Page 50 of The Broken Dawn

Jakob let out a shaky laugh. "I'm not a perfect prince with royal blood."

"No," Harald agreed, his eyes lifting to meet Jakob's. "You're better."

Something broke open in Jakob's chest at those words. He reached out, letting his fingers brush Harald's jaw, a touch so light it was barely there. Harald leaned into it, eyes closing briefly, and that small gesture of trust undid the last of Jakob's restraint.

"Can I..." Jakob's voice was rough. "Hal, can I kiss you?"

Harald's eyes flew open, dark with want. "You called me Hal," he whispered, wonder in his voice.

"Is that okay?" Jakob asked, suddenly uncertain.

In answer, Harald closed the distance between them, pressing his mouth to Jakob's. The kiss was soft at first, but quickly deepened as Harald's big, soft hands came up to cradle Jakob's face. Jakob made a desperate sound against Harald's lips, his own hands finding Harald's waist to pull him closer.

The kiss broke only when they needed air, Harald pressing his forehead to Jakob's, both of them breathing hard. "I've thought about this," Harald whispered against his lips, "every night since you left me in the hayloft."

The confession sent heat spiraling through Jakob's body. He kissed Harald again, more hungrily, and Harald responded in kind. The press of their bodies was awkward on the flat rock, neither able to get properly close. Harald made a frustrated sound against his mouth, trying to pull Jakob nearer.

"Wait," Jakob gasped between kisses. He shifted, guiding Harald to lie back on the sun-warmed stone. The sight of Harald stretched out beneath him, golden in the sunlight, made Jakob's breath catch. "Is this okay?"

Harald nodded, reaching up to tug Jakob down to him, over him. "More than okay."

The first press of their bodies together from hips to chest drew gasps from both of them. The rock was warm against Harald's back, and Harald was fever-hot against Jakob's skin despite the cool lake. Their legs tangled together, and Jakob braced himself on his forearms, hovering over Harald, suddenly overwhelmed by the reality of this moment.

This was Harald - Prince of Sweden, the boy he'd been watching from afar, the man he'd been dreaming about since that kiss in the hayloft - laid out beneath him, looking up at him with a smile on his lips and hunger in his eyes. Harald's hands traced up Jakob's arms to his shoulders, leaving trails of heat against his chilled, wet skin.

"Stop thinking so much," Harald murmured, reaching up to brush damp curls from Jakob's forehead.

Jakob laughed shakily. "I just... I never expected..." He swallowed hard. "I thought the hayloft was all we'd have."

Harald's expression softened. He pulled Jakob down for another hungry kiss. The friction as their bodies touched created a delicious heat between them, and Jakob couldn't stop the soft sound that escaped his throat.

"Like this?" Harald whispered, pressing his hips up in a slow, deliberate movement that made stars burst behind Jakob's eyes. "More?"

"Yes," Jakob gasped, "Oh, Hal."

They found a rhythm together, slow and exploratory at first, then growing more urgent. Harald's hands roamed Jakob's back, cupping his ass, mapping the play of muscle under skin, while Jakob's mouth found every bit of Harald's neck that made him shiver. Every roll of their hips sent pleasure spiraling through Jakob's body, building like a gathering storm.

"Jakob," Hal breathed, and the sound of his name in that wrecked voice nearly undid him. "Look at me."

Jakob forced his eyes open to find Hal watching him, his careful composure completely shattered. Replaced by raw need that matched Jakob's own. His hair was drying in the sun, curling slightly at the temples, and his lips were red and swollen from their kisses. The sight of him like this - undone and wanting - was almost too much.

"Beautiful," Jakob gasped, the word torn from him as their movements grew more desperate. "So beautiful, Hal⁠—"

The use of the nickname made Harald groan, his rhythm faltering. His forehead pressed against Jakob's, their breaths mingling as they moved together. "Say it again," he pleaded.

"Hal," Jakob breathed, and felt Harald shudder against him. "My Hal, my prince⁠—"

Harald's control snapped at those words. His movements grew erratic, his fingers digging into Jakob's shoulders as pleasure overtook him. The sight of Hal's desperation beneath him pushed Jakob right to the edge.

"Jakob," Harald gasped, "Jakob, I'm⁠—"

"Yes," Jakob breathed, "yes, with me, please⁠—"

They fell together, Harald's face buried in Jakob's neck, Jakob's head curled into Hal's shoulder. They lay together for a long moment as their bodies trembled and then were still. In the calm of the lake, there was nothing but their ragged breathing and the gentle lap of water against rock. The world seemed to have narrowed to just this - the two of them, tangled together on sun-warmed stone.

Finally, Harald lifted his head, pressing soft kisses along Jakob's jaw. The tenderness of it made Jakob's heart clench. He traced his fingers down Harald's side, memorizing the feel of him, wanting to hold onto this moment forever.

"Are you alright?" Harald murmured against his skin, and Jakob realized he'd gone still. Harald pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, his expression soft in a way Jakob had never seen before. Gone was the careful royal mask, replaced by something warm and intimate that made Jakob's chest ache.