Fear of Falling — Alex Jace

Max has finally gotten the seriously cute Arjen into bed and it's been every bit as spectacular as Max hoped. But watching Arjen sleep beside him, Max is beginning to realise that for the first time in his life he wants more than just sex. And admitting that even to himself is just too dangerous.

4500-word MM romance.

Excerpt:

Max woke to a warm glow of contentment. The window above his head framed a square of bright sky. Sunlight spilled gold across the rumpled covers of his bed, and Arjen was fast asleep in his arms.

He stayed perfectly still, afraid to move, afraid even to breathe. Because the strange feeling flooding him might be happiness. He could not remember the last time he had woken up happy, and if he moved an inch, surely it would wink out into nothing.

Arjen stirred sleepily in his arms. Max froze, holding his breath. Arjen snuggled closer, a warm weight against him, and went back to sleep.

In the hazy light of morning Arjen looked so peaceful, so sweet. His dark hair was finger-ruffled, his closed eyes in shadow. His lashes lay along his cheekbones. Max dared to kiss his cheek, and Arjen murmured something in his sleep. Lying here with him, running a hand up and down his bare arm, Max was filled with a tenderness so intense he had to swallow hard.

It was so quiet in his flat at the weekends. Total silence reigned. Not even a bird sang on a branch outside the window. He had Arjen all to himself.

Max leaned in and kissed him, slowly, gently, letting his eyes slide shut. Arjen stirred again. Max smoothed a hand down the lean planes of his body, stroked him as he kissed him. “Morning,” Max whispered.

Arjen made a sleepy sound and reached up to tug him down into another kiss. He was so warm, so inviting. His fingers tangled in Max's hair.