“We’re more than friends,” Gavin said with the confidence of a man who hadn’t been asleep only moments earlier. “You’re mine and I’m yours. If you run, I’ll chase you.”
Happiness ripped through Michael’s chest. He’d waited years to hear those exact words. No way would he let a little bit of stalking stop him from getting everything he wanted from Gavin.
Chapter Six
Gavin: What are you doing today?
Michael: I have to work.
Gavin: That makes sense. Have fun.
Michael: What are you doing?
Gavin: Nothing. Being bored, I guess.
Michael: Would you like to spend the day with me?
Gavin: I thought you were working?
Michael: Mara won’t care if you go with me.
Gavin: I’d love that.
Michael: You don’t even know what I’m doing.
Gavin: Don’t care. We’ll be together.
Michael: I’ll be there in 15.
“I can’t believe this is what you get paid to do.”
Michael rescued the loaf of bread Gavin had been swinging for the past five minutes and set it in the shopping cart. “This isn’t all that I do, by any means, but yeah. It’s an amazing job. Mara can’t do things like this for herself. She’d get mobbed. At the very least, everyone would snap pictures of everything in her cart and say she hated animals, was sick, or some other stupid shit. So, I do this stuff for her.”
Gavin checked the list and grabbed the next item. “So, is she like trapped in her house all the time?”
Michael flashed him a smile. “Not at all. She has a bodyguard. For the most part, she does whatever she wants. Well,” Michael paused and seemed think things over before speaking again. “I’m not one hundred percent sure Cal is still on the payroll, but he still takes her everywhere.”
“Who’s Cal? You lost me,” Gavin said as he took control of the cart while Michael went after some fruit.
Michael shrugged as he carried a bag of oranges back to the cart. “He used to be her bodyguard. I don’t know.” He chewed on his bottom lip and eyed Gavin, looking helpless. “I’m not really in a place to give my opinion on the matter,” Michael finally said. “You’ll see when you meet them in a few.”
Gavin missed a step. “Wait. I’m meeting them?”
“Well, yeah,” Michael said with a snort. “Where did you think we were headed with this stuff?”
Gavin realized how stupid his reaction had been. Of course they’d have to take Mara’s groceries to her house. “Sorry, I guess I thought she either wouldn’t be there or I would never see her if she was.”
Michael kissed him on the cheek before wiping it away. “She’s been dying to meet you.”
It was funny how the idea of meeting Mara King didn’t thrill him as much as having Michael freely kissing him did. His heart had been stolen by this man.
“After hearing you talk so highly of her, I’m thrilled. When do I get to take you home?”
Michael’s laughter warmed his heart. “It’s up to Mara. She might send me to do something else, keep me there for hours, or send me home to work from there. Mara isn’t known for being organized. That’s what she has me for.”
“If you’re her keeper, when do I get to take you home?” Gavin knew he was being a pain. He just didn’t care. The look Michael shot him had Gavin biting back laughter. Words lodged in his throat. Confessions Michael wasn’t ready to hear, but Gavin wanted to give. “I love being with you, wherever we are,” Gavin said instead, hoping he could make the words suffice.
Michael moved closer. His expression was the same one the man always wore before getting on his knees. Gavin went hard. Anyone who dared to look would know how hot he was for this man.
“I love being with you too,” Michael said, sounding every bit as turned on as Gavin.
Damn, he hoped Mara sent Michael home to work. Gavin didn’t think he’d make it long without touching Michael all the ways he craved.
Mara fell in love with Gavin and wouldn’t let them leave. Cal hadn’t been there, stealing Michael’s chance to get Gavin’s opinion on their relationship. They were such an odd pairing. Michael had hoped Gavin would get a chance to weigh in. Mara had met the man’s parents a few months earlier, and tabloids were still blowing up with opinions on the matter. It was also only a matter of time before they realized Mara was pregnant. Once that happened, Michael wouldn’t get any rest. Luckily, Mara hadn’t tried hiding her pregnancy from Gavin. Now Michael could finally talk to someone about it. It was eating him alive to discuss Cal becoming a father. The man was only half tamed. Hell, he’d once smashed one of Michael’s phones.
They’d finally made it back to Michael’s ten minutes ago. Michael fought the urge to crow with relief. Not touching Gavin all day was killing him. The moment they were alone, Michael lost the battle to run his hands up Gavin’s chest and draw the man closer. The man’s body was beyond amazing, but that wasn’t why Michael couldn’t resist touching Gavin. Michael couldn’t get close enough to satisfy his heart. It ached for more—like a greedy bastard. Gavin leaned against Michael’s kitchen counter, where he’d stopped to drink some water, only to be attacked by Michael. He watched Michael though hooded eyes, taunting Michael with his sexy stare. Michael swore the man dared him with his flashing gaze to make a move. Blow his mind. Michael intended to do just that.
“I could get used to the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Michael didn’t pretend not to know how he looked. He didn’t doubt for a second everything he felt was on his face. Since he couldn’t say the words he wanted, Michael’s hands went to Gavin’s belt. “I need to taste you,” Michael confessed as he touched his lips to the center of Gavin’s chest and unzipped the man’s pants.
“We should find a better spot,” Gavin said, attempting to move away.
Michael wasn’t having it. He leaned in to Gavin, keeping the man in place. Gavin was stronger than him. If the man intended to move, Michael couldn’t stop him, but he had other ways. Michael set Gavin’s cock free. He stroked, enjoying the way the man went hard in his hands. A loud pant filled the kitchen. Michael dropped to his knees, determined to hear the noise again. Gavin’s fingers dove into Michael’s hair as Michael licked him from root to tip. He toyed with Gavin’s slit with his tongue, silently begging for the man’s pre-cum. Michael craved that salt like he needed air. That was what Gavin was to him. A necessity to live.
Michael’s gaze lifted as he sucked Gavin between his lips. Gavin stared down at him with enough heat to have Michael’s dick leaking in his jeans. He felt more than desired. Gavin looked crazed with obsession. Michael wanted that. He needed to keep Gavin right there. Michael held Gavin’s stare as he bobbed on the man’s cock. In that moment, Gavin belonged to him and no one else. That was what Michael wanted full-time—to own Gavin. He had everything else.
“Michael,” Gavin gasped as he openly fucked Michael’s mouth. “Damn. You’re killing me. I want to bend you over this sink and fuck you like you deserve, but I can’t stop. You’re too fucking perfect.”
Michael took the man down his throat and squeezed, determined to have his cum. Gavin could fuck him later. Michael massaged his own erection through his jeans, trying to ease the building ache.
“You’re so goddamn sexy,” Gavin said, sounding choked.
Michael toyed with the man’s crown, licking away the pre-cum and savoring Gavin’s flavor. The man’s words spurred him on. Gavin tightened his grip on Michael’s hair and pivoted his hips, taking his pleasure. “That’s right, baby. There’s no one like you.” A cry escaped Gavin and hot cum hit the back of Michael’s throat. He swallowed. Semen and saliva dripped from his chin. Michael didn’t try wiping it away. Instead, he lapped away as much as he could, hoping to hang on to this moment.
Gavin pulled his shirt up and over his head before using it to clean Michael’s face. He pulled Michael to his feet. The man’s expression stayed the same, as if enth
ralled by Michael. An ache began in the center of Michael’s chest and spread outward. He didn’t want Gavin to leave. It was a ridiculous sentiment. The man had a home and a job. Michael didn’t care how insane the idea seemed. He wanted to keep Gavin. Michael ground his back teeth to keep from saying anything. He’d never been more scared of opening his mouth and having his emotions pour out.
“I say we take a shower.”
Michael nodded. Everything looked slightly out of focus. He was hanging on by a thread. “I’d like that.”
Gavin didn’t move right away. Instead, he slowly lowered his head, holding Michael’s gaze for every moment until their lips met. Michael clung to his wide shoulders. His feet left the floor, and for a second, Michael felt like he was flying before he realized Gavin had swept him into his arms. With one final brush of lips on lips, as if savoring Michael, Gavin headed down the hall. Michael stared at Gavin’s set features and did something he hadn’t done in years. He prayed. He silently pleaded with God and the universe for this time to be different. No matter the lies he told himself, Michael knew the truth. Gavin had never lost Michael’s heart. He’d stolen it six years ago and held on to it tight. There was no one else out there for Michael. He feared there never would be.
Gavin swiped some chalk across the canvas, shading in a few areas. His mind fixed upon his work. Michael’s birthday was right around the corner and Gavin had to get this finished before then. Michael had some errands to run for Mara and then he’d be back. Gavin didn’t have much time alone to get some work done. He was sneaking around his time with Michael to work on the piece as often as he could, but he didn’t get many chances. A loud thump of shoes coming down the stairs pulled Gavin from his intense focus, reminding him a real world still existed. A smile grew. Only one person didn’t knock. His smile fell. Fuck. He couldn’t let Michael see his present. His gaze shot around the room. There was nothing. Half a second before he got busted, Gavin ripped his shirt up and over his head, and tossed it over the canvas.
“Don’t be mad,” Michael said without preamble.
Gavin tried to act as if he hadn’t been seconds away from a full-blown heart attack. “Wow, I get the feeling I’m about to be mad.” He pressed a quick kiss to Michael’s lips. “I doubt it. It would take a lot to make me upset with you.”
Michael took a deep breath as if bracing himself for Gavin’s anger. “Mara sent me over to the set of this superhero spoof movie that’s in the works to drop off something for her. While I was waiting to speak to the guy I’d been sent to see, I overheard them talking about how they need artwork for the set. See, instead of working for a newspaper, this spoof character draws comics,” Michael explained, obviously getting sidetracked. “Anyhow, they want the walls plastered with fake superhero comic book characters. Plus, they need fake comic book sketches for props. For licensing purposes, they can’t use just anything. I spoke up and said I knew the perfect guy. Long story short, you’ve got the job if you want it.”
A smile exploded across Gavin’s face. “Why would that make me mad?”
Michael shrugged, still looking worried. “You said if you had to find a way to make money from your art, it might kill your love for it. I’d be thrilled for you to do this, but I don’t want to kill your love for it. But you can’t play hockey forever. This might get your foot in the door.”
Gavin hauled Michael against him. “Baby, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. With that said, I doubt I’d have time to do it, and hockey isn’t a bad paying gig. Shayne played for years—”
“Their budget for the artwork is a hundred and twenty-five thousand,” Michael said, cutting him off.
Gavin blinked. “Where do I sign up? I can make the time.” Another thought hit him. “Why are you so good to me?”
Michael’s expression turned heated as he sidled closer. “Because you’re the best part of my day, and I need to make you smile.”
Even though Michael’s words were sweet, and he was looking at Gavin in a way that made Gavin very happy, Gavin felt his smile slipping away. “Thank you. No one has ever done anything so amazing for me, but I think I should pass.”
Michael stepped back out of his hold, looking crestfallen. “What? Why?”
Gavin’s chest hurt. He wanted that job with something akin to desperation, but not at the cost of Michael. “You have a lot of amazing connections that I would’ve never had a shot at meeting without you. I don’t want you to wake up one day and decide I used you if I take that job.”
“That’s stupid,” Michael said, sounding pissed. “There’s no way I could’ve known I’d accidentally stumble across this today. You definitely couldn’t have known I could or would’ve been in the right place at the right time. In truth, I never realized jobs like this one exist or I would’ve suggested it sooner. If you want this job and don’t take it because of me, I’ll never forgive you.”
Despite the rage on Michael’s face, a smile exploded across Gavin’s. Michael was amazing. “Okay. If it that’s important to you, I’ll take it.”
“Damn right, you will,” Michael grumbled as he moved in close once more, wrapping his arms around Gavin’s neck. “Now you’ll make this moment of ridiculousness up to me by calling Angelo right now and telling him you’ll get started right away.”
Evil rose inside Gavin. “Will I?” he asked as he grabbed a handful of Michael’s ass and pulled him closer, ensuring Michael felt the way he’d gone hard for him. “What if I have other plans for the immediate future instead?”
Michael visibly took a breath, and a flush appeared on his cheeks. In Gavin’s head, he was already lifting Michael onto his art table and stripping him bare. “You have ten minutes to make good on whatever you’re picturing in your head right now,” Michael said, sounding breathless before adding, “and then I expect you to make that call.”
“Yes, sir,” Gavin said as he captured Michael’s mouth. He couldn’t do everything he wanted in ten minutes, but he could damn well try. He didn’t waste any time lifting Michael off his feet and taking him to the floor. They pulled and tugged at each other’s clothes until they were stripped bare. It seemed as if their mouths barely left each other’s skin in the process.
The sounds coming from Michael drove Gavin insane. He shifted onto his knees and searched between the recliner and wall for the condoms and lube they’d stashed there earlier in the week. With a condom in place and his fingers coated in lube, Gavin was back kissing Michael in record time. He needed to hear Michael moan. Michael writhed beneath him as Gavin stretched the man’s asshole with his lubed fingers. Gavin’s plan had been to take Michael hard. The moment his fingers were buried in the man’s ass, pushing the button that had Michael crying out against his mouth, Gavin couldn’t fucking stop. His dick screamed to feel Michael’s tight heat squeezing it. Gavin’s heart demanded Michael’s pleasure. The way that Michael kissed him — like he was the man’s world — Gavin couldn’t stop. Michael’s hips lifted as he openly fucked Gavin’s fingers. Gavin tore his mouth away and gasped for air. He was so goddamn horny, he thought his mind would snap. He waited until he couldn’t stand another second before impaling Michael with his cock.
“Oh, god,” Michael cried, jacking his erection between them.
Gavin licked and sucked at Michael’s neck as he pounded the man’s ass. He was crazed with lust and lost in the moment. Words left him with no thought or plan. “Fuck, Michael. You drive me insane. I love being inside you. You’re fucking perfect on my dick. This tight ass milks me fucking dry. Goddamn. Give me everything.”
Michael’s muscles tensed. His ass squeezed Gavin’s dick so hard Gavin saw stars. A cry filled the air and Michael’s ass spasmed around Gavin’s cock, sucking an orgasm from him. Gavin squeezed his eyes closed and clenched his teeth until he thought he’d crack a tooth. Time stopped. Everything fell away. Nothing existed but the two of them and the pleasure rocking his soul.
He collapsed on top of Michael, doing his best not to squash
the man. Once he could breathe properly, he rolled to his side and used Michael’s shirt to clean away the mess between them before holding Michael to his chest. He couldn’t stop touching Michael everywhere he could reach.
“I have a confession,” Michael said against his chest.
Gavin ran his fingers through Michael’s hair. “Okay.”
“In Shreveport, Maksim said New York has been after you for a while. When I heard about that art department job, I hoped it would give you a reason to stay. Now I feel like a bad person. I just want you to be happy.”
Defeat sounded heavy in Michael’s voice, making Gavin’s chest hurt. Gavin didn’t need another reason to stay. Hell would freeze before he moved away from Michael. He rearranged their bodies where he could hold Michael’s stare. “Baby, I was already happy. Hockey isn’t my dream.” Michael was. “It’s a sport I enjoy that keeps me in shape and makes me money. If they told me tomorrow they didn’t have a place for me on the team, I’d be fine. You’re not a bad person. In fact,” Gavin said, forcing Michael onto his back and covering the man with his body. “You feel pretty damn good to me,” Gavin said, running his hands over every inch of Michael he could reach. Michael jumped when Gavin obviously hit a ticklish spot. Gavin did it again, this time digging his fingers in. Michael shoved his hands away and tried squirming away. “Oh, no. I’ve found a hotspot. You’re in trouble now.”
Michael flipped onto his stomach and tried to get away. “No.” His denial was barely understandable through his laughter.
Gavin used his weight against Michael, pinning him to the floor. “Oh, yes. This is happening.”
Michael’s entire body shook with silent laughter. “No.”
Giving in, Gavin flattened himself against Michael, making it impossible for the man to get away while ensuring he didn’t crush him. Love filled him to overflowing. He touched his lips to the shell of Michael’s ear while Michael tried catching his breath. “I didn’t need another reason to stay,” Gavin whispered, incapable of ignoring the emotions raging through him. “You give me one every day when you wake up as mine.”
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