Push

by BLMorticia

  As far as Seth knew, Malakei didn’t have any appointments for the day, and even if he did, Seth would encourage him to cancel them. Bottom line, Malakei needed some rest after worrying about the stalker for the last few days. Other than the time they’d spent making love, Malakei could barely do anything without being overly concerned.

  Though Seth wished to lie next to Malakei, his stomach rumbled from the lack of food. They hadn’t eaten a full meal before going to sleep, only eating fruit and sandwiches as a late-night snack. Since he was hungry, he figured to go make a meal for Malakei as he’d promised. Man cannot live on sex alone, can he?

  Seth snickered at the thought and pressed a light kiss to Malakei’s shoulder. He scooted toward the other side and slid his feet into his sandals. As he inched off the bed, Seth’s joints protested his movements, and he struggled to get across the room. Seth’s body ached from head to toe: the burning sensation in his legs and arms, the soreness in his ass. All of it made the trip to the bathroom, followed by the kitchen, a real chore, but Seth wouldn’t have it any other way. Bottom line, he was falling hard for Malakei. So hard, Seth had to recheck himself again to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

  This thing was real.

  More serious than a fucking heart attack. He was falling in love with his longtime crush, and not even the excitement of the band getting its first big break was bigger than that.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  MALAKEI SQUEEZED his eyes closed, then ran his hand across the empty space next to him. “Seth?”

  When the chill sent shocks through his fingertips, he struggled to open one eye. No one was there next to him. No arms encircling his body. Malakei sighed, then turned over until he reached the edge. He sat up straight, rolled his neck around, then placed both feet firmly on the floor.

  With the pain shooting through his muscles, it would be a feat to get around. Seth tested his body in delicious ways he could not explain. They’d spent the duration of the evening making love in nearly every part of his condo. Against walls, in the shower, on the floor in front of the window, and then the bed, which seemed too normal for Malakei. In all honesty, he was getting used to doing exciting things with Seth because they made him forget himself and who he was. Made him feel alive. It also made him vulnerable, which niggled at him a little. However, with Seth, he couldn’t hold on to that control, and when Seth unraveled, that made it all the sweeter.

  Once Malakei could stand, he inhaled the scents waffling past his nostrils. The smell of coffee and sausage made his mouth water. Since he never cooked, Malakei wasn’t sure what he had in his fridge. Perhaps he bought something, but also Esese would purchase things and cook if she wasn’t overburdened with chores.

  Taking slow steps, Malakei made it to his closet door and tugged out his robe. After he put it on, he tied it at the waist while ambling out of his bedroom, following the glorious scents to the kitchen.

  Upon arrival, Malakei swiped a tongue over his lips, taking in the sight before him: Seth, dressed in jeans from the night prior, dancing while he cooked. He had sausage on one burner. Malakei assumed there were eggs on another, and that was confirmed when Seth scooped them onto the plate. From where he stood, they looked perfect. Better than anything he could’ve made. Seth could truly do everything, just as Malakei had accused him of.

  Even more tantalizing than the meal was the way Seth moved around the kitchen. Sounds of one of Malakei’s older hits blared from the speakers, and Seth recited the words verbatim. While he sang, he moved seductively, shaking his rump to the beat and swerving so the long hair moved along with him. Seth was truly a sight to behold, and Malakei pondered over being more hungry for the man or the food. He could truly use some, but Seth looked so delicious topless. And along with low-hanging jeans that clung to his wiry frame, Malakei couldn’t stop salivating.

  Instead of watching further, Malakei pushed himself off the wall and headed over to the counter. When he ran his hands down Seth’s back, Seth jumped and screeched in surprise, making Malakei chuckle.

  “Gods, are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  “Are you trying to give me one?” Malakei inched in and covered Seth’s mouth with his own. The minute their lips made contact, Malakei groaned and deepened the kiss, adding tongue.

  “Mmph.” Seth moaned into the embrace, slurping Malakei’s tongue into his mouth. He grazed it with his teeth before sucking it whole again.

  “Oh damn, baby.” Malakei nearly lost it right then, running his hands down the back of Seth’s pants. Once he got hold of Seth’s buttocks, he squeezed them tightly, while running one finger along the crease of his ass.

  “Shit, Malakei. We need to eat first. Food, then making love, right?”

  Malakei only responded by pushing his tongue deeper inside of Seth’s mouth. He licked both sides, then around his teeth, tasting mint and coffee. To gain better access to Seth, Malakei ran his finger farther down until he reached the tight spot between Seth’s thighs. He loved the way Seth responded to the kisses and touches on his body.

  “Stop, Malakei. C’mon, behave!” Seth scolded him. “We need to eat first; then I will let you do whatever you want.”

  “Is that a promise?” Malakei rubbed his tight pucker, pushing the tip in while he continued raining kisses along Seth’s jawline. He smelled himself and a hint of Seth’s cologne on his neck. While he traced Seth’s collarbone with his lips and tongue, he inhaled the scent.

  “Yes….” Seth struggled to get the words out through hampered breaths. His body shuddered in Malakei’s arms. Malakei could tell Seth was becoming unglued.

  “Ugh, Malakei. Oh God, your fingers. What you do to me.”

  Malakei pressed his mouth atop Seth’s and languished in the taste of it. He could feel his own climax bubbling to the surface, much like a bottle of soda about to explode. “I could do more. Much, if you really want me to.” While one hand continued to busy itself on Seth’s rear end, the other gripped his erection through his jeans.

  Seth’s breaths hitched, and his lust-filled gaze met Malakei’s. “We do this quick, then we eat.”

  Malakei smiled wickedly and traced Seth’s ear with the tip of his tongue. “Very well. Your wish is my command.”

  Once they’d enjoyed breakfast and one another, they headed into the studio. Malakei still didn’t know who the valet gave his keys to, nor had he heard anything from the police, so he drove his Lexus instead. It would be a couple more days then the vehicle would be ready to be shipped to England for him to drive on his track.

  Since Malakei had nothing planned for this morning, he was fully okay with not getting in earlier. His only commitment was a conference call with a band at three.

  When they arrived, Malakei waved Seth ahead of him, and they walked up to the desk. He was sure Claire suspected something by now, but like a good employee, she didn’t question him and Seth coming in together.

  “Hey, Seth, Malakei.”

  “Hello,” Seth said in response, as did Malakei.

  “I have a couple of messages for you. Oh, and this package was dropped off.”

  Malakei eyed the box. “I wasn’t expecting one.”

  Claire shrugged, eyeing him curiously. “It came UPS. I just assumed it was business, so I didn’t open it.”

  Malakei was hesitant and looked at the label to check for a sender. There was none, which worried him even more. Only his own address was listed, which was another red flag.

  “Um. A regular carrier brought this?”

  “Yeah? Why?”

  Seth picked up the box. “Wanna take it in the conference room?”

  Malakei nodded, wondering about its contents.

  “Is everything okay?” She sounded worried.

  “Yeah,” Malakei said as he left, and they both proceeded to the conference room.

  Seth walked in with the box and placed it on the table. “You want me to open it?”

  “No.” Malakei shut the door. “There are rules for what you c
an send. I’m sure it’s not a bomb or anything.”

  “Yeah? What gives you questions about it?”

  “No one sends me anything without telling me.”

  “Okay.” Seth folded his arms.

  “And it shows my address as the sender’s address.”

  “Oh boy.” Seth exhaled and ran his ringed fingers through his hair. “You still don’t want me to open it, then?”

  “No. I think I’m just being paranoid. It should be fine.” Malakei opened the box, which looked about the size of a shirt box. When he did, he found an envelope inside. He carefully tore it, and a couple of pictures slid out. He picked one up, and it was an old photo of himself and Peter kissing in the car.

  “Oh God.” Malakei dropped them, then read the letter which was clearly typed with no signature.

  I know your secret.

  All will come to light.

  I will ruin you just like you ruined me!

  “Fuck.” Malakei dropped the letter on the table.

  “What is it, Kei?” Seth asked him.

  Malakei turned on his heel and ran his hand over the scruff on his chin. “Someone knows about my past with Peter.”

  “Could be him or Darryl.”

  “But why would Peter do this?”

  “Why not? He still cares about you. I didn’t tell you what he said yesterday when he was here.”

  “Oh?”

  When Seth recounted the details of their conversation, Malakei wanted to punch something.

  “So who else would be doing this other than Peter and/or Darryl?”

  Malakei shook his head, not wanting to believe someone who he considered a close friend would do such a thing. But after what Seth had told him, it all made sense. Peter had to be looking to get back at Malakei, but for what? And why?

  “SO, YOU’RE leaving with Malakei tomorrow?” Morty asked Seth as they sat in their hotel room.

  Seth looked up from his guitar. “Yeah. Is that okay?”

  “Sure, but I thought we could hang out a while before we left. I mean, you haven’t taken in a lot of the sights since you’ve been here.”

  “Yeah, but I want to stay with Malakei. We’ll be back here soon enough. I’ll go sightseeing then.”

  “Uh, Seth, are you fallin’ too deep?”

  “What?” Seth made a face.

  “I’m saying, other than practice, you’ve barely left his side. Remember, you gave me or Gio permission to kick your arse.”

  “’M concerned about him. I mean… I’m crazy about him, but I haven’t allowed it to cloud my better judgment too much, have I?”

  “You’re leaving earlier.”

  “Yes because I want to see his place.”

  “And spend more time alone with him.”

  Seth bowed his head in agreement. “You think it’s too much?”

  “Considering we haven’t seen you at all except here and the hotel—”

  “Oh, you’re jealous, are you?” Seth asked Morty with a grin.

  “No, no, you numpty, just….” He shrugged and dropped his head. “I’m just making sure you don’t fall so fast that you don’t know how to put the brakes on.”

  “And forget the band, right?”

  Morty sighed. “Yeah. I mean, I’m happy for you, mate, but I’ve been waiting for High Stakes to take off. And now that it seems we are….”

  “You think I’m forgetting about what we came here for.” Seth put down his guitar. “I guess you’ve got the right to check me, ’cause I’ve been doing that myself. I’m falling hard for him, Morty. I’ve been into this man for years, and this is like a dream come true.”

  Morty smiled. “Yeah, but so is this band.”

  “Absolutely. I….” Seth shrugged. “I’ve just been wanting someone to call my own for so long, you know? And to have the guy you’ve crushed on being the one, it’s just…. Gods, I feel like a fucking schoolgirl. He gets me, treats me so good, and… he makes me think better about myself. Not that I didn’t before, but have you noticed I’ve been calmer?”

  “I s’pose. Other than the blowup with Peter….”

  Seth held up his hand. “Don’t mention that name. What he pulled the other day was ridiculous, and now I have every reason to believe he’s got more to do with Malakei’s stalker than ever before.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I’ll tell you later, but I will say this. I’m sorry for making it seem like Malakei is all I care about. I’ll try to be better, but I won’t apologize for acting a little strange. He makes me feel like I’m on fucking cloud one o’ nine, like an amp turned up to thirteen. You don’t feel that for just anyone, Morty. The guy or girl has gotta be special.”

  Morty grinned. “Well all right, then. I guess it’s okay if you know. Do I still have the permission to kick your arse?”

  Seth harrumphed. “You just want to beat me so damn bad, don’t you?”

  “Yeah. I love you like a brother, but there are times I’ve wanted to punch your fucking lights out.”

  “Wow. Have I been that much of an arse?”

  “Not lately, but—”

  Seth chuckled. “Whatever, man. Hey, since I’m not with Malakei now, let’s go hang. We’re not leaving until tomorrow, so….”

  “What about getting matching tattoos? I drew this cool design for the band.”

  “Oh? Let’s see.”

  Morty walked over with a drawing pad. He handed it to Seth, waiting for his reaction.

  Seth nodded. “This is great. We should put this on the cover of the disc.”

  “Really?”

  “Fuck yeah. It’s good. One thing I cannot do is draw. I know you can so, let’s put it on there. Maybe even on the actual album along with some cool picture. I don’t wanna take any cheesy band photos. That’s for tarts.”

  “Well fuck, man, thanks!” Morty and Seth hugged.

  “Of course. Let’s go wake Gio up so we can have a couple of beers after we get these tats.”

  Morty agreed. “Yeah, let’s live it up.”

  Seth nodded, smiling. “Yeah, let’s. I miss hanging out with my buds, anyway. Malakei is with the ’rents, so….”

  “Oh, he is? Do you think he’s telling them about you?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t really concern me right now. He can if he wants.”

  “Do you really think that, Seth?”

  Seth glanced at Morty, that serious expression on his face. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because you’re not a stay-in-the-closet type of guy.”

  “But the guy I’m dating isn’t ready, so for now I will. Like I said before, it won’t be forever. Once we find out who’s stalking him, then we can discuss it, but for now, he doesn’t need that extra stress. Especially not from me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  SINCE MALAKEI hadn’t visited his parents in about five weeks, he figured he’d go see them before he left town. His mother had been calling incessantly, asking him to come by, and inquiring why he hadn’t made time for them. Malakei hadn’t meant to ignore his folks, but work and Seth had taken up most of his free time.

  Though he missed Seth, Malakei understood when his lover declined his invitation to meet his parents. Malakei only wanted to show them that he’d met someone so his mother would stop telling him about available women. Perhaps just a discussion would do some good, but he also knew his mother would want to see Seth for herself. Maybe once they returned from Britain, Seth could meet them both.

  Once he arrived at his old condominium, he parked his car in the underground garage and walked inside, heading to the lobby’s elevator. After it arrived on his parents’ floor, he stepped off and rounded the corner. He pressed the bell just before jabbing his key inside the lock.

  “Hello.” Malakei ambled inside and closed the door behind him.

  “Come in, Malakei. Dinner is just about done,” Malakei’s mother called from the kitchen.

  Malakei smiled and removed his coat as he walked to the living room. He
placed his coat in the closet and headed to the kitchen. His parents’ place was not as big as his, but set up almost the same way.

  “Hey, Mom.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  “Hello, dear. I’m glad you could make it. I made salmon for dinner tonight. Your dad is on a strict diet, so I can’t make too many fried things anymore.”

  “It’s fine. You know I don’t eat that much, anyway. Where is Dad?”

  “In the shower. He was at the health club downstairs,” she told him. “Make yourself comfortable. He should be out any minute.”

  Malakei nodded and did as she asked. His mother’s grand dinner table sat about twelve, only four more than his own. And unlike his place, this was an open-concept kitchen that flowed into the dining room and on to the living room. Mother loved it because she loved having company, as opposed to Malakei, who barely had any visitors.

  “Well, hello, stranger.” Malakei’s father stepped in, looking fit and fresh. Mr. Oakley wasn’t called Tall Tree for nothing. Standing about six foot eight, with plenty of muscle, you didn’t say anything cross to Jeremiah, unless you wanted a backhand slap across your face. Malakei liked his, so he clamped his mouth shut a lot.

  “Hey, Dad.” He hugged him, then had a seat at the table.

  “How’s things going? I’m really glad you could make it for dinner.”

  Malakei poured his father, then himself a glass of water. “Everything’s good. I’ve been working hard, and, I uh, I met someone.”

  Malakei’s father cocked an eyebrow and took the glass. “Really?”

  “Did you say you met someone?” his mother called from the kitchen.

  Malakei snickered after he sipped. “Yeah, I did. He’s the lead singer of the band I’m working with. I’ll be making an announcement soon.”

  Malakei’s dad nodded appreciatively. “Well, congratulations. I’m thrilled for you.”

  “I suppose that means you don’t want any of the phone numbers I saved for you from the party I attended last week, hmm?” Malakei’s mother asked as she brought dinner plates to the table.