Oliver stilled beneath him. “You always have my attention, Matthew.”
“Yeah? Then show me.”
As soon as their lips touched, they groaned, kissing as if they hadn’t seen each other in months. As if Oliver hadn’t woken Matthew up before dawn with a slow, mind-altering blowjob that had left him trembling.
They were both shaking with need as they pushed each other’s pajama bottoms and boxers down, hands gripping, fingers curling, hips rocking in greedy desperation.
It never went away. This hunger for Oliver never left him. It was an itch under his skin that got worse when they weren’t together. It should worry him, how strong it was. How possessive it could make him, a jealous and needy git.
“Please, Matty,” Oliver begged against his jaw. “I want it.”
He knew. He lifted himself onto his knees and flipped Oliver easily onto his stomach, eyes on that glorious ass.
His dancer’s body, lean and flexible and all Matthew’s, twisted beneath him in anticipation for what was coming.
He dragged his ass up until Oliver was on his knees with his face buried in the sheets. “You’re so beautiful, Legs.” He caressed his ass, his hips, traced his ribs with his fingertips, teasing him. “I want to kiss every inch of you. Touch you for hours. But you want something rougher than that, don’t you? Something like this?”
His palm landed with a loud smack on one cheek and Oliver groaned loudly. “Yes, Matthew.”
He watched the glorious light brown skin flush as he spanked him. Not too hard, just enough for him to enjoy Oliver’s satisfying reactions. He’d been asking for more of this lately, curious about the things Matthew had done at “that kinky club.” He had no problem indulging him, and his responses aroused the hell out of him, but he didn’t want to go too far down that road.
What he had with Oliver was so much more than handcuffs and a few laughs. What they did together was too intimate and potent on its own. No accessory or sexual gameplaying could ever be as erotic as Oliver’s face when he came.
Matthew soothed the stinging skin with a light caress and spread Oliver’s cheeks. “You look good enough to eat, Legs,” he growled, lowering his head and licking the delicate skin he’d revealed.
Oliver’s hips tilted, his thighs spreading willingly as Matthew took what he wanted. He lost track of time as he licked and bit and tongued the sensitive ring of clenching muscles until he had his lover begging in two languages.
That was what he lived for. Proof that Oliver was as lost as he was. As desperate.
“Matthew, please.”
He reached for the lube and coated his bare cock, impatient to feel that tight fit closing around him. Owning him. Claiming him.
Oliver pushed up unto his elbows, watching over his shoulder with wide eyes as Matthew aligned their bodies and finally worked himself inside.
“Yes,” he groaned, pushing back until Matthew was all the way in. “That’s it, Matty. So deep. God, I love this. Love you.”
Love you.
Matthew slid his fingers into Oliver’s hair, his other hand clenched on his hip as he started to move. Deep thrusts that had them both moaning. “Love being inside you like this,” he muttered as he watched his cock stretching Oliver. “Nothing between us. I’ll never get over how good this feels. Never get enough.”
“Faster.” Oliver begged, his hand gripping his own cock now. “I need you. Need to come.”
“Fuck, Legs.” Matthew tightened his grip on his curls and gave him what he wanted. Fast. Hard. He could feel the jarring force of his strokes, hear the loud slap of skin against skin but he still wanted more. Wanted to mark him. Remind him who he belonged to.
“Give it to me. Come for me. Let me feel what I fucking live for.”
He heard Oliver’s choked cry joining his as they came together. Fireworks exploded along his nerve endings and his vision blurred as he shouted Oliver’s name. Matthew followed him down to the bed when he collapsed, grinding against his quivering body until he was empty. Until Oliver was whimpering beneath him.
“Legs?” He hissed as he lifted himself up and pulled out, seeing the handprints on his ass and small bruises on his hip. “Oliver, did I hurt you?”
He was face down on the bed, moaning with every breath until he heard Matthew’s concern.
“Wonderful,” Oliver murmured, lifting a boneless arm and reaching out to caress whatever skin he could touch. “I’m wonderful. You’re wonderful. It’s wonderful.”
Matthew dropped heavily beside him with a groan of relief. “Hell.”
Oliver curled around him, nuzzling his neck weakly. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Legs.”
Liar.
How could he explain it in a way that made sense? The sex was always insanely phenomenal between them, and this morning was no different. But his head wasn’t in the right space to take things that far.
The list.
He knew it wasn’t anything to worry about. Oliver was adorably blunt and without filter when it came to his feelings and desires. Still, it pressed all of his buttons. Especially after that talk with his sister.
Even after six intensely blissful months, there were still limits to what Oliver was willing to share about his life. It was starting to fuck with his head. Matthew had taken that leap, but he was still falling alone. Waiting for Oliver to catch up to him.
He heard a chuckle and glanced over at his boyfriend, who was up and trying to get himself back into his sweatpants. “This is all your fault. I’m starving and I don’t have the energy to get dressed so I can make us some breakfast.”
Matthew sat up slowly, forcing himself to smile. “Don’t worry about me. I, uh, actually have to go meet Tanaka about a job. I told you I finally wore him down, right? No more tech support now, just defense classes and security work from now on. Three cheers for nepotism.”
Oliver paused in the act of pulling on his shirt, his expression confused. “You told me. But I thought you were taking today off.”
Because he always did. He dropped everything as soon as Oliver had an opening in his schedule, which, between his family obligations and the new musical his dance company was involved in, wasn’t all that often.
He felt like an asshole, but he was genuinely shaken up and feeling vulnerable. He needed to get his head on straight before he ended up having a conversation he wasn’t ready to have. “I’m sorry, Legs. It won’t be for long, though. A few hours at most. And you know I’d love it if you were here when I get back. But be warned, Kate has a few breakup rituals she’ll need to perform today.”
Oliver was carefully straightening his shirt, but he looked up at that. “What kind of rituals?”
Matthew slid his arms around Oliver’s waist and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Nothing too frightening. She puts on reality shows so she can yell at the screen. She orders fattening food and then complains about it while she’s gorging. If she’s really upset, she’ll pull out one of her old videogames and spend hours slashing everything that moves with her sword.”
Oliver chuckled softly. “I guess that’s one way to work through your anger.”
“She claims its cheaper than therapy and just as effective.”
Matthew started to step away but Oliver held on, ducking his head to meet his gaze. “Is everything okay?”
You arse.
He cupped Oliver’s ass gently. “I didn’t take care of you, did I? I went all caveman and then I didn’t give you what you needed. Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
Matthew felt his heart squeeze at the hopeful glint in Oliver’s eyes when he took his hand. “We’re going to shower, and after I’ve shown you how amazing you are, I’m going to feed you breakfast like I planned.”
“But don’t you need to go?”
“I can be a little late. Nepotism, remember?”
Oliver smiled, and the beauty of it almost felled him where he stood. There wasn’t room for all the love he had inside him for t
his one, frustrating man.
He just wished he knew how to finally earn his trust.
Chapter Two
And the day keeps getting better, Matthew thought as he stood in front of a chuckling Tanaka and his cousin, Brady—who was looking a lot underdressed, not at all amused and large enough to take him down as he sat glaring from the wide couch in his living room.
He shouldn’t have come. More than that, he shouldn’t have told them why he’d come.
“So you lied about me needing you to work, but you felt guilty enough about that lie to actually show up, just in case you could squeeze some truth out of the situation?” Ken finished while braiding his hair, leaving the long, dark rope to drape over one shoulder. “Do I have that right?”
“I—” There was no way to put a positive spin on what he’d admitted after seeing the two men in nothing but a sheet and pair of briefs respectively. “I should have called first. I wasn’t thinking.”
Brady met Ken’s gaze and his expression softened. “We’ve already gone from the family fixers to professional matchmakers. Are we offering couple’s therapy to our latest employee now?”
Matthew stiffened, his jaw clenched. “I don’t need any help there, thanks.”
“Oh, I know,” Brady held up his hand, his lips curving in amusement. “Rory and Hugo’s brother brag about their matchmaking skills every time Oliver shows up to a Finn Again.”
Oliver had been hesitant to join Matthew at that first family meal, but everyone had immediately put him at ease. It was clear he shined in the accepting environment. He belonged there. Sometimes it seemed that he was more at ease in the crowd than Matthew had ever been.
He grew up in a big family, so he knows what they’re like. He told you so.
And wasn’t that the problem in a nutshell? Oliver had told him. All Matthew knew was what he’d been told. He didn’t have any firsthand knowledge of the Garcia clan, because he still hadn’t met any of them. Not even Ruben, the cousin who’d gifted Oliver with a small used car months ago so he could have his lowrider back.
Oliver knew nearly every child and significant other that was connected to him by blood or marriage. So well that they included him in group texts and scheduling emails. Unlike Kate’s girlfriend, Oliver had actually been invited to William and Bronte’s anniversary party, though he hadn’t been able to make it.
Three months ago, Matthew had asked Oliver to live with him. They’d confessed their love and he’d been impatient to start sharing their life. Meeting his family had been the only sticking point, and Oliver’s main concern, since the Garcia’s didn’t like to discuss the fact that Oliver was gay.
Matthew had wanted to meet them then. He still wanted to. But after all this time the man he loved was still hesitating.
“Hey now, that face looks serious,” Ken said, his hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you sit down and tell us what’s going on?”
Matthew shook his head, but he didn’t pull away. “You’re busy.”
Brady sighed. “We were, but you already interrupted that. You might as well stay. Need anything to drink to share your tale of woe?”
Matthew declined and sat down, staring at his hands and wondering what the fuck was wrong with him. He’d just spent the morning having steamy sex with the man of his dreams. Was he looking for trouble? Or had he missed the signs from the start because he’d been too in love to notice?
“I feel like an idiot,” he said quietly. “I’m crazy about a beautiful man who makes me happier than I knew I was allowed to be. He’s patient and funny, my sister and brother both love him…”
“We all love him,” Brady agreed easily. Matthew winced. “Are we not supposed to love him? Has he done something wrong?”
“Nothing wrong, no. But it struck me today that he might not be on the same page. About me, I mean.”
“I have a hard time believing that.” Ken brought his knee up, leaning against Brady with an ease that conveyed intimacy and comfort. Trust. “It’s clear to anyone that’s seen you together how in love you are.”
Was it though? What Ken and Brady had was clear. And Owen and Jeremy couldn’t be more obvious. But he and Oliver? Matthew wished he was still as confident about that as he’d been last night.
“That’s perspective. I’m talking about facts. And there are two basic facts about Oliver, two things that have defined him since I met him. He loves his family, would do anything for them. And whether he’s teaching or performing, he’s dedicated to his dancing.”
He hesitated, not wanting to say the words out loud and make them real. “And it’s those two things he’s shut me out of completely. He’s never, not once, invited me to see him dance, though I think that’s more about his family than anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because his parents died when he was a baby, the rest of his family took an extra interest in his life. They tease him, especially his macho cousins—his words—but they’re all very supportive of his dancing. If he’s in a play, they’ll buy tickets. One or two of them might stop by his rehearsals with a lunch made by their grandmother. The reason he came to William’s gym in the first place was because they have a tendency of checking in on him wherever he is, and he didn’t want their advice on his boxing technique.”
Or for them to know that he was being harassed by his cousin’s friend.
Ken’s brow furrowed. “I’m confused. Why does Oliver having a supportive family stop him from inviting you to a performance?”
“They don’t know about us.”
“What?” Brady’s question was heavy with surprise.
“They support him in everything, except his sexuality. He loves them, so for him it’s not worth it to push the issue. Or it wasn’t, until I came along. I wanted him to move in with me months ago, but he said I needed to meet his family first, which was fine with me. Only now, no matter how many times I’ve asked about them or how many hints I’ve thrown his way, he still hasn’t introduced me.” Matthew swore under his breath. “To be honest, I’m not sure they even know I exist. Even as his friend.”
The heavy silence that followed confirmed Matthew’s worst fears. It wasn’t all in his head. “Rory would probably say something funny right about now to break the tension.”
“He would.” Brady dipped his chin in acknowledgement. “He’s always been surprisingly good at using humor as a balm or distraction.” He narrowed his gaze. “But you said we were dealing with facts now. Didn’t Oliver’s grandmother have a health scare a few months ago?”
“A small stroke.” Before they’d had a chance to schedule their dinner, Olivia Garcia had been rushed to the hospital. She’d survived, but it made perfect sense then when Oliver asked if they could hold off until she had time to heal and the dust had settled.
“He says she’s made a full recovery, but that’s all he’ll say before he changes the subject.”
And you let him. Again and again. Because the alternative is unacceptable.
Matthew’s hands flexed on his thighs. “Maybe I do need fixers after all, eh?”
Ken’s expression was kind, but concerned. “This isn’t in our wheelhouse, Matthew. We can remove actual obstacles and paper trails and change hotel reservations. But we can’t force his family to accept his sexuality, and we can’t read minds. You’re the only one who can get Oliver to tell you what’s really going on with him.”
“How?”
Brady scratched the back of his head, mussing his short red hair. “If you had money you could pull a Bellamy and order up a street parade and a rock star to impress him. Barring that, you could break into his place and refuse to leave until he gives you the time of day.”
Ken raised his eyebrows, but Matthew saw him send a subtle wink to his fiancé. “You already know all the stories, Matthew. And the lengths a Finn will go to get what he wants. Look at your brother.”
“That was a long game,” Brady said, his admiration clear. “Doesn’t always work out that well. But
if you love Oliver, you have to put it all out there.”
And risk losing him. That was what they were saying. Either he went back to pretending Oliver’s avoidance wasn’t chipping away at his confidence, his heart, or he finally found out if what they had was strong enough to get beyond this.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He got to his feet, pausing before reaching into his pocket and tossing a small drive in Ken’s direction. “I got that done for you yesterday.”
“Already?” Tanaka twirled it in his fingers with a genuine smile. “That was fast and these were difficult. I made sure of that.”
He’d had a feeling it was another test. “Sorry again for the interruption.”
“You’re family, Matthew. Along with the having to deal with the nosy, irritating, infuriating bits, you get the perk of help when you need it. And you’ll never go hungry. It balances the rest of it out.”
Ken wrapped his arm around Matthew’s shoulder and squeezed. “Have some faith in yourself, and Oliver. There might be a good reason he’s been keeping his two worlds separate. At least, he might believe it’s a good reason.”
Matthew sure as hell hoped so.
After Matthew left, Ken stared at the closed door, lost in thought. “Who knew little Oliver would be such a holdout? He looks like a cherub.”
“I hope you’re right about them.”
“Me too.” He looked down at the drive in his hand. “If he managed to open these files, I think I’ve found my true Padawan. At least until Jake is legal.”
“Batman isn’t a Jedi. And you know Seamus won’t let you bring his son over to the dark side.”
“Which is why I’m being flexible. But I don’t need to tell you how flexible I am, do I?”
“Now that our company is gone, I could use another reminder.”
***
He’d been planning to go straight home, but somehow Matthew found himself at the gym instead. His grim expression was enough to send Robert back into the office and make William frown. But his brother was busy and the gym was crowded, so he was relatively certain he would be left alone.
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