...Light cast a shadow over the doorway. And then Neal appeared.

Elliott’s breath caught. God, he looked magnificent, about a million times better than on TV. He’d filled out, too. Elliott could see the muscles beneath the yellow shirt Neal wore. His torso formed a perfect V down to narrow hips. He longed to wrap his fingers over those hips and anchor Neal’s pelvis to his own. The hard-on swelling his jeans begged him to do so.

Neal’s gaze seemed to drink Elliott in, sweeping over him like he couldn’t believe his eyes. They moved at the same time, each daring a step forward. Then another…and another. The spell around them burst and they rushed forward and into each other’s arms.

Elliott squeezed his eyes closed and prayed he wasn’t dreaming. No dream could feel this great. The body locked to his was hard, strong, tight…perfect. Neal’s scent awoke more memories, greater need. Elliott felt tears slip from beneath his eyelids. He let them fall, then heard Neal sniffle and felt Neal’s tears against his face.

“You shouldn’t have come.” Neal’s voice was raspy, the feel of his breath over Elliott’s ear heaven. “But, God, it feels so good to hold you again. You feel so perfect in my arms. You smell so great.”

Neal spanned hot fingers over Elliott’s back, rubbing downward in circles. Elliott didn’t bother being subtle. He cupped his hand over Neal’s butt and tugged him as close as their clothing allowed. Their erections wedged together, hot and hard, separated by denim that now felt like chain mail.

“I’m sorry you were dragged into this.” Neal brushed his lips over Elliott’s whisker-rough cheek. “I’ll fight to my last breath to keep you protected.”

Elliott stabbed his fingers into Neal’s hair. God! It still feels silky and thick, despite the shorter length. “I’ll…I’ll lie. Tell them it was a college prank. A fraternity gag to freak out the pledges. Anything to protect you.”

The last came out on a whispered breath. Neal’s lips were so close, body meshed to Elliott’s like they’d never been parted, never been more perfect. He’d locked Neal to him, head and hips, feeling his own heartbeat in the throb of Neal’s erection. How could Elliott not kiss him?

Then Neal’s lips covered his, nibbling his way inside, teasing with the tip of his tongue. Elliott smothered a groan and deepened the kiss. Tongues glided in a kiss that melted the years away and stoked the fire burning in his balls.

Neal wedged Elliott against the counter and ground his pelvis into Elliott’s. He was more aggressive than Elliott remembered. Just as hungry to have Elliott as Elliott was to have him? His heart raced. His cock threatened to burst the zipper.

Elliott tugged up Neal’s shirt and clawed his hand over hard ridges of muscles that hadn’t been there before, until he reached Neal’s nipple. He pinched the hard nub and twirled it between his thumb and forefinger. Neal grunted and thrust again, harder this time, like he intended to fuck Elliott right through their jeans.

Neal ended the kiss on a loud smack and dragged his mouth down the column of Elliott’s throat. “You taste so…mmm…” Determined fingers opened Elliott’s fly button, slid his zipper open, and dove inside.

Elliott’s cock leaped into Neal’s grip. He clamped his hand over Neal’s wrist. “Someone might see.”

“I don’t care.”

A hard kiss covered Elliott’s mouth. Hell, he didn’t care either. He rocked into Neal’s hand, desperate for more, more, more of the man he’d been denied all these years. He yanked his lips from Neal’s. He forced his hands between them, forced himself to push against the unyielding wall of Neal’s chest.