I couldn't help it. I was still annoyed. I'd been preparing for that presentation all week, and somehow I still managed to mess it up.

"It's true though, Rex," I sighed, resting my head back against the doorframe. "I had a feeling I was gonna screw it up somehow. I don't know why, it was like... I just drew a complete blank. And then that put me off so much I started getting my numbers wrong."

I could hear Rex shuffling through the drawers on the other side of the bedroom door. He was probably bored of hearing me going on about it by now. It was hours ago. I should've been settling down for the weekend, but instead I was still playing it back in my mind. Thinking about those stupid silences. My gabbling. The way they were looking at me. It was probably going to bother me all night.

"Well, you just got a bit flustered, pup," said Rex, grunting as he shoved the drawers back in. "It happens to all of us."

"I know, I know, it's just... I really wanted it to go right. Y'know? The regional director was there and he hardly knows me, and I just wanted to make a good impression. Now he probably just thinks I'm a total idiot who can't..."

"No, no, no," interrupted Rex, stepping back out of the bedroom. "Don't be silly, he doesn't think that."

"Well... he's not gonna think I'm particularly smart, that's for sure..."

"It was one presentation, Mike. That's all. Nobody's gonna judge your entire worth on that, are they. Seriously, don't let it bother you."

I stared at the floor. Rex stepped forward, reaching his arm around my shoulders. "Come on, pup," he said softly, leading me into the bedroom. "Come here."

I sighed again. As I did, Rex pulled me closer to his body, giving me a little kiss on the forehead.

"Hey," he muttered, leaning back - "Look at me."

I slowly turned my head up. Greeted by his smiling face.

"You're very smart, pup," he said. "You know that. And you work very hard. And if your bosses are worth their salt then they'll realise it too. You're a very dedicated, very clever little doggy."

I smiled, glancing away bashfully. He was always so sweet.

"Besides," he said, "imagine if I had to do something like that. Huh? Imagine me trying to explain loads of complicated stuff to a bunch of people. I'd have messed it up before I even got in the room!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Nah, you wouldn't, Rex..."

"Yes I would! I'd have gone in there and talked a load of crap and they'd have been sitting there thinking 'who is this dickhead?'"

I giggled. Pulling my arm up from my side, I reached up and patted him on the chest. "No, you could do it, Rex. You've got so much more confidence than I have."

"Well not really, Mike. Confidence doesn't work like that. I'd be completely out of my depth, y'know? I mean, you're way smarter than me, I've never been any good with numbers. Hell, I remember when I was a kid, I always used to..."

Rex carried on. I knew he was trying to make me feel better, even if I didn't like him putting himself down.

I patted his chest again. He was wearing a dark T-shirt, quite thin, soft to the touch. Keeping my hand there for a moment, I could feel the warmth of his body radiating through the material.

My mind wandering, I started stroking him gently. Rex was much taller than me, his chest laid out directly before my eyes. I idly watched my hand as it glided across the surface of the soft fabric. As it did, my fingers began to read the shape of his body beneath the material, dipping one-by-one into the ridge between his pecs. Secret contours draped under the veil.

Stroking further across his body, my hand soon discovered the little bump of his nipple hiding underneath the shirt. Curious, I drew my hand back over it, letting it playfully poke between the base of my fingers. Then over it again. Back and forth. Just feeling it, gently prodding my hand through the fabric. It was... somehow pleasing.

"...would you, pup?"

I halted. Whoa. Was that a question?

I looked up at Rex. "What?"

"Well, I'm just wondering, would you?" he asked.

I froze. It hit me. I had no idea what Rex had just been talking about. I'd been lost in my thoughts, stroking his chest, transfixed by tactile messages.

My mind flickered, scanning, looking for some trace of the conversation. Some recollection of any words that had been said. Something to do with numbers. And when he was a kid. And then... nothing. Damn it. I was going to have to own up.

"Uh..." I stuttered. "S... Sorry, Rex, I was miles away..."

He laughed, rubbing my back. "Ah, Mike, you've gotta stop dwelling on it, pup. It's over and done with now."

"No-no," I said. "It's okay, Rex, I wasn't thinking about that."

"Oh. Well what then?"

I shook my head and smiled. "No, something else. Silly. It... it's nothing."

"Nah, come on. What were you thinking about, pup?"

I turned away. I kinda wanted to tell him, if only to stop him worrying that I was still thinking about earlier. But I felt a bit naughty. Rex and I hadn't really gotten into any physical intimacy with each other yet. We were still taking our relationship slowly, keeping it clean. Not least because I was rather anxious about the whole idea of us taking it further. I wasn't sure if Rex wanted to either. I couldn't deny it though - now I was getting curious.

Looking back at him, I felt my cheeks blushing.

"I was just... like... stroking your chest, and... just... sorta... feeling your muscles through this shirt..."

I patted his chest again. Trying not to meet his eyes. Embarrassed.

There was a pause. Then I heard him chuckle.

"...Yeah?" he said softly. His voice sounded inquisitive. Maybe even a little flattered.

"Yeah..." I mumbled, still blushing. He took his hand off my back and softly stroked my neck. I felt his head dipping closer to me.

"Well..." he whispered, "...would you like to see them?"

I stopped. "Huh?"

He gazed deep into my eyes. "Want me to take my shirt off for you, babes?... Let you look at all my nice, big muscles?"

...

Wow.

I stood back. What an amazing question.

So many times I'd imagined a moment like this. So many times I'd fantasised about Rex letting me get physical with him for the first time. But... for some reason, I'd never imagined him asking me like that. It was so direct, so straightforward. Not masked in innuendo or furtive suggestion. He asked it so sweetly, so innocently. As if there were no desire of mine that could possibly be more natural.

I'd been silent for several seconds now, my mouth slightly agape, dumbstruck. I must've looked like an idiot.

Rex sniggered. "Heh! Don't look so shocked, babes!"

I let out an awkward chuckle. Before I could muster any response, he started tugging at the collar of his T-shirt. "Here..." he said...

I leant back. Watching. The dark navy fabric started to lift away, unveiling a bright yellow flash of skin on his naked stomach. As Rex slowly pulled the shirt over his head, my eyes widened. The gentle light of the lamp began to spill over his body, pooling into little shadows to reveal the shapes of his abs, sculpting them one by one. The fabric paused for a moment, preparing itself before climbing up over the steep curve of his pecs. I caught my breath.

For a moment, as the shirt covered his face, he was anonymous. Unknown. There was just me, the darkness, and that body. Those muscles staring at me, their commanding presence taking on an identity all of its own. So huge, so impressive. In that one brief instant, I felt almost intimidated.

A second later, his head re-emerged, bringing the ensemble together. The last of the fabric slid down his smooth red arms, slipping into his grip before he calmly dropped it onto the bed.

"There you go, babes," he said softly. "This is me."

I stood motionless. Speechless. Trying in vain to take it all in. He was beautiful.

My eyes began to travel around his body, following trails around his muscles, meandering through the dark valleys between them. Almost becoming lost in them. It was a warm night. Draped over his undulating form, the bright yellow flesh of his bare chest and stomach gently glistened in the glow of the lamp. It looked moist. Soft.

Breaking my gaze for a second, I glanced up at Rex's face, anxious that my ogling was inappropriate. Then I saw him smile. He looked into my eyes, as if to reassure me. It was okay.

I looked back down. It was incredible. I had seen Rexar topless countless times before. I'd seen him on TV swapping shirts with other players at the end of a match. I'd seen him around the house on hot days, admiring him in secret, catching awkward glimpses on him from a distance.

But this was so, so different. This was not by chance. There were no secrets. There was no pretence. No ulterior motive hiding shamefully in opportunistic looks. This was for me. Rex had taken his shirt off purely to show me his body. Knowing that I admired it. Knowing that I would like it. Encouraging me, inviting me to satisfy my curiosity, to tease my senses. A private, personal display of his beauty.

Rex was an athlete. He had built his body for his sport, the demands of his profession keeping his physique carefully engineered for peak, efficient performance. Fit, strong. Ready and able for all demands. Rex looked after himself, working out hard, keeping his discipline. And nature had rewarded him for it, crafting his body, sculpting it into a form pleasing and impressive to his peers. As if to let the watching world know here was a dinosaur at the peak of his powers - and he would make an excellent mate.

The very idea excited me. Gazing upon those muscles, I thought about how strong Rex was. How fit he was. Tempting thoughts danced in my mind. How 'big' he might be. How much energy he would have. How much thrust he could put through those hips. How long he could keep going... Oh, boy...

My thoughts were diverted by a hand on my shoulder. I felt Rex pulling me just a little closer. "Here, baby," he said slowly, his words laced with a seductive softness. "Come and touch me. Come on."

My heartbeat started to race, my brain preparing to bring my hand to his body. For a moment, I hesitated. But then I felt his palm gently curl around the back of my knuckles. "Don't be shy, pup," he whispered, beckoning my hand towards his bright yellow skin. "Here. Just touch my chest."

With that, he gently pressed my right hand onto his left pec. My heart skipped a beat. So warm. Like before, only more intense. No fabric, no cover, nothing to interrupt my touch. Just my skin against his.

"That's it," he purred. "Just feel me, babes."

My heart still thumping hard, I slowly stroked my hand over his pecs, just as I had before. Oh gosh. That skin. It was so, so soft. So beautiful. His scales were not dry or coarse. They were smooth. Moist. Like tiny little bubbles rippling beneath the surface. There was something about it that excited me. Something unfamilar to my species. Reptilian skin. Exotic. Sensual. So unlike my own.

Again, I brushed my hand down over his nipple, the tip tickling me as I stroked across it. Then down into the dark shadow under the curve of his pec, cupping around its edge. It filled my palm.

Very gently, I pressed my fingertips inward. Feeling his skin lightly sinking beneath my touch. Then behind it, resistance. Firmness. The muscle making its presence known. It felt thick. Meaty...

I looked up at Rex again. He was watching me. Smiling. With another little chuckle, he took my left hand and placed it on the side of his body. Lower this time, below his pecs. Feeling him bringing my hands further down, I started to feel a little nervous. Where was this going?

"It's okay, baby," he whispered sweetly, placing his hand back on my shoulder. "Just explore me. Let your fingers learn about me."

I hesitated again. I felt a little unsure. But his reassurance was encouraging me. Willing me to ignore the doubts in my head.

Slowly, I started to bring my right hand down level with my left. As I caressed the skin, I could feel every little muscle rippling down the flanks of his body, teasing me with more thoughts of how deliciously toned he was, how fit he was. Standing there, I looked at the huge trunk of his body between my arms, giving it the slightest squeeze. Chunky, thick. Packed with powerful muscle. My view overwhelmed by moist, steamy yellow skin, the heat rising from his body, filling the space between us with its humid glow.

"D'you like it, doggy?" he purred alluringly, stroking my neck again. "Hmm? Do you like your Rexy's lovely, big muscles?"

Oh boy. He was really teasing me now. He knew. He knew how amazing his body was. He knew he had been blessed with this gorgeous, perfect masculine figure. And now he was sharing it with me. Allowing me to enjoy the delights of his primed, sporting physique. I was struggling to contain my excitement.

"Rex..." I panted. "You... you're so... beautiful..."

He grinned. "Yeah?..."

He paused for a moment. Caressing the back of my neck. Then he lowered his snout, bringing his eyes closer to mine, staring up at me seductively. There was a fire burning in them. A fire I had never seen before.

"So... do you wanna see the bottom half?..."

...

Oh my gosh.

Time froze for a second. My mind went over it. Was that what I thought it was? Did he mean what I thought he meant? Was Rex about to strip naked, right there, in front of me?

Thoughts swirled through my head. Excitement. Deep desire. How amazing Rex's naked body might look. What would happen. What we would do next. Would he want me to... touch him... in other ways? Would he want me to do stuff to him? Would he want me to strip naked as well? I mean, was this it? Was this the night? Were we... about to have sex?

I stood there, thinking about it. I don't know why, but I felt... scared.

My mind was a blur. Just minutes ago, we'd been talking about something completely different. Our relationship was going slow, going steady. But now, suddenly we had powered ahead. Suddenly we were on the brink of taking our love into physical territory. Stepping into a very different realm. I wanted to go there. I wanted to have that kind of relationship with Rex. But was I ready? Was I prepared to take that leap, here, tonight?

So many conflicting feelings. My body was willing me to go forward. But my head was unsure whether to follow.

Rex's grin fell away. "Mike?"

I looked up.

"Hey," he said. "Are you okay?"

I stared back at him. I didn't know what to say. What was the matter with me? Why was I feeling like this? Why wasn't I leaping at the chance? He was so beautiful. He was so sexy. I was so lucky to be with him, so privileged to be touching him and sharing this moment with him. I didn't want to spoil it... But I couldn't help it. I felt nervous. Out of control.

Who was I kidding. I couldn't do this. Not tonight.

"...R-Rex..." I stuttered. "I... I-I don't... I don't think I can do this."

His head pulled back. "Hey," he said, "hey, come on - don't be nervous, pup. It's only me, babes."

"I-I know... I know, Rex, I just... I'm sorry, I'm... I'm not ready."

There was a silence. He took a step back.

I lowered my head. Damn it. What had I done. I'd ruined the moment.

"Okay, pup," he said softly. "That's okay. We don't have to do anything. It's all right."

There was a lump in my throat. I felt terrible. He said it so sweetly, but I couldn't help hearing disappointment in his voice. I think he wanted this tonight. I'd led him along. I'd let him down. What was he going to think? Was this going to put him off me? Was I driving a wedge between us with my silly anxiety?

"I'm sorry, Rex," I croaked. "I'm really sorry."

"No, no, don't be sorry," he said. "You've got nothing to be sorry for, pup. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to force myself on ya like that."

I shook my head. "No, you didn't, Rex. I don't know what's wrong with me."

I felt him putting his arm around my back. Then he softly placed his hand under my cheek, tipping my head up to look at him. His eyes focused firmly on mine, calling for me to listen to him.

"Hey," he said. "There is nothing wrong with you, pup. It's all right. We don't have to do anything until you want to. All right? It's fine. I promise - I do not want to do anything... until you are ready."

I gulped. My lip quivered. A smile rose in my cheeks.

"Okay?" he said.

I sniffled. "Yeah," I replied weakly. "Thank you, Rex. I'm... I'm really sorry."

He leant in and kissed me on the head. Then he wrapped his arms around me. Pulling me close, he held me to his body. That beautiful, soft, warm body. Cuddling me tight. I rested my head onto his naked chest, feeling the hot flesh pressing against my fur. It was a wonderful place to be.

I still felt so guilty. I still suspected he was disappointed. But to hear him comforting me like that, to feel him holding me, trying to reassure me it was okay... He was so caring. So patient, so understanding. Right there, I remembered why I adored him so much.

"Rex..." I murmured. My voice muffled in his chest. "I love you."

His arms clutched me tighter. A little squeeze. A tender pat on the back.

"I love you too, Mikey," he whispered. "I love you too."