Page 36 of Phoenix

“I mean it,” Tor said, not missing the skepticism behind his words. “I need you to trust me. I have a plan and I’ll make it happen.”

“Trust has never been an issue. Not between us.” He closed his eyes and clung to Tor. “I trust you more than anyone I know, more than I trust myself.” But could that trust be enough?

“You’ll see.” Tor held him tightly, one arm around his back and the other on his head. He kissed his temple. “Come on. You have work to do and I’m going to make breakfast.”

“My fridge is empty.” He sat up and stretched his arms behind his back. “I can order in.”

“I’m familiar with the state of your kitchen so I hit the store before I got here.” Tor rose beside him. “Picked up enough shit to make breakfast at least.”

“Yeah?” He smiled and shifted close enough that their lips almost touched. “Thank you.”

Tor pressed their mouths together and rasped, “Welcome,” against his lips. He cradled Jule’s head with both hands and deepened the kiss.

“Work can wait a little longer.” Jule slipped his hand between them and cupped Tor’s package.

He felt Tor’s smile rather than seeing it. “Let’s go.”

After taking another couple of kisses, he dropped to his knees and lowered his shoulders to the bed. Tor kept one hand on him, caressing lightly, as he reached for the lube they’d left on the nightstand. Slick liquid drizzled over his crease and Tor pressedit into his hole. He knelt behind Jule and flattened his palm against his back, keeping him steady. “Ready?”

He bobbed his head, face brushing against the sheets. He was always ready for Tor, couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t wanted him. Tor drove into him, slow, steady, hot, right. When he was full, he reached back blindly and grasped Tor’s hip, fingers digging into skin and muscle. “Fucking love this.”

Tor gripped his shoulder with his free hand and started pumping in earnest. In and out, dragging over pleasure receptors and rubbing against his gland, filling him up and then leaving him gaping. Tor fucked like he did everything in life, with skill, patience, and persistence. He was wild but also immeasurably controlled. He was perfect.

“Need to come,” Jule said breathlessly.

“I got you.” Tor slipped his forearms under Jule’s arms and wrenched him up until they were both kneeling, his back to Tor’s chest. Then he pinned his left arm around Jule, keeping him upright, and moved his right arm across Jule’s hip to his cock. “Fuck my fist while I fuck your ass.”

Nothing about Tor was flowery or sentimental and that was perfect too. Rough language, like a rough touch, set Jule on fire. He squeezed his channel, tightening his inner grip on Tor’s cock, and then did as he said and thrust into his hand.

Behind him, Tor groaned and dug his teeth into Jule’s shoulder. “God damn, Jule. Fuck.” He quickened his pace, his skin slapping against Jule’s in a sensual, rhythmic clap.

When Jule came it was with an intensity that sucked all the air from his body and left his muscles quaking. Like always, Tor led him through it, holding him tightly and soaring along with him.

“Still hungry?” Tor asked.

“No.” Jule shook his head. “That was great. Thanks for cooking.”

“Welcome.” Tor squeezed his knee and then stacked their plates and forks.

“I’m cleaning up.” Jule stood and reached for the dishes.

“You have work to get done and I don’t mind.” He leaned forward and nuzzled Jule’s neck. “I like taking care of you.”

“Well, you took care of me earlier and then again by making breakfast. If you want to do something, read this file”—he picked up his laptop from the other side of the counter and opened it while he continued speaking—“and tell me if you have an idea of how I can prove that my client is innocent.” He set the laptop in front of Tor. “I’m cleaning up.”

Whenever Tor was around, Jule talked to him about his work. Some of that was because he enjoyed sharing every part of his life with Tor, but the first time he had done it, he realized there was another benefit. Tor’s brilliant mind helped him think through the complexities of his cases, which in turn made him a better advocate for his clients.

“Is she actually innocent or are we looking for some bullshit people will believe?” Tor sat on a stool and pulled the laptop forward.

“I mean, bullshit is fine if I can sell it, but yeah, I actually believe her when she says she didn’t do it.” He picked up the plates and walked to the sink. “That almost never happens.”

“What’d she not do?”

“She didn’t stalk and then assault her ex-boyfriend with a knife.”

“Got it.” Tor looked intently at the screen, occasionally moving his finger over the mousepad. “What’s the story with the ex?”

“According to my client, who comes across as genuinely sincere, he became extremely overbearing to the point ofcontrolling within months of their relationship starting so she broke up with him.”