Asher dipped his chin. “I did. Would you like one?”
“Caffeine is not a part of my diet. I’m merely saving you from yourself.”
“Ah. I fear I am wasting your time then. The threat has been averted.”
Rhys was shaking his head before Asher finished speaking. “Being with you is never a waste.”
One of the women at the table next to them began waving wildly. He caught the motion out of the corner of his eye. Tearing his gaze away from Asher, he focused on the pair. They were both brown-haired, but the one attempting to gain his attention had green eyes while her friend’s were almost the same shade as her hair.
“It is you. Holy shit.”
His eyebrows lifted in question. “Have we met?”
“No,” she drew out the word as if their having met before was out of the realm of possibilities. “You’re Rhys Collier.”
“I’m aware.” There wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in his tone, only confusion.
“You’re the US MMA Middleweight Champion.”
Understanding dawned. He wasn’t used to it yet. “I am,” Rhys agreed. A low chuckle sounded from Asher’s side of the table.
“Ohmigod!” Her screech was near to ear-piercing. “I was in Boston when you fought Terry Richards for the title. That was an awesome match.”
He wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you,” he said, deciding to go with the most obvious.
“Can I have your autograph?”
“Depends on where you want it,” he answered without thought. Asher choked on his drink.
She raked him with her gaze. Thankfully, whatever she was thinking, she kept to herself. Even though he’d meant he would not be willing to sign anything other than paper, he saw how his words could be misconstrued. “A napkin would be fine.”
A napkin and an ink pen slid across the table. Rhys flashed Asher a grateful smile. His eyes were shining with humor. “I’d love one too,” her friend added shyly.
“Sure. Do either of you want it made out to anyone in particular?”
“Beth,” green eyes answered immediately. Her friend waited until he’d finished with Beth’s before answering. “I’d love it if you could make it out to my son. His name is Connor.”
“How old is your son?” Rhys asked while keeping his eyes locked on his task.
“He’s ten.” Her voice went from bashful to proud as she answered.
Scratching out his name, Rhys handed the napkin over. “You don’t look old enough to have a ten-year-old.” Her face lit up. He’d not been attempting to charm her. She really didn’t look old enough to have a child that age. Nonetheless, he could see she enjoyed hearing it.
“Thank you,” she said primly. Folding the napkin, she slid it inside her purse. “We’ll let you get back to your…” She paused glancing between him and Asher for a moment before adding, “Coffee. It was nice meeting you.” He could tell Beth wanted to say more.
He turned his attention back to Asher before she had the chance. Mouth twitching, Asher quickly lifted his drink to his lips. After a moment, he seemed to pull himself together. “You’re very popular today.”
Uncomfortable with the topic, Rhys did his best to steer Asher away from it. “As I was saying, this is not a waste. Do you come here every day?”
Asher eyed him carefully making Rhys feel as if he saw too much. “Hmm, very well,” he said with a sigh. “I do come here every day. I cannot imagine the torture of a day without caffeine.” He paused appearing to think it over. “Actually, I cannot begin to picture what a day in my company would be like without caffeine.”
Rhys relaxed in his chair. “For some reason, I get this image of you cursing loudly at an office filled with people, while speaking only Italian.”
Instead of the laughter Rhys had been hoping for, Asher drew his brows together as if thinking his over his words. “You know, I did that this morning already.”
In spite of his amusement, Rhys wasn’t one to miss an opportunity. “I can’t allow such a thing to happen again. Someone needs to protect the lower level employees in your building.”
“Are you offering to meet me again tomorrow?”
Rhys found himself leaning forward, drawn closer as if by an invisible lure. They may as well have been alone for all the notice Asher took of anyone else around them. “Or, I could make you coffee in the morning.”
Asher’s mouth lifted in one corner even as his eyes took on a wicked glint. “What time are you meeting me here tomorrow?”
“Depends on how late it is when you send me your final picture tonight,” Rhys shot back.
Lifting his cup to his mouth again, Asher’s eyes filled with lust. Sensuality dripped from his every pore. Damn, the man possessed the ability to change his expression from hot to cold in a way Rhys had never seen before.
“Perhaps I’d better meet you in the afternoon then.”
Satisfaction roared through him. “That’s probably for the best,” Rhys agreed.
Chapter Five
Asher’s home surprised Rhys. Although the location screamed money, the house itself wasn’t as obnoxious as Rhys expected. The place wasn’t huge. He didn’t know much about such things, but the front steps seemed to be some form of marble mixed with stonework. He assumed the combination kept it from becoming too slick when it rained while maintaining the appearance of luxury. He loved it. The woodwork around the door’s frame held his attention as he waited for Asher to open it. He’d not bothered knocking. It seemed pointless since Asher had forgotten to mention Rhys would need a code to get through the front gate. It was all good. Not only had Rhys already gotten to enjoy the sexy Italian’s voice when he’d called to find out how to enter, he also now had the code saved to his phone. Every piece of information he gathered was an inch of ground he gained toward integrating himself into Asher’s life.
The door swung wide. Cool air, soft light and delicious male cologne enveloped him. Catching a glimpse of a dark t-shirt and blue eyes, Asher occupied his space. Rhys heard the front door close. He assumed Asher had pulled it shut on his way out. All Rhys could do was feel. A muscular chest hit his. Strong hands gripped his hips. Fingers brushed the bare skin above the waistband of his jeans, making Rhys realize Asher had pushed his shirt up an inch. The hard surface of the entryway felt warm underneath the palms of Rhys’ flattened palms. He didn’t care that he was pressing Asher’s body against it. The taste of Asher’s tongue drove all rational thought from his brain.
Asher moved from Rhys’ lips to his neck. His chest expanded as he inhaled. “I apologize,” Asher said against his throat. Each word tickled Rhys’ skin before heading straight for his groin. “This week has been torturous temptation.”
He began to pull away. Rhys touched Asher’s face, stopping him. Holding his jaw, Rhys leaned in one more time, closing his mouth over the bottom lip that had been teasing him for a week. He didn’t move to deepen the kiss in any way. It was an attempt to brand the flavor into his memory.
“Never apologize to me again,” Rhys growled as he took a step back. “Are you ready?” He didn’t want to give Asher time to argue. “We’ll probably arrive a bit early for Knox’s match. If we don’t, we’ll never get close enough to see anything.”
Asher straightened away from the door. “Let us not be late then.”
Awareness of Asher’s presence at his side never left Rhys. Not for a second. As he’d predicted, the warehouse where unsanctioned matches were held was packed to capacity five minutes after they arrived. The sound of fists cracking against flesh filled the air. People cheered and groaned with each blow depending upon which side their money rested.
The winner drew more applause than jeers when it ended. The arm raised in victory was covered from wrist to collarbone in an intricate tattoo. Shaggy blond hair dripped with sweat.
“I believe I have seen that gentleman somewhere before.” At Asher’s statement, Rhys looked closer at the man in question. He turned his head in their direction, almost as if he
could feel them discussing him. Rhys dipped his chin in acknowledgment when their eyes met. Kurt returned the gesture.
“You have.” Rhys’ remark came out sounding dry. “He works the door at Affinity.”
With a silky chuckle, Asher shrugged. “I suppose it is good I am not as memorable as you.”
Turning an incredulous look on Asher, Rhys scoffed. “Are you kidding me? I haven’t been able to wipe you from my mind since setting eyes on you.”
Asher’s eyes shined with mirth. “I meant because of your title.” His gaze dropped to Rhys’ mouth before returning to his eyes. “In every other way, I am extraordinary.”
Don’t I know it, Rhys thought, resisting the urge to readjust himself.
“Next up we have Knox Collier. I hope everyone has their bets in.” The announcement caused the crowd to push forward. Somehow, Asher ended up at Rhys’ back in the crush. His brother’s familiar form ducked through the doorway of the cage.
“I would know you were related even if no one said as much. The two of you look very similar.” The sound of Asher’s voice floated over Rhys’ shoulder. The heat of Asher’s skin seeped through his shirt.
“Huh. I’ve never thought about it.”
Asher was close enough that Rhys could feel his nod. “The difference is in the countenance. Yours is charming smiles.”
“And Knox is hard,” Rhys finished Asher’s thoughts with a nod. “He had to step into the role of adult at a young age. Rigid living is all he knew before his wife.”
“So your parents are gone?”
Rhys nodded. He wasn’t ready to have that conversation. Luckily, Asher didn’t push for more. He shifted even closer behind him. “My money is on the other guy, by the way.” Asher’s lips brushed his ear when he spoke.
He didn’t touch him in any other way. Rhys’ body reacted the same as if Asher had stroked his shaft. In an attempt to call his body under control, he eyed the man in question. His hair had been shaved into some strange design on one side of his head. In spite of his odd appearance, he seemed every bit as fit as Knox. However, Rhys knew the truth. No one was as vicious.
“You’re betting against my brother?”
A low-sounding laugh fell from Asher’s lips, sending a vibration straight to his already weeping cock. There wasn’t a chance in hell of Rhys reeling in his lust. “Not with actual money. Only verbally. The other fellow has a good thirty pounds on him. Not to mention, his reach is longer.”
It was true, but Asher had never been to an underground match. He’d also never seen Knox fight. A smile tugged at Rhys’ lips as Asher’s breath fanned across the side of his neck. “What if we make it a wager then?” Rhys suggested. Turning his head, he brought Asher’s face into his line of sight. “If my brother wins, I get to see you again tomorrow night.”
Asher’s expression never changed but his eyes darkened. “If he loses, you have to come home with me tonight and allow me free reign over your body.”
Damned if Rhys didn’t hope Knox lost. Lowering his gaze to Asher’s mouth, he lingered there for a moment before answering. “You’re on.”
The bell rang. Rhys turned away. The awareness of Asher lingered. Knox bounced on his toes a moment before clipping his opponent across the side of the head. The crowd pressed closer to the cage in their excitement. Asher’s chest came up against Rhys’ back. Even with the thunderous cheers and jeers going on around them, he could hear Asher speaking to him quietly. “Are you hard for me?”
The horde shuffled forward as Knox’s opponent landed a blow to his shoulder. Asher used the momentum to his advantage, allowing his hips to cradle Rhys’ ass long enough for him to feel his desire. Rhys’ skin tightened as chill bumps rose on his skin. Electricity surged between them. “Answer my question,” he demanded, showing the alpha side Rhys could not resist. “Are you hard for me?”
Tilting his chin, Rhys cut his eyes at Asher as he made his admission. “I’m probably going to have a permanent limp.”
Asher’s lips twisted into a sinister grin. “Good. I’m going to fuck you. You’re never going to forget it.”
When was this goddamn fight going to end? As soon as the question ran through Rhys’ mind, Knox snagged the back of the dude’s neck. With a jerk, he pulled his head down while lifting his knee into the guy’s face. The double impact of downward momentum against upward thrust did the trick. With a twist, Knox tossed him to the mat. He didn’t move.
“Knockout!” The judge’s announcement rang out loudly, sending the throng into cheerful hysteria.
“Peccato. It seems I’ve lost. I guess you’ll have to choose to go with me willingly.” Asher paused for half a breadth before tacking on, “I have cookies.”
A surprised bark of laughter escaped Rhys. “Damn. You don’t have to lure me to the dark side. I’m a hair’s breath away from exploding inside my jeans just from you breathing on the side of my neck.”
“I think I’ll have to pass on meeting your brother tonight. As you know, I’m not opposed to a public display. If you’re not in the truck in the next five minutes these people are going to get a much different show than they paid to see.”
He made it there in two. There were bruised toes and ribs along the way as he barreled his way to the door. Rhys was beyond caring. His dick was desperately beating against the zipper of his jeans begging to be closer to Asher. Yellow lights flashed as he hit the button on his keyless remote. Asher climbed into the passenger side while Rhys jumped in behind the wheel. He didn’t stop there. Rhys kept going until he was pinning Asher against the seat. Something sharp bit into his knee. He hit his elbow on Asher’s door. Nothing mattered except the taste of Asher’s lips…the sounds of his moans.
The parking lot, while filled with cars, was empty of people since there were matches scheduled for several more hours. Rhys wouldn’t have cared even if they weren’t alone. His patience was at an end. The back of his head stung where Asher gripped his hair at the roots holding him in place. The rich smell of Asher’s cologne teased Rhys’ nostrils as he dragged air into his lungs. He was starving. His hunger for Asher was more powerful than anything he’d ever experienced. It was unequaled.
Without waiting for permission, Rhys tore at the button on Asher’s jeans. Damn his mouth made him hot as hell. Rhys wanted more. Traveling south, he nipped at the column of Asher’s throat while setting his erection free. His hips left the seat as Rhys encircled it.
“Fu—”
Rhys smiled as the strangled cry died in Asher’s throat.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded while snagging Asher’s shirt in his teeth and dragging it upward. His sculpted torso came into view. Rhys dipped his head, swiping his tongue over the ridges. Ragged breathing met his question. Rhys froze, refusing to budge until he heard the words. “Say the words, Ash.”
“Goddamn you,” he growled. “I want you to suck me. I need your hot mouth surrounding— Ugh—” His words died again on a strangled cry as Rhys opened his jaw wide taking him all the way to the back of his throat. “Yes. Damn.”
Rhys allowed him to slip almost completely away before repeating the motion. Rhys tightened his throat around Asher’s cock.
Asher pumped upward against him. “Fuck me with your mouth. Yes. Suck me off.” He held the back of Rhys’ hair in a death grip.
The taste of masculine salt and pre-cum filled Rhys’ mouth, causing his dick to weep heavily inside his jeans. The sounds Asher made as Rhys’ tongue shaped his shaft drove Rhys wild. He wanted to jack off right then. However, he needed Asher’s orgasm like he needed oxygen. It was necessary. It mattered. Hollowing out his cheeks, he increased his pace while swallowing him down.
“Take it all. Fuck. I’m going to come.”
Rhys sucked hard. A hoarse cry tore from Asher as a hot jet hit the back of Rhys’ throat. He accepted it as his reward, swallowing the thick cream and lapping away any evidence. With a sharp tug, Asher jerked Rhys’ head upward and sealed his mouth over Rhys’. He sucked at his
tongue before growling against his lips. “Get this fucking vehicle in gear so I can get inside you.”
* * * * *
The glass wall across the back of his home, which gave him an amazing view of the city, had been the deciding factor for Asher when he’d purchased the property. To him, there was not a single thing more beautiful than the Vegas horizon at night. So he’d thought. That was before meeting Rhys. Now, there wasn’t any comparison to the sexy man currently occupying his living room.
While Rhys stared out at the city lights, Asher enjoyed the scenery named Rhys. He was perfection personified. Deep lines of defined muscles caused ripples and valleys across his physical canvas. It drew Asher’s hands. He couldn’t avoid its lure. The hem of Rhys’ t-shirt scrunched in his grip. His knuckles scraped along Rhys’ sides as he slipped the material upward. Rhys accepted the loss of clothing without protest.
“Look at you, submissive and sexy as sin. Does this mean I’m allowed to take my pleasure however I choose?” Asher punctuated his question by trailing his fingertips across Rhys’ bare torso. His back arched. Goose bumps rose on his skin.
“The sound of your moans makes me think I’m really the one in control here.”
The deep hue in Rhys’ tone said more about how turned-on he was than anything else thus far. Asher also understood how he felt. The noises the man made when he came had haunted Asher since their night together. He wanted it again. He wanted everything. He needed Rhys. Underneath him. Above him. Moaning. It was…necessary. Everything felt right and in sync when he was nearby. Asher longed for him. Considering he had not pined for anyone in years, this thing with Rhys wasn’t something he wanted to lose.
His chest tightened even as he traced the line of Rhys’ abs with the pads of his fingers. Damn. He hadn’t been as scared in all his life as he was at the moment. Someone like Rhys could and most likely would crush him. Not that he would allow the knowledge to stop him from stealing every second he could. Asher’s cock lengthened while his hands went to work on the button of Rhys’ jeans. When his erection sprang free, saliva flooded Asher’s mouth. He could almost taste the pre-cum on Rhys’ crown. It would coat his tongue before the end of the night.
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