Niko clenched his fists. “I don’t want another guy, asshole. I want you.”
Ethan laughed. “Okay, then. Do you have olive oil in the kitchen?”
“Yes, why?”
“Be right back.”
Niko waited. He rolled onto his side then back again. What the hell was he doing? “Got it.” Ethan’s voice came from the other side of the bed. “I want to see you. If you trust me that I’m clean, then I trust you.” Suddenly the room was bathed in a soft glow from the lamp. “Niko, you look like a Greek god lying there. I can’t wait to get inside you.”
Niko looked at Ethan’s hand. He was holding the small bottle of olive oil from the kitchen. “What in the hell is that for?”
“You’ll see.” Ethan grinned. “It’s safe to use as lube. When I was in high school, my non-boyfriend and I used it all the time.”
“I trust you.” When Ethan closed his eyes, Niko felt like shit. He got it. He’d become a non-boyfriend too.
Ethan opened his eyes. “Roll over. I’d like to make this all romantic and lovey-dovey for you, but my cock is so hard it hurts, and I need to come. So, spread those legs, big boy.”
Niko laughed, probably from nerves, but he kind of liked when Ethan got all macho. Such a contradiction for his new slender boyfriend to go all dominant. “I’m supposed to be tough and a big muscle jock, but my ass isn’t so tough, so take it easy this first round.”
Ethan tipped the glass bottle, pouring a generous amount of oil into his palm. “You think your ass can take my long cock? I think you’re going to love it. I bet you’ll come before I’m all the way in.”
The bed gave when Ethan crawled behind him. Niko looked over his shoulder, damn sure the uneasiness shown on his face. “Seriously, you think you’ll get that monster in? For a skinny guy, you’ve got a huge dick.”
Ethan coated his cock with the slick oil. Niko’s gut tightened. This time it wasn’t from fear but excitement. “I know. You like this huge dick, don’t you?”
Jesus, the guy was all filthy mouth and Niko could feel his cock leaking on the blanket because of those sexy words. “Yes, I do, baby. Hell yes, I do.”
Niko spread his thighs, giving Ethan room to slide into place. He peeked over his shoulder when Ethan’s warm hand gripped one globe of his ass. This time, his voice was soft. “Relax. If you tense up it’s going to hurt more at first. It’s going to burn, but just keep breathing.”
Jesus, he was right. The moment the tip breached his tight hole, his whole body jerked from the sting. “Go slow.”
When Ethan’s fingers dug into his waist, he moaned as Ethan pulled and gripped. “I am. I like to watch it go in. Your ass is so perfect. So tight. God, Niko, your body was made to be fucked.”
Niko raised onto his forearms and hung his head. Breath after breath, he felt the ring spread and burn. Then it happened. The sensation of being full shivered through every muscle in his back. His balls tucked tight as he pressed his hips into Ethan.
“That’s it,” Ethan coaxed, strong fingertips stroking and gliding, making the pressure drive him crazy. “Feels good now.”
“Faster,” Niko pleaded. Something deep in his gut coiled as he spread his knees farther apart. Ethan slid in and out, the oil slicking his cock like a piston. The tip brushed over some magical place deep inside and Niko bucked his hips.
Ethan was panting but still laughed. Niko didn’t give a shit if he looked or sounded like a pussy, this felt too damn good. “I told you…it…feels amazing. God, you’re so tight. I want to come. I need to come inside you. Can I come inside you?”
The sound of Ethan pleading for something so primal sent hot waves up Niko’s back. He curled in his shoulders and stroked the length of his cock. The tease against the ring of his ass and Ethan’s firm grip on his hips filled his dick until the head was bulging. There was no time to play with his balls like he usually did when he was getting himself off. The slit already leaking enough the sheet was wet. He tugged, matching Ethan’s pushes. His hips tucked. His brain went hazy and dizzy. The knotted rope in his stomach unfurled and warm jets of cum splashed on the bed.
“Fuck…fuck. I’m coming. Fuck, I’m coming.”
Searing heat filled his core as Ethan crashed into his ass, his body jerking then stilling only to jerk again. Finally, his weight rested on Niko’s back. He didn’t mind holding both of them up. Ethan’s cum leaked down the inside of Niko’s thighs. He could do this all night.
“That,” Ethan said through a hard pant, “was intense. I’ve never done that before. I’ve always used a condom.”
Niko hung his head, resting his forehead against the pillow. “Me either…with or without a condom.”
Ethan slowly pulled the softening length free and Niko fell onto his back. “It feels weird.”
Ethan rested beside him. “What does?”
“The cum dripping out of my ass.” Niko laughed then stilled. This was that no-turning-back moment he’d dreaded. “I really did this, didn’t I?” He rested his forearm across his brow, wiping at the slick beads of sweat.
“Yes, you did, and it doesn’t make you any less of a man. Being gay is just as macho as being straight. Hey,” Ethan teased when he smacked Niko on the chest. “More macho, really, because there are two cocks in the bed instead of one!”
Niko grinned. That was a positive way to look at the situation. “You’re crazy.” He pulled his boyfriend close to his side. When had this gotten all boyfriend sappy? “I want you to lie on my chest as you fall asleep.” He needed to be whole and making sure Ethan felt safe was one of the few ways he knew how to be at peace.
“Shower first then sleep.” He pressed his palm to Niko’s side as he scooted off the bed.
Niko fought the urge to punch the wall. “Are you hurting? We shouldn’t have done this.”
“Not bad enough to stay out of your ass,” Ethan said, obviously trying to soothe Niko’s rage. But, Niko didn’t need a babysitter right now. He needed to put his fucking boot against that bastard’s throat.
The hot shower and rigorous sex session had spent them both. Niko waited until Ethan’s breaths slowed against his chest then pulled the blanket higher to tuck around his pale shoulders. Pressing his lips to Ethan’s soft nest of hair, he closed his eyes. He’d meant what he’d said on the phone. If protecting him meant going to jail, he was prepared to do just that.
*****
After breakfast, Niko cornered him. “Stop messing with it.” Ethan slapped Niko’s hand away. “I put ice on it after we got out of the shower. I can see and it looks a lot better. Can we go to work now?”
“You’re cranky in the morning. Grab your stuff. I still don’t think you need to be working all day.”
Ethan swung the backpack over his shoulder. “You’re not my mom, Niko. You’re my boyfriend. That doesn’t mean you get to dictate everything I do.”
“Again,” Niko smacked his ass as he walked by. “Cranky in the morning. I’m not trying to run your life. I want you to rest. And, keep the boyfriend thing on the down low today, okay? I know it bothers you, but you have to give me some time. This is all fucking crazy in my head.”
When Ethan rolled his eyes, Niko fought the urge to spin the kid around and smack his tight ass again.
“Thank God you’re a good kisser or I’d kick you to the curb.”
“You think I’m a good kisser?” Niko set a fresh bowl of water on Casper’s food mat.
“Seriously?” Ethan followed him out into the shades of muted red and blue on the landing floor. The stained glass yawned above them like a church steeple. “For being so badass and tattooed, you’re such a girl sometimes.”
The moment Niko clicked the lock, he stuffed the ring of keys in his pocket and lifted Ethan to roll over his shoulder.
“Niko! I’m not a sack of potatoes!”
“Do girls do this?” He snapped Ethan’s wiggling butt and headed down the metal stairs.
He stopped fighting and Niko held him snug against his
neck. He needed to prove a point. He wasn’t a pussy and yeah…he loved being close to his man.
The moment they walked through the back door of the shop, Ethan dipped his chin when Ben sat down in one of the leather loungers. He clicked the remote and the news flicked on the screen. “Hey, Scarlet said your nine o’clock was a little early. My guy’s taking a smoke break. It’s always the big biker dudes who flinch like babies when you hit the elbow. Jesus, Ethan, what in the hell happened?”
Niko, without thinking, rested his hand on Ethan’s lower back. “I’m good. Someone jumped me on campus yesterday.”
“I hope you gave as good as you got. Did he steal anything?”
Ethan shook his head and when he started to rub his palms over his thighs, Niko stepped in. “The fucker is going to man up when I see him. If not, I’ll break his legs anyway.”
Ben snapped his eyes at Niko. Shit. “Sounds like you’ve got his back.”
Niko gently squeezed his fingertips, massaging the part of Ethan’s back Ben couldn’t see. “Put your stuff upstairs and find Scarlet.” Ethan nodded and, with pleading eyes, looked away. Niko needed to pull him into his arms as much as Ethan needed to feel their closeness.
Ben and Niko watched Ethan unlock the door leading upstairs. When he disappeared, Ben looked over. “You two good?”
Niko was closest to Ben. He made sure the other two, even The Professor and Scarlet were taken care of, but Ben could read his face like no one else. For a split second, he was pissed. The situation had gotten out of control and he figured if Ben could tell then it was a matter of time before everyone else knew. Including the tattoo community.
“Hey.” Ben patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t look so scared. I’ve never seen you look like you wanted to jump out of your skin. Your life is your own and you’re my brother no matter who you care about. Remember the first day I walked through the door?”
Hell yes, Niko did. The scars had shocked the shit out of him, but after about three hours with the guy he couldn’t imagine Ben without them. They were just organic.
“You didn’t treat me like a leper. You looked at me like a man and even though you were a cocky bastard, you still showed me respect. Now, I’m showing you the same. I can’t change my scars and you can’t change this. He’s a good kid. A little young.” He balled up his fist and tapped Niko’s shoulder. “But, hey, he’s a nice guy.”
Without thought, Niko blurted out, “He turns twenty next week.”
“Well, see, you’re no longer robbing the cradle then.”
Niko didn’t know whether to laugh, yell, or punch the wall. “You…got this right?”
Ben nodded. “I got this. It’s your story to tell, brother.”
Ethan walked through the door and halted. “What? Are you going to yell at me?” He frantically looked between them. “I didn’t tell. I swear. I didn’t say anything, Niko.”
The guy had kept his promise and even though it was heartbreaking at times, he’d not betrayed Niko. “Go find Scarlet. I’ll find you later.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around his waist and never made eye contact as he left the room. “We need to find the bastard who roughed him up.” Ben grabbed a doughnut from the table.
Niko pulled the phone out of his pocket. “I know who the fuck did it and the prick doesn’t know what shitstorm is coming his way.” One way or the other, Niko wasn’t going to let Ethan fall into the same pattern his mother had. He’d kill the bastard before he touched Ethan again.
CHAPTER TEN
Ethan threaded his hands into a pair of black latex gloves and carefully cleaned up the needles from the tray in Knox’s studio. The last month had passed in a daze. Either Niko was spending the night at his apartment or he was staying over there. He’d even bought a new yellow toothbrush that sat on the vanity next to Niko’s blue one. Capping the small plastic bottles of bright green and purple paint, he thought about the times Niko had brought two sandwiches into the shop for lunch. Taking a break upstairs in his apartment was an easy escape.
And the way Niko sucked his cock before going downstairs made the rest of his day sweeping floors and picking up bloody paper towels enjoyable. He’d even learned how each artist liked his room arranged. Knox really didn’t care as long as the place was clean. Ethan had taken the time to organize the paint bottles according to color and found a tray for the six guns Knox owned.
Ben didn’t like his area fussed over. His was the simplest. Take the trash out, sweep the floor, and wipe everything down, and that was the end of the job. Seth, well…what did one say about the muscular, tattooed badass who seemed to always have his full lips turned up in a wicked smile? He liked order. His room took the longest time to prep and clean up. Everything had a place, he’d say.
“Ethan?”
He hadn’t realized he had been standing in the middle of Niko’s room for way longer than it should’ve taken to wipe off the counter.
“Niko had to bump his two o’clock so you don’t have to do the set up. Apparently, the client on one of his commissions added some things on. He’s burning the candle at both ends. At some point, he needs to take a vacation.”
“Yeah,” Ethan said, not wanting to leave the room. He hated when Niko was away. He’d been busy working on two jobs outside the shop. “I’ll finish in the stockroom.”
“You know”—she leaned on the doorframe, making the top part of her red dress sway to the side—“if you ever wanted to tell me anything, I’m a good listener.”
Ethan didn’t like where this was going. “I appreciate that. I’m cool. Everything’s okay.”
“Niko’s okay too?”
This was delicate territory. He and Niko had been careful not to look at each other too long or brush shoulders when the customers and others were around. “I think so. He seems all right.”
She stood straight and grinned.
Seth walked by and paused with a client close behind. “A suit’s out front and it’s not Mitch.”
“Who’s Mitch?”
Scarlet rolled her eyes. “My brother. He takes care of the business side of this place. You’ll know which one he is when he comes in. He’s the macho smartass in the Gucci suits.”
Ethan wasn’t sure if she was kidding. “I’ll keep an eye out and stay out of his way.”
Seth laughed. “He’s not so bad, well, as far as lawyers go.” He winked at Ethan. “Just steer clear, little man. He’d chew you up in a heartbeat.”
So Scarlet hadn’t been kidding. “Got it.”
Ethan followed Scarlet to the front and started straightening the magazines on the large coffee table. “I’m John Quinta from the State Board of Health. We got a call. Is Sidney Washington available?”
Leaving the stack of magazines, Ethan slowly moved closer. Scarlet rested her hands on her hips. “You got a call, you say? Who did you speak with?”
“You are?”
“I’m Mr. Washington’s daughter.”
“I can’t discuss the case with anyone but Mr. Washington.”
“I’ll take you to him.” Scarlet huffed and turned to Ethan who’d moved in close. “Can you watch the counter? Knox has a client due to come in any time.”
“Sure.” The bottom of Ethan’s stomach started to quiver. “No problem.” What in the hell was going on? He wished Niko would hurry up and get back.
Scarlet disappeared down the hall, followed by the suit. Ethan was trying to take deep breaths when Knox’s appointment walked in. What had happened and why was the State Board of Health dropping in? The place was spotless and went above and beyond state guidelines.
Ethan heard the click of Scarlet’s shoes as she appeared from the hallway. “That bastard.” She huffed. “Someone said we were disposing of needles in the alley trash bins! Who would do that? We’re a reputable place. This is ridiculous.”
The Professor followed the man into the lobby and shook his hand. “Come by anytime. We’ll look forward to seeing the report.”
Scarlet
pressed her hands on her hips. “Who would do this?”
The Professor shook his head. “I have no idea, but this is serious, sweet pea. We know everything is on the up and up, but if it gets out into the community that the State Board of Health wants to investigate us it’ll look bad. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. Hell, I just got off the phone with the zoning commission. Apparently, the city wants to zone this area residential and close down the shop on some kind of technicality. I need to speak with Mitch and find out what’s going on.”
Ethan kept looking back and forth as they talked about The Professor’s son. Ethan’s phone vibrated in his pocket.
“I’m going to straighten up the lounge. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.” He waited until he shut the bathroom door and grabbed his phone. With anticipation, he’d been waiting impatiently to hear from Niko.
I assume you’re at that filthy shop since you weren’t at school today. I know your schedule, my love. I assume your boss got a call today?
Ethan’s palms moistened. He set the phone on the sink and started pacing. Sitting on the toilet, he wiped his hands on his thighs wishing more than ever he had a blade. He’d promised Niko he’d never cut again, but he needed to be in control of something.
He reached for the phone. Leave us alone. This place has nothing to do with you.
I’m afraid it does. I’ll make dinner reservations. I expect you tonight or your precious shop will be out of business. Le’Cherie at nine. Remember, my love, I own this city.
Ethan sprang to his feet, turned, and vomited in the toilet. All of this was his fault. If he’d made better choices a year ago, none of this would be happening and Niko’s shop wouldn’t be in jeopardy. Niko would be safe and coming out on his own terms. Ethan hated that he was pushing. In such a short time, he’d come to love a man he feared he could never fully have. The truth was, he loved Niko enough to save his reputation. He loved him enough to give him time to come to terms with who he really was.
He knew what he had to do.
Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) Page 16