Page 81 of Try Line Hearts
Lucas: ???
Evelyn: You know why. If u don’t, then OMG u r dense.
Lucas excused himself early.
He’d barely set his bag down when there was a knock.
He opened the door.
Eli stood there, eyes dark, bandaged hand clenched at his side.
“I know this is a terrible idea,” Eli said.
Lucas stepped back. “Come in.”
The door closed.
They stood there for a second, breathing the same air. Nothing being said, just breathing and eyes searching each other’s faces.
Then Eli surged forward and kissed him.
Not careful. Not slow. Hungry in a way that bordered on reckless. Lucas backed into the bed, hands in Eli’s shirt, pulling him close.
Clothes came off in uneven bursts. Skin met skin. Heat built fast.
Once they were naked, Eli pushed Lucas back roughly, decisively onto the mattress and climbed down the bed. Lucas sucked in a breath as he felt a warm mouth wrap around him – he threaded his fingers through dark curls and Eli hummed his appreciation, the sensation making every nerve in his body tingle.
“I never actually asked,” Lucas said hoarsely, the words dragged loose by nerves and want. His hand hovered, uncertain, like this was the one line he didn’t know how to cross without permission. “What you prefer. I just—assumed, and I didn’t want to—”
Eli laughed softly against his thigh, the sound warm and unembarrassed. He tilted his head up, eyes bright even in the low light.
“Hey,” he said, easy. “You’re allowed to ask.”
Lucas swallowed. “So?”
Eli’s smile turned slow. Knowing. He shifted closer, palms braced on either side of Lucas’s legs, confidence settling into his bones like it had always been there.
“Lucky for you,” he said lightly, “I came prepared.”
Lucas let out a breath that was half a laugh, half disbelief. “Of course you did.”
Eli grinned, unapologetic. “I like being prepared.” His gaze dipped, unashamed, flicking down and back up again. “And—no offence—but I wasn’t exactly planning to gamble with… that.”
Lucas felt heat flood his face. “That?”
Eli hummed, thoughtful. “You were born with an unfair advantage.”
Lucas barked a quiet laugh, then stilled as Eli leaned in closer, voice dropping, more sincere now.
“I prefer it,” Eli added. “Being the one who takes you. Feels right.” A pause, just long enough to matter. “Feels safe.”
Something in Lucas’s chest gave way at that—at the trust wrapped up in such a simple statement.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “Just—tell me if—”
“I will,” Eli said immediately. “Promise.”
Their eyes held for a beat—steady, open, chosen.
