Otter Creek I'll [m]ake your timber shiver

It was true that he'd not pushed the other away, that much he'd been aware of. But the closeness he'd sought was realized only after a comment had been made on it, and he'd corrected his posture in response. He had nothing to prove to the male, but to himself, instead. It wasn't what he wanted, he'd thought, but the longer he spent with the ghostly figure the more he doubted himself. Maybe it was something he wanted, but if that was the case, then what did it mean for him? Was he destined to be forced from his family and, if so, for what? He knew he couldn't necessarily control himself, but he could avoid confrontation. He could return home and never leave again, seclude himself from the temptation of another male's touch. It was a thought, yes, but something he'd considered himself to be fully capable of. Well... he had, but then he'd felt the weight of the other on his shoulders and all sense of reason was stripped away.

If even possible, he'd grown more aroused by the act. "You..." he tried to say something, but the words were quickly lost. Xan's voice died away and a low growl started to grow within his chest, but he'd not pulled away. He had to know if it was something that he actually wanted, or if the sea wolf had just been a special case; he'd told himself this, trying to believe that it was the only reason for his stillness, but deep down he knew that not to be the case.