Sugar Boss

by Charity Parkerson

  “Goddamn,” Maverick whispered against his lips, further melting Zander. “I’ve been waiting all day for that.” Before Zander could respond in kind, Maverick deepened their kiss once more.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” a male voice said, interrupting them.

  Maverick’s head shot up, but he didn’t release Zander. His grip turned into a caress as they looked their intruder’s way. A red-haired guy close to Maverick’s age stared back at them. He was Maverick’s corner man. Zander and Hendrix knew each other, but neither of them would ever acknowledge it.

  “Hey, Hendrix. What’s up?”

  The guy’s unusually light green gaze moved between them. If Zander wasn’t mistaken, there was some disapproval mixed with Hendrix’s surprise. That was nothing new for Zander. He was used to everyone disapproving of him. It was doubly understandable coming from Hendrix. Their history wasn’t good.

  He held out an envelope to Maverick. “Your winnings.”

  “Thanks, man,” Maverick said, reaching for the envelope. “I was headed to find you, but I got distracted.”

  Hendrix’s gaze slid Zander’s way once more. “I see that.” After another scathing look at Zander, Hendrix switched his attention to Maverick. “Don’t forget, I reserved the cage for two o’clock tomorrow. Zeke needs the practice.”

  Maverick nodded. “No worries. I’ll be there.”

  With a nod, Hendrix walked away. Maverick didn’t watch him go. He focused on Zander as if the corner man was already forgotten.

  “What should we do now that we’re all alone?” Maverick shook the envelope. His gaze never wavered from Zander. “I could take you out. Show you off. Make the world jealous that you’ll be going home with me.”

  Damn. Maverick was amazing. “As much as that appeals to me, you should hang onto your money, and let me spoil you for once.”

  With a dramatic groan Maverick fell against the wall. “Ugh. You know how much I hate you spending your money.”

  Zander couldn’t stop smiling. “You’ll live through it for one night.”

  Maverick’s expression transformed from playful to loving, stealing Zander’s heart. He tucked Zander’s hair behind his ear. “I know you don’t understand, but I need to be the one person in your life who wants nothing from you except your time.”

  “You already are that person, so meet me halfway. I need to be the one person in your life who spoils you, even though you don’t need me. Give me permission to do whatever I want for you for just one night. No complaining or regrets from you.” He could practically feel Maverick wavering. Zander gave him one final push. “Please?”

  Maverick’s shoulders fell, and Zander knew he’d won. “One night.”

  Even though Maverick didn’t know it yet, Zander was determined it would be one hell of a night.

  Maverick relaxed in the center of Zander’s bed, wondering if his bones could turn to jelly. Between Zander forcing him to shop half the night, pleasuring his body in the best of ways, and the sheer luxury of Zander’s amazing bed, Maverick was useless.

  A solid weight landed on Maverick. “I’ve been thinking.”

  Maverick took in the sexiness straddling his body. His hands lifted with no input from his brain. Zander’s nude body was too much temptation to resist. No matter how many ways he’d already had the man tonight. “Mhmm, you’ve been thinking,” Maverick parroted as his fingers traced Zander’s abs down to his cock. He watched it stir. Zander’s skin was still damp from his shower. Maverick wanted to lick him.

  “Yes. You should delay Green. Tell him your lawyer is backed up and can’t get you in for a while. He’s a businessman. That’s an excuse he’ll understand.”

  Maverick tried listening. There was too much beauty on his hips. “Why am I delaying Green?” Maverick palmed Zander’s shaft as he asked the question. He loved feeling Zander go hard in his hand.

  “Would you say I’m good at making money and know a lot about the sport?”

  “Smartest man I know,” Maverick agreed, stroking Zander’s dick, and barely paying attention to his words.

  Zander covered Maverick’s hand with his, guiding him into a rhythm he liked. “Damn. That’s good,” Zander said, sounding breathless. “I think you should enter one circuit match without a sponsor and try for a bigger fish than Green before choosing to sign on with him.”

  Maverick froze. He met Zander’s gaze. “That seems like kind of a shitty thing to do to Green after he made me an offer.”

  Zander shook his head. “You’re too nice. This business will eat you alive. I’m not telling you to fuck him over. I’m suggesting you look out for your best interests. You’re good. If you wanted, you could set yourself up for life with sponsors. You’re allowed to have as many as you want, as long as they’re not competing businesses. But if you go into your first circuit match already tied to someone, you might miss an even bigger deal. I’m not telling you not to sign with Green. Just let a few more people look at you before you settle on the first offer. If nothing else, Green might be willing to part with even more money if he sees a competitor is interested. Don’t let him take you cheap. Going pro means being a businessman as well as a fighter.”

  Zander made sense. Plus, he was smart and would look out more for Maverick’s interest than Green would. He went back to stroking Zander’s cock with Zander helping. It was an awesome show. One that already had Maverick ready to fuck like they hadn’t been all night. “So, you think these potential sponsors will just show up to a no-name fighter’s match and start throwing money at me?”

  Zander’s hips moved against Maverick’s fist. He threw his head back and gasped, stealing Maverick’s thoughts. When his chin dropped, Zander’s eyes were bright with lust. Still, he managed to hold a conversation. “Let me handle that. I’ll make some calls and get some people there.”

  “People?”

  Zander braced his palms on Maverick’s shoulders and openly fucked Maverick’s hands. He made it damn hard to concentrate. Zander was a twenty-four-seven porn channel Maverick didn’t want to stop watching. “Maybe Left Hook Energy Drinks and Coastal Clean Eats.”

  Those were some huge names. Almost big enough to make Maverick forget what he was doing. “If you do that, I won’t feel like I earned it.”

  A low moan escaped Zander. His voice came out in a pant. “Bullshit. You’ll have to work for it. They won’t just hand you a sponsorship. You’ll have to earn it. I’m just getting them there. The rest is up to you. Goddamn. Do that again,” Zander gasped when Maverick brushed his thumb along Zander’s slit. They’d need to talk more about it and hammer out the details. But as Maverick pulled Zander down for a kiss, giving into his desire to fuck this gorgeous man, he knew he’d follow Zander’s advice. He hadn’t been flattering Zander earlier. Zander was the smartest person he knew. Maverick would be insane not to take advice about his financial future from a billionaire. Plus, whatever Zander wanted, it was his. Maverick was pretty sure the guy just owned him now.

  Maverick was gone. The house felt devoid of life without him. All through his shower and getting dressed for the day, Zander fought a black mood that threatened to overcome him. He’d done so good lately. The dark days came less and less. Zander didn’t want to fall into the hole today. He headed for his office, searching for his phone. Maybe he’d send Maverick a text. The thought alone already had his mood lightening. A smile stretched his lips. He’d dropped so much money on Maverick in a matter of hours last night, Maverick’s horror had been almost tangible. Holding to their agreement, the man hadn’t complained not once.

  Since Maverick had lost his job, Zander did some practical things for him, as well. He hoped the gesture would stop Maverick from resenting Zander too much when his one night of spoiling the man was over. He’d bought him groceries. Paid his rent for the next six months. An evil laugh escaped Zander at the memory of Maverick’s expression over that one. He’d been biting his tongue damn hard. Zander was surprised he hadn’t bitten it off. The thing was, Zander wo
uld’ve found a way to do all those things for Maverick anyhow. It was better for Maverick to agree. Of course, Zander was certain Maverick hadn’t known exactly how far Zander would go. He needed to slow down. The last thing he wanted was to scare Maverick away.

  A folded piece of paper, underneath Zander’s cellphone on his desk, caught his eye. Zander unfolded the letter. Seeing Maverick’s name brought an immediate smile to Zander’s face without reading anything else. Zander sat before pouring over every word.

  Zander,

  You looked so goddamn sexy sleeping, I couldn’t wake you. Now that I’m set to leave, it’s killing me I didn’t get to kiss you goodbye. I’m pretty sure you own me. Not because of anything tangible. It’s damn sure not because of the fucking money you spent on me last night. I said I wouldn’t bitch. I didn’t say I wouldn’t pout. Anyhow, it’s just you that’s wowed me. All I want to do anymore is be with you. Unfortunately, we each have things we have to do, pulling us in different directions. **sad face** But I’ll miss you today. I can already tell it’ll be a long day without you. Ugh, now I wonder if you’ll think I sound desperate. Toss this in the trash if you think I’m ridiculous and we’ll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, text me when you wake up, so I can tell you good morning.

  XOXO,

  Maverick

  Zander chewed his bottom lip, trying to fight a smile that wouldn’t abate. Maverick was adorable. He overthought everything. The man made Zander want to protect that spark inside Maverick that made him leave notes and send flowers. Maverick deserved only good things. He did so many nice things for Zander. Flowers and notes were only a small part of what Maverick gave Zander simply by existing. Zander wanted to be the same, but he didn’t know how. If it involved money, Maverick would resent it, even though Zander refused to stop trying to give Maverick gifts.

  “You have a meeting soon. We should leave.”

  Zander stared at Pytor at the announcement, unmoving.

  Pytor’s eyebrows rose. “Are you okay?”

  Zander nodded. “I’d like to do something nice for Maverick, but I don’t know what.” He caught himself trying to blush, but Pytor had been with him long enough embarrassment was ridiculous.

  Pytor dropped, filling the center of Zander’s office couch, dwarfing the large piece. “Huh. Well, he lives in a tiny apartment. You could buy him a house.”

  A bright smile snapped to Zander’s lips. “Think smaller. I dropped some money on him last night and it made him cranky.”

  “He makes you smile. The man deserves a big gift,” Pytor said, sounding confused.

  Love swelled in Zander’s chest for this sweet man who’d been watching over Zander for the past twenty-two years. They were friends. He knew he could count on Pytor for anything, but the guy probably couldn’t help him with this. Still, Zander didn’t give up. “Maverick isn’t like me. He isn’t swayed by money. It’ll take a small gesture, but a sweet one to win him over. I don’t know how to do that.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t know how to do that, would you?” Pytor said, sounding serious. “After the way Gio treated you, and all that. And, by the way, you’re not swayed by money either. You might be a shrewd businessman, but no one has ever touched your heart by buying you things. This guy, he’s nice to you. I like it.”

  “You should send him a card,” Yaro said from the doorway, shamelessly listening. “He’s already sent you flowers, so you can’t copy him. My papa used to give my mama a card every Friday. She had boxes and boxes of them. I don’t know what they said, but my parents loved each other very much. They were poor but happy.”

  Pytor nodded. “That could work. They also had ten kids, so they obviously couldn’t keep their hands off each other.”

  “That’s my mama you’re talking about,” Yaro said, looking outraged. Pytor and Yaro had grown up together and fought like brothers. Only Zander truly understood their relationship. They were the family Zander didn’t have.

  Zander didn’t hesitate to jump in to tease Yaro as well. “They were too poor to afford birth control, so…”

  Instead of adding fuel to Yaro’s fire, he looked defeated. “This is true. They used to use my papa’s socks for condoms, but all papa’s socks had holes in them.”

  It didn’t matter if Yaro was being serious, the result was the same. A burst of laughter exploded from Zander, surprising him. He slapped his hand over his mouth to no avail. He couldn’t stop. It didn’t help that both men stared at him like he was insane.

  Yaro shook his head. “You’ll buy a card and I’ll deliver it. This guy makes you happy. If you’ve ever laughed, I can’t remember it. You’ll keep this one. We’ll help.”

  Zander swiped at his eyes. He couldn’t deny it. Everything about Maverick lit Zander from the inside. Zander couldn’t let the man get away.

  While waiting for his reserved cage time, Maverick warmed up. Hendrix sat nearby watching and giving pointers.

  “I noticed last night you kept dropping your right shoulder. You can’t have that sort of tell if you want to keep winning.”

  Maverick nodded and concentrated on not dropping his shoulder before going in for a few quick jabs.

  “I was surprised to see you with Zander Kapra of all people last night,” Hendrix said, catching Maverick off guard by broaching the topic. Usually, Hendrix never said anything about anyone Maverick dated.

  Maverick spun, landing a spin kick on the bag. “Why? You think I’m not good enough to land someone like him? It’s not like you to have an opinion on things like that.”

  The way Hendrix’s gaze skirted away set alarms clanging in Maverick’s head. “Nah. I’ve seen you in action. You can have anyone you want. It’s just that I’ve always thought of you as the shining armor type.”

  “Okay,” Maverick said, dragging out the word. “I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean, but whatever.”

  Hendrix shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. You just hear things, you know?” Maverick didn’t know, but Hendrix didn’t make him say as much. “I mean, he needs full-time protection following him around for a reason.”

  “Yeah. He’s rich.”

  Hendrix snorted. “So is just about everyone you meet around here, but you don’t see them with Russian security. Never mind, man. I was just thinking aloud.”

  Maverick had no idea what the nationality of Zander’s guards had to do with anything. Still, if Hendrix wanted to drop it, Maverick was cool with that.

  Except, he didn’t let it go. “I mean, I guess I thought you were better than letting some rich guy who could make or break your career buy you.”

  Maverick dropped his arms and gave Hendrix his attention. “He hasn’t bought me. We’re seeing each other. I like him. He likes me. That’s all there is to it.”

  Hendrix didn’t look like he believed Maverick. “Aren’t you worried people will question your every win now? Can you honestly say if you get offered a big sponsorship, you’ll feel like you earned it?”

  “Yes. I can honestly say that I earned it because I’ve worked damn hard for years without Zander around. Plus, I’ve made it more than clear that our relationship has to be separate from my career or we can’t be together. He’s made no attempt to interfere. It’s all good.”

  “All right,” Hendrix said, obviously intent on really letting it go this time. “If you have things under control, that’s cool.”

  With a nod, Maverick went back to his warm up. Hendrix went back to handing out pointers. All discussion of Zander disappeared. Still, by the time he finished sparring with Zeke, he was damn ready to get out from underneath Hendrix’s disapproving stare. He didn’t understand what the guy’s problem was with Zander, but he was already tired of the silent accusations in Hendrix’s eyes. All the money he’d let Zander drop on him last night wasn’t helping Maverick’s mood. It gave Hendrix’s claim a tiny bit of credence. Fuck, Maverick almost wished he could go back and tell Zander he couldn’t spoil him. Almost. Zander’s expression, though. That had made every
sting to his pride worth it. He’d never seen the man happier.

  When the outside air hit the sweat on Maverick’s skin, he nearly sighed in relief. He was ready to get home. At least, that’s what he told himself to save his pride. In truth, the need to get back to Zander was crippling. There was a card tucked beneath Maverick’s windshield wiper. Maverick tossed his gym bag inside his truck before grabbing the red envelope. He didn’t open it until he was behind the wheel. A picture of a dancing elephant in a yellow tutu stared up at him. Maverick opened the card.

  Maverick,

  I spent way too much time trying to figure out why this card had a dancing elephant on it, but I like it. The elephant reminds me of how I feel inside most of the time—on display and ridiculous. Since I met you, I’ve been happy. I don’t want it to stop. I thought, if you’re worried over leaving me a letter, we’d overthink things together, and I’d leave you one too. You should’ve woken me this morning. One kiss from you is worth more than any amount of sleep. Now that I’ve missed that goodbye kiss, my day is out of sync. Nothing feels right. You must fix this. Tomorrow, I expect two kisses to make up for today. Text me when you are free. We’ll make plans to make it happen.

  XOXO,

  Zander

  Maverick couldn’t stop smiling. Hendrix’s claims muted in the back of his mind. Zander was the greatest guy Maverick had met in a long damn time. He wouldn’t let anyone ruin that by getting in his head. Without an ounce of hesitation, Maverick dug his phone out of his bag, and sent off a text to Zander.