Tobin nodded as he helped Sergio get him out of his clothes. “In the top drawer of the nightstand. There’s a box.”
Sergio looked between Tobin and the table and back again, as if he couldn’t decide what to do first.
Tobin took charge again. “Get on the bed.”
At Tobin’s drill sergeant tone, Sergio didn’t hesitate. He scrambled onto the bed and settled onto his back, hard and waiting. Tobin quickly finished undressing before gathering the lube and a condom. He tore into the package before joining Sergio. As he straddled Sergio’s thighs, the feeling of being powerful overtook him again.
Tobin rolled the condom down Sergio’s length. He had a nice cock. Long and not too wide. Tobin wanted it. “I’m sure you probably hear this all the time, but you’re gorgeous. Stunning, actually.” Tobin kept talking as he lubed the outside of the condom. “Sometimes, it’s hard for me to look at you directly—like staring into the sun, I guess. You’re too hot for someone who gets burned as easily as I do.” He knew he was being fanciful and probably didn’t make sense to Sergio. Tobin didn’t care. He wouldn’t see Sergio again after tonight. Tobin wanted Sergio to understand—at least partially—why. Sergio could easily break Tobin’s heart, and that wasn’t something he could handle right now. Tobin stared down at the oily mess he had made. His mouth watered. “Damn. I kind of wish I held off on the lube. I want to suck your dick again.”
“Fuck. You could make me blow just by talking. I can’t take it.” Sergio rolled, tucking Tobin beneath him and pinning him to the bed. His tongue invaded Tobin’s mouth and sparred with Tobin’s tongue. Tobin’s dick throbbed, needing attention. He wanted to rub against Sergio like a cat and hump him. Sergio rocked. The move massaged Tobin’s cock, pulling a gasp from him.
Tobin ripped his mouth away and bit Sergio’s shoulder. “Stop playing and fuck me.”
At his demand, Sergio hooked Tobin’s leg with his arm, pulling it higher. His blunt head pushed against the tight muscles surrounding Tobin’s asshole. Tobin bit Sergio again and Sergio surged upward, impaling him. A cry tore from Tobin’s throat. He went wild, shoving and clawing until he had Sergio on his back again. Once he had Sergio where he wanted him, Tobin braced one hand on Sergio’s chest and rode him like a fucking horse while jacking off. Tobin was too horny to be embarrassed. He needed release. Sergio’s sexy body had been teasing him all night. Tobin wanted to shoot cum all over it—like marking his territory.
Tobin leaned back, using the strength in his thighs to keep up the pace while using Sergio’s dick the way he liked. His eyes fell closed as he lost himself in the pleasure of Sergio’s cock, the sensation of his palm, and the sounds Sergio made. He was a prisoner of pleasure. The world and all its problems had disappeared the moment Tobin sat on Sergio’s dick. He wanted to ride it all night, but pressure beat at his crown, pulsing and wanting to be set free. Tobin stroked faster and thrust harder, taking what he wanted. The world balanced on the edge of a knife for half a heartbeat. Then ecstasy shook Tobin’s soul. He cried out as his body convulsed. Tobin stroked out every drop of cum. Sergio flipped him onto his back and slammed inside, making tiny aftershocks ripple through him. All Tobin could do was gasp for air as Sergio shouted his pleasure and shook in his arms. Tobin held on tighter as Sergio fought for air against his ear.
“Holy shit. Wow. Damn.”
A smile stretched Tobin’s lips over Sergio’s reaction.
“What are you doing for the rest of your life?”
A chuckle burst from Tobin at Sergio’s question. “I don’t know.”
“I do,” Sergio said, rolling onto his back and tucking Tobin against him to snuggle. “I need more of that. That was... wow.”
It had been earth-shattering. Tobin didn’t know where all that bravery and take-charge attitude had come from, but it had been amazing. He wouldn’t forget this night Sergio had given him. It would have to last him for the remainder of what could be a very short life. Tobin didn’t know if he felt better or worse now. Dying wasn’t for the weak.
A beeping noise sounded in the distance, pulling Sergio from the sleep of the dead. He blinked at his surroundings. It was too dark to make out much, but nothing looked familiar. The beeping continued as the memories washed over him. A smile slowly stretched his lips. It fell when he realized he was alone. His gaze shot around the room. A clock with huge red numbers sat on top of the nightstand, proclaiming it to be three thirty. Sergio assumed it meant a.m. since it was dark as shit outside. All his clothes were still in the living room. With a shrug, Sergio rolled from the bed and followed the sound of the alarm.
He found Tobin in the kitchen shushing the timer on the oven and trying to get it to stop. The scent of fresh-baked pastry filled the air. Sergio leaned his elbows on the bar that separated the living room from the kitchen and watched Tobin fight to stop the noise. Two pans of croissants already sat cooling on the counter while Tobin pulled more from the oven. Tobin turned and startled, nearly dropping the hot pans as he spotted Sergio watching him.
He blushed. “Sorry. I’ve never realized how loud these timers are or how long they go on until I was trying not to wake you.”
Sergio shrugged. “No worries. Sleep is overrated. This view is much better than anything I’ve ever dreamed about.” Tobin went back to looking shy, fascinating Sergio. He didn’t for one second think it was an act, but he loved the way Tobin tossed it aside the moment he got aroused. Still, he liked Tobin and wanted him to be comfortable around him all the time. Sergio tried toning his flirtatious nature down. “So this is what you do, huh? You wake up in the middle of the night and make rolls.”
“They’re croissants,” Tobin said with a laugh. “And yes, this is what I do. Would you like to try one?”
There was no way Sergio could say no to Tobin’s hopeful expression. Plus, they smelled delicious. “Yeah. Why do you think I’m standing here in the buff? The promise of food pulled me from my sleep.”
Tobin shook his head, but his smile never wavered. He grabbed a napkin and set a fresh roll on top before sliding it Sergio’s way. “Don’t eat it yet,” he fussed before quickly turning away. Sergio’s gaze ate Tobin alive as he turned away and dug something from the refrigerator. He wore a long T-shirt and short workout shorts. His blond curls were a mess and Sergio couldn’t look away. Tobin headed back Sergio’s way and set a small open container and butter knife by the roll. “Try a bite with and without the strawberry preserves.”
Sergio nodded, since this seemed to be important to Tobin. Before he could take a bite, Tobin held up his hands. “Wait!”
Sergio blinked. “What?”
“You don’t have any food allergies, do you?”
With a snort, Sergio took a bite. The flakes melted in his mouth. Honey and butter seemed to explode across his taste buds. “Dios mío.” It was amazing. Sergio scooped some of the strawberry preserves onto the next bite and found himself in heaven as he chewed. “Holy shit. You should marry me right now. Like, what would it take to get you to say yes?”
Tobin snorted, but he didn’t stop smiling. “Would you like some coffee or something to go with it? You’re welcome to as much as you want. I always make extra in case any of my customers need a bigger order when I get there.”
“Coffee sounds good. Do you need some help?”
Tobin shook his head and turned away. Sergio went in search of his boxer briefs before claiming a stool at the bar. He enjoyed watching Tobin move around the kitchen, boxing up pastries. It was homey—like a normal life. Sergio had gone from the streets to being a millionaire seemingly overnight. He hadn’t really gotten to experience this kind of life since his mom had passed away. It felt good in his chest. As he stared at Tobin, the emotions stirring inside of him had him noticing other things about Tobin—like the fact that Tobin moved slow, as if in pain. There were dark marks under both his eyes, making him look like he had lost a fight.
“I think I kept you up too late. If I had known you get up this early, I might ha
ve made you go to bed earlier.”
Tobin flashed him a tight smile as he poured Sergio a cup of coffee. “Don’t worry. After I finish all my deliveries today, I can come home and sleep all day. It evens out. Sugar or cream?”
Sergio nodded. “Please.”
Tobin passed him the cup before passing along a sugar shaker and creamer container. He kept up the conversation while Sergio doctored his coffee. “I’m still sorry I woke you up. I didn’t know if you needed to be up by a certain time, but I didn’t figure you had to be up as early as me.”
Sergio tossed a quick glance around the room. It was creeping closer to four. He had practice this morning, but not until eight. “What time do you have to start your deliveries?”
“In about an hour,” Tobin answered as he went back to boxing up the rolls. “I pretty much have my route down to a science, so it doesn’t take as long. Damon comes in to accept beer and liquor deliveries around ten. I usually make it back by then and deliver to him last. Full circle,” he said, talking with his hands. “Of course, I don’t charge him. We have a deal worked out where I use part of his storeroom space and he gets baked goods for free. I’m pretty lucky to have this place.”
Sergio worked on downing another roll. He spoke around his bite. “If you ask me, he’s the lucky one. That marriage offer is still on the table.”
Tobin chuckled. It was a soft and sexy sound. “You strike me as a popular guy. I don’t like to share, so it’s probably best I decline.”
Even though he had been joking about marriage, Sergio was oddly disappointed. He liked Tobin. Sergio found himself confessing things he had never said aloud. “I’m not popular among people who actually know me.” He chose his words carefully, picking through each one while trying not to reveal too much about himself. Sergio liked that Tobin didn’t know him. “The people I spend the most time with don’t like me very much. They think I’m too cocky and conceited. So I think they work extra hard to take me down a peg, but the harder they work at it, the faker and more obnoxious I get. That probably doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Tobin held a coffee mug between his hands and stared at Sergio in silence while listening to every word Sergio said. After a moment, he shrugged. “Fuck ‘em.”
A laugh burst from Sergio. He didn’t know why, but Tobin’s words shocked him as much as amused him. Sergio had expected Tobin to have some magic advice because he seemed so much more adult-like than Sergio felt. Sergio didn’t feel equipped to handle as much as he had on his plate most of the time. Mostly, he just felt like a tired joke.
Tobin didn’t laugh. He set his cup aside and circled the bar. Sergio turned in his seat. Tobin held Sergio’s stare as he moved to stand between Sergio’s knees. His hands ran up Sergio’s thighs, but his gaze never wavered from holding Sergio’s. “I’m one hundred percent serious, so listen to me. Life is short.” Sergio couldn’t explain it, but he hung on every word. Tobin looked like he had all the answers as he held Sergio’s stare. “It’s way too brief to care about other people’s opinions. Don’t fake at being insufferable if someone doesn’t like you for you. Be obnoxious for real. Fuck their feelings. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who has to live with your thoughts and feelings, so live your life and be happy. I promise you they’re not thinking about you when you’re not around, so don’t give them your headspace either.” Tobin’s mouth lifted in one corner. “If it helps or matters at all, I like you—cockiness and all—and I don’t like many people.”
Sergio found himself tracing the line of Tobin’s jaw. A thousand thoughts crowded his head. He had never met anyone like Tobin. Tobin was beautiful and passionate. He was obviously used to grinding it out every day for his money. Tobin wasn’t like the men who usually chased Sergio. He made Sergio want to be the one doing all the work.
The timer started beeping again, pulling Tobin’s attention away from Sergio. As much as Sergio wanted to keep Tobin right where he was, he couldn’t ruin Tobin’s hard work. Sergio let Tobin rush away. He went back to drinking his coffee and watching Tobin move around the kitchen. Sergio would keep seeing Tobin. He had his own hustling to do today, but this wasn’t over. They were starting something here. Sergio looked forward to seeing where things went. They had time, and Tobin definitely had his attention.
Two
After getting up at three a.m. to bake, finishing his deliveries for the day, and visiting his doctor, Tobin was beyond exhausted. He was at a point where it literally hurt to hold his eyes open. His body felt heavy—like he dragged himself through wet concrete. He was on his way to bed when the knock landed on his front door. Tobin moved to the window to look out. He peeked through the sheers and spotted Sergio at the door. Tobin’s heart skipped a beat. It had been over a week since their night together. He looked really sexy today and he held a bouquet. As Tobin looked on, Sergio swiped his hand over his hair, as if checking to make sure it didn’t stand on end. Tobin bit his bottom lip, trying not to smile. Sergio knocked again. Tobin wanted to answer, but he looked like hell and Sergio was supposed to be a one-night thing. He didn’t understand why Sergio was back.
As Tobin looked on, Sergio checked his surroundings, as if trying to gauge if Tobin was home. He spent a second staring at Tobin’s delivery van before leaning over the railing and looking inside the bar. Sergio quickly jogged down the steps and circled the building.
Tossing exhaustion to the wind, Tobin raced to the back stairs inside his apartment that led to the bar’s storeroom. After sneaking down the steps, he tiptoed to the swinging door that separated the storeroom from the area behind the bar. Tobin bent at the waist and pushed the door open a hair as he spotted Sergio coming through the front door.
Sergio tossed a glance around the room, as if checking out the place before zeroing in on Damon behind the bar. Unfortunately, Damon spotted Tobin as Sergio reached the bar. Tobin pressed a finger to his lips and Damon quickly turned away.
“What can I get you?”
Sergio smiled.
Tobin’s heart melted. Why did he have to be so damn sexy?
“Actually, I’m looking for the guy who lives upstairs, Tobin.”
Damon shifted slightly, as if trying to keep Sergio’s focus away from where Tobin hid. “What do you need with Tobin?”
Sergio made a nervous gesture with the flowers he held. “We’re friends.”
Tobin bit his bottom lip, trying to squelch a smile. They were friends. That much Tobin believed.
“Oh.” Damon couldn’t have sounded more confused. “I don’t think he’s home. He’s likely still making his deliveries for the day. If you want, I can tell him you stopped by.”
For a moment, Sergio seemed to think it over before shaking his head. “It’s cool. I’ll come back later.” He perked up for a second, turning into the too smooth guy who had caught Tobin’s attention from the first moment they met. Sergio held his hand out. “I’m Sergio, by the way.” Goddamn. He said the words like Damon would be seeing a lot of him.
Damon shook his hand. “Damon.”
Sergio nodded. “I figured. Tobin told me about you. He’s says you’re like family.”
Oh, he was good, buttering up Damon. Very slick.
With a final knock on the countertop and goodbye, Sergio headed for the door. Tobin couldn’t resist watching Sergio walk away. He always dressed with style and today was no different. In a thin button-down shirt left unbuttoned over a tight t-shirt, and jeans that sagged just enough to make Tobin want to slide them the rest of the way down, Tobin’s mouth watered. He knew what that sleek body could do. Tobin would never forget.
Before he could regain his senses and scurry away, Damon pushed the door open. He tossed his hand towel over his shoulder and crossed his arms over his wide chest. His blue eyes flashed with laughter. A kind smile touched his lips as he stared at Tobin in his hiding spot. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
Tobin shrugged, feeling exposed. The huge ginger always hovered over Tobin, but Damon
seemed twice as imposing today while Tobin tried keeping his secrets. Then Tobin’s big mouth betrayed him. “You just met the guy I like way too much.”
Damon’s chest expanded on a deep breath. “So, naturally, that means you’re hiding from him.”
With his bottom lip between his teeth, Tobin chewed while staring up at Damon. He didn’t know how to respond.
For a moment, Damon stared at him in silence. His gaze moved over Tobin’s features. Tobin knew what he saw. Both his eyes were black, and he had already lost weight. His skin was so pale now, it was almost translucent. Tobin was beyond exhausted. His legs felt like lead weights. With a shake of his head, Damon grabbed his towel and tossed it toward the bar.
“Come on, darling. You’re supposed to be resting.”
Tobin didn’t have the strength to argue as Damon swept him from his feet and headed up the stairs.
“Jesus, baby. You’re light as a feather. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
Tobin fought the urge to argue that Damon was too damn big. He had giant muscles and two feet too many in the height department. It was no damn wonder Tobin felt like a lightweight to him. Instead, he accepted that Damon tried to help. “Don’t bother. Food won’t stay down.” There was no sense in sugar-coating things with Damon since he was the one who would likely be burying Tobin soon.
Damon didn’t argue as he tucked Tobin into bed. “How much does that boy know?”
Tobin bit back a smile at Damon calling Sergio a boy. “He’s the same age as me.”
“You’re a boy too,” Damon said with a smile. “But judging by your avoidance, he knows nothing.”
Tobin snuggled deeper beneath the covers, trying to fight the cold that settled into his bones. “Let me have this one thing, okay? It’s nice having one person on the planet who doesn’t pity me. He gave me one night of happy normalcy. I won’t repay his kindness by letting him into my life. Hell, I’d make you get out if I could.”
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