His eyes clouded as he tried to focus on Jamie's face, suddenly close to his own. Jamie's lips touched so lightly near his ear that he thought he might have mistaken the caress; then they pressed along his jaw line, up over his cheek and to the tip of his nose. No, he hadn't mistaken that sudden surge of excitement through his veins.

"Just . . . wanted you to notice me," he whispered. "The fighting did that. It's something rather than nothing."

Jamie licked over the trail of the cranberry chutney smear, his tongue hot and slick and swift, lapping at Seb's skin. His breath was shortening; he panted slightly. "I always notice you. And this is something instead. Something you deserve." He nipped mischievously at Seb's earlobe.

Seb laughed, astonished, breathless. He slid a hand around Jamie's waist and pulled him sharply against him. He twisted his head and captured Jamie's mouth on his own, tasting the chutney, tasting the damp heat, tasting the flaring desire.

The kitchen was full of the rich aroma of cinnamon and cranberries, teasing their nostrils.

Jamie groaned through the kisses. "Good technique, you said I had. Creative in the kitchen too." He pushed against Seb, pressing the other man even further back against the counter and his leg wriggled between Seb's thighs, forcing them apart. Seb growled in the back of his throat again and nipped at Jamie's lip. Jamie frowned but he kissed him back, harder, his mouth fierce, his tongue flickering against Seb's, taking the kiss, forcing it, demanding it.

Seb loved to be challenged—he felt the swelling in his groin, reacting to the rough play. He wanted more—way more—but how did Jamie feel? "This is mad," he gasped. "Right? We were arguing. We were cooking. Now we're . . ."

"Not," interrupted Jamie. He kissed again, relentless.

"Look, we don't have to . . ." Seb grunted. Jamie's teeth grazed his lip. "If you want to think this through . . ." Jamie's hand tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it out from the belt of his jeans, and Jamie's fingers slid underneath, cool on his bare skin.

"Hell, forget I said anything," Seb growled.

Jamie laughed, breathlessly. His eyes glinted. "What was that about you never listening to my advice—?"

Seb laughed, hoarsely. Then Jamie slid to his knees on the kitchen floor in front of him, and words failed him completely.