Loving Daniel (MC Securities Book 3)

by Ruby Moone

  “Come for me.” His words were a harsh whisper, and Christian’s world went blank. All the muscles in every part of his body wend rigid, it was like he was held in suspension for a moment, then bam. Sensation returned, and his orgasm ripped through him, pulsating and lighting up every part of him. He roared, a long, harsh sound of joy. He heard Daniel crying out behind him as he pumped his seed and pressed his face into his shoulder. They crumpled onto the bed, still jerking, cocks twitching, and lay entwined. Daniel was heavy on top of him, but he didn’t care. He wanted nothing more than to lie in the aftermath and feel Daniel imprinted on every last inch of skin. Inside and out.

  “Are you okay?” Daniel’s voice was a soft rumble.

  “Yeah. You?”

  “Yeah.” He heaved himself up, and Christian missed his warmth. His weight.

  31

  Christian hauled himself up and stripped the wet sheet from the bed. It was a top sheet, so there was still the bottom sheet on the mattress. He wiped himself with it, balled it, and dropped it on the tiled floor. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling fan, and waited for Daniel to return from the bathroom.

  When he came back, he glanced at Christian laid on the bed, opened a cupboard, took out a flat, pressed, white sheet and gestured with it. Christian got up, still naked, and Daniel shook it out over the bed. They let it float down and both tucked it in at the bottom. Christian got back in, turned off the light and Daniel got in beside him, not touching him. All in total silence.

  “Well, we’ve not lost it,” Christian murmured in the dark.

  “True. Do you mind if I open the curtains?” He was out of bed and pulling them back. Moonlight flooded the room, making it easier to see.

  “Fine with me.”

  Daniel got back into bed and lay beside him, not touching.

  “What’s your view on cuddling these days?”

  There was a rustle as Daniel turned his head to look at him. “What?”

  “When we were kids, you weren’t always that keen on cuddling, but I at least got an arm around me for a bit after sex.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Christian gave an exaggerated sigh. “Do you want to cuddle or is that it.”

  Daniel hesitated, but then shifted and held up an arm. Christian rolled over and lay his head on Daniel’s chest, leg slid between his, arm wrapped around his waist. Exactly where he wanted to be.

  “Tomorrow, it’s your turn.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll fuck you senseless then cuddle you.”

  “How can I resist.” The words sounded like a joke, but his body tensed.

  “Indeed.” Christian dropped a kiss on his chest.

  They lay in silence, and Christian was drifting when Daniel spoke.

  “There’s something I want to say.”

  Oh hell. Christian knew it was too good to be true. He didn’t move from his spot on the warmth of Daniel’s skin. “Go on,” he murmured warily.

  Daniel was silent for a moment, but Christian could feel his heart thundering in his chest. The hands that held him weren’t entirely steady.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m… sorry.”

  Christian didn’t pretend to not know what he was talking about. He ran a hand over Daniel’s chest, letting his fingers sift idly through the hair between his nipples. “Can I ask why?”

  “I know what I did was shitty. I know I hurt you. I…I’m sorry.”

  So he wasn’t going to get a why. “Do you regret it?” Christian tried, and tilted his head so he could look up.

  Daniel looked down at him. His eyes were grave. “Every day of my life.”

  Christian couldn’t hold that gaze. He looked at his chin. “Will you walk away again?”

  Daniel swallowed. He wrapped Christian tighter in his arms and it looked like he came to a decision. “Only if you tell me to go.”

  There was a bleakness to the statement. As though he fully expected to be told to go. Christian dropped a kiss on his chest and wondered why he might feel that way.

  “Maybe we need to get to know each other again.”

  Daniel didn’t speak. He just held him tighter.

  32

  Daniel sat with Asher on the patio drinking coffee while Tassos sorted out some breakfast for them. Christian was still sleeping, but Daniel had woken up early. He was buzzing. Couldn’t sit still. It had been like stepping back in time. They’d slipped straight back into each other as though twelve years hadn’t passed at all. They fit together so naturally, so perfectly, it was heaven. He felt delirious with excitement at the thought of having Christian back in his life, back in his arms. So much so that he genuinely believed he could pull it off. Maybe his mother was right. There were things that he simply didn’t need to know. Maybe the truth was Daniel’s cross to bear. Daniel could bear it, and he would, for both of them, if…well, if it were possible that they might have a future together, it was worth it. He swallowed. One thing was clear, being with Christian felt so completely and utterly right. If he could rid himself of every last trace of his father’s empire, of his world, of his taint, they could begin again. Begin a new life that wasn’t mired in the past. His heart was fluttering like mad. He could do this. They could do this. As Christian said, they just needed time to get to know each other again. He swallowed and prayed that if they did, Christian liked him. He had the feeling he wasn’t that likeable.

  He glanced at his watch and drained the last of his coffee, feeling the first flutter of hope in his chest in a long, long time. He’d get onto his solicitor and Eric Daly today and chase things. The faster he could get rid of everything the better.

  Tassos emerged from the villa and handed them both large bowls of Greek yoghurt smothered in honey with a wide smile for Daniel and an appreciative glance at Asher. Daniel dug in and took a mouthful. The cold creaminess mingling with the intense sweetness of the honey was divine. Just like the taste of Christian. He was scraping the last out of the bowl when his mother arrived. She kissed him on the head and sat beside him.

  “Morning, gentlemen.”

  Asher murmured a greeting, and Daniel smiled at her.

  “No Christian?”

  “Asleep.”

  His mother nodded. “How is he doing?”

  “Good. He’s recovered quickly, thank God.”

  Tassos came out with another cup and filled it with coffee for her. She took it with a smile but declined any food.

  She took a sip and sighed. “Any news on the man who hurt Christian?”

  Daniel looked at Asher, who shook his head. “Nothing. It’s all gone quiet.”

  “Is this a good thing?” She looked at Daniel.

  Daniel shrugged. “Not sure. There are a lot of powerful people who are…looking for him.”

  She pursed her lips and nodded. Being Kenneth McCafferty’s wife for a long time, she understood what he meant.

  “I’m going to get in touch with Eric Daly. He might have something.”

  Asher nodded. “He’s afraid of Daly.”

  “Is this one of the people looking for him?”

  Daniel smiled at his mother. “He is. I’m doing some business with him. He’s a lawyer and he’s buying up parts of Kenneth’s business.”

  “Will you keep anything?”

  Daniel shook his head. “No. I want nothing to do with it. Once it’s wound up, and I know what it’s worth, I’ll look for something to invest it in that will make a difference to people.”

  His mother leaned against his arm and smiled up at him. “Don’t forget your friends in Greece.”

  He laughed down at her. “Don’t worry. You’re top of my list.”

  She nudged him. “I can’t tell you how lovely it is to have you here. I hope you are staying for a while.”

  “It will depend on Christian. He’s got a business to run and I get the feeling he won’t want to stay long.”

  She nodded and took another sip of her coffee.


  “But I can come back anytime I like now.”

  She smiled up at him and he smiled back feeling something shift inside him. Like it was finally hitting him. Kenneth was gone, he really, really could do as he pleased. He could see his mother, see Christian… His insides started fizzing again and excitement at all the possibilities made his heart pound.

  “I just want to get in the pool,” Daniel grumbled. It was so damned hot.

  Asher was sweating visibly and so was Christian as they pulled up at the villa. They’d all set off after breakfast to look at the local villages and explore the coast. It had been great, but by early afternoon the sun was beating down on them and Christian looked exhausted. He switched off the engine, and they all piled out of the car.

  They were back earlier than they’d planned, and as they rounded the corner, they came upon his mother at a table by the side of the pool, working on a lap top, with Tassos beside her in just his trunks. Daniel cast a cautious glance at Asher and Christian, his mother took off her sunglasses and smiled at them.

  Tassos immediately jumped up, scowling. The scars on his chest were dark and noticeable. If Daniel remembered correctly it was about two years since his mother had helped him escape his deeply transphobic family, helped him find somewhere to live, work, and supported him while he started his transition. It was a large part of what the foundation his mother ran did. Tassos, however was looking uncomfortable.

  Daniel smiled at him. He didn’t imagine Asher or Christian would have an issue, but you could never tell.

  Christian waved. “Hey, sorry to disturb you. Don’t let us interfere. Just going to change and we’ll join you.”

  Tassos ran a hand over the back of his head and nodded. “Sure.” He looked over at Asher, who was staring.

  “Drink, Asher?” Daniel’s tone was pointed.

  Asher jumped. His dark eyes were totally unreadable. “Yeah. Thanks.”

  “I’ll go change,” Tassos mumbled.

  “Not on my account.” Asher’s voice was solid.

  Tassos cleared his throat. “Yeah. Erm. Thanks.”

  Asher walked past him and squeezed his shoulder as he did so. Tassos stared at his retreating back with something like hero worship in his eyes.

  Christian disappeared so Daniel stopped beside him. “Okay?”

  Tassos grinned and nodded. “Yeah. Okay.” His voice was a little breathy. He got back on the sun lounger and tentatively lay back. Daniel glanced at his mother. She winked at him.

  Christian came back in trunks and flip flops. “Does this slave driver ever give you a day off?” Christian flopped onto the lounger beside Tassos and stretched out with a groan.

  “Sometimes.”

  “Why don’t you come with us tomorrow. We thought we might hire a boat and go to the islands.”

  “I don’t know….”

  “Fine with me.” He looked over at his mother, but she just smiled and nodded.

  “Well…” He shrugged. “Yeah. Great. I can take you to some good places. I know where to eat. I’ll be a good guide.”

  “In that case, why don’t we all go out tonight?”

  Tassos looked at Daniel. Daniel grinned and nodded. “Come with us. It would be fun.” He glanced over at his mother who was grinning like a cat.

  “Excellent.” Christian lay back against the lounger and started applying sun cream to his arms. Daniel couldn’t drag his eyes away. He wasn’t sure he’d survive another sun cream display with other people around. He cleared his throat and glanced at Tassos. Tassos wasn’t watching. He was looking at Asher who was walking towards them wearing nothing but tiny red speedos. He looked amazing in them, being slight yet tightly muscled. His skin gleamed with sun lotion, and a soft, dark patch of hair beneath his navel seemed to have captured Tassos’ attention.

  Daniel leaned back, closed his eyes, and smiled to himself.

  33

  That evening, they drove into the town for dinner. Tassos recommended a couple of restaurants with fabulous views and excellent chefs, and as Daniel didn’t drink, he volunteered for driver duty. Tassos and Asher joined them. They walked through the old town enjoying the hustle and bustle of the old, narrow streets. It was filled with beautiful craft shops, bakeries, jewellers, and all manner of clothes shops. Christian paused to look at some locally made, men’s leather bracelets while Tassos took Asher to look at a shop with beautiful icons.

  “Do you like it?” Daniel was standing close.

  “It’s gorgeous. I love the silver work on the clasp.”

  “Get it.”

  “I might.” He put it back with a smile for the shop owner.

  They meandered through the little streets, then walked up the steep steps that took them to the castle on the top of the hill. The view with all the twinkling lights down in the harbour was stupendous. Everyone was taking selfies with the view in the background, so Christian pulled out his phone and stood next to Daniel.

  “Selfie.”

  Daniel grimaced.

  “Don’t be a spoilsport.” He held up the phone and grinned. Daniel dipped his head, so he was in the shot. He didn’t quite smile, but at least he wasn’t scowling. They sat on the low wall and watched as the people passed by. Tassos and Asher were further up, peering over the edge.

  Daniel nudged Christian with his shoulder, so he looked up. He didn’t look at him, he just put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small paper bag and gave it to him.

  Puzzled, Christian opened it, then grinned. The leather bracelet. He nudged back.

  “Aww. You shouldn’t have.”

  “It suited you.”

  Christian unfastened it, and tried to wrap it around his wrist, but he couldn’t quite catch the clasp. He held out his arm, and Daniel took hold of it. His hands were big and warm. He brought the edges of the bracelet together and fastened the intricate clasp.

  “Thank you,” Christian whispered.

  Daniel smiled out over the view.

  It had only been a few days, but something in Daniel had changed. Shifted. He smiled more, laughed more, and seemed to be emerging from the wall that he’d built around himself. Christian looked at his profile in the moonlight and felt a rush of emotion at the sight of this large, complex man. At times he was short tempered, bossy, infuriating, but then he could be so gentle, so unsure, and kind. He must have felt him looking, because he turned his head. Christian smiled. Daniel smiled back. A smile full of warmth. He winked and made Christian’s heart somersault.

  Asher and Tassos joined them, and they set off for the restaurant that they’d settled on. The four of them sat on the outdoor terrace of a small, family-run fish restaurant perched on the cliff in the lee of the castle, overlooking the bay. Christian felt more relaxed than he could remember. It was heavenly. The sun was disappearing over the horizon, and everything was bathed in tones of gold and peach, and a gentle, warm breeze occasionally stirred the air as the cicadas sang. The sea moved gently below them, the air rich with smells of oregano, tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic, and the distant sound of traditional Greek music all came together to weave a spell over them. Christian closed his eyes and breathed it all in.

  “You okay?” Daniel’s voice was soft.

  “More than okay.” He turned and smiled at him. Daniel smiled back. They looked at each other for what felt like a long time. Daniel was the first to look away. Christian moved his leg so that his knee touched Daniel’s under the table. Daniel didn’t move, or acknowledge the touch, but he didn’t break the contact.

  When it came, the food was sensational. Although to Christian’s mind, food always tasted better outdoors. They all drank water and juice, despite Daniel reassuring them that he was more than happy for them to drink, and by the time they headed back to the car, Christian had to admit, it made a pleasant change to return from a night out without feeling the effects of alcohol. They got out of the car, and Daniel walked with Asher, so Christian brought up the rear with Tassos.

  “How long have you
worked for Elena?”

  Tassos flashed a quick smile. “Two years.” He shot him a shy sideways glance. “Since my surgery.”

  “Tough time?”

  “Yeah. Family issues. Big ones.”

  “I’m sorry. Must have been awful.”

  “It was, but Elena and Daniel saved my life. He paid for my surgery and Elena took care of me.”

  Christian smiled.

  “Is this the first time you’ve met Daniel?”

  Tassos nodded. We communicated a lot, but this is the first time I’ve met him in person. “Are…you two together?”

  “We were once. I think part of this trip is about finding out whether or not we can be again.” Tassos nodded. “Plus, there’s this guy that tried to kill me…” He shrugged.

  “Daniel said we must be on our guard at all times. He’s a good man. He needs…” Tassos hesitated.

  “What does he need?”

  Tassos rubbed his chin. “His mother said he needs to know that he is lovable.”