Hard Case by Elizabeth Lapthorne Read Free Book Online Page A

he was the sinner. “You do what so many can’t—or won’t—do. You hunt the bad guys, deal with the crisis head on. I can help fix the symptoms, assist those who need to rebuild themselves and their lives. But it’s you and people like you who keep the monsters at bay.”
    Troy shrugged but didn’t say anything. He pulled the car into a parking spot and switched off the engine. They unbuckled their seat belts, though neither made that first move to exit the car. Steve thought for a moment that he should be surprised at how deep and meaningful the conversation had turned, but then realized there was no reason to be shocked. They weren’t strangers and having shared such an intense orgasms, there was no need for shyness or playing coy.
    They knew each other and for better or worse, Steve wanted to know everything about this driven, controlled, intriguing man. He was so layered, so complex… Steve only found his curiosity growing the more he learned. He wondered if he’d ever grow tired of talking like this, sharing their thoughts and beliefs without fearing judgment or having to censor his words. It was refreshing and intoxicating.
    He glanced at Troy as they each hared a grin.
    “It’s nice to have someone I can say anything to,” Troy admitted.
    Steve chuckled. “I was just thinking how refreshing it is to not need to think before I speak, or censor myself. I have a few really good mates, people I can rely on, but it’s somehow different with you.”
    “We trust each other,” Troy stated in a soft tone.
    Steven felt ensnared in Troy’s silver gaze. The heat rose in his body again as his heart picked up speed. Need crawled in his belly. It was amazing, the power of lust this man could bring out in him. His lips tingled again, wanting to feel the warm press of Troy’s mouth against his.
    Leaning forward, Steven rested a palm on Troy’s upper thigh. Troy lifted his hand, clasped Steven’s shoulder and drew them together. They both tilted their heads simultaneously, coming together as if they’d been snogging for centuries.
    Steve liked that thought, as if he and Troy had kissed so many times, been intimate for so long they could anticipate one another. He hoped their relationship would flourish and become just like that.
    This time the kiss was no less scorching than the previous ones, but it lacked a sense of urgency. At the hospital they’d been exploring one another, finally breaking through the barriers they’d placed for their own safety. At Troy’s flat, they’d been in a rush. Steve had been unable to indulge in what he really wanted—to fuck Troy madly against whatever surface presented itself—and so they’d been settling for snatching little intimacies where they could.
    But now was different. Steve trailed his lips across Troy’s jaw and slowly meandered his way down his lover’s neck. Troy groaned, bucked in his seat. Troy’s grip tightened on his shoulder and he smoothed his hand over the crotch of Troy’s pants, pleased to find a thickening bulge.
    “I’m going to taste every inch of you,” Steve promised, his voice husky from lust.
    Troy surprised him when he pressed both Steve’s shoulders back, pushing him into his seat. Now it was Troy who explored Steven. A hungry energy exploded over his skin. Troy danced his tongue over the hollow of Steve’s neck where his shirt was unbuttoned. Troy’s hands were warm as he smoothed them over the soft linen covering his chest. Steven’s nipples hardened, his cock swelled in his pants.
    They were both breathing heavily now, the simple kiss growing into far more.
    “I’d love nothing more than to find a quiet place and bend you over,” Troy panted. “But people will be leaving work very soon. Hell, some have likely cut out already. We need to do this.”
    Steven tried to order his mind. Passion clouded everything except for the spicy scent of Troy that filled his head. He nodded and they broke apart. They each took a moment to