The Nik of Time

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “I’ll take that under advisement.”

  “See that you do.” Nikolai walked out of the classroom.

  ~*~

  Colin ran to catch up with Nikolai after their third class. He felt like shit for telling Nikolai he didn’t think he was smart enough to have gotten into the college legitimately. It had become quite obvious just how smart Nik really was during the next two classes. He engaged in debates with the professors and they loved it! Colin had been smiling so much that his cheeks hurt. Okay, so he had also judged Nik and now he knew he had to apologize.

  “Nikolai, wait!”

  Nik stopped and waited for Colin to catch up. “I’m hungry, where can we get food around here?”

  “Well, our next class isn’t until four. What do you feel like eating?”

  “I don’t care,” Nikolai’s stomach rumbled. “I just need something before my stomach eats itself.”

  “Um, burgers?”

  “Sounds good.” Nikolai started walking again.

  “Slow down! I’m not as tall as you.” Colin almost ran into Nik’s back when he stopped. He looked up at him and smiled. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “Thinking you were stupid. I shouldn’t have judged you.”

  “It’s cool. Most people think I’m just some brainless killer.”

  “I’m not most people, and I should have known better.” Colin took Nikolai’s hand. “I really am sorry.”

  Nikolai looked down at their joined hands and felt a fluttering in his stomach. Whoa. What the fuck was that? “So, um, burgers, right? Should we go on my bike?”

  “You have an extra helmet?” Colin grinned.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Well, let’s go then.”

  Colin felt the wind caress his face. His arms were wrapped around Nikolai’s waist and he could feel Nik’s abdominal muscles tensing beneath his fingers. He felt free on Nikolai’s Harley. The bike was loud as hell, but a very smooth ride. They flew down University Avenue and Nikolai turned his head to the side. Colin strained to hear him.

  “Nothing vegan!” Nikolai shouted.

  Colin chuckled. “I know a burger place!”

  Colin pointed down the street and they pulled up to the curb. Nikolai flipped the kick stand out and rested on the seat.

  “It’s actually called that?” Nikolai smiled at the sign, which read ‘A Burger Place’.

  “Yep.” Colin got off the bike and set the helmet down. People actually stopped and stared as Nik slid off his bike. He couldn’t blame them. Nik hadn’t changed and was still wearing his leather pants. Lord, but it mapped out every line of Nikolai’s strong thighs and — from what Colin could tell — large dick. Colin shook his head clear and gave Nikolai a smile. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Nikolai put the helmets in the saddlebag and followed Colin into the restaurant.

  “You can build your own burger.” Colin looked over what he wanted.

  Nikolai took in the restaurant. It was clean and a few people milled around talking quietly.

  “We can get it to go? Maybe sit on the beach?” Nikolai asked.

  “Um, sure.” Colin’s hands immediately began sweating. He didn’t know if he was ready to be alone with Nikolai. Even worse was the realization that he’d be in the same room with him all night. Colin almost groaned.

  “You okay? You look pale.” Nikolai gently lifted Colin’s face with his fingers. Chocolate pools gazed at him and Nikolai’s heart raced in his chest. He’d never felt like this with anyone else, which just proved he felt something more than lust for Colin.

  “I’m okay,” Colin sighed. He could get lost in those ebony eyes. “So,” Colin straightened up and coughed quietly. “What will you have?”

  “A bleeding burger with everything, and curly fries.”

  “Sounds artery-clogging.”

  “Just how I like it,” Nikolai winked.

  “I think I’ll have the same.”

  After getting their burgers, they headed down to Sakuma Viewpoint. Colin sat down on the bench and unwrapped his burger. The smell wafted up his nostrils and he moaned as he bit into it. Nikolai had ordered three burgers — geez, the guy could eat.

  “So, what position will you play?” Colin popped a curly fry into his mouth.

  “Huh?” Nikolai almost dropped his burger.

  Colin chuckled. “Football?”

  “Oh! Left tackle,” Nikolai muffled, chewing. “Or right, doesn’t matter. I’m used to protecting Sebastian’s ass.”

  Colin chewed thoughtfully. “Oh, that’s right. You guys played in middle school right?”

  “Yup, undefeated.”

  “Wonder why that is?” Colin chuckled, taking another bite.

  “Believe it or not, I was a lot calmer back then.”

  Colin swallowed and looked at Nikolai. He’d been there when Nikolai had come home after his abduction by Yuri Borkosky. He just didn’t think Nik remembered that part. Nikolai had been ten and Colin, fourteen, had held him all night while he cried. Nikolai hadn’t cried in front of anyone else, but when they’d been alone…

  “I was kinda like my pops for a long time. I had so much rage. I finally took Mark Montgomery’s advice and saw a shrink.”

  Colin choked on his fry. “What?”

  Nikolai smiled shyly. “Yeah, I know, Nikolai Markov saw a shrink. It’s just weird not being able to remember parts of my life. Dr. Forrester thinks I’ve repressed stuff.”

  “Maybe you did, just so you could deal with it?”

  “Maybe I’ve been dropped too many times on my head,” Nikolai chuckled, starting on his third burger.

  “Not by me,” Colin mumbled.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Colin popped another curly fry into his mouth. “So what’s this shrink like?”

  “He’s cool. Talks to me like an equal, which is another reason I like him.”

  Colin sighed and stared at his fry. He wished Nikolai would talk to him like he used to. He’d always been Nikolai’s confidant as a child; now that role had gone to someone else. It still hurt not to be remembered by the person you had given your heart to at four.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Nikolai caressed Colin’s cheek. He looked like he was in another world. “Am I boring you?” Nikolai arched a brow.

  Colin snapped back to attention. He looked into Nik’s questioning eyes. “I don’t think you know how to be boring, Nik.”

  Nikolai studied Colin’s beautiful face. He wanted to ask about the two of them as kids. Since his dad had told him that Colin had been a part of his life since he was born, he had a lot of questions. He just wished he could remember the two of them together. He had bits and pieces, thanks to Doc Forrester, but he wanted it all. He wanted to remember everything about Colin.

  They both sat back and ate silently, watching the water. It was comforting.

  “So, are you okay and stuff?” Nikolai asked quietly.

  “You mean about Carmine Rizzo?” Colin shrugged his shoulders. “It is what it is. I can’t change it. I knew I was adopted, I just never thought I would ever meet my birth parents. Now I really don’t want to. I can’t believe that sicko’s blood runs through my veins.”

  “Hey.” Nikolai took Colin’s hands. “Don’t think like that. You are your own man and you were raised by wonderful people. You are a Greystone, Colin, through and through.” Nikolai was interrupted by his cell phone and he looked at the caller ID. “I have to take this, sorry.” Nikolai hit ‘talk’ and grinned. “Well, hello sweetie pie.”

  Chance sighed on his end. “I heard the news. You with Colin?”

  “Yep, he’s sitting right here.” Colin raised his brows at him and Nikolai covered the mouthpiece. “A friend of mine, Chance Christianson.”

  Colin scowled. “Yeah, sure. Friend.”

  Nikolai narrowed his eyes and removed his hand from the mouth piece. “As always, I have to defend myself to Colin.”

  “Oh? Why?”

&nb
sp; Nikolai almost flew off the bench. As it was Colin fell off, hitting the ground with a thud. He looked up and his eyes widened. He pointed.

  “W-w-what the hell is that?” he stammered.

  Chance grinned. “Dude! I totally learned how to astral project! Isn’t that awesome!”

  Nikolai took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “You should have warned me! Jesus, Chance!”

  Chance pouted.

  “Oh come on, don’t do that,” Nikolai laughed and went to hug Chance. He ended up going right through him. “That is freaky. How did you do it?”

  “I just thought about you and here I am!” Chance looked down at Colin, still on the ground. “Sorry, dude. So you’re Colin, huh? I can see why Nikolai’s so smitten.”

  “Chance,” Nikolai growled a warning.

  “What? Oh come on! You have to know how this big guy feels about you.”

  Colin opened his mouth then closed it. Was he dreaming? What the fuck had they put in his burger?

  Chance squatted in front of Colin and grinned. “I’m real. I’m a warlock.”

  “Warlock?” Colin said slowly.

  “Yeah, a dude witch,” Nikolai chuckled.

  “It’s too much, huh? Sorry about that, but when I got word where Nik was going I just had to come see for myself. I’ve heard a lot about you, Colin. I’d shake your hand, but, you know…” Chance grinned and winked.

  “A warlock…” Colin said again slowly.

  “I think you broke him.” Nikolai tilted his head, looking at Colin. “Maybe you should fly up from Arizona and visit?”

  Chance nodded, still looking at Colin. “I can see why you’ve got it bad for him.”

  “Dammit, Chance,” Nikolai sighed in frustration. “Will you stop?”

  “Nope,” Chance grinned. “He’s got a beautiful face - strong and rugged but soft and inviting, and those eyes.” Chance turned to look up at Nikolai. “Don’t get me wrong, my Logan’s eyes are just…” Chance shivered. “But I can see why you’ve got the hots for young Greystone here.”

  “Are you guys about done?” Colin finally snapped out of his daze. “I am sitting right here.” Colin stood up and brushed the dirt off of his ass. He looked at the see-through man. “So, you’re not fucking Nik?”

  Chance cracked up and ended up coughing because he was laughing so hard.

  “Gee, thanks, Chance.” Nikolai crossed his arms over his chest.

  Chance finally settled down and smiled at Colin. “No, I’ve found the love of my life. Nikolai and I are just real close friends. Besides, there will never be anyone for Nikolai except you.”

  “Okay, that’s enough. Take your see-through ass back home and fly up here if you want to hang out!”

  “Big baby.” Chance stuck his tongue out at Nikolai. He turned his attention back to Colin and grinned. “I hope to see you soon.”

  “Uh huh.” Colin nodded slowly. “Me, too. Like all of you, right?”

  “Yep! See ya soon hot stuff!” Chance chuckled at Nikolai’s glare and disappeared.

  “Well, that was…” Colin’s brows pinched in thought.

  “Surreal?”

  “Something like that. Care to explain it further?”

  Nikolai looked at his watch. “How about after class? We have to go.”

  “Shit!” Colin looked at his own watch. “Where did the time go?”

  “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Nik winked and trudged back up to the parking lot.

  Colin grabbed Nikolai’s hand and stopped him. “Why did Chance show up? I mean, that’s a pretty big secret to reveal to someone he barely knows.”

  “Because.” Nikolai looked into Colin’s eyes. “I trust you.”

  Colin couldn’t help the smile that rose to his lips. Nikolai’s fingers trailed down his cheek and Colin’s eyes closed instinctively. A warm breath tickled his lips then lips touched his cheek instead. Colin opened his eyes as Nikolai was easing back.

  “Come on, let’s go.” Nikolai tugged gently on Colin’s hand.

  ~*Chapter Three*~

  By the end of their last class, things were getting entirely too comfortable. Colin found himself easing back from Nikolai as much as possible. The feelings he’d had so long ago were starting to resurface and intensify with a vengeance. Colin had gone straight to the shower when they’d gotten back to the room, making sure the door was locked. He had to get out for a while. He had to get away from Nikolai. Once he’d dried off and gotten dressed, he entered the room to find Nikolai gone. A note was propped up on his desk and Colin picked it up.

  Got hungry, I’ll bring back enough for both of us.

  -Nik

  Colin grabbed his phone and sent off a text message to his friend Clark. They’d gone out a few times; it wasn’t serious, but Clark was good company and Colin was in a bind. He needed to be gone when Nikolai came back. His phone beeped and Colin sighed in relief as he read the text.

  Cuffs and Stuff, half hour.

  Colin grabbed his wallet and keys. He looked at the gun in his drawer and contemplated taking it with him. He’d been trained by some of Stefan Youngblood’s best assassins. If he had to, he could kill without a gun. Colin shut the drawer and headed out of his room. He ran into Sebastian in the hall and stopped. Sebastian lived off campus with his husband, so it was odd to see him in the dorms.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  “I had to get some extra credit assignments so I figured I’d stop in and say hey. Nikolai’s living with you now, right?”

  “Wow, word travels fast. Yes, he does, but he’s out getting food.”

  “And where are you off to?” Sebastian eyed Colin’s attire. He had tight jeans on with a stretched-to-the-limits black V-neck T-shirt. “Those are clubbing clothes.”

  “Cuffs and Stuff with Clark,” Colin mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, what was that?” Sebastian put his hand to his ear. “I could have sworn you said you were going out to the club with Clark.”

  “Because I did.” Colin raised his chin and met Sebastian’s eyes. “I’m not going to change my life around just because Nikolai is living with me. I’ll see you later.”

  Sebastian shook his head as Colin practically ran down the hall. “Well, this isn’t going to go over well.” Sebastian grinned. “But he didn’t say not to tell Nik where he was going.”

  “Tell me where who went?”

  Sebastian jumped at the voice and turned to look at Nikolai with a frown. “Jesus!”

  Nik grinned. “Aren’t you supposed to smell me coming, super wolf?”

  “All I smell is charred meat. Whatcha got in there?” Sebastian sniffed the bag.

  Nik clutched the bag closer to him. “It’s food that’s not for you.”

  Sebastian pouted.

  Nik laughed and pulled the keys from his pocket. He unlocked the door and strode into the room — which was empty. Nikolai frowned and put the bag of food down on Colin’s desk.

  “Where’s Colin?” Nikolai looked around the room for a note.

  Sebastian grinned.

  Nikolai narrowed his eyes.

  “What?” Sebastian feigned innocence.

  “Spit it out, Bas.”

  “Um, he kinda went out.”

  Nikolai balled his fists. “Excuse me?”

  Sebastian put his hands up. “Don’t shoot the messenger. He went out to the club.”

  “Which club?”

  “Cuffs and Stuff, gay bar on the hill.”

  Nikolai walked to the door.

  “What are you doing?” Sebastian followed him.

  “I’m going out to the club. I’m in charge of Colin’s safety. He’s going to learn very quickly what that means.”

  Sebastian ran to catch up as Nikolai stalked down the dorm hall.

  “You know, it wouldn’t hurt for you to join the land of denim.” Sebastian ran right into Nikolai’s back when he abruptly stopped.

  “I’ll wear jeans when I’m done kicking Colin’s ass for leaving.”<
br />
  “I’ll drive; you’re too pissed off.”

  “No, I’m taking my bike. Just follow me if you want to see the fireworks.”

  ~*~

  The building was vibrating with music as Nikolai roared into the parking lot. Sebastian pulled in right next to him in his Jeep. Sebastian got out and looked around the parking lot. Most of the football players were there already. Brock’s Dodge Viper was parked at the very end. The man loved his car. Nikolai was already stomping to the entrance and Sebastian caught up with him.

  “Nik—”

  “Don’t say it,” Nikolai growled. “Paul and Mark are counting on me. If I can’t keep Colin safe and alive, I’ve failed.”

  “It’s not like he’s helpless! You know this, Nik! You’re risking pushing him away even further if you treat him like an invalid. He may not be as vicious as you, but he’s badass nonetheless.”

  Nikolai flashed his ID at the bouncer and got a nod. He passed a group of men and barely heard the whistles over the music. His eyes scanned the club. Wyatt and his husband were at the bar with two other men. Men in leather with nipple rings eyed him from head to toe and he frowned at them. Nikolai walked further into the club, letting his eyes adjust. Sebastian came up next to him and elbowed him in the side.

  “Over there, in the booth,” Sebastian shouted.

  Nikolai narrowed his eyes and zeroed in on Colin and a dark-haired man. From where he was standing, they either had their foreheads pressed together or they were kissing. Nikolai’s blood boiled and he let loose a growl.

  “Oh shit.” Sebastian grabbed Nikolai’s bicep. “Nik, don’t.”

  Sebastian was practically dragged across the room as Nikolai made a beeline for Colin’s booth. Brock, Jordy, Lance and Travis came into view as they got closer. They were on the other side of the curved booth, laughing and sipping their beers. The laughter died as Nikolai approached the table.

  “What the fuck is this?” Nikolai shouted.

  Sebastian sighed as half the people in the bar turned to look in their direction. He pulled up a chair and sat back, waiting for the fireworks.