Jun gave the impression he was trying to incinerate him with his thoughts, that Theo ought to just burst into flames from the concentrated heat of his fury. Theo couldn’t decide whether to be thrilled by the attention or intimidated by the intensity.
Both. Evidently, he was both.
Sweat beaded along the back of his neck as Jun closed the bay doors, plunging them into the low lighting of the main cabin.
The yellowed interior bulbs gave off a feeble glow behind dingy covers, casting deep shadows and softening edges in an imitation of candlelight.
Theo shrugged out of his sodden jacket with a despairing sniff at the ruined material and reared back in disgust at the strong smell of cheap spirits.
Jun snatched it out of his hands, the velvet crumpling in his fist, and tossed it to the floor with a wet plop.
He captured Theo’s eyes and held them as he pulled at the knotted handkerchief with his teeth, then yanked it off his hand and balled it up. Hauling back like he intended to throw it down, he shoved it into his coat pocket instead.
Theo was relieved to see that his hand had already started to heal nicely and resolved to locate some regeneration fluid before they took off. There had to be a med kit somewhere aboard the ship, tucked in amongst the maze of metal crates.
Jun stepped forward, crowding Theo against the wall as he struggled out of his coat. Succeeding, he threw it onto the emergency seat so hard that the slap of leather made the metal ring.
“I saw what you were doing,” he snarled, continuing to push Theo back with the sheer force of his displeasure without ever lifting a hand to touch him.
Theo only halted his retreat because the press of steel at his back prevented further movement. He lifted his chin defiantly. “Did you? You saw the shocking way I ordered a drink at a bar and used every available resource to help you achieve your goals? How keenly observant of you.”
Jun’s upper lip lifted in a sneer that really ought not to have done anything for Theo’s libido but undeniably did.
Several things, actually.
“What was your plan? Get down on your knees for some filthy Verge rat so he could help you escape?”
Theo scoffed. Beginning to feel overheated, he pulled his neck cloth loose and let it slither to the floor. “Don’t be ridiculous. If that had been my plan, I’d have done a much better job of it. I certainly wouldn’t be here with you if I had wanted to go home with someone else.”
It was never getting someone to take him home that had been Theo’s problem. It was getting them to let him stay until morning.
Jun’s voice dipped deeper, and he bared his teeth. “You were flirting with him.”
Theo licked his lips, fighting nerves as he squared his shoulders against the bulkhead. “Yes, I was, with excellent results. Well spotted; your powers of perception never cease to amaze. You really ought to consider applying to the Enforcer Academy Department of Intelligence. I understand they could use a man of your skills.”
Jun’s answering growl hit Theo right between his legs in a throbbing ache that had him pressing his knees together until they were shaking. “I do find that one catches more flies with honey”—a breathy tone ran through his voice that he was helpless to prevent—“than with threats of violence. Perhaps you should try it yourself, sometime?”
Jun didn’t appear to be listening, his brow furrowing slightly as he stared at Theo’s mouth like it had done something to offend him. He shook his head minutely as he said, quiet and rough in equal measures, “Try what?”
Theo shifted, daring a hand at his trouser front to adjust himself, then blushing hard as Jun followed the movement. His own voice came out as a whisper, bridging the short distance between his lips and Jun’s ears.
“Honey.”
It was possible Theo had imagined the brush of Jun’s hand against his thigh, barely enough pressure to be felt but so hot he feared singe marks on the velvet.
Then again, it was possible he hadn’t imagined it at all.
Theo reached out and hooked his fingers behind Jun’s belt buckle so he could tug his hips closer.
Jun’s hand slapped flat against the metal wall beside his head, his lips parted over a harsh exhalation, more breath than sound. His throat bobbed inches from Theo’s nose, geometric lines undulating with the movement.
Theo yanked the belt from the buckle, opening it with a snap of leather that sent Jun into action.
Jun worked open the buttons of Theo’s trousers, then knocked Theo’s fumbling fingers away to unfasten his own trousers. Theo would have paid closer attention to the reveal if not for the glorious slide of Jun’s hand down his aching cock.
He dropped his chin to his chest, gasping at the image of tattooed fingers working his flesh, then let out an embarrassing sound at the sight of Jun’s cock. Thick and dark and even better than his highly imaginative dreams.
Theo’s hand looked small and pale in comparison. It must have felt good, though, judging by the punched-out grunt Jun made at the first stroke.
Theo wanted to take his time exploring—exploring the heft and texture of him—but Jun set a pace that would end things sooner rather than later. Nerves sang as lightning arced from Jun’s fingers to Theo’s cock, and he bowed his back, throwing his head against the wall.
Jun let go when the air between them grew thick with Theo’s desperate cries. Watching him with dark eyes, he spat into his palm and increased his pace, thrusting into Theo’s grip with a low sound rumbling in his throat.
Theo pushed into Jun’s frantic rhythm with his hips, reaching up for a kiss only to be pressed back against the wall with a firm hand against the junction of his collarbones.
Jun kept him there as his other hand worked steadily, and Theo made
