra's frenzied attempts to get him to move again. Pinning Ezra to the couch by lying completely on top of him, Chris nibbled on an earlobe, then whispered into it, "Tell me you're mine." He ordered huskily. "Say it."
Ezra glowered at him. "You bastard!" He panted breathlessly. "*Move*!"
Chris gave a single, hard thrust into his lover's body. "Say it, Ezra!"
Ezra arched off the couch, a sob escaping his parted lips, eyes squeezing shut. "Oh, God, please... I'm yours, Chris, always yours," he choked. "Please..."
Chris growled his triumph, fingers gripping Ezra's ass painfully as he drove into him, again and again and again, until they were both groaning uncontrollably. He wrapped his fist around Ezra's cock, milking it to the pounding rhythm of his hips. "Come for me, Ezra... show me how much you love me..." he whispered seductively.
His words seemed to have the desired effect, for Ezra cried out, body tightening around Chris' shaft as he came for the second time that night, bathing both of their bodies and Chris' hand with his seed.
Chris gritted his teeth and slammed into his lover one last time, shouting, "Mine! You're mine!" as he surrendered to the tight grip around his cock, emptying every last drop of fluid into Ezra's body.
+ + + + + + +
Half an hour later they were still enjoying the aftereffects of their mind-blowing coupling, both still naked, both still on the couch. Ezra lay between Chris' spread legs, his back to Chris' chest, head resting on his right shoulder. Chris was running a lazy hand over Ezra's chest, while Ezra traced aimless patterns on Chris' thigh.
"I can hear the wheels going into overdrive inside your mind, Chris. Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?" Ezra prompted gently.
"I've been rememberin' everythin' that happened these last two weeks, everything I did. I've got one hell of an apology to make, especially to Nathan and Buck."
Ezra looked up at him. "They understand, Chris. It was the drug behind it all, no one's blaming you."
Chris cleared his throat, feeling his face warming slightly. "It wasn't the drug just now. I... Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to be that eager. Or possessive."
Ezra chuckled. "No, you didn't hurt me, although I believe sitting down will be an adventure tomorrow. I'm definitely sore. But... I enjoyed it, both the eagerness and the possessiveness. I would never believe I would get off on having someone dominate me, but I did. Perhaps because it was you and I trust you. It was the hottest sex I have ever had," he confessed honestly. "And at the same time it was still making love." There was something akin to awe in his expression.
Chris brushed his thumb over his lover's kiss-bruised lips. "What about the team? The main reason why I never made a move before is because we work together, because I'm your boss."
"I'm not saying everything will be a bed of roses, Chris, but I think with a little work we will be able to separate our working relationship from our private lives. Our colleagues... our friends already know how I feel about you, and they suspected you felt the same. They will most certainly help us... whether we wish it or not," he added ruefully.
Chris chuckled. "So, you think we can handle it?" He asked seriously, lacing the fingers from their left hands together.
"Together? Undoubtedly."
Chris nodded his agreement, laying a tender kiss on the chestnut hair and closing his eyes, letting the warmth coming from the fireplace and his lover's welcoming scent lull him into sleep.
THE END
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