Ari's words were better than any shot of adrenaline or liquid luck combined. They fueled Ben more than he could even describe, with the combination of the touch of Ari's lips peppering his jawline, it was hard not to immediately drag Ari into the bedroom. But it seemed that he had similar thoughts to Ben's, and soon Ben found himself at the edge of his four-poster, fingers entangled in Ari's hair as he worked at the buttons of his trousers.

Once free, it was Ari's turn, and Ben pressed a kiss to his lips, backing him against the wall. "I hope to Merlin that was a promise, Ari." He returned, moving his lips to Ari's collarbone and continuing downward.

"Otherwise you may just break me." It was meant to be a joke, but there was truth nestled in it. Ben had face all sorts of danger in his career, yet the person who held the most power to destroy him with just a few words stood right in front of him. It was terrifying and exhilarating all in one. Fingers working fast to free Ari of his own trousers, Ben peppered kisses down his torso as he did so, savoring the taste of his skin.

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