Tangled Web

David's hands came up and rested on Alexander's shoulders automatically, leaning towards him into the kiss. He whimpered a little, and he let his thoughts blur and shift to a different scene, one in which Alexander knew the truth, and still wanted him. Where David was dressed in his normal clothes and could react with all the passion that was thumping steadily through his veins.

Alexander deepened the kiss, daring to press his body closer to Mary, his pulse racing as he realized they were truly alone out here. No one would come along to stop them. So he had to hold himself in check, not allow his passion to take them too far. He loved Mary, but he wouldn't dream of forcing himself on her. No matter how much his body wanted it. He pulled back, panting slightly, and whispered, "Mary, I would ask you something, if you would grant me a favor."

David's eyes widened. "What is it?" he asked a little breathlessly. He knew Alexander would never dare compromise "Mary"s' honor, so it couldn't be something too dangerous. Even if it were, though, David realized that he would probably agree to anything short of something that would reveal his secret.

Ignoring the way his body ached for more, Alexander said as evenly as he could manage, "Would you please take your hair down for me, just for a moment? I have dreamed of gazing upon your beauty thus." He didn't touch Mary at all, though they were inches apart. He watched her face intently, hoping she would say yes.

That Alexander was so fixated on his hair gave David a brief glimmer of hope. That, at least, was completely truthful, a part of him, regardless of the role he was playing. He reached up and unfastened the small linen cap, then pulled the pins out of his thick, heavy hair, letting it fall around his shoulders in ebony waves. He swallowed hard and looked into Alexander's eyes.

Alexander gasped softly as he watched, unable to believe that Mary looked even more beautiful now. He smiled, and whispered, "You have made me happier than I thought possible." He couldn't tear his eyes from Mary. Alexander wasn't sure why the sight of her this way affected him so. He reached out slowly, running his hand through the dark silk.

Very few things aroused David quite as much as someone touching his hair that way. The look in his eyes was smoldering, and he wanted to kiss Alexander again, so he leaned closer again and did it. It was bold, but as they'd already set the precedent, he didn't think it was too far beyond propriety.

Alexander moaned softly as Mary responded to him, and he kissed back, still reveling in the feel of her hair. He gathered more of it into his hand, and pressed against the back of her neck, pulling Mary deeper into the kiss. He knew he was torturing himself, as he knew that the farther they went the more frustrated he would be later, but he couldn't stop.

David whimpered. It was the best kiss he'd ever experienced. He wanted it to go on forever. He wanted more, and he couldn't have it. He rested both hands against Alexander's chest, feeling his heartbeat through the thin linen of his shirt. He wanted to pretend, but there was only so far he could let go. One slip and his deception would be revealed and it would all end abruptly. That was something he couldn't risk.