The Nik of Time

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “Ready to go?” Colin asked.

  Nik’s brows furrowed for a second, and then he smiled.

  “Yeah.”

  ~*~

  As always, Cuffs and Stuff was packed to the rafters. Nikolai did a slow sweep of the club, checking for danger. Preston was with Wyatt, Kurt and Austin at the bar. Tucker and Wesley were on the dance floor with Cole and Chaz. Nikolai found the football players in the corner booth again. Brock waved him over and Nikolai put up his finger in a ‘one minute’ gesture. He went to the bar and ordered a beer for Colin. He felt a jab in his side and looked over his shoulder to see Sebastian and his husband, Nicholas, smiling at him.

  “Well, hellooo,” Nik grinned, eyeing Sebastian in tight jeans.

  “Hey, I’m right here,” Nicholas groused.

  Nikolai winked. “I know. You’re pretty hot yourself.”

  Sebastian smacked Nikolai’s bicep. “Stop that. Where’s Colin?”

  “He went to the bathroom — oh, there he is.” Nikolai smiled as Colin made his way over to them.

  “Greystone,” Sebastian winked, shaking Colin’s hand. “How’s it going with this guy?” Sebastian jerked his thumb in Nikolai’s direction.

  “It’s actually not so bad,” Colin smiled at Nikolai.

  “I got you a beer; that okay?” Nikolai handed Colin the bottle.

  “They served you?” Colin cocked an eyebrow.

  Nikolai flipped out his wallet. “Fake ID. Had it since I was sixteen.”

  “I’m going to pretend that I didn’t hear that,” Nicholas sighed.

  “You’re so hot when you go into cop mode,” Sebastian whispered into his ear.

  Colin eyed Nikolai’s drink. “What is that?”

  “Dr Pepper. I don’t drink when I’m on a mission.” He noticed Nicholas glaring at him. “Or ever. Because I’m underage and that would just be wrong.”

  Colin smiled. “Let’s grab a booth.”

  The music pumped through the building. The familiar firehouse song came on and Sebastian laughed as his husband got out on the floor with fellow cops Tucker and Wesley along with Seattle’s firemen. He felt a presence next to him and turned to find Chance and Logan smiling at him.

  “When did this happen? I thought only the firemen danced to this song,” Chance laughed watching the men on the floor.

  “Technically, you and Logan should be out there as well,” Sebastian nodded to the dance floor.

  Jesse, the bouncer, laughed as he joined them. “The cops felt left out, so it was agreed they’d be included.” He laughed at Sebastian’s frown. “Aw, what’s wrong, Bastian?”

  “I’m not sure if I like my man out there rubbing himself for a room full of horny men.”

  Jesse cocked his head to the side watching Detective Stevens running a hand underneath his shirt, pumping his hips in time with the music.

  “I can see why.”

  Sebastian turned to see Jesse watching his husband. “Eyes back in your head! I’ll tell Noah!”

  Chance grabbed Logan’s hand. “Come on, babe. Let’s go pump our hips.”

  “Why aren’t you dancing, Markov? We’ve seen you in action. You put these guys to shame,” Lance laughed as Nik and Colin joined the table.

  “I’m on my best behavior.” Nikolai sipped his soda.

  “But we like it when you misbehave,” Brock leered.

  Colin shot Brock a death glare.

  Brock shrugged. “I’m just sayin’.”

  ~*~

  The table was packed and Colin sat right next to Nikolai. Their shoulders were pressed together and Nikolai had to shift a little to keep his erection from being seen. The music changed again and Nikolai looked up to see blue eyes piercing his own. One of the firemen — Cole, that was his name — had his hand extended out to him.

  “Wanna dance?” Cole grinned.

  Nikolai looked over at Colin. “Um, I think I’ll sit this one out.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Chaz joined the group and eyed the man next to Nikolai Markov. “It’s Colin, right?”

  “Yes,” Colin nodded.

  “Want to dance?” Chaz smiled at the look of intense discomfort on Nikolai Markov’s face.

  “Um, sure?” Colin said uncertainly.

  “Good!” Chaz pulled Colin from the table, dragging him over Nikolai, who was sitting at the end of the booth.

  Cole laughed at Chaz as he pulled Colin onto the dance floor and looked Nikolai over from head to toe. “Come on, Markov. I’ve seen you in action.” Cole twirled his finger in the air at the DJ and Usher’s “Yeah” started playing.

  Nikolai got up and eyed Cole. “Keep up with me then.”

  Cole waggled his eyebrows. “My pleasure.”

  They made their way out to the dance floor and Nikolai located Colin dancing with Chaz. His mouth almost dropped open as Colin’s hips undulated, his hands sliding up Chaz’s shirt. A wave of jealousy almost knocked him on his ass. Hands gripped his hips firmly and his attention snapped back to the enormous firefighter looking at him. The man was his height, and was almost as big as he was in the muscles department.

  Cole had the clearest blue eyes Nik had ever seen and his raven hair completed a totally sexy look. A look of desire flashed through Cole’s eyes and Nikolai put a hand on the man’s chest.

  “Just dancing, Cole. I’m a taken man.”

  Cole smirked. “That’s what they all say.” He sneaked a look at Chaz and they smiled at each other. Cole knew Nikolai Markov had a thing for Colin Greystone, and if he and Chaz could help it along while they got some sexy time, well that was just icing on the cake. Cole pulled Nikolai closer to him.

  “Dude, some space?” Nikolai snapped.

  “It’s just dancing, Markov. Look at Colin; he’s just as happy as can be in Chaz’s capable hands.”

  Nikolai shot a look in Colin’s direction. Sure enough, Colin’s arms were wrapped around Chaz’s neck, with the taller man grinding his lower anatomy into Colin’s ass, his hands on Colin’s lower abs. Nikolai’s hands curled into fists as the rage rose inside him. Hands gripped him tightly and he looked into Cole’s eyes.

  “Payback’s a bitch, huh?” Cole smiled.

  “What game are you playing?” Nikolai asked, eyes narrowed.

  “The one Sebastian put his stamp of approval on. Not to mention Wyatt and Preston. You want Colin? Then stop being a childish prick and tell him how you feel. I mean everything. You and I are a lot alike Markov; we fuck for fun. I don’t want a relationship, and you didn’t either. Things have changed; the game has new rules. Come clean.”

  “You’re an asshole,” Nikolai grumbled.

  “I am, huh?” Cole smiled widely.

  “I can’t wait for the day you get taken down, Cole,” Nikolai smirked.

  “Never happen.” Cole waved his hand in the air dismissively. “Been there, done that, never going there again.”

  “Someone ripped your heart out and stomped on it, huh?”

  Cole’s eyes flashed anger. “Yeah. They did.”

  “How long ago?” Nik cocked his head to the side.

  “Five years and it still feels like yesterday.” Cole studied Nikolai closely. “Colin’s the one for you. We all see it, so do us a —”

  Cole tensed up in his arms and Nikolai searched his face. His attention was focused over his shoulder and Nikolai looked behind him. Hayden Cox and Ross Collins stood by the front door of the club talking with Jesse. Nikolai looked back at Cole. His eyes were fixated on the trio.

  “Which one?” Nikolai grinned.

  “Huh?” Cole dragged his eyes away from the gorgeous man at the door.

  “You need an introduction? I know them.”

  Cole licked his lips, his eyes drawn back to the man at the door. Holy shit.

  “Cole?” Nikolai waved his hand in front of the man’s face.

  Cole couldn’t stop staring at the vision by the door. Clear blue eyes met his, and his breath was sucked from him as a lazy grin appeared on the man’
s lips.

  “Earth to Cole?” Nikolai snapped his fingers in front of Cole’s face. He grinned as the fireman’s eyes finally met his own. “That would be Hayden Cox and Ross Collins. If it’s Hayden you’re after, forget it; he’s got his sights set on Jude Brooks.”

  Cole’s stomach dropped. “The dark-haired one’s got it bad for Jude?”

  Nikolai smiled wide. “Oh, you’ve got the hots for Ross?”

  “Ross,” Cole tested the name on his lips. “Collins you said?”

  “Yeah. Would it interest you to know what he does for a living?”

  “Hell yes, it would interest me.”

  “He’s Delta Force.” Nikolai couldn’t help the wide grin that covered his face.

  “He’s…he’s…” Cole shivered.

  “A badass soldier,” Nikolai provided.

  Cole’s eyes snapped back to the front door. The men were gone. He abandoned Nikolai and strode across the floor with purpose, his eyes searching the club for the man who had captivated him. He found Jesse with Sebastian.

  “Jesse!” Cole shouted.

  The bouncer turned to find a very excited Cole in his face. The man’s chest was heaving.

  “What’s up, Cole?”

  “Where is the guy you were talking to?”

  Jesse’s brows furrowed. “Okay, be more specific.”

  “The dark-haired, sexy one!” Cole almost yelled.

  Jesse grinned. “Ah, Ross? They got a call and had to go. Shame, huh?”

  Cole’s excitement deflated and his shoulders slumped. “Yeah. Shame.”

  “Don’t worry, Cole. Now that they’ve seen the place, Ross was saying how he’d like to come back. I guess there was a sexy, blue-eyed man looking at him.”

  Cole’s head snapped up. “He noticed me?”

  Jesse grinned, shaking his head. “Duh.”

  “See that?” Nikolai slapped Cole on the back. “Seems someone has caught your eye again. On that note,” Nikolai jerked his thumb back to the table. “I’m going to go sit back down.”

  Colin was back in the corner and Nikolai slid in next to him. Brock downed his beer and eyed Colin and Nikolai.

  “So Nik, Colin looked pretty damn good out there.”

  Nikolai shot Brock a look and leaned into Colin’s ear. “Will you dance with me?”

  “To this?” Colin wrinkled his nose.

  “I’ll ask for a song. Anything you want to hear?”

  “You pick it. Just…keep your clothes on, okay?”

  Nik winked and squeezed Colin’s hand. “Anything for you.”

  Colin couldn’t stop looking at Nikolai as he walked across the club to the DJ booth. He had such a confidence about him. It was sexy as hell. Most of the men on the floor watched him as he walked by, leering at him. Colin smiled as Nik kept on walking, never even acknowledging the stares and whistles. Maybe he could finally be with Nikolai? Colin rubbed his face with his hands. Could he get past everything? Put up with Nikolai’s wild ways? The music changed to a slow song and the crowd in the club whistled. Colin was so deep in thought he didn’t see the hand in front of him until Nikolai’s voice penetrated his mind fog.

  “May I have this dance?”

  Colin looked up. He placed his hand in Nikolai’s.

  “Sure.”

  They seemed to float onto the floor and Colin was pulled into Nikolai’s arms. He rested his head on Nik’s chest and closed his eyes. The whistles, screams and cheers faded away as Colin swayed in Nik’s arms. A warm hand was at the base of his spine, the other held his hand firmly. Colin lifted his head to see Nikolai looking at him. He tried to smile and swallowed the lump in his throat.

  “What?”

  Nikolai leaned in. “I want us to be like this.”

  Colin swallowed hard. “Like what?”

  Nikolai pulled Colin in closer. “Together, Colin. I want us to be together. I don’t want to do anything without you anymore.”

  Colin realized what song was playing - “Without You” by David Guetta. He looked deeply into Nikolai’s eyes. He and Nikolai were inches apart, and his hands were sweating. The way Nikolai looked at him was like a soft caress. Nikolai’s hand moved slowly up his back, leaving scorching heat in its wake. Colin shivered as Nikolai leaned in further. Their breaths mixed and Colin’s heart was pounding against his ribcage.

  “Can I cut in?”

  Colin jerked backwards. Brock stood next to them, smiling.

  “Sure,” Colin grumbled.

  “No,” Nikolai said firmly.

  “Aw, come on. The song’s over. I just want to shake my ass,” Brock smiled.

  Colin felt the bile rising. He stepped back from Nikolai and looked towards the table. “I’m going to go sit down.”

  Nikolai made to follow Colin and felt a hand grab his bicep.

  “Come on, Nik. Just a dance.” Brock took Nikolai’s hand.

  Nikolai pulled his hand back, grabbed Brock by the arm and hauled him towards the bathroom hallway. Once they were in the quieter area, he eyed Brock.

  “What are you doing? When we fucked, I told you right then and there what the deal was. I fuck, and then I leave. We were on the same page - so tell me, what the fuck is up with you lately?”

  “What? Just ’cause I want a dance? I thought we were good together.”

  Nikolai leaned into the other man’s face. “We had a good time. That was it. There is only one man for me, Brock. He’s not you.”

  Brock launched himself onto Nikolai and attacked his lips. Nikolai almost pulled him off, but Brock wrapped his legs around his hips, plundering his mouth. Nik finally got a firm grip on Brock and pulled him off.

  “What the hell?!” Nikolai pushed Brock into the wall. “You are drunk off your ass.” Nikolai ran a hand through his hair and sighed deeply. “Look, this isn’t going to happen again, okay? I want someone else.”

  “Greystone,” Brock slurred.

  “Yes, Colin Greystone. He’s always been the one for me. I’m sorry, Brock.”

  “Nah, s’okay,” Brock smiled. “I can see the way you look at him. You’re in looooove,” Brock giggled.

  “Oh shit, you need a cab,” Nikolai grinned.

  “Go git him, tiger! Grrr!” Brock laughed hysterically and pawed the air.

  Nikolai chuckled. “Let me get you a cab and then I will, okay?” Nikolai gripped Brock’s bicep. “Come on, ya lush.”

  After getting Brock settled into a cab, Nikolai made his way back to the booth. Colin was nowhere to be found. He searched the club from top to bottom. No Colin. Nikolai found Chance and pulled him aside.

  “Where’s Colin?”

  Sebastian broke in on the conversation.

  “Said he forgot he had a date with Clark. Took off a little while ago.”

  “And you let him?” Nikolai shouted.

  “I’m not his keeper. Colin does what he wants, remember?”

  Nikolai rubbed his face with his hands. “Great. What do I do now?”

  “Go back to the dorm room. I bet he’ll go back there.” Sebastian hugged Nikolai. “My place tomorrow, okay? Don’t be too hard on Colin; he looked really upset.”

  Nikolai’s head snapped back around. “What?”

  Sebastian shrugged. “He looked like someone kicked his dog. Why? Something happen?”

  Nikolai balled his fists. “Dammit! He must have seen me and Brock in the hallway.” Nikolai fought for sanity. “I have to go. I’ll call you in the morning.”

  “Yeah, okay.” Sebastian watched his friend practically run from the club. He felt a tug on his shirt and looked over to see Cole smiling at him.

  “What?”

  “You know Ross Collins?”

  Sebastian grinned. Cole had no idea what he was getting himself into.

  “Yep.”

  ~*Chapter Six*~

  Colin paced Clark’s room. He’d been lucky enough to spot Clark come into the club after seeing damn Nikolai making out with Brock in the bathroom hallway! Colin snorted as he paced.
Why would he think Nikolai had changed? Colin pursed his lips. It hurt; it hurt like hell. And he had almost bought it. Colin shot a look at Clark. He was sitting calmly on the bed just watching him pace. Colin stopped and put his hands on his hips.

  “What?”

  “Something happen at the club?” Clark reclined back on his elbows.

  “Ugh!” Colin threw his hands up in the air and resumed his pacing.

  “Ah, Nikolai, eh?”

  Colin stopped at the foot of the bed and crouched down in front of Clark. He looked the man over slowly. Raven hair and electric blue eyes regarded him with mirth. Clark truly was a beautiful man; he had a strong, square jaw, an almost regal nose, a dimple in his chin and beautiful full lips. Colin blinked. Why hadn’t he ever looked at Clark closely?

  “I see your mind working overtime and I can tell you why. Nikolai Markov is why.”

  “Are you reading my mind?” Colin arched his brows.

  “No. I can see an inner battle taking place. I can see that you find me attractive. But I’m not Nikolai, Colin. You have strong feelings for the man.”

  Colin grinned and climbed onto the bed. He pushed Clark onto his back and hovered over him.

  “Maybe I want to forget about Nikolai Markov for one night.”

  Clark shook his head. “It won’t help. You’ll sleep with me, then feel guilty about it and wished you’d given yourself to him.”

  Colin’s mouth dropped open. “How — how did you know?”

  Clark caressed Colin’s cheek softly. “I didn’t. You just told me. There’s no shame in it.” Clark hugged Colin. “You need to find Nikolai and tell him the truth.”

  “Why?”

  “Because whether you believe it or not, Nikolai Markov has feelings for you.”

  “He was kissing Brock!”

  “Was he? Or was Brock kissing him? Did you stay to find out?”

  Colin groaned. “I hate you.”

  Clark chuckled. “So you didn’t. Go find him, Colin. It’s very obvious to everyone how much you care for him.”

  “How do you know?”

  “If you didn’t care, none of this would bother you.”

  Colin eased back and rolled over to the side of the bed. He propped himself up on his elbow and regarded Clark. He’d met him at the beginning of the year and they had become fast friends. They’d been out a few times and Clark had never pressured him for anything.