Bonedust

tongue against Gabe’s lips, encouraging him to open for him because Urban needed to experience him. His world reeled when Gabriel’s lips parted and Urban could taste the mint on the man’s breath. Their tongues twined together for a moment and then it was over and Gabriel was pulling away, his hands against Urban’s chest.
    Urban caught his wrists and stole one more kiss. “Damnit, I won’t hurt you. Just trust me.”
    “I’m sorry,” Gabriel murmured, his voice husky. He tugged free and disappeared into the dark, leaving Urban’s body and soul aching. Damnit, that man would be the death of him.
    “Gabriel, wait.” He caught up with him at the entrance, shouldering his way out of Helsong. Gabe’s face was flushed, nerves and lust and want glimmering in those chocolate eyes. He wanted it just as much as Urban did—he just had so many damned walls. Urban took a breath as the door shut behind them and the music left them to silence.
    His heart thundered in his ears. “I told you. I’ll be patient,” he said, looking at the man. Gabriel closed his eyes for a moment and wrapped arms around himself. “I want you. I won’t deny that. Hell, you already know it. And a part of you wants me too. You’re scared—I get that. But I won’t hurt you. Goddess, I swear on it. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.” His throat was tight, caught like a mouse in a trap.
    “I just don’t know,” Gabriel whispered, looking down at their feet.
    Urban reached for Gabe’s hands, tugging them to his chest. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want me, and I swear I won’t bring this up again.” Please, just look at me, Gabriel.
    The man looked up and their eyes met, locking. “I…” He trailed off with a sharp inhale. “I can’t. I just… I do want you, but I’ve spent my life wanting what I can never have. I don’t even know what to do with this and—”
    “Just kiss me. Please. I’ll get on my knees and beg, damnit,” Urban said. “I’m here for as long as you want me. But just kiss me.”
    Gabriel hesitated and for a heart-wrenching moment, Urban thought the man would back away. He thought the man would throw up his walls and walk right out of his life and leave them both aching for more. Instead he leaned forwards, hands splayed against Urban’s chest and their lips crashed together like waves beating the beach in the middle of a storm, demanding and wild and wanton. Urban moaned into the other man’s mouth, his knees weakening. His hands fisted in Gabriel’s hair, holding him close, wanting to drown in the essence that was Gabe.
    In the end, it was Urban who broke off first, gasping for air. “Gabe…” But whatever his mind had come up with, it was cut off by the distinct tinkle of birds in his ear. Oh Goddess be damned. Not now… “Fuck.”
    “What?” Gabriel’s eyes widened.
    Urban sighed and kissed him once more, this time gentle and chaste, before tapping the device at his ear. “Winters. This better be damned good.”

Chapter Ten

    “Want the good news or the bad news first?” Urban hooked his fingers in his belt loops, the snakeskin pants so form-fitting that he couldn’t use the pockets. Gabriel couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Nor could he help the thought of peeling them off to reveal the layer underneath…
    His face flushed. “Bad, I guess.”
    “I have to go on a hunt. Big Suit purse and, let’s face it: We could use the zaels. Some freaking klepto coyote shifter broke into a gem store and took off with some priceless pieces. They want him alive.” The snake gave a little sigh, as if shooting him dead would be easier and less time consuming.
    “And the good news?”
    Urban leaned in, looping one arm around Gabriel’s waist to pull him closer. He planted a searingly quick kiss on his lips, a kiss that made his head spin. “You’re a damn good kisser,” he said, pale eyes gleaming. “And I so wish I could ignore this call, carry you back to the motel, and make love with you on every surface imaginable.”
    A lump formed in Gabriel’s throat. Halcion, what was wrong with him? This was what he wanted! His entire body throbbed with need and as forward as Urban was, he wanted it. But…
    ”That’s… Urban.” He glanced down at his feet, working up the nerve. “I don’t want to just…rush into this, whatever this is. I like you.” He met Urban’s gaze and held it, heart thudding in his ears. “But I want to go slow. If