It was almost shockingly easy to get Damen fully nude. He released the clasps of his chiton. "You think I could not manage to aim properly?" Damen's lips twitched. He had had plenty of practice rutting half-dressed without causing any extra work for his wardrobe's laundresses.

But Laurent seemed to want to be naked with him. Damen yielded. He too was unconcerned with his own nudity, the dark bronze of his skin seeming even darker against the crisp white of the sheets, the breadth of his muscles in relaxed quiescence.

Much more fascinating to Damen was the sight of Laurent's bareness, sprawled out beside him, his first glimpse at all of his new husband. Dark eyes swathed Laurent in unconcealed lust and wonder, the touch of his hand across Laurent's chest was reverent. "I wish my poet's skill was greater, that I could praise your beauty as it deserves."

He pressed forward, and a thigh brushed Laurent's leg as the leonine king bent down to kiss his lips.