An Unexpected Win

by Jenna Byrnes

  They watched each other as the thick shaft went in. Trey knew what to expect this time, accepted the initial pain without complaint, fully aware that the end result would totally be worth a moment of irritation.

  “It gets easier,” Hawk seemed to sense his thoughts.

  “Much easier. And very much worth it.” Trey couldn’t tear his gaze from the big man’s eyes. Intense feelings raced through him as they joined, caressing each other with eyes and fingertips. “That’s it,” he panted. “Fuck me. Damn, I love feeling you inside me!”

  Hawk dropped on top of him, arms on either side to hold his body up. “I love it, too.” He slowed long enough for a gentle kiss. “I really love it.”

  Trey’s heart soared. He read the man’s meaning in no uncertain terms. It was too early for either of them to say it, but they both felt it. Love. Pure, unadulterated love. Trey couldn’t agree more. “Yes. Fuck me, Yuma. I need you!”

  Hawk’s eyelids fluttered then closed. Gathering his bearings, and with one last sweet kiss to Trey’s lips, he rose and pulled out until just his cockhead was submerged. His gaze once again locked with Trey’s, he plunged deep and hard.

  Trey cried out, a mix of pleasure-pain that he couldn’t get enough of. “More! Please!”

  Again and again, Hawk plunged deep, rocking their bodies until both were dripping perspiration in the air-chilled room. “Fuck, yeah. Fuck, yeah,” Hawk chanted in time with his thrusts. A low growl formed at the back of his throat, and he clutched Trey’s cock in one hand. “Come with me, baby. Spray me as I warm your ass.”

  “Yes!” Trey gasped at the firm tugs. Twice, three times, and on the fourth he shot his load over both their stomachs.

  Hawk’s climax was noisy and earth-shattering. He drove deeper and deeper, pounding their bodies together until Trey thought he might never recover. Never want to recover. When Hawk was sated and dropped onto him, Trey captured his face with both hands and kissed him as fervently as he could.

  “Mmm.” Hawk returned the kiss, then pulled back and cupped Trey’s face with his palm. “You’re so fucking perfect I can hardly stand it.”

  Tears welled in Trey’s eyes and there was nothing he could do to stop them. “I think so too.” He smiled sheepishly. “About you, I mean.”

  Hawk watched him for a moment, then used his thumbs to swipe away the tears. “I’m becoming attached to you, Shelby Trey Mitchell. And I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

  “I think it’s a very good thing.” Trey touched one finger to Hawk’s lips. “Because I love you.”

  The bigger man’s eyes welled this time. “You can’t love me. You’re not mine to keep, baby.”

  Trey grasped two handfuls of hair. “Tell me you don’t feel the same way. Tell me you don’t love me, and say it so I believe it. I dare you.”

  Hawk bit back a smile, but didn’t speak.

  “I double dog dare you.”

  He couldn’t hold back his grin. “Of course I love you. We’ve got a connection I’ve never experienced with anyone before. But I couldn’t betray Carter. He’s a good man.”

  Trey touched Hawk’s lips again. “You let me worry about Carter. We’ll figure it out. We’ve got five more days together first.”

  Hawk rolled his eyes to the ceiling and back down. “Five more days of this might kill me.”

  “But what a way to die!” Trey cupped the back of his head and pulled him down for a kiss.

  Hawk groaned through his grin.

  Chapter Four

  Trey loaded the dishwasher after breakfast later that morning. When Hawk reappeared in the kitchen dressed in nice jeans and a button-down shirt, he gave him a nod of approval. “You clean up real good, cowboy.” He batted his lashes at the handsome man.

  Hawk winked at him. “Your turn next. And hurry up about it, we have someplace to be.”

  “Where could we have to be?” Trey ran his hands through Hawk’s shiny black hair.

  “Weekend’s over, time to get to work.”

  Trey smiled. “Apparently, I have the week off.”

  “Nope. You’re coming to work with me. So get dressed. Jeans are fine.”

  “I was hoping to braid this hair.” He wove his fingers through the silky strands.

  “Believe it or not, that takes practice. I’ll show you how later, but I’m going to do it now. Clothes, please, or I’ll attach that leash to your schlong and take you out as is.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  Trey rolled his eyes. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

  “Make it ten,” Hawk called after him, and proceeded to braid his hair into a ponytail.

  Trey showered quickly and dressed even faster. It was a mere twelve minutes later when he returned, ready to go. “Work?” He blinked. “I didn’t think movie stars had to work.”

  “We don’t. But I do some volunteer stuff. Come on.” Hawk grabbed his keys and sunglasses, and they headed out.

  As his Dom drove down the road, Trey glanced around. “You’re not going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.” He pulled into the parking lot of a bakery. “Be right back.”

  Trey nodded and watched him get out and go inside. When Hawk returned he carried a large bakery box and a smaller bag on top of it. He opened the back door and placed them on the seat, then climbed back into the truck.

  “This gets curiouser and curiouser.”

  Hawk grinned but didn’t clue him in, just continued on his way. A few minutes later he pulled into the lot of a tall, brick building, several stories high.

  “What is this place?” Trey tried to read the signs.

  “St. Mark’s Children’s Hospital. Come on. Grab the leather backpack in the seat behind you, please.”

  Trey did as instructed and watched Hawk carry the bakery box and bag. He followed him inside.

  The facility was sterile like a hospital, but it was bright and cheery, obviously intended for children.

  “Morning, Hawk!” A nurse behind the first counter waved at them. Her scrubs were Pepto-pink and they clashed with her thick, curly bottle-red hair, but her bright smile made up for it. Uber-cheerful, she was the perfect greeter for a place like this.

  “Cindy, holy smokes! It ought to be a crime to look that good on a Monday morning.” He opened the box and held it out to her. “Sweets for the sweet.”

  Trey watched as she chose one of the dozens of cookies inside the large box.

  “Thank you.” She tucked the cookie under the counter in front of her. “Sweet-talker, that’s what you are.” She glanced at Trey. “Watch out for this one. He’s a charmer, that’s what he is.”

  Trey grinned. “I’ve noticed.” He followed Hawk down the hall. The man obviously knew his way around, and everyone there seemed to know him. But why? Hawk said he was going to work. Did he really work here?

  In a large room that seemed to be a combination cafeteria and playroom, he set the box down on a table and several children ran up to him, hugging his legs. “Hawk! Hawk!”

  He crouched down to their level. “Cecilia! How are you feeling today? Hi, Jake. Did you get a new cast?”

  The kids, each wearing a smaller version of a hospital gown, vied for his attention. The dark-haired boy he’d called Jake waved his plaster-covered arm. “I did! Will you sign it?”

  “Of course. Give me a few minutes. I brought a friend today, and I want to show him around. Trey, this is Jake, and Cecilia.” He motioned to the blonde-haired girl with her own cast arm.

  “Hi, Jake. Hi, Cecilia.” Trey smiled at the kids.

  They kept babbling, to both him and Hawk, and both men listened patiently. A nurse came to get the children and helped them choose a cookie each to take to a nearby table to eat.

  Hawk grabbed the small bag he’d brought with the box and asked the nurse, “Is Sam in his room?”

  “Yes. He’s having a rough day.”

  Hawk motioned to the table and the pack Trey carried. “You can set that down. Let’s go say hi t
o Sam.” He led Trey down the hall and stopped in front of one of the rooms. Hawk knocked on the door and stuck his head in. “Anybody home?”

  “Hawk!” a small voice called.

  Smiling, he entered and went to the boy’s side. “Still in bed, lazy bones?”

  “I’m not feeling too good today.”

  He held up the small bag. “I brought your special cookies, gluten-free. I’ll set them here for now, and we’ll make sure your mom says it’s okay first.”

  “Thanks, Hawk. Can we make more paper birds today?” He pointed to his bedside table.

  Trey noticed several small origami birds, folded from paper.

  “I thought we’d color some pictures today, but only if you’re feeling up to it.” He glanced at Trey. “This is my friend Trey.”

  “Is he a good colorer?”

  Hawk nodded seriously. “Trey is good at everything he does. He’ll be a great colorer.”

  Sam leaned back against his pillow. “I don’t know if I can come out today. Mom says Dr. Jones is supposed to be here soon.”

  “Let’s see what he says. If you can’t come out, maybe Trey and I can come back and color with you. Just rest for now. We’ll be back.”

  “Promise?”

  “Cross my heart.” Hawk touched Sam’s head, then headed out.

  Trey had to hurry to keep up with him. “What is this?” He was confused.

  “Exactly what it looks like. A hospital for sick children. Very sick children. Most of these kids won’t be going home again. Sam won’t, for sure.”

  Trey paused and drew a breath. “Oh my God.”

  Hawk rolled his shoulders, as if they’d suddenly developed tension. He glanced at Trey. “Don’t look so gloomy. Nobody wants to see that. They want to see smiles and happy faces.”

  “You work here?” He was still trying to process the information.

  “I volunteer here. Yes, it’s work. God help me, some days it’s the hardest work I’ve ever done.”

  “I’m just…surprised. Considering what you used to do, I mean. The parents don’t mind?”

  Hawk’s face clouded. “Mind what? That I bring their kids cookies and listen to them and help them make crafts and try to help them not to be so scared of this crazy hand they’ve been dealt?”

  Trey closed his mouth. Hawk was doing something special, something amazing, and all he could see was a man who used to be a porn star getting close to children. He couldn’t help but wonder if the parents and staff knew about Hawk’s other career. But watching Hawk, he felt like a shit for even allowing such a thought.

  On their way back to the cafeteria, a man in a suit approached from the other direction. Next to him was a long-haired, ponytailed man in jeans and a dark T-shirt. “Good morning, Hawk!” The suited man shook hands with Hawk and glanced at Trey. “So, your arrangement must be working out?” He smiled, a leering thing that said he knew exactly what kind of ‘arrangement’ Hawk and Trey had.

  Trey struggled to recognize the man, but the leer brought it home. Nicolas Fontana had been at the Rose & Thorn Society dungeon Saturday night. Nick was the arrogant Dom who’d been playing cards with Carter and Hawk.

  Hawk glanced at Trey appreciatively. “Couldn’t be better, actually.” He extended his hand to the other man. “Mitch, how are you doing?”

  “Very well, thanks. Need to check out a plumbing leak down the hall, though.” He glanced at Nick. “I’ll get right on that.”

  “Thank you.” Nick’s eyes twinkled and he watched the man walk off.

  Trey turned his head, watching Mitch go.

  “Such an obedient sub,” Nick lowered his voice. “Makes life so sweet, doesn’t it? I trust you’re finding Carter’s sub well trained.”

  Once again, Hawk smiled at Trey. “Oh, abundantly so. We’re getting along very nicely. It was good to see you, Nick. I promised the kids we’d be right back so we should get going.”

  Nick looked at Trey. “Everyone loves it when Hawk comes to visit. He’s like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day. You can see it in their little faces.”

  Trey couldn’t resist a jab at the man and added, “Mine too.”

  Startled, Nick laughed.

  Hawk gripped the back of Trey’s neck and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Flattery will get you everywhere, babe. Let’s go. See you soon, Nick.”

  “Enjoy!” the man called as he walked in one direction and they went in the other.

  “He’s kind of a pompous ass,” Trey mused.

  “Kind of is putting it mildly, but like I told you before, he’s a good guy. He’s definitely proud of his subs.”

  “I thought his slave was a blond guy?”

  “Adam is the blond one. He’s a personal trainer at some gym. Mitch is a rodeo cowboy-turned-maintenance man. He knows this place inside and out. They really appreciate him around here.”

  “This place is incredible, Hawk. Didn’t you say Nick is a fundraiser?”

  “Yes. St. Mark’s is free to families. Services are funded by donations from individuals and corporations, because no sick child’s family is ever billed for services. As you can imagine, they rely quite heavily on volunteers as well.”

  “Wow.” Trey was stunned at the whole concept. Further amazing him was the idea that these men who were so dominant in some aspects of their lives could be so tender-hearted, working and volunteering for a place like this. He was speechless.

  Hawk gazed at him sideways. “So tell me, did I lie, or are you a good colorer?”

  Trey flexed his fingers and smiled. “You didn’t lie.”

  * * * *

  Hawk leaned back in his recliner a few nights later, nursing a bottle of cold beer. When the phone rang earlier and he’d spotted Kel’s number, he’d sensed that it wasn’t going to be good.

  Trey stood in the doorway to the kitchen, folding the dishtowel. “Dinner dishes are cleaned up. Can I get you anything else?”

  He sighed. “You can get your ass in here and kiss me. I told you that you’re not required to wait on me. We don’t role-play twenty-four-seven around here.”

  Trey tossed the towel aside and knelt at Hawk’s feet. “And I told you, I’m only doing what I want. Right now, you look like you could use a foot rub.” He tugged at Hawk’s boots and pulled them off, one at a time.

  Hawk shivered as strong hands began massaging the arch of one sock-covered foot. “Damn, that feels good.”

  “You’ve had a long day.”

  “Sam’s getting worse. It’s hard to watch.”

  “His mother really seems to like you.”

  Hawk gazed at Trey. “Which surprises you, doesn’t it?”

  “No! I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I know exactly how you meant it. I’m a porn star-turned-BDSM Dom so how on earth could a decent woman with a child like me? Read you loud and clear, Trey.”

  His new lover’s face fell. “I swear, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  Hawk scoffed, trying not to get riled at the sting. “Right. Okay. Some of the people there know about my past career, and as far as I know, none of them cares. No one except Nick and his subs know about my dalliances at the Rose & Thorn, because that’s nobody’s fucking business.”

  “I agree.” Trey, appearing contrite, had stopped the massage.

  Hawk wiggled his foot.

  Grinning, Trey resumed.

  “Sam’s father left when he got sick. The mother’s family lives in another state. They do what they can, but she’s pretty much on her own.”

  “What’s wrong with Sam?”

  “He’s got a rare type of blood cancer. He needs a bone marrow transplant because he hasn’t reacted well to any of the drugs they’ve tried. Odds are slim of finding a match.”

  “That really sucks.”

  Hawk smiled at the simple statement. “Yeah, it does.”

  Trey moved his caresses to the other foot. “But something else is bothering you. Ever since you got that phone call before dinner, you’ve been i
n a mood.”

  “I have not,” Hawk snapped.

  Trey averted his gaze. “Mood.”

  “Touché.” He sighed. “I got the call I’d been expecting from Kel. He’s not coming back. Oh, he’ll be by to get his things, mostly just clothes and such. But he’s moving home to be closer to his family. And a barista he met at a local coffee shop.”

  Trey’s jaw fell open. “You’re kidding me? How could he improve on what he has right here, with you? You’re amazing, Hawk. Seriously.”

  He pulled his foot away and planted them on the floor, leaning forward. “Because I told you, we aren’t looking for the same things anymore. Kel wants a home and family with some little adopted kids, a dog, and a white picket fence.”

  The man sighed. “And you couldn’t compromise?”

  “Could you? I don’t want children. I love them, sure, but I don’t want to be responsible for any. I don’t even want a damn dog.”

  Trey shoved the footrest on the recliner back into place and worked his way between Hawk’s knees. “What do you want, Yuma Nighthawk?”

  Staring into the sub’s clear eyes, he grasped the back of his neck and cupped it. “I want my privacy. I want to use the gifts I’ve been given to quietly make a difference in people’s lives. And I want a man with pretty pink lips to suck my dick every now and then. Is that asking so much?”

  “No, Sir.” His gaze glued to Hawk’s, trey unbuttoned his Master’s jeans and worked them down enough for his cock to spring free. He licked his lips. “May I suck it now, Sir?”

  Hawk leaned back and closed his eyes. “Make it good.”

  The mouth of his dreams captured Hawk’s cockhead and sucked just the tip.

  He couldn’t bear not watching and opened his eyes in time to see his slave licking up the full length of his aroused shaft. Hawk shivered at the beautiful sight. Seeing those perfect lips wrapped around his cock was almost enough to make him shoot then and there. He’d joked about Kel’s mouth being a lethal weapon. Trey’s was the gold standard—the mouth by which all other mouths should be judged.