“Don’t be an idiot,” one of the men barked at the lone holdout. “Stefan is so not worth it, man.”
“No. You’re right, but I can’t go back to prison. I can’t.”
Christian didn’t know what he planned to do with the gun, but as soon as the guy pointed the gun away from him, he jumped forward and grabbed the man’s wrist, pushing it above his head. The gun went off just before he managed to hit the pressure point to get him to release the gun and a spray of dust and glass from the ceiling light came raining down.
“Oh man, the queen is going to be so pissed,” one of the soldiers who was also assigned to the castle said. “She just had that replaced.”
Christian shook his head. “Cuff everyone and get them out of here.”
“Including the princess?” Sean asked.
“Especially the princess—but put her in one of the SUVs with tinted windows so she isn’t recognized. We are returning to base with everyone until we can straighten out this mess.”
“I am the princess! You all work for me. How dare you? You will unhand me at once.”
They made quick work of securing the cuffs and leading everyone down the stairs, including the irate princess. There were two guards for each prisoner, with Christian and Sean bringing up the rear. The princess yelled threats at them the entire way. The rest of the royal family met them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Mother, tell them to unhand me.”
The queen crossed the floor and smacked Zia across the face in response. “You are in serious need of help. I am ashamed that I didn’t notice exactly how selfish and self-absorbed you have become. You have shamed this family. You will be doing a long stint in rehab before we will begin to consider you as one of us again—and even that is no guarantee. Take her away, gentlemen. I no longer wish to see her face.”
Christian inclined his head, and his men dragged the screaming woman out of the doors and into the back seat of the waiting SUV. Doctor Guttschein took a step forward as if to go to his son but paused and didn’t come any closer. Stefan was staring at the floor but raised his head when his father spoke his name.
“What?”
“Why would you do this?” the doctor asked.
“I just wanted Christian to notice me. He’s mine.”
Max walked up and took Christian’s hand, interlacing their fingers. “Actually, he’s mine—always has been and always will be.”
Stefan stomped his foot. “No. He. Is. Not.”
Christian could only shake his head in disbelief. “Take him to base, gentlemen. Make sure he and the princess are in separate rooms.”
“Yes, sir, Lieutenant.” With a salute, Sean led the rest of the men to the waiting vehicles and they moved out. Everyone stood looking at each other for a moment before the queen threw herself into her husband’s arms and began sobbing. The prince wrapped his arm around Katarina and attempted to comfort her as she too began to sniffle. The king looked at Christian with wounded eyes before lowering his head to whisper in his wife’s ear.
“Why don’t you all go on to your private sitting room, Your Highnesses. Doctor…” Christian’s father guided them all in that direction, pausing when Christian held up a hand to stop him.
“If you could get their statements and send them to me once they calm down, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“I will. You handled this whole fiasco well.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m just glad no one was hurt.”
“I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sure.” Christian turned to Max once they were alone. “I’m glad you’re safe. I was worried. I almost told you that you couldn’t go to the meeting today, but I didn’t think that would go over well.”
“You would’ve been right. I was really impressed with how you handled everything. You are amazing, and I am proud to call you mine.”
“Same goes. You really kept your cool. Everyone did.”
“Well, everyone except the princess,” Max joked.
Christian winced.
“Too soon?”
Christian held his hand up with his thumb and forefinger held an inch apart. “A little bit, yeah. I have to go. I have a mess to unravel. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Well, you have the key to my apartment, and you know where I’ll be. Come find me.”
Chapter Ten
Christian let himself into the apartment as quietly as he could. It had been an interminable day and he figured Max had been sleeping for hours at this point. He really needed a shower and some time just holding Max. He was surprised to see a light on in Max’s bedroom. “What are you still doing up? It’s almost three o’clock in the morning.”
Max jumped and almost dropped his e-reader, scrambling to catch it before it fell. “Christian! You scared the crap out of me! I didn’t hear you come in. I couldn’t sleep and I figured you might need someone to talk to.”
“I’m not ready to talk about it, but I wouldn’t say no to some serious cuddles after my shower. I feel gross.”
Max smiled wide at him. “I can do that. Have you eaten?” Max made a move as if to get out of bed. “I can make you something while you shower.”
“I’m not hungry. I’ll let you feed me tomorrow, okay?”
Max settled back in the bed. “Sure. The king gave me the rest of the week off, so I’m at your service.”
“That sounds really good, actually. Maybe we can go to my place tomorrow, and you can check it out.”
“I would love that.”
“Good. Wait here for me. I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
“Take your time.”
Christian glanced over his shoulder toward the noise he heard as he was stepping into the shower. Max had come in and was perched on the vanity.
“I’m not ready to have you out of my sight again yet.”
“Fair enough. Just sit there and be a voyeur, then. Not sure I’m up to much of a show tonight, though.”
“Just being near you is enough.”
Christian wet his hair and washed it. After rinsing out the shampoo, he grabbed the washcloth and soap and scrubbed himself down. He washed his cock and balls and found himself to be already at more than half mast. Max watching him had been more of a turn-on than he’d anticipated. He decided to give Max a bit of a show after all. Turning so his back was to the wall, he faced Max, running his hand up his cock in a slow pull. He gasped when he saw the hunger in Max’s gaze through the clear glass door.
“Like what you see?”
“You know I do,” Max rasped. “Hurry up and finish, so I can show you.” Max leaned over and snagged the towel off the rack. He held it out, as if waiting for Christian to finish his rinse.
After Christian shut off the water, Max had the door open before he could even turn back around. “Get out here.”
“Sir. Yes, sir.”
Max paused. “Is that something you need tonight? Do you need me to lead?”
Christian swallowed hard before nodding. “Stefan made me feel dirty. He had six cameras in my house, spying on me…even in the bathroom. Luckily, I never took hook-ups there but I feel violated. I need you to prove I’m yours. I need you inside me.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Come here.” Max gently dried Christian, then waited while Christian brushed his teeth before taking his hand and leading him to the bed. “Lie down on your back. You need to see my face as I get you ready.”
Christian nodded, letting out a relieved breath. Max got it. He stroked his cock as he watched Max get undressed then grab the lube and condoms from the drawer. Max climbed on top of Christian and gave him some, but not all his weight. Most of his upper body weight was resting on his forearms, which were next to Christian’s head. He looked deep into Christian’s eyes. “You are mine, babe. You were never his.”
“I know,” Christian rasped. “It’s the best feeling in the world to finally be yours.”
“Same, babe. I feel the same.”
Max leaned in
and kissed Christian gently. Christian tried to increase the pressure, but Max pulled back. “No. You want me to lead, so let me lead. You need to be loved on tonight, not ravaged.”
“Can’t I get loving ravishment?”
“Nope.” Max popped the ‘p’. “That’s not what’s going to happen. Now relax. Breathe with me.”
Christian made a conscious effort to relax, syncing his breathing with Max. Max leaned in for another kiss as he moved so he was straddling Christian at the top of his thighs. Sitting up, he ran his hands over Christian’s chest, before moving down to cup Christian’s cock in his hand.
Christian couldn’t hold back the grin. “Are you touching me where the asshole touched me on purpose?”
Max startled and stared at him, before chuckling. “I wasn’t on purpose, no, but since I don’t hate the idea, my subconscious must have known what it was doing.”
“I don’t hate the idea, either.”
Max continued to stroke Christian’s chest as he leaned in for another soft kiss. He allowed this one to get a little more heated before pulling back after a few moments. “You are dangerous to my equilibrium. You are making it very hard for me to go slow.”
“Then don’t. I really need you inside me.”
Max searched his expression but must have realized he meant it, because he leaned down, put his weight on Christian and gave him a ravishing kiss. “How long has it been since you bottomed?”
“Never.”
“Wait! What?”
“I’ve never bottomed. I was saving it for the man I was going to marry one day.” Max gave him the most beautiful smile that Christian had ever seen. Christian handed him the lube next to his head. “Get to it, sweets. I want to see how much of your monster I can take.”
Max wet his fingers with the lube then began to circle Christian’s opening. “Have you played with toys?” he asked.
“I have a few, but nothing as big as you are.”
“Okay, that should help.” Max gently added a digit then a second after a few strokes. Christian focused on relaxing as much as he could as Max scissored them then added a third. Christian could feel the sting with the addition.
“You’re going to have to take at least one more before I will feel comfortable trying.”
“Do it. Please. I need you.”
Max paused to add more lube, then slowly pushed four of his fingers into Christian’s opening. “Oh my. You look so good on my hand.”
“I bet I’ll look even better on your cock.”
A visible shiver went through Max as he reached the hand not in Christian’s ass down to grip the base of his own cock. “Stop. Talking. You are way too damn sexy for your own good. I don’t want to come until I’m inside you.”
“Then you’d better hurry. I want you.”
Max heaved a loud, shuddering breath and reached for the condom on the bed then rolled it down his shaft.
“You are so gorgeous…everywhere,” Christian commented.
Max gave him a pained smile. “What did I say about talking—and stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want to devour me.”
“Well, I do want to devour you.”
Max closed his eyes and moaned. “You are so dangerous.” He got a serious expression on his face. “I didn’t realize this was your first time before. Do you want to do it facing me? It might be easier if you are facedown.”
“No. As you said, I need to see you.”
Max nodded. “At least hand me a pillow. We can put it under your hips.” Christian handed Max a pillow then raised his hips so it could be stuffed under them. Max then positioned himself at Christian’s entrance and gently pushed into the tight hole. Christian pushed out and again focused on staying as relaxed as possible. Just when Christian was about to ask Max to stop, Max brushed his prostate, sending bolts of lightning racing through Christian’s body. “Oh, man, do that again.”
Max pulled out a little bit then pushed back in, causing that perfect zing to repeat. Max continued the slow out-and-back-in movements until he was all the way inside Christian. Christian groaned at the feeling of absolute fullness. He grabbed hold of Max’s hips to still him. “Give me a minute.”
“As many as you need, babe. Tell me when.” Max ran his hands up and down Christian’s sides until Christian gave him a nod. Max again began the gentle in and out, small strokes until Christian was writhing under him.
“Please. Give it to me. I need it. Fuck me hard, Max.” The begging finally got Max to speed up until he was pounding into Christian, nailing his prostate on every other thrust. “Right there. Oh. God. Right there. Shit. I’m going to come. Come with me, Max. Ahhh.” Christian came so hard that he saw flashing lights and sagged against the covers in complete exhaustion.
Max shuddered as he also came then collapsed on to Christian. After a couple of minutes, he raised his head to look at Christian. “You okay?”
“Mmmm. Never better.” Christian couldn’t help the wince as Max pulled out.
“Did I hurt you?”
“Oh no. It’s the good kind of pain. So worth it.”
Max got up from the bed, and the water in the bathroom turned on then off several times. Christian used the time to pull the pillow out from under his hips and get more comfortable on the bed. A few minutes later, Max returned with a wet cloth to clean Christian. He tossed the cloth into the hamper then climbed into bed beside him.
Christian rolled over and draped himself across Max. “Thank you.”
“I should be telling you that. It was amazing.”
“It really was. Glad I waited for you for that. You made it so good.”
“Well, I think love has a lot to do with it.”
“Probably,” Christian said with a yawn. “I do love you an awful lot.”
“I love you, too. I can’t wait for our forever.”
“It has already started, babe. It has already started.”
Want to see more from this author? Here’s a taster for you to enjoy!
Everyone’s Mechanic:
Chasing the Dream
Ann Marie James
Excerpt
Lee stepped into the busy garage and heard the familiar sounds of mechanics hard at work. Having grown up hanging out in, then working, in his father’s auto shop since he was fifteen, the sounds meant home to him. Looking around, Lee realized that the similarities between the two businesses ended there. This was the most organized space he had ever seen. There were toolboxes and workstations kept meticulously, with all the tools in their apparent slots when not in use. He’d heard the new owner of Everyone’s Mechanic ran a tight ship. The rumor mill had obviously nailed that one. He hoped the rumor mill’s claim that the new owner, Kirk Smith, was fantastic to work for was also accurate.
Lee dried his sweaty palms on his pant legs before turning and making his way to the office door that he could see to his left. After he knocked on the doorjamb, the occupant behind the desk looked up at him. A green gaze assessed him from a ruggedly handsome face. Stop that, idiot. He’s your potential boss. After the man stood up, Lee realized he needed to add ‘large’ to his description. The man was at least three inches taller than his own six feet. Wow. Just wow. Down, boy. Lee hoped his libido would listen to him, because now was not the time.
“Hi, I’m Lee Clark. I understand you’re looking for a new mechanic?” Lee gestured toward the front window of the shop where a Help Wanted sign was posted.
“Yep. I’m Kirk Smith, the new owner of this place.” Kirk offered Lee a handshake before sitting back down and waving toward the chair in front of his desk. Lee sat before his shaking knees gave out on him. “What happened there?” Kirk indicated the healing bruises on Lee’s face. “You don’t have to tell me specifics. I just really need to know if the trouble is going to follow you here.”
Lee squared his shoulders, fighting against his normal shyness. He needed this job, but he also wanted to make sure he was going
to be safe here too. “My father found out I was gay. He and my brother took exception to it. I worked for my father at his place. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Clark and Sons?”
Kirk stiffened and Lee prepared himself to get out of there quickly if Kirk made a move toward him.
“Well, we’re equal opportunity here. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight, as long as you can do the job. Can you do the job?”
Lee relaxes somewhat.
They were interrupted by someone else knocking on the doorjamb. “Hey, boss man, have you seen the…?” The voice trailed off as he must have realized there was another person in the office with Kirk. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had someone in here with ya. Wait… Lee? Is that you, boy?”
Lee relaxed even more as he recognized Will Jackson. Will had worked for his father once upon a time before leaving for a better opportunity a little over a year before. More accurately, Lee’s father always had to be the one in control and didn’t like that Will was more knowledgeable than him. It had made Will’s life difficult. Lee hadn’t realized that Will worked here now. Lee stood and Will came in to give him a hug, ending it with a manly clap on the back before stepping away and looking at him more closely.
“Your dad do that to ya?”
“My brother and his friends, actually. Found out I was gay. Had a problem with it.” Surprise, then understanding crossed Will’s features.
“You looking for a job?” Will asked.
“Yes, sir. Dad kicked me out when he found out.”
Will turned to Kirk. “You’d be a fool not to hire this boy. He has mad skills in the garage. He’s actually what has kept Clark and Sons afloat since I left. His loss would definitely be our gain.”
Heat rushed to Lee’s face and he just knew he was blushing. Damn his redheaded pale complexion for making it obvious that he was flustered. He turned to look at the man he was hoping would hire him.
“That makes this decision easy. I know how hard you are to please, old man. Welcome aboard.”
“Really?” At Kirk’s nod, Lee relaxed fully for the first time in what felt like forever.
The Way to a Man's Heart Page 11