Marked Northern Shifters 1

giving Basile a view of the long line of his back and the rounded curve of his buttocks. Unlacing his boots, he kicked them off and stepped the rest of the way out of his clothes.
    “I’m not lying,” Basile countered through his clenched jaw. He struggled to keep his gaze above Emil’s waist. “Besides, even if things were different, it’s too late. I’m returning to France.”
    “So you say, but you forget we have mail and vessels that cross the Atlantic now. They’re working on transatlantic telegraphs if we need to speak sooner. The war will be over soon and then I can come to France, or you can resume shipping back here. Things are completely different, and I wish you’d see that,” Emil said in a matter-of-fact tone. He didn’t plead, didn’t beg, though the raw need on his face and rampant erection testified to his sexual desire.
    Such was the way of mortals. Even in the face of certain doom they held such hope and optimism. Emil hadn’t yet developed the cynicism one gained after living for centuries.
    “It’s not that easy.” Sometime during the kiss his hair had come undone from its ribbon, and Basile dragged his fingers through the strands, freeing it the rest of the way. The tie fluttered to the floor.
    “Then make it that easy,” Emil challenged. He reached for Basile, cupping his hands around the man’s shaft, and even through the layers of clothing it throbbed to his touch.
Basile bit back a groan.
“Tonight it is that easy. I think we both need this.” Emil knelt at Basile’s feet and unlaced his boots. He looked up, the desire and the need in his gaze humbling the Frenchman.
He’d tried to remain dispassionate, damn it. He’d tried to put his own interests first. He couldn’t. Emil’s youthful optimism always wore him down. Basile removed his boots and faced Emil. Slowly, he brushed his thumb across the American’s full lower lip. “We both may need this, but it’s not going to change anything,” he whispered.

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