Chapter 21Blaze
“What do you mean?” Arik asked, but Blaze was lost in Arik’s eyes. Distracted by the shade of Arik’s skin. Entranced by Arik’s bare chest and the dark curls around his navel that disappeared beneath the belt and slacks that he still wore.
“Blaze?” Arik murmured, the initial panic gone, but the impatient curiosity apparent. Blaze shook his head, and he lifted Arik’s hand from his chest to his face. Blaze nuzzled Arik’s palm, kissed it, and he caught sight of the fire in the stone hearth across the room. Blaze watched the dancing flames, and an old, old ache welled up inside him. Arik caressed his cheek, the punct luminos tingling and arcing, and Arik inched closer to Blaze.
“I feel as though I lived in a bubble,” Blaze said softly, and Arik squeezed Blaze’s knee with his
