Free The Arrangement by Felice Stevens Page A

stood close behind Reed and rested his hands on Reed’s slim hips, both of them swaying slightly to the beat. The couple right in front of them on the dance floor drew his attention, and he nudged Reed.
    Oblivious to the crowd, the two men had their eyes closed and their arms wrapped around each other, swaying back and forth. The sight of them, so free and beautiful with their love, gave Carter hope for a future where this would be the norm and not something for people to stare at like a science experiment.
    “That’s going to be us.” Carter slipped his arms around Reed’s waist and snuggled his pelvis in the tempting curve of Reed’s ass. They fit together perfectly, and Carter closed his eyes for a moment, losing himself in a world he never gave himself permission to enter.
    “I—I can’t do that.”
    Feeling Reed quivering in his arms, Carter took his hand and led him to the far corner of the dance floor where tall columns as well as the thicker darkness hid them from sight.
    “Is this better?” He smoothed the hair from Reed’s damp face and kissed his cheek. He didn’t understand Reed’s fear over a simple dance, but he wouldn’t push him to a breaking point or give him an ultimatum. If he’d learned anything from living with Jackson, it was to introduce new experiences one small step at a time. Anything too overwhelming and Jacks shut down, and it seemed Reed might have that same issue as well.
    The song ended, and new music came on. A slow, rhythmic beat pulsed through the air. All the lights in the club dimmed, and Carter took advantage of the darkness to pull Reed close. At first he stiffened, and Carter whispered encouraging words in his ear. “Come on, baby. It’s only you, me, and the music. That’s all you need to remember.”
    Reed glanced up, almost shyly it seemed, then pressed himself tight against Carter’s chest, burying his face in his neck. Confused as to Reed’s response, Carter held him close, and they simply stood and rocked together, the music enveloping them. He hummed the tune in Reed’s ear and settled his arms around his shoulders, their hips matching the beat.
    “See? You’re doing it. That’s all there is to dancing. Letting the music come alive inside you. The rest is all instinct.”
    Reed nodded, his cheek lying flat against Carter’s shoulder now. A small shudder ran through his body, and Carter pulled him closer, molding their bodies together, and smiled to himself as the unmistakable hard ridge of Reed’s erection brushed up against him. Reed’s brain might not think he knew what to do, but his body certainly did. And Reed’s body wanted him as much as he wanted Reed.
    They stayed hidden behind the columns, Carter holding on to Reed until the flow of the music took over and the motion of Reed’s hips began to match his, roll for roll. Their bodies picked up the beat, arms twining around each other, and Reed leaned his head back, opened his eyes, and gave a smile of such pure, unfettered joy, Carter’s heart surged. It seemed like years since happiness had touched him, sweeping against him like a paintbrush colored with all the pleasures of life.
    He grabbed Reed by the waistband of his pants and popped the button tab while at the same time brushing his lips to Reed’s smiling mouth. “I want you,” he said, the pace of his breathing quickening as his hand swept across the warm smooth skin of Reed’s firm stomach. “Right here. Right now.” Carter unzipped Reed’s jeans halfway, slid his hand inside Reed’s boxers, and grasped his thick cock.
    And apparently Reed wanted him as well—the wide head of his cock slick and sticky with precome was all the proof needed. It coated Carter’s fingers, making it wonderfully easy to slide his hand up and down the hot soft skin of Reed’s cock. It was dirty, illicit, and Carter’s dick ached, tightly encased in his jeans.
    “Fuck,” moaned Reed, throwing his head back while grasping hold of Carter’s biceps