“Diesel!” Triton cried out and then shattered.
Diesel crooned to the boy as he cried, his hands soothing raw nerves until ragged breathing became normal and Triton lay sated in his arms.
“I’m sorry,” Triton whispered.
Diesel cupped beneath Triton’s chin and lifted the boy’s gaze to his.
“What for?”
“I keep crying.” Teeth worried a plump lip.
“You never need to apologize for that, baby boy. Never.”
He tenderly kissed Triton’s mouth and kissed away the tears that had slipped down one cheek.
Triton
Zane’s place was like living in a fairytale.
I love Diesel.
They’d done everything from cooking to watching movies, to talking, to making love. I love Diesel. The hopping back and forth of his brain was making him crazy. He wanted to shout it out loud.
He unlatched the handle to the woodshed and stepped inside. Molly ran inside, sniffing around.
“Don’t get too comfortable in here,” he told the dog.
Molly wagged her tail.
Triton lifted several pieces of wood, latched the door, and trudged back to the house. Entering the front room, he found Diesel’s eyes following him.
He placed the wood in the holder and brushed off his hands over the lowly lit flames.
“Didn’t want to run out. I think this is my favorite thing.”
“Favorite?” Diesel eyed him with a smirk.
A giggle bubbled up and out of him, and he dropped onto the couch and lifted the book he’d been reading.
I love him.
Sure, that was a strong statement, but then so was love, and he’d fallen hard.
He darted a glance at Diesel kicking back on the end of the couch with a book in his lap. Every time Diesel looked at him, his heart jumped. He wanted to please him. He wanted to fill all the Dom’s needs, but would Diesel let him?
Miles had said others thought Diesel was overbearing or high-handed. Triton actually loved it. He’d been able to stop automatically lying and concentrate on being truthful.
In the beginning, Diesel gave him the courage and support he had needed to feel confident. Now, it was more than that, he was just beginning to know who he was. And he liked what he was beginning to see.
“Can we talk about BDSM and the scene?” He lowered the book he held and watched Diesel’s reaction.
Diesel glanced up in surprise and then shut his book.
“Of course.”
Triton took a deep breath. “You’ve had a sub, that Shawn guy?”
“Yes, but we didn’t do it twenty four seven.”
“How did it work?” Triton bit his lip.
“It didn’t.”
He grew quiet. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
Diesel sighed and laid his book aside.
“It didn’t work because I couldn’t give Shawn what he needed. I wasn’t what he needed, and he was too young to know his own mind.”
“What did he need?” He ignored the too young comment because it irritated him when Diesel started talking about age, like the guy was ancient or something.
“Shawn was hard core into pain. I’m not.”
Then he doubted the guy would be satisfied with Diesel’s stepsister if she wasn’t a Dom, but he kept that to himself.
“What are you into?” he asked instead.
“I’m into having control and taking care of someone. I like making the decisions and being obeyed.”
“So, not the whole collar and scene thing?”
“I like the collar, and I’ll go to the parties to mingle, but I’m not into the scenes.”
Triton didn’t know whether to shout or jump up and do a dance of joy, so he just stayed still after pulling his knees to his chest.
“I went once,” he said, gaging Diesel’s response.
“Tell me,” Diesel said, looking nothing but curious. No anger, no judgement.
“Fraser took me to a party. He goes all the time. He said I could find a man there.” Triton shivered.
“And did you?”
“No. They weren’t what I wanted,” he said, gazing at Diesel.
The soldier smirked and nodded. “At least you went. Now you know.”
“True. I mean, I saw some people there, some were getting flogged, and another one was locked naked in a cage.”
“And you didn’t like that?”
“No. Clay found out I went.”
Diesel grew still when he grew quiet.
“Finish it.”
“Clay said if I went to a BDSM club, then I must want to get beat.” His hands twisted. Diesel blurred before his eyes.
“Clay is a fool and a coward.”
Triton gave a wobbling smile.
“Forget about him. Tell me what else you saw at the club.”
“I did see something that I thought I might like.” Triton chewed on his lip.
“What?”
“I wanted to have what some of the subs had when they were kneeling at their Dom’s feet wearing a collar.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Excited.”
Diesel smiled. “Come here, boy.”
Triton rose to his feet and floated toward Diesel until he reached his legs.
Diesel drew him down to sit on the edge of the couch.
“Would you like me to teach you how to kneel at my feet?”
Triton gasped, wet his lips with his tongue, and nodded. “Yes!”
“Yes what?”
“Yes, sir.” The term Miles had used with Ted rolled off his tongue and he liked it, liked it a lot. So did Diesel by the look of pleasure on the Dom’s face.
“Then kneel.”
Triton sank to the floor almost on top of Diesel’s bare feet.
His heartbeat settled after the first rush of adrenaline. Diesel arranged him for a few moments.
A large hand cupped the back of his head and drew his cheek to rest against the man’s knee. Diesel made him feel safe, wanted, and complete in a way he’d never experienced before.
After a while, he became calmer and more content then he could ever remember being. He drifted, going into his head and floating, dreaming about their time together.
It was in that moment when everything fell into place. He’d found the love of his life. Diesel would be the only man he’d love forever.
“Up, boy. It’s time for a shower and then dinner,” Diesel murmured.
Triton blinked, noticing the sun had slanted at a different angle through the curtain. His legs felt a bit unsteady when he rose to stand. This kneeling took some getting used to. Diesel’s strong arm settled around his waist, and then he found himself lifted against the man’s chest, one arm around his waist and another beneath his knees.
Triton slipped his arms around Diesel’s neck.
“Next time, we’ll use a pillow from the couch on the floor for you to sit on.”
“Don’t you mean kneel?”
“Perhaps. There’s no shame in sitting at my feet. Kneeling or sitting accomplishes the same thing,” Diesel’s deep voice rumbled.
Carried into the bathroom, he was stripped and tucked beneath the warm spray.
When Diesel stepped in naked, Triton couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
“Boy, you’re asking for trouble.”
“I want trouble,” he pointed out and ran his soapy hands over the man’s defined stomach muscles.
He had another few minutes of exploration before he found his back pinned to the shower wall and Diesel’s thick, sheathed cock stretching him open.
“Who keeps condoms in the shower?” he gasped beneath the spray.
“Are you complaining?” Diesel growled.
“Hell no.”
Clamping both arms and legs around the man, Triton hung on as Diesel pounded until they both broke apart beneath the water.
Diesel
“There’s one more thing.”
&
nbsp; “What?”
Maddox sighed over the phone. “They lost track of Clay in Northern California just near the border.”
“I suspect he’s already here then,” he murmured, walking to the wide window that looked out over the front circular driveway. Today was day six of the seven he’d planned to stay at Zane’s place.
“I suspect so,” Maddox agreed.
He was going to fuck Clay up if he came after Triton. Literally fuck him up just like he had Auto.
“I’ll keep Triton safe. We’ve been house hopping to throw them off the trail.”
“You can bet Clay’s wanting to avenge his brother.”
“Let him try. After what he did to Triton? He’s a dead man anyway.” Triton’s stumbling words of what Clay and Auto had done to him after going to the BDSM club made Diesel’s rage increase. Oh, he never lost his cool nor his calm, but one way or another, Clay would pay.
“I’m more worried about you than I am Triton at the moment. You killed Auto. You, my friend, have a target on your back.”
“Let him come,” Diesel rasped.
“Take care that my baby cousin doesn’t get caught in the crossfire.”
“On my honor.”
“Are you serious about him, D? I don’t want his heart broken.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Not really if you’re committed, but it doesn’t sound like you are.”
He bit back the words of denial.
Maddox sighed. “Okay, River and I are on our way. If Triton wants to come home, we’ll be bringing him back with us.”
Diesel gripped the phone hard.
“Are you there?”
“I’m here. I’ll see you when you get here.”
He rang off and stood holding the phone.
“Who’s coming here?” Triton asked from behind him.
Diesel closed his eyes and turned.
“Clay got away; he’s probably crossed the border into Oregon.”
“What? When?” Triton’s voice rose.
“I won’t let him hurt you. Come sit down.”
Diesel took Triton’s hand and led him to the living room and to the couch.
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“What?” Triton’s eyes were large in his pale face.
Diesel cleared his throat. “Maddox and River are coming to take you home.”
“I don’t want to go!” Triton crossed his arms.
“You have your whole life ahead of you, Triton.”
“Is this the age thing again?” The boy’s lips pulled tight.
“You’re only twenty-two. I’m miles too old for you.” His chest hurt.
“That shouldn’t matter.” Triton’s voice wobbled.
“It does.”
“Why?”
“I admire and respect you, but you’re far too young to saddle yourself to me. You’re just starting to find out who you are and what you really want out of life.”
“Don’t.” Triton held up his hand. “Don’t compare me to your ex.”
Diesel’s jaw clenched, and as much as he didn’t want to compare Triton with Shawn, he did. He’d walked in on Shawn packing. Diesel’s own sister had been sitting on the bed. They’d been having an affair, they said. In his own fucking house with a member of his family. All while he was deployed. He’d backed out and left, taking Molly for a walk.
They’d been gone when he returned, the house an empty shell.
If he came home to find Triton gone? He wouldn’t ever recover.
He knew it to his fucking soul.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.” Diesel looked away and forced himself to say what needed to be said. “When Clay is caught, I think it’s best if you go back with Maddox and River. To seriously think about what you want out of life.”
“I want you.”
He held up his hand. “Don’t say it right now. I want you to think about it. Think over what you want.” The words felt like shit coming out of his mouth, his tongue felt like dry cardboard.
“I don’t want to go back,” Triton hissed.
“I only want you to think over your options.”
“I know what I want. Maybe it’s you who’s unsure. Maybe you need to grow up.” Triton’s chin tipped up and fire flashed in his angry blue gaze.
“Triton…” Diesel reached for the boy.
“No!” Triton jumped up. “You made me your boy, and now you’re taking it all back!”
Triton turned and ran.
“Fuck,” he growled, regret tasted bitter.
Wasn’t this what you wanted? No!
He roamed through the house, too restless and pissed off to sit still.
He definitely admired the fire in Triton. He was far from the cowed boy who’d first arrived.
When the evening came, Diesel cooked but Triton refused to eat.
“Triton, come on out and eat.”
“Go away!”
Diesel tried several more times to coax Triton out of his room, but he wouldn’t budge.
You’ve fucked up royally.
Triton had been right. He had reservations about what they were doing. Reservations? Maybe I’m too chicken shit to try again.
Sighing with frustration, he cleaned the kitchen and made his way into the front room to bury himself in a book. It didn’t work. He didn’t see the words; all he saw was Triton’s face filled with hurt.
The knock on the door brought Molly up and barking at the door but her tail was wagging.
“Hey, you two.” He pulled the door wide to allow Ted and Miles inside. “Take off your boots and coats. I’ve started a fire.”
“Hey, Diesel.” Ted had his arm in a sling. The bullet had gone through, not doing as much damage as it could have, but still painful. Miles stepped forward and took Ted’s jacket and then helped the man out of his shoes.
“How are you doing?”
“Aches like hell. But the worst part is, I’m going crazy sitting around,” Ted harrumphed.
“Doctor’s orders,” Miles chided. “You need to be resting.”
Ted scowled, but Diesel could tell it was for Miles’ benefit. Ted looked tired.
“Where’s Triton?” Miles asked.
“He’s in his room.” Diesel nodded toward the hallway. “He’s mad at me.”
“What did you do?” Miles squinted.
“Boy, watch your tone,” Ted warned.
Miles slapped his hands on his hips, glared at him and then Ted, and marched out of the room, presumably to find Triton.
Diesel sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
“What’d you do?” Ted smirked.
“I might have made Triton think I don’t want him here.”
“Do you?”
“Hell yes.”
“Why’d you make him think otherwise?”
“I’m so much older than him. A while ago, I used to think it was him that needed to grow up and mature. Now, though, I think it’s me. Fuck. He’s got the world at his feet, and I’m looking at retiring,” he admitted roughly.
“Diesel.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you love him?”
He stared at his friend, swallowed, and then nodded. “I do.”
“Then isn’t he worth the risk?”
“He’s worth everything,” he whispered, and the weight on his chest lifted as if a crushing fist had finally released him.
Holy fuck. He stared at Ted. “I owe you a beer.”
Ted smirked. “Sometimes it takes someone else to point out the obvious.” His friend shrugged and settled into a comfy chair in front of the fire.
Ted made it seem so simple. And wasn’t it though? Wasn’t it as simple as him letting go of the past and embracing the future? Triton was worth it. Worth the risk to his heart and now Diesel needed to make things right with him.
Sheepishly, he rubbed a hand at the back of his head just as his phone rang. Digging it out of his pocket, he put it on speaker.
“Hey,
Memphis, what’s up? I have Ted here with me. I put you on speaker. ”
“We arrested Clay and one of his gang trying to break into your house.”
“Are Zane and Isaac okay?” His gaze flicked to Ted.
Memphis snorted clearly over the phone. “The suspects were transported to the community hospital. Does that answer your question?”
“Yeah.” He gave a brief sigh of relief.
Ted chuckled. “How bad are they hurt?”
“They fucked the one guy up thinking he was Clay. Clay seems to have sustained minor injuries.”
“Need me down there?” Diesel asked.
“No, we’ve got it. Can you see if Triton wants to come down tonight and press charges?”
He clenched his teeth, causing his jaw to ache. He didn’t want Triton anywhere near Clay.
“Yeah.” He put Memphis on mute and made his way down the hallway. When he reached the closed door, he pressed his ear to it and heard Triton and Miles talking, their voices too hushed for him to hear.
He knocked gently on the door.
“What,” Triton shouted.
“Memphis arrested Clay,” he said quietly through the door.
Triton yanked open the door. He’d been crying; his face was blotchy and his hair was all askew. Miles was siting cross legged on the bed.
Triton stared at him wide-eyed.
“Do you want to go down and press charges?”
Triton shook his head. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“We really need to tal-” Diesel started to say, but Triton shut the door in his face.
Damn it.
Diesel headed back into the other room where Ted sat. Once there, he un-muted Memphis.
“No, he said maybe tomorrow,” he told the sheriff.
“Catching that bastard so easily feels almost anticlimactic,” Ted said.
“It does,” Memphis’s replied. “We’re still trying to round up some of Clay’s gang. These guys are all wearing the same prison gang tattoo. They’re like roaches. Where there’s one, there will be many more.”
“Fuck,” Diesel muttered.
“You going to go back home?” Memphis asked.
Diesel didn’t hesitate. “I think we’ll stay here a few more nights. Ted and Miles are here; we can all stay and enjoy my brother’s luxury.”
“Sounds good. I’m heading over to Axel’s place. I’m bringing him to my house. He’s being a pain the ass.”
Bringing It Home (Code Of Honor Book 3) Page 18