Page 9 of Whirlwind

He felt like he was about to combust. He realized that his breathing was already ragged, and Julio was only touching his shoulders. He carefully took one step out to the side with each foot. The rough brick caught on his shirt as he slid downward. They were almost the same height, now.

Julio raised one eyebrow with a smirk that told Taylor he was still waiting for more. Taylor hoped that he hadn’t actually whimpered out loud.

He stepped each foot out again. He felt a little off balance, now. Like he would fall if not for the wall and Julio holding him up.

And so exposed. Completely exposed. Physically, with his legs spread open for whatever Taylor wanted next, and emotionally, for following Julio’s silent commands so readily.

Not to mention that Julio was looking down at him now, making him feel small and weak and so completely at his mercy.

He gave a slow nod of acknowledgment and Taylor felt absurdly proud.

This was already putting all his fantasies to shame and all he was doing was standing against the back wall of Whirlwind while they were both completely dressed.

Julio leaned toward him, and Taylor tilted his head up. He wanted this kiss more than air.

But Julio pulled back. The look he gave Taylor was stern and there could be no doubt of what it meant. Hold still.

This time he was pretty sure he did whimper out loud.

Julio leaned forward again. Taylor could feel the heat of his lips, so close to his own but not quite touching. Their breath mingled. Taylor was absolutely going to die of wanting.

Then Julio moved his lips, still not quite touching, along his cheek. Taylor resolutely kept his head forward. Inside, he was a frenzy of nerves, every inch of skin attuned to Julio’s soft breath and the possibility of touch.

Julio’s almost-touch traced along the shell of his ear. Down his neck. Along his collarbone and through his T-shirt. Up through the scruff of his beard. His heart was pounding.

Julio came close to his lips, so close, and then drifted past them. When he licked along the curve of Taylor’s ear, he felt it through his entire body.

Then he bit down on the tender lobe. Hard.

Taylor groaned out loud. How had Julio so quickly reduced him to this?

Julio whispered into his ear, his voice soothing and seductive. “So good for me, pretty baby.”

Being good for Taylor filled him up inside, but the rest of it, being pretty, was too much. He wouldn’t be mocked. He opened his mouth to reply, but Julio was already whispering again.

“No, baby. You’re going to listen this time. You are beautiful to me.”

He pulled back, his eyes roaming hungrily over Taylor’s boring, chubby face. It seemed like he had to be joking, or at least exaggerating. A little white lie to make him feel good. But Taylor knew what it looked like when Julio was being serious. “You’re my pretty baby. All mine. Now, say it.”

Taylor blinked. “Say what?”

“That you’re my gorgeous, beautiful, lovely baby.”

Taylor shook his head. “I can’t say that.”

Julio’s hands were tender as the cupped his cheeks, tilting his face upward so he couldn’t hide. Julio’s eyes, though, were hard and demanding.

He didn’t say another word. He just stared and stared. Waiting. Giving Taylor the opportunity to do as he was told.

The heady desire to follow Julio’s command was starting to outweigh his discomfort at claiming the descriptor. He knew that he wasn’t actually pretty. But maybe if Julio kind of thought he wasn’t so bad, he could at least say the words.

“You can do it, sweetheart. For me.”

He really did want to say it for Julio. Whatever Julio wanted. “I’m, um, pretty?” He knew his face was scarlet. Which was undoubtedly making him less attractive. Like a hairy tomato.

“Not quite,” Julio’s eyes burned into him.

“I’m your… pretty baby.” He felt all melty inside, but also stupid. At least he’d done what Julio wanted and said it.