"That might - ah - be the nicest and filthiest compliment I've ever gotten," Asher said, trying for flippant but not quite getting there between his gasps. There was an edge of pain there, too - too much, too soon, but he quickly added "Keep going," so Elijah wouldn't feel the need to stop out of concern that was unfounded.

The one witty line would have to do, Asher's cleverness was much repeated when going for a second round straight through the first. He would have been embarrassed at how transparent it made him, how quickly and easily he trembled and writhed under Elijah, how every single gasp and moan and whimper escaped him, unable to be held back. Elijah wanted to see it, though. Liked it, even. It was one bit of honesty Asher could give him.

His whole body shuddered against the pinning hands, squeezing tight around Elijah as he found the perfect angle. Asher bit his lip by accident from the sudden cry it wrenched from him, making the cut on it bleed again.