Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“There. That’s much better.”
“Now it’s my turn to be confused. What are we supposed to be discussing? And why are you standing on the bed?”
“The kiss. Your rain check. I want to cash it in now rather than waiting.” He hiked his thumb behind him. “Out there, you said a lot of sweet, amazing things that made me want to kiss the shit out of you, but two men kissing on a public street in Cairo is not a smart thing. This is the first time I’ve got you to myself.”
“Oh!” That was not what he’d been expecting Max to say. He hurried over to close the distance between them, his heart racing for an entirely different reason.
When he reached Max’s side, he carefully placed his hands on the man’s hips and tilted his head up, a smile spreading across his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever kissed someone taller than me.”
“How about an archeologist?”
“Ummm…nope. Not one of those, either.”
“How about a man being hunted down by multiple people because he held some rare knowledge in his head that could change the world?”
Ed squinted, his brow wrinkling as his smile slipped. “Well, there was this one time…”
“Ah-ah-ah!” Max quickly interrupted, waving his hands in the air. “I don’t want to hear about anyone else. I’ll claim my two wins and be happy with that.”
When their lips met, it wasn’t quite what Ed was expecting, because he was pretty sure they were both giggling. That was another first he had to hand to Max. He’d never laughed and kissed a person, but he was so very glad he got to experience that with Max.
The kiss was short and tense because of their smiles, but then Max returned for a second and a third. The kisses grew from tight, short pecks to softer, slower brushes of their lips until Ed’s breath caught in his throat and fire licked at his belly. The last kiss dragged on, flesh tugging with just the tip of Max’s tongue sliding along his bottom lip.
“So,” Max said breathlessly when he pulled away. Ed looked up to find his face beautifully flushed. “That was my thank-you for helping me in the airport and rescuing me off the street and protecting me in my apartment and with my sister.”
“You’re welcome,” Ed murmured. “I have been thoroughly thanked, but is that all there is? Any chance that you might be a little interested in me for just me? Not only gratitude?”
Max’s face lit up. “Oh, you mean, would I be willing to kiss you because I find you to be incredibly attractive and intelligent and sweet?”
“Yes, those are some excellent reasons to start.”
Lifting his hands, Max cupped Ed’s face and leaned in close. This was definitely not a gratitude kiss. Max’s tongue slid along Ed’s bottom lip in a bold stroke, causing him to gasp. Max plunged inside, deepening the kiss and swallowing Ed’s answering moan. The hands he’d kept locked on Max’s hips instantly moved to cup his ass, pulling him in tighter as his body went up in flames. Dear fucking God, Max could kiss. It was like he wanted to devour him, and Ed was thrilled to allow it.
Max whimpered, and Ed tightened his hold as he took a step backward. Max automatically wrapped his legs around Ed’s waist. Yes, this was much better. He wanted to feel all of Max against him. He wanted—
A soft knock at the bedroom door snapped them from the kiss. They stared at each other, panting, as Ed continued to easily support his weight.
“Ed?” Izzie’s sweet voice came through the door. “Sorry to bother you, but Kairo was wondering if you could take the earpiece out. He can’t shut the communication system down until Alexei and Soren have returned from dropping off the car, and we don’t want to intrude on your private moment.”
As soon as Izzie stopped speaking, there was a tremendous explosion of laughter from the first floor.
Fucking son of a bitch.
He’d forgotten he was still wearing the earpiece, which meant everyone had heard everything that had happened in their so-called private moment.
“Thanks, Izzie,” Ed said wearily as he walked to the bed. He released Max’s legs so the man could stand on the mattress while he dug the communication device out of his ear and placed it deep in his pocket.
When he looked up at Max again, he was relieved to find him barely holding in his laughter. Ed grinned and shook his head, which Max took as the signal to let loose. Wild laughter spilled out of him, filling the room so that Ed had no choice but to chuckle with him. So much for a private moment.
“Sorry about that. I totally forgot about it when you grabbed my hand,” Ed murmured.
Max pressed his forehead to Ed’s and was practically purring when he replied, “So it’s my fault for distracting you.”