So far, his favorite was Wyld West. It seemed he owned the club where they were currently dancing. He’d shown up, sexy husband in tow, no shirt, and ready to party. Every time Jonah tried to make a break for it to get a drink, one of Jonah’s many friends hauled him back into the throng of bodies gyrating on the dance floor. There was no rhythm to anyone’s steps. No fucks were given. They were all sober and the craziest people he’d ever met. They were fresh air right when he’d been drowning.
Coy snagged Jonah’s waist and badly kept time with his bouncing in place to press his lips to Jonah’s ear. “Thank you for this.” He was forced to yell the words to be heard.
“Of course,” Jonah yelled back. “We’re friends. I want you to smile.”
Because Jonah demanded it, Coy smiled as bright as he could. Before he could say anything else, some guy crashed into him. Coy swallowed a shot of unexpected fear. He turned and came face to face with the guy’s wicked smile. “Sorry,” the guy yelled before moving on. No harm done. Coy’s heart slid back into place, no longer choking him. A slow song started. Bodies paired, and couples flooded the dance floor. Coy held his side and headed toward the bar. He needed a drink. His throat burned from dehydration and laughing. Before Coy made it ten steps, a hand slid across the small of his back. A strong arm encircled his waist. Coy turned. His chest collided with Law’s. Their bodies molded. Coy’s feet automatically kept pace with the music, even as his mind remained frozen. He didn’t know where Law had come from. It was as if Coy’s heart had conjured him from thin air. He couldn’t look away from Law’s gorgeous face. His jaw was even harder than usual—like Coy had somehow managed to piss him off more than normal.
Coy’s mind thawed. His hands saw their chance and slid up Law’s solid chest. Damn. Law’s body was even harder than Coy expected. It was as if Law’s every muscle was tensed to pounce or flee. Coy’s hands kept going until they met behind Law’s neck. Law’s arms tightened around Coy’s waist. His hand found its way beneath Coy’s shirt. He caressed the small of Coy’s back, skin on skin. Coy sucked in a sharp breath at the contact. The air felt ragged as it left his lungs. He burned. From head to toe, every inch of Coy craved Law. He never wanted the dance to end. Law felt too good pressed against him. He stared at Coy like he felt the same. Coy could barely breathe around the lust. They would be amazing when they came together. Coy felt it in his bones. They would scratch and bite. Coy took another labored breath. He swore he could already hear Law’s deep rumbling moans.
The slow beat in the air died, replaced by a faster one. Law dipped his chin, closing the distance between them. Hope filled Coy’s chest so full, he expected to explode. At the last second, Law changed directions. His lips touched the shell of Coy’s ear. “You’re welcome. I just saved you from an old perv who had his sights set on you.” Law released him and turned away, disappearing into the crowd. Coy’s feet wouldn’t budge. He stared at the gyrating bodies that had swallowed Law, taking him away. Hands tugged on Coy, pulling him into the same circle of wild dancing he’d been enjoying all night before Law appeared and crushed him.
“I need a drink.” Coy didn’t know if anyone heard. He also didn’t care. Nothing mattered but the black hole currently swallowing him. He blindly stumbled toward the bar, pushing his way through the crowd. Nothing mattered except finding a way to oblivion. He hadn’t felt this way in months. Not since a few weeks after they found his ex, King, dead. In one moment, Law had sucked the life and happiness from him. The hollow self-destruction that always lived inside his brain woke from its dormant state. No one cared about him, especially him. Maybe if he drank enough, he’d do the world a favor and die too. There was only one way to find out.
* * *
Law’s body was on fire. Unfortunately, he didn’t burn for the person he should. The one he was there with. Fuck. Why did it always have to be Coy? From the moment he’d arrived and spotted Coy on the dance floor, smiling and acting his age for once, Law hadn’t looked away. Then life chose to test him. Tracy had gone to the restroom. The instant she’d disappeared, the music slowed. Coy headed in the opposite direction. Law’s feet had moved without his permission. Without a single thought or care for anyone else, Law’s hands had collided with Coy’s body. There was no power in heaven or on earth that could’ve stopped him from pulling Coy into his arms at that moment. He’d savored every second, already planning how their night would end. Until the slow song ended, and he’d spotted Tracy watching them at the edge of the floor.
Her expression said everything it should. She couldn’t trust Law long enough for a bathroom break. She didn’t speak when Law reached her side. Instead, Tracy crossed her arms over her stomach and stared at nothing—like she was holding herself together or the anger in. Law didn’t blame her. He didn’t know how he’d looked while dancing with Coy, but he knew how he’d felt. If the whole world hadn’t seen his heart, then the whole world was blind. Tracy wasn’t stupid. That knowledge didn’t stop Law from trying to dig his way out.
Law motioned toward the floor. “That was one of my employees.” Nothing. Silence. “He looked like he needed rescuing.”
“Let me guess. That’s Coy.”
Law’s head whipped around. He focused on Tracy in surprise. Even Tracy’s soft brown hair screamed with outrage, and then her light green eyes moved his way. Law almost took a step back, but he never backed down from anything. “That was a hell of a lucky guess,” Law said, keeping his voice as steady as he could beneath her knowing stare.
“Not really. You said his name no less than four times at dinner. I think I’ll get a cab.” Without another word, Tracy dipped between tightly pressed bodies and headed for the door. With a growl, Law went after her. Five steps into his chase, Law’s feet planted. His body refused to budge. There was nothing he could say if he caught Tracy. The kindest thing he could do was let her leave. Halfway through dinner, Tyrone had texted him that David and he were headed to Wyld Nights—a well-known posh nightclub—and Law had been added to the VIP list if he’d like to join the party. Everyone was going, including Coy. The moment Ty mentioned Coy’s name, Law had been incapable of refusing. His only hope had been Tracy’s disinterest. Unfortunately, she’d been thrilled to receive an invite to one of California’s most exclusive hot spots. Law had definitely ensured she’d gotten a night she wouldn’t soon forget. It was better things ended this way. There had never been any chance of a happy ending.
Law caught sight of Coy at the bar. All thoughts of Tracy and his guilt disappeared. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Coy tossed back shots like he could hoard them for later like a camel. A guy close to Law’s age hovered nearby smiling and obviously cheering Coy on. Coy threw his head back, laughing at something the guy said, and then tried turning away. The guy snagged his arm. Law moved to intervene, seeing red. Before he reached them, the guy released Coy and ordered him more shots. Coy wasn’t a big guy. Combine that with the fact that Coy hadn’t drunk a drop of liquor as far as Law had seen since coming to live with David, Coy already looked unsteady. At the first sway, Coy’s new friend sidled closer. His lips touched Coy’s ear. Something inside Law snapped. He crossed the room and stepped between them, daring the dude with his eyes to say something.
“Time to go, Coy.”
Coy smiled, visibly drunk. “I’m still having fun. Besides, John drove. I’m cool. Go back to whatever you were doing.” He tried pushing his way past Law to get to his new friend. That wasn’t happening.
Law threw out his hand, stopping him. “How about this? Drink as much as you want as long as you don’t die. I’ll pay and drive you home, as long as you stick to my side and let me make sure you’re safe.”
Coy tapped his chin, smiling as he pretended to think things over. “You are very big and good at watching over me.”
Despite the situation, Law found himself smiling, the guy at his back forgotten. No one else existed but Coy. “It’s a talent.”
Coy cut his eyes at him in an adorably sexy way. “I
thought you had a date tonight.”
Law rubbed the back of his neck. A smile pulled at his lips. “Oh, you know, I combined my senior citizen discount with the early bird special and called it a night. You know how us old people are.” Without thought, he swiped his fingers through Coy’s sexy blond hair. It was a mess, and still he was hotter than anyone else there. “I see you spent hours on your appearance. Sexy, as always. If you haven’t snagged a sugar daddy yet, maybe you could spare a dance for me.”
Coy’s light blue eyes flashed with humor. “Do you mean one where you’re not rescuing me?”
“Yep. Just for the fun of it.”
“I mean, you are taking me home,” Coy said, toying with the buttons on Law’s shirt. “It only seems fair.” That was all the warning Law got before Coy dragged him onto the dance floor. Coy tossed back shots between songs and forced Law to dance to shit he never would have otherwise. As he’d always suspected he would, Law had a better time with Coy than he had in years. Law still kept a close watch on Coy’s alcohol intake. At the first slurred word, Law found John and let him know he would see Coy home. Getting Coy in the truck when he wasn’t ready to leave was an adventure in itself. Coy tried several times to head back inside. He didn’t give up until Law pinned him against his chest. Then Coy melted into his hold, forcing Law to grind his back teeth to fight back the waves of lust. Goddamn, Coy smelled amazing. He made Law’s mouth water. There was nothing appealing about a drunk. It was like Coy was incapable of turning Law off. As Law lifted Coy into the truck and buckled his seatbelt, he stole more touches than necessary.
“You’re being so nice tonight,” Coy muttered, sounding out of his head. “Why do you only like me when no one is watching?”
Coy’s question stole Law’s breath. He deserved the jibe and so much worse. It wasn’t like he didn’t know he always hurt Coy. But Coy didn’t understand. Law couldn’t be what Coy wanted. “I always like you. You shouldn’t like me,” Law said, hoping Coy didn’t hear. He closed the door before Coy responded. Law took his time circling the truck. His temper irrationally spiked. Lately, his moods were all over the place and hard for him to control. As he slid behind the wheel, the ugliness pressing on his brain disappeared. Coy had his head leaned back on the seat, already half asleep. He was adorable.
“Coy?” He didn’t respond. Law swiped his fingers through Coy’s hair. Coy still didn’t budge. “I think you’re perfect.”
Coy’s head shot up. He blinked at his surroundings. “Did you say something?”
“Yeah. You should rest your eyes.”
Coy nodded and relaxed again. Law drove home in silence. His gaze kept sliding Coy’s way. The temptation to reach over and touch Coy was massive. Law couldn’t think about anything else. Soon they’d be home and Law would go to bed alone. Tomorrow, things would return to normal. Law already missed Coy’s smile.
Inside the garage, Law pulled his keys from the ignition but didn’t get out. For a moment, he simply stared at Coy. He looked uncomfortable. Law shook his head. It was over. He needed to let Coy sleep. Sitting there all night would change nothing. Law silently slipped from the truck and moved to Coy’s side. Coy came awake the second Law touched him. Law fought the urge to hold Coy to his chest and carry him in the house.
Instead, he became the man Coy hated. “Come on, drunkard. Once again, you’re leaving all the heavy lifting to me.” In one smooth motion, he tossed Coy over his shoulder.
“Jesus,” Coy breathed.
“Don’t you dare puke on me.”
“I’m good.”
Law snorted but didn’t call bullshit.
“You have such a nice ass,” Coy said, stroking Law’s ass. Law bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing. From Coy’s position on Law’s shoulder, he should’ve had a hard time talking. Nothing slowed Coy while inebriated, it seemed. “You’re so pretty. Why do you have to be so pretty?” Coy stroked his ass again, even as his voice turned sad. “Maybe if you were ugly, I wouldn’t be so stupid when it comes to you. I doubt it, but maybe.”
Law shook his head at Coy’s antics. “You’re probably going to hate yourself tomorrow if you don’t stop talking.”
“Probably,” Coy said, sounding ridiculously level headed. “Since I always hate myself, tomorrow will be just another day. As a matter of fact, you usually hate me too. We have so much in common. You have a great ass. I’m gonna touch it.” He was true to his word. Coy squeezed his butt. “Law?”
Coy’s three-sixty spin to a sad tone hurt Law’s throat. “Yeah?”
“If I could be different to make someone else happy, it would be you.”
Law’s eyes fell closed. He took a deep breath for strength. Unfortunately, Coy’s cologne filled his nose instead. “I don’t want you to be different.” Law pushed the back door open as he made the claim. Coy didn’t say anything while Law made his way through two hallways, avoiding any chance of encountering anyone on the way to Coy’s bedroom. He stopped a few feet from Coy’s door.
“You should take me to bed.”
Law bent at the knees to set Coy on his feet. “You’ve had a lot to drink. You should go to bed alone before you make a fool of yourself.” In his head, the words sounded scathing. Leaving his lips, Law’s words sounded breathless as Coy’s body slid down his as Law set Coy on his feet. His arms didn’t release Coy the way Law’s brain demanded. Coy touched Law’s chest. Their feet shuffled closer. Law dropped his chin. He couldn’t look away from the way Coy fingered the top button on Law’s shirt. Their temples met. Neither of them moved away.
With their heads together and their faces only inches apart, Law’s breathing shallowed. He was half terrified and fully aroused. Coy slipped the buttons loose on Law’s shirt. All Law could do was watch it happen. His body refused to budge. His fingers wouldn’t unclench from where they held Coy’s waist. Law’s shirt fell open. He could feel Coy breathing every bit as heavily. He turned his head. Their lips bumped. It wasn’t a kiss, but Law automatically leaned his head away. If they kissed, Law was lost. He didn’t think he could turn back from tasting Coy. Coy didn’t chase him. Instead, he brushed his palm across Law’s bare stomach. Law dropped his chin again. This time, when Coy’s lips brushed his, Law held still. His breathing was so shallow, he wondered if he’d faint. Coy made no attempt to deepen the kiss.
Coy leaned away an inch. “You’re right,” he whispered, sounding broken. “I’ve had a lot to drink. I should go to bed before I make a fool of myself.” Coy tried turning away.
Law’s hold tightened on Coy. Coy didn’t lift his chin or meet his stare. Law could practically feel the hurt rolling off Coy. The way Law pulled and pushed Coy all the time, fighting himself, was hurting Coy. That was not what Law wanted. He didn’t know how to stop. “I should’ve let you go home with Jonah.”
Coy’s sexy light blue gaze finally lifted at the claim. Law swore he saw something harden and die. He couldn’t breathe at the idea. “I think I’m done letting you stand on me so you can feel taller. Maybe I am a fool, sad, and stupid like everyone tells me, but at least I’m not a coward. If you ever decide to be honest with yourself, I don’t think you can say the same.”
Law’s arms fell away. He watched in silence as Coy disappeared inside his bedroom. For longer than he cared to admit, Law stared at Coy’s closed door. Coy’s accusations rang in Law’s ears. He didn’t need to search his heart. Law had known he was a coward for years. Until tonight, he hadn’t realized he was also a bad person.
Four
Not once had Coy crossed Law’s path since the incident after the club. Coy had always been good at avoiding him, but this was nuts. After spending two entire nights tossing and turning, Law had decided he would apologize. If nothing else, he owed it to Coy to say he was sorry and leave him alone. He’d known all along they wouldn’t be together. It was possible Coy’s claim was true. Maybe Law had been standing on him to feel taller, in a sense. He would stop. Somehow. Even if it killed him. Damn. Law rubbed his chest. He was
pretty sure it would kill him.
After ten minutes of hunting on his own, Law gave up and searched out Rick. The older, rugged-looking cowboy sat on an overturned bucket and watched as the other guys acclimated themselves to the two new horses David had bought.
“Where’s Coy?”
Rick shrugged. He didn’t look Law’s way. “I haven’t seen him today. I assumed you’d sent him to do something else.”
With a growl, Law headed for the house. If David hadn’t sent Coy on errands without telling Law, Law would put his foot in Coy’s ass. It was one thing for Coy to be pissed off at Law. It was a whole other thing for him to leave the crew shorthanded like a petulant child. He found David in his office. Law tried bringing his rage under control as he tapped his knuckles on David’s open door.
David glanced up. “Hey, Law. What’s up?”
Law held his straw cowboy hat between his hands as he crossed the threshold. “Have you seen Coy? It seems he left the crew shorthanded today.”
“They’re not shorthanded,” David said, going back to shuffling through the paperwork on his desk. “We’re in our slow season.”
David’s cold tone gave Law pause. He also didn’t fail to notice David hadn’t answered his question. “And Coy?”
“He left.”
“Okay,” Law said, dragging out the word.
With a loud sigh, David met his stare again. His light blue eyes weren’t exactly hard, but they weren’t as welcoming as usual. “Coy gave me his notice yesterday. He asked to work out his two weeks with Tyrone instead of here. After hearing his reasons, I chose to let him go ahead and leave. No hard feelings or bad references.”
Law spent a moment debating whether he should ask or run.
Before he decided, David’s expression softened, and he motioned Law closer. “Close the door and have a seat.”
Sugar Enemy: Sugar Daddies #10 Page 2
