Free Under the Skin by Kannan Feng Page B

give Minoru the same release that Minoru had given him.
    When Minoru came a moment later, Padraic purred encouragement into his ear.
    * * * *
    With his eyes closed and his breath rough from climax, Minoru looked younger, and for the moment, almost innocent. Minoru had eyelashes so long they brushed his cheeks, and lazily, Padraic reached out and touched a small freckle that graced his cheekbone.
    What a strange thing to notice , he thought, but he was feeling too good to care.
    Under Padraic's touch, Minoru murmured softly but didn't open his eyes. Padraic's hand traveled from the other man's cheek down his chest to his lean stomach. Padraic smiled at the fact that the skin on the back of his own hand was paler than Minoru's belly.
    With his eyes open, Minoru was as sharp as a sword and aggressively striking, perhaps too much so to be really handsome. Sweet and quiet like this, he was beautiful. His mouth was surprisingly soft and pink from their kisses, and Padraic couldn't help but brush him again.
    Liar .
    The word drifted like a malicious wind through his mind, and Padraic shifted uneasily. With a soft, annoyed sound Minoru draped an arm across his chest, possessive even in sleep.
    The gesture made Padraic nervous. He got even more nervous when he realized that he wasn't nearly as scared as he should have been.
    Liar. Liar. Liar.
    The beauty was still there, so much so that it was heartbreaking, but all he could see was that ice-cold core of Minoru, that refusal to bend. Minoru was so sharp and so brittle that it was a toss up whether Padraic would be cut in half or Minoru would shatter.
    I wouldn't mind seeing him shatter , Padraic thought, and he knew that he had to get Minoru out of there.
    The entire situation was crushing, and he didn't know if he wanted to cling to Minoru and hope that neither ever had to leave the bed again, or whether he wanted to shove Minoru right out. It was ridiculous, it was absurd, and he started laughing so hard that it woke Minoru with a start.
    "Are... are you all right?” Minoru asked, sounding more uncertain than Padraic had ever heard him.
    "Fine, fine,” said Padraic, wiping his eyes. “Don't worry, I'm not really laughing at you in a bad way."
    Minoru stilled, and that smooth mask was back on. Padraic wondered if the Inoue heir was used to being put on his guard like this.
    "Is there a good way to laugh at someone?"
    "Of course.” At Minoru's dubious look, Padraic's smile grew slightly rueful. “Or at least I didn't mean for it to be malicious. It's just..."
    "Yes?"
    "Just then? When you were still fucking me? It wasn't the tech you wanted."
    Minoru stared at him, and this time, Padraic met his gaze levelly.
    "It's okay,” he said gently. “Go on, I'll see you tomorrow."
    * * * *
    Padraic was almost getting used to the wakeup calls, and even though this one came around four a.m., he only flailed for a moment before quieting.
    Instead of the completely unmemorable suits that he had been wearing up until now, Jenner was dressed in dark clothes that clung to his body. After a moment, Padraic could see the tell-tale smartwire that wove through the dark fabric.
    "Time to go.” The flatness of the tone made Padraic look up, unsettled. In the dim light, Jenner's eyes were dilated, black and buttonlike.
    "You're flying on something,” Padraic said, even as he started pulling on a pair of pants.
    "The best high Denebrian Jet has to offer.” Jenner grinned. “Now get dressed and make sure that you don't leave behind anything that you can't spare."
    At Padraic's questioning look, he rolled his eyes.
    "C'mon, do you think the Inoue are gonna be happy when we prove your boyfriend right?"
    Padraic frowned. “He's not my boyfriend."
    "He's also right outside the door, so get your ass in gear.” Whistling, Jenner waited while Padraic got dressed, and then they met Minoru at the door.
    Minoru was showered, but he was dressed in the same version of the bland suit that he always wore. He