Page 55 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Xander’s gaze dropped to his mouth, then rose back to his eyes.

Cassidy drew a slow breath through his nose. “You’ve gone through a lot tonight. I won’t take advantage of that.”

“I know.” Xander’s voice deepened. “Just…I’ve needed you, Cassie, long before tonight.”

Cassidy shook his head. Slow and uselessly. “I’m not as strong as you think, sweetheart.”

Did I really just call him that?

But the second the words left him, Xander seemed to melt.

Cassidy lowered his head at the same time Xander lifted onto his toes, closing the distance together.

The kiss started as almost nothing, a barely there contact of warmth. Xander mapped the shape of his mouth with his soft lips before dragging his smooth cheek against Cassidy’s beard, sending a low, aching strain through his body.

He answered by tightening the hand in his hair—not to hurt—in the way that made him feel safe.

They parted then met again, the exchange so light and delicate it made the desire sharpen into a need that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with yearning and comfort.

A low, desperate sound escaped Xander when he broke the kiss but neither of them pulled away.

He rubbed his nose along Xander’s cheek, breathing him in, trying to force discipline back into his body one breath at a time, because heaven help him, he wanted to lift Xander onto the bar and find out how many sounds he had trapped behind those warm, pretty lips.

Xander kept his eyes closed, and Cassidy couldn’t resist brushing their lips together one last time.

He wanted the beautiful man in his arms like nothing he’d ever wanted before, but he wouldn’t try for anything more tonight. He wanted Xander rested more than he wanted to satisfy his own needs.

Cassidy stroked his fingers through Xander’s wavy hair. “I know you’re exhausted. You need to get some sleep.”

“I can’t.” Xander brushed his forehead back and forth over Cassidy’s parted lips. A gesture so intimate it cut straight through his armor. “I haven’t in days.”

Cassidy took Xander’s hand and led him towards the bedroom. He left the lights off, letting the glow from the main room provide enough light for him to see.

He guided him to the side of the bed and stopped, leaving only a breath of space between them.

“Arms up.”

Xander obeyed as they kept their eyes locked.

He gently took the hem of Xander’s hoodie, eased it over his head, and tossed it onto the chair by the window.

Xander stood so still in the quiet, bare from the waist up. Cassidy wanted to run his fingers through that little patch of brown-blond hair between his pecs that looked made for his fingertips.

He tried to keep his eyes on Xander’s face, but fuck he was so soft in places fame probably told him not to be.

His skin was flushed a sexy pink hue, from either the fear, liquor or the kiss. Maybe a combination of all three.

Cassidy crouched in front of him and removed Xander’s tennis shoes one at a time

When he stood, Xander watched him with those sad blue eyes, his gaze full of a silent plea to be taken care of.

He hooked his fingers into the waistband of Xander’s sweatpants then paused a moment to gage his reaction.

Xander nodded.

He eased them down slowly, hoping his calloused palms didn’t irritate him.

Xander’s breath quickened.