Marked Northern Shifters 1

him.
As Alec turned, his shoulder brushed Liam’s chest and Alec found himself backing up against the shelves.
“How do you do that?” Alec demanded.
“Do what?”
“Move without me hearing you.”
Liam didn’t respond. His gaze just became heated.
Alec didn’t look away. “Keep that up, baby, and you might get kissed again.”
Liam’s jaw tightened and his eyes darkened. Before Alec could make a move, his feet were in the air and he went flying over the back of the couch.
His breath baled out and panic seized him. What the fuck?
Liam slammed down on top of him, pushing Alec into the cushions, pulling at his pants.
Alec threw a hard punch, and while Liam’s expression showed surprise, he moved fast enough to duck so Alec’s fist only grazed Liam’s temple. He grabbed both Alec’s arms, pinning them above his head with a strength Alec couldn’t battle. It infuriated Alec, to be held down so easily by someone his own size.
Alec aimed his knee at Liam’s balls. His attacker slid to the side. Alec pulled back a leg to kick, but Liam moved up and applied weight, giving Alec no room to maneuver. Out-muscled and stretched out on his back, all Alec managed to do was grind against Liam, which gave entirely the wrong message. Alec’s desire of a moment ago had fled, sick fear in its place. The terror immobilized him.
So he went still, lay beneath that long, hard body, smothered between Liam and the soft cushions, hardly able to breathe under the weight and dread. Liam gripped his arms. Pinioned. He waited for Liam to grope him.
Instead, Liam’s face fell into Alec’s neck and he said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
    Under Liam, Alec went very still. His breath came shallow and fast, and Liam knew he had to get off, though a part of him wanted to stay and nestle there, no matter how wrong it was to force your physical desires on someone else.
    Alec’s fear had rid Liam of his erection, though oddly enough Alec’s remained. Liam nuzzled Alec’s throat in apology, then pulled back.
Alec stared, his dark eyes flat and unblinking, and Liam had the terrible feeling Alec had experienced this kind of betrayal before.
“Okay,” said Liam slowly. “I’m getting off you. I’d rather you didn’t unman me in the process.”
Alec didn’t react, but Liam didn’t think he was in shock. In fact, to Liam’s relief, some of Alec’s fear had receded and Liam smelt anger. He ducked his head down to nuzzle Alec again and Alec snapped, “Stop that,” even while he shivered.
And now there was desire mixed in all this. But Liam didn’t nuzzle again because Alec had said stop. With his free hand, Liam gently ran fingers through Alec’s tangled hair.
“Stop,” Alec rasped. But not, Liam noted, get off me.
“Okay.” Liam frowned. “But you like it.”
The flatness in Alec’s eyes gave way to depth, an anger, a desire. And confusion.
“I wouldn’t hurt you, you know.”
“I do not know.” But Alec’s body softened under Liam, even while Liam’s erection returned.
“Tell me to stop and I stop.” Without his gaze leaving Alec’s, Liam slowly brought his fingertips to Alec’s lips and brushed them. “I liked it when you kissed me in the summer, Alec. I left before I got too intense. Like just now. But I won’t hurt you.”
“That’s great to know.” The sarcasm sounded breathless. Alec’s chest rose and fell under Liam with quite a bit of effort, but when Liam stroked Alec’s cheek and forehead lightly, Alec did not say to stop.
The smell of fear faded, though a wary Alec watched him. Liam understood he had to move slowly or it would end. No more alarming Alec. While speed could be a problem when he was starved for touch, Liam now had full body contact with Alec and that gave him control.
Once again, Liam brought his mouth to Alec’s neck and this time he licked Alec’s fear-sweat away. Alec trembled, but did not speak and Liam couldn’t stop himself, he nipped.
Alec arched his back. Liam carefully explored his neck and chin, nuzzling, tasting, kissing.
Liam lifted his face to see Alec’s unfocused gaze. Still confused, but his expression was thick with desire.
“I love the shape of your eyes,” observed Liam. They were lovely, the slight cant to them, holding dark brown, almost black irises.
Alec licked his lips in invitation, and Liam took his mouth, plundering deep. At first, Alec just received him. Though his mouth did not fight the kiss, he didn’t respond. Liam’s free hand found skin