Free Courage In Love by K. Sterling Page A

He teased as he rose on his knees and pushed Parker’s sweatpants down his hips as Parker lifted them.
    “I guess. Though, it would be a lot more interesting if I was a stripper.” He argued and Ross shook his head.
    “Not to me.” He lowered his head and rubbed his lips back and forth over Parker’s nipple until it hardened. Parker groaned and his hips bucked off the bed.
    “David never wanted to go. He said it was bad enough sitting through lectures when he had to.” Parker panted as Ross’ tongue traced his nipple in slow circles. He flicked it and shook his head.
    “The more I hear about him, the more he sounds like a complete dick, Parker.” Ross murmured before he pressed his lips to Parker’s chest and sucked. He bit Parker’s nipple gently and he hissed as his hands wrapped around Ross’ head.
    “I guess.” Parker gasped and Ross’ head popped up and he gave Parker a stern look.
    “You guess?” He asked incredulously. “Parker, you’re amazing and I want to know everything about you. I love every moment we spend together. If he didn’t appreciate you and jump at the chance to see you doing what you love, he was a moron and an asshole.” Ross explained and Parker’s jaw fell open. His eyes shimmered and his lip trembled.
    “Can I keep you?” Parker whispered as his hand curved around Ross’ jaw. Ross smiled despite the ache that filled his chest. He kissed Parker’s hand before he lowered his head and lapped at the groove down the middle of Parker’s stomach.
    “I wouldn’t mind that.” Ross inhaled and his eyes shut in delight as Parker’s scent and warmth filled him.
    Ross knew that Parker wouldn’t like what he had to tell him but it could wait until tomorrow. Ross tried not to feel the guilt or his own disappointment as he slid lower. He prayed silently as he licked, sucked and stroked Parker until he was delirious. Ross prayed that he could make Parker need him as much as he needed Parker. Making love to Parker started out as a slow burn. It began with a touch or a kiss. Ross could feel it spark within Parker, his touch would become more urgent and the pressure of his lips and tongue more intense. The spark would catch and the heat would slowly spread as Parker’s body became harder and warmer as it slid and pressed against Ross’. Parker’s hands would grip and glide over Ross’ flesh until the flames would engulf them, pulling them under. When their bodies connected and they arched and clung, the fire roared and became an inferno, they melted into each other and fused. Ross knew that he would never be able to let go of that heat, that he couldn’t lose that consuming pleasure and joy.
    Everything Ross did, each stroke, lick, scratch and kiss, was invested with a desperate hope that it would be enough to make Parker burn with need, to crave Ross enough to hold on. When Ross slid into Parker’s body, he tried to force some of his obsession, his addiction into Parker. Ross tried to get closer to Parker’s center, to his soul with each thrust. When Ross felt Parker tense in his arms, he drove deep, trying to bury some piece of himself into Parker as he writhed and screamed Ross’ name. As Ross’ body flew apart, he was sure he felt some of his soul spill into Parker.
    In the hours after, as his body cooled and Parker slept, Ross worried that he’d failed, that he’d surrendered something he couldn’t afford to lose and hadn’t done enough to make Parker need him to the point that he wouldn’t let go.

Chapter 12
     
    “I want you to keep in mind the reality of life in Judah at the time that these figures were being made and the people that were keeping these. If you believe that they were fertility goddesses, then I want you to discuss the social and religious implications or how incongruous their presence is with what we know of the First Temple period.” Parker went to the board and wrote God’s Wife and underlined it. “If you plan to go there, you better pack a