The night felt heavy, damp, almost sweet with tension. The penthouse lights were dim, only the light of the city skyline spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Erven stood by the bed, chest heaving too fast, his skin warm from the shower Lucas had insisted he take earlier.
Lucas watched from a few steps, his eyes dark with something hungry and longing. His shirt was half-open, collar loose, hair slightly disheveled as if he had brushed it many times to maintain control.
But control was beginning to slip.
And Erven felt it.
Lucas: "Come here," he said slowly.
Erven hesitated. Not out of fear, but because the way Lucas was looking at him was making his knees weak. Lucas approached instead, slowly and deliberately, like a predator giving his prey time to understand what was about to happen.
When he reached Erven, Lucas raised his hand and touched his cheek. His fingers were warm. Firm. He lifted Erven's chin gently.
Lucas: "You're tense," he whispered.
Erven: "You… you make it hard not to tense up," he replied.
Lucas sighed with a thin smile, then leaned in so his breath brushed Erven's ear.
Lucas: "I'll take care of you tonight," he whispered. "But I won't pretend I don't want you. I really do."
A shiver ran down Erven's spine.
Lucas's fingers traced his neck, slowly. Purposefully. Erven made a soft sound, barely audible, but Lucas heard it. He always did.
Lucas: "You're sensitive here," he breathed, brushing the side of Erven's neck.
Erven's eyes flickered. Lucas smiled against his skin.
Lucas: "Good."
Lucas pressed his lips to Erven's neck, warm, slow, testing. Erven was startled softly. Lucas kissed him again, deeper this time, letting his mouth stay there longer. His hand slid to the back of Erven's waist, pulling him closer.
Erven: "Lucas…"
Lucas: "Yes?"
Erven: "You're… too close."
Lucas: "That's exactly what I meant."
Lucas pressed his lips to Erven's neck again, teeth almost touching skin. The tension was intoxicating. Erven's body instinctively leaned into him, wanting more. Lucas held his waist, thumbs brushing his hips, soothing.
Each breath they shared felt heavier.
Erven: "What did you do to me?"
Lucas: "There's nothing you don't want," he replied, his voice low and rough.
Lucas: "But I want to feel you more."
He pressed his lips lower, to the curve between his shoulder and neck. Then he bit—gentle, controlled, enough to draw a soft cry from Erven. Lucas immediately kissed the spot, soothing the lingering heat.
Erven shivered.
Lucas: "Let me mark you," he whispered.
Erven froze, his breath hitching.
Erven: "F-permanently?"
Lucas: "Yes."
Lucas's voice dropped to a deeper, more fragile tone.
Lucas: "If you let me, tonight… I will mark you."
Erven: "Why me?"
Lucas touched Erven's chin, lifting his face.
Lucas: "Because you're the only omega I want. The only one my body doesn't reject. The only smell that makes me breathe instead of choking. And the only one I can't stop thinking about."
Erven swallowed.
Erven: "Lucas…"
Lucas: "Say yes."
The air trembled between them.
Erven closed his eyes, chest rising and falling unevenly, then whispered:
Erven: "Yes."
Lucas's breathing stopped quietly, sharply, the sound of a man being broken and healed at the same time. He hugged Erven to his chest, holding him tight for a moment before slowly pushing Erven back onto the bed.
Their bodies sank into the soft sheets. Lucas floated above him, his hands gripping Erven's hips, eyes burning with an almost irresistible lust.
Lucas: "I'll be gentle," he whispered, brushing his lips along Erven's jaw.
Lucas: "But I won't lie... I want all of you tonight."
Erven's heart pounded.
Erven: "I... trust you."
Lucas kissed him.
Slow. Deep. Hungry.
The kind of kiss that took his breath away and gave something in return, something raw and burning. Erven hugged Lucas's neck, his body melting beneath him.
Lucas's hands explored his body, stroking his sides slowly, his warm palms brushing his ribs, his fingertips tracing the curve of his waist. His touch was firm but careful, as if studying him, remembering him.
Erven made a soft, helpless sound. Lucas's breath trembled.
Lucas: "You're beautiful," he whispered against his collarbone.
Lucas: "You don't even know what you've done to me."
His lips moved down Erven's chest, spreading heat. He kissed the warm skin, then lower, feeling every reaction. Erven shivered at every touch, every gentle brush of Lucas's lips.
Erven: "Lucas… please…"
Lucas's breath trembled.
Lucas: "Tell me what you need."
Erven: "I… I need you closer."
That was all he needed to hear.
Lucas kissed again, harder, deeper before lowering his lips back to Erven's neck. His teeth almost touched skin once more.
Lucas: "Ready?" he whispered.
Erven: "Yes."
Lucas bit the chosen spot, slow and deliberate. The marking was warm, almost glowing, spreading heat through Erven's body like fire and silk. Erven was startled, holding Lucas tightly as the sensation flowed.
Lucas whispered over the mark, his voice trembling with an emotion he had never shown anyone:
Lucas: "Mine."
The rest of the night was a blur of heat, breath, whispered names, soft moans, and the sound of skin rubbing. Lucas held Erven through every tremor, every scream, every quivering plea.
And when all was quiet, after the tension had faded, after the deep intimacy had become something unspoken, Lucas held Erven to his chest.
Their legs intertwined.
Breathing calmed.
Heartbeats in sync.
Lucas kissed him on the forehead, fingers running gently through his hair.
Lucas: "Sleep," he whispered.
Lucas: "You're safe with me."
Erven buried his face in Lucas's chest, warm and tired, letting himself melt in that strong embrace.
For the first time, they slept in each other's arms—
claimed,
marked,
bound,
warm and tangled in the quiet darkness.