Eddie: Grime Doesn't Pay (The Brothers Grime Book 2)

by Z. A. Maxfield

  “Did you leave voice mail?”

  “Yes.”

  Eddie turned Andrew around and pulled him into his arms. “Then I’m certain he’ll call if he needs something.”

  “You’re probably right.” Andrew slid his hands up Eddie’s back. God, he loved the man’s broad shoulders. “Do we need to do dishes or—”

  “Are you kidding me?” Eddie asked. “You want to do dishes right now?”

  “I want to do you. I just thought I’d ask, since you’re Mr. Cleanliness.”

  “I don’t let that get in the way of getting laid.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “But we both need a shower before anything else.”

  Andrew agreed. “I could go for that.”

  Eddie pulled Andrew into the bathroom, where he made short work of getting rid of his clothes.

  “You’re a work of art, Eddie Vasquez.”

  Eddie snorted his denial while he got the shower going.

  Andrew was slower when pulling off his T-shirt and jeans because he was sore all over.

  “What’s the matter?” asked Eddie.

  “I don’t think I’m as used to lifting boxes of books as I probably should be, under the circumstances.”

  “You sore?” Eddie asked.

  Andrew nodded miserably. “Wrecked.”

  “Maybe you need a massage.”

  “Your lips to God’s ears.” Andrew sighed as he stepped under the hot spray. “Do you have an on-call masseur?”

  Eddie stepped in behind him. “No, but I have some scented oil and a pretty strong grip.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Come here, papi. Let’s get you cleaned up, and I’ll see what I can do.”

  “All right.” Andrew picked up the shampoo, but Eddie pulled it from his hands.

  “Let me.”

  Andrew allowed the plastic bottle to slide from his fingertips. He was too busy watching Eddie’s expression. So intense. So kind, for lack of a better word. Andrew felt hot tears sting his eyes.

  “You’ve been working hard on my behalf all day, Eddie.” Andrew let his hands fall to his sides. “I should be washing you.”

  “I like taking care of you.” Eddie’s hands were magic. Combined with the sweet coconut scent of his shampoo, their shower seemed to have come straight from some tropical-themed porn film.

  “Ah, God.” Andrew laughed at the image that conjured even though his cock gave a healthy lurch.

  “What?” Eddie’s calloused fingers dug deep under Andrew’s hair to scrub his scalp.

  “That feels so good.”

  Eddie’s smile laced the kisses he pressed to Andrew’s forehead. “I like making you feel good. It could get to be a habit with me.”

  Andrew relaxed against the wall as Eddie’s fingers kneaded his skin. “You’re most excellent at it. I’d like to return the favor. All the favors. I wonder if—” He closed his mouth around the rest of the sentence.

  “What?” Eddie thumbed a knot from Andrew’s neck. “Tell me.”

  “I wonder if it’s fair. My dad’s situation imploded, and you’ve been awesome, really. But it’s a hell of task, and on top of that, it’s your real-life job. You’re basically volunteering and I—”

  “Shh.” Eddie kissed away the words. “It was one day. One thing. You needed me, and I’m glad I could be there for you.”

  “My dad’s place is a black hole where good intentions go to die.”

  “That may be true.” Eddie slipped a soapy hand down to cup Andrew’s balls. “For right now, how about we just concentrate on us.”

  Sweet, slick pleasure dissolved any other thought from Andrew’s mind. He let his head drop back against the tiles. “Ah…yeah. When you’re right…you’re right.”

  Gently, Eddie angled Andrew’s body so he had room to get on his knees. “Let go, papi. I’ve got you.”

  “Fuck…” Andrew’s knees buckled when Eddie’s lips closed around his throbbing shaft. “Fuck, fuck.”

  Eddie bobbed his head once, twice, and then paused as if to enjoy the earthy flavors he found there. Water splashed over Andrew’s shoulders. Rivers of warmth cascaded down his skin, sluicing from the showerhead to his taut muscles and down to fall on Eddie’s kneeling figure.

  Eddie turned his face up as he took Andrew’s cock. His eyelashes fanned out in damp spikes, long and thick, shadowing brown eyes Andrew could drown in.

  Eyes that gave Andrew permission to take what he needed.

  Eyes that said, I’m yours.

  Eddie gripped Andrew’s hips. He buried his face into the nest of soap-scented curls before dragging his tongue over Andrew’s warm, damp skin.

  Andrew gave up a shuddering sigh, one he echoed when Eddie opened to take his length so deep his nose brushed Andrew’s skin.

  “Oh God,” Andrew cried out, gripping the back of Eddie’s head. Eddie hummed and smiled at Andrew’s hissed, “Yes.”

  Eddie tongued around the head of Andrew’s cock. He pushed Andrew against the wall of the shower and nudged him until he spread his legs. From there he had access to all the best bits. He cupped Andrew’s balls and brushed a finger against his taint, all the while bobbing on his cock.

  Andrew went limp, and Eddie caught him easily as he lapped at the tip of Andrew’s dick. “So good.”

  “Yeah? You like that?” Andrew nudged into Eddie’s mouth. “You like my taste?”

  “Oh yeah.” Eddie glanced up. He spoke around the cock in his mouth. “Tho mush.”

  “You make me happy, Eddie Vasquez.”

  Eddie closed his eyes and pulled him in, indicating he was ready if Andrew wanted to fuck his mouth. Eddie’s trust made Andrew’s cock pound like a kettledrum.

  “You want me to fuck your mouth like this?” Andrew asked. “Take you like this?”

  Eddie swallowed hard. Nodded.

  “Oh,” Andrew barely breathed. “I love that idea.”

  He cupped Eddie’s jaw. Smoothed his thumbs over Eddie’s cheeks.

  Andrew stroked Eddie’s damp hair, overcome with tenderness for the big, beautiful man who could break him in half but was gentle enough to tap his cheek for his niece’s little butterfly kisses as he dropped her off at school.

  “Sweetheart,” Andrew murmured as he watched Eddie open his mouth, his throat, and his heart.

  Eddie sucked with everything he had. He used his tongue, his lips, a hint of teeth. He used every cell of his body, in the obvious belief Andrew would know when to pull back and let him breathe.

  Andrew didn’t last. He couldn’t last in the face of Eddie’s pure faith.

  Just like that, Andrew was coming, pouring his essence down Eddie’s throat. Eddie gave up a helpless moan as he stripped his own dick urgently. It took only seconds for Eddie to find his own release. Hot cum spattered the floor at Andrew’s feet like an offering.

  Andrew faltered. A sudden emotional urgency that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with balance and caution and maybe even anxiety tightened his muscles.

  Andrew had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Eddie. No one in his life had ever offered himself so completely.

  Without strings.

  Without guile.

  Without asking for promises or reassurance or quid pro quo.

  With dizzying, blinding clarity, Andrew realized what that might mean.

  Andrew froze.

  “What is it?” Eddie asked, concerned.

  “I— Nothing.” Liar. “I’m worried about my dad.”

  Eddie got to his feet. When he reached out, Andrew put his hands flat on Eddie’s chest. The touch was tender but meant to keep Eddie at a distance as much as to reassure him.

  Eddie ignored that and kissed him with such passion, Andrew drowned in it. He wound his arms around Eddie’s shoulders, and he opened to him, accepting his tongue and even twining his own with it. Andrew tilted his head, allowing Eddie to deepen the kiss.

  “Andrew, I—”

  “Stop.” Andrew pull
ed away.

  Eddie’s brows drew together. Eddie must have sensed the change in his mood. Andrew had gone from hot to cold fast enough to make any man’s head spin. Maybe he wasn’t ready for what Eddie offered? Maybe he needed time to think. Eddie’s devotion was like a thick blanket, warm but, at the same time, a little smothering.

  Right then, Andrew’s whole life seemed suffocating. Suddenly, he was desperate to run away. “I’m worried about my dad. I don’t know why. Something—”

  “If you’re this worried, we should probably drive over to your father’s house and see if he’s all right.”

  “Maybe.” Andrew took the offered way out. Leave it to Eddie to anticipate even Andrew’s need to back away.

  Eddie unhooked the showerhead and hosed them off. He paid particular attention to Andrew’s belly, stroking cum and saliva from his skin as though he simply liked the feel of Andrew’s skin beneath his fingertips. As though he was afraid he wasn’t going to get another opportunity anytime soon.

  Christ. Andrew was spooked. Not stupid. He was tired, and he wasn’t about to let the best guy he’d ever known slip through his fingers.

  Andrew apologized. “I don’t want to ruin our night together. I’m so sorry.”

  “Never mind. You can’t relax if you’re worried.”

  “But—”

  “Let’s finish up here and throw on some clothes. You shouldn’t resist the nagging feeling something isn’t right. People have instincts for a reason.”

  “Is that what this is?”

  Eddie met his gaze, imploring him to confirm it. “Isn’t it?”

  Andrew let out a deep sigh of resignation. “Yeah. It’s probably nothing, but I can’t get how I left things with my dad off my mind.”

  “All right then, let’s drive over to your dad’s place and make sure he’s only ignoring your calls because he’s angry and not because there’s something wrong.”

  “Never thought I’d hope for such an outcome.”

  “Family makes you insane and not just through genetics.”

  “That’s so true.” Andrew pulled a towel off the rack and turned to Eddie. “You washed. I’ll dry. Come here, you.”

  Laughing, Eddie held out his arms and let Andrew buff his bronze skin with the towel. He was so beautiful he took Andrew’s breath away.

  “I’m sorry about all this,” said Andrew. “I watched you dance out there, and I thought, I’m going to fucking drag him to bed as soon as everyone leaves, and now I can’t seem to—”

  “No worries. If you can’t relax after a blowjob, we need to do something about it.”

  While Eddie went to his bedroom to dress, Andrew realized he only had the same dirty clothes he’d worked in all day. “I did not think this through.”

  Eddie appeared at the door in jeans, pulling a fresh white V-neck tee over his head. “What?”

  “I’m clean, but my clothes are rank.”

  Eddie surprised Andrew by wrapping his arms around Andrew’s hips and hoisting him up. “You smell good, papi. You smell like a working stiff.”

  Andrew let out a shocked grunt. “Glad to hear it, but maybe after we check on my dad, we can stop by my place to get a change of clothes. We could crash there if you want.”

  “Nah, my place is closer to the Grime warehouse. If your dad gives us the go-ahead, I might need to pick up some more supplies.”

  “Good point. I like your place anyway. It feels tranquil here.”

  “It’s the blue and brown. My sister is awesome.”

  “No. It’s you.” Andrew hooked his finger in one of Eddie’s belt loops. “You’re awesome.”

  Eddie pressed a leisurely kiss to Andrew’s lips. “Guess now you know why it’s not cluttered.”

  Andrew fought his way past the kiss’s drugging effect. “What do you mean?”

  “No books. No papers. No bookshelves. Nothing to read because I don’t read. Because I mostly can’t read.”

  Andrew felt the tension in Eddie’s body and went still. “Are you worried that’s going to change things between us?”

  Brown eyes held his gaze. “Will it?”

  “No.” Andrew shook his head decisively. “Never. How can you think it would?”

  Eddie shrugged. “Sometimes the longer you wait to tell someone something, the more it preys on your mind. The worse you think someone will react.”

  “Put your mind at ease.” Andrew cupped Eddie’s strong jaw between his hands. “You’re amazing, Eddie Vasquez. I’d have to be crazy not to realize how lucky I am to be—” Andrew stopped what he’d been about to say.

  “My hot professor? My boyfriend?” Eddie nipped at Andrew’s jawline with each suggestion. “My lover? My little pony?”

  “Wait, I thought you were my little pony.”

  “Oh yeah, papi.” Eddie gripped Andrew’s ass cheeks in his big hands. “I’m your little pony; say giddyap.”

  “Shhhhhit,” Andrew hissed. He shivered when Eddie tongue-fucked his ear. The squirmy sensation made him hunch his shoulders and twist away. “No. Get away with that shit.”

  “Okay.” Eddie left his ear alone. “C’mon. The sooner we check on your dad, the sooner we can get back to that. I don’t need sleep, but I’ll be pretty bad company tomorrow if I don’t get laid.”

  “Yeah, okay.” Andrew pulled his shirt over his head, only to find it didn’t seem to work while Eddie licked and teased at his nipple. “Come on. Follow your own plan here.”

  Eddie backed off and headed to the dresser, where he got Andrew a fresh pair of socks. Once Andrew had those on, he felt like a new man. He and Eddie remained silent while putting on their shoes.

  Outside the back door, Eddie locked up and pocketed his keys.

  Andrew caught and held Eddie’s hand. “You’re awfully good to do this for me.”

  “When are you going to admit it?” Eddie teased. “I’m just awfully damn good in general.”

  “I know.” Andrew gave his hand a squeeze. “I know.”

  Eddie walked him through the velvet of the quiet night. Low-level landscape lighting illuminated the path. Eddie keyed in the garage code, and they watched the door roll up before getting into the car.

  “Buckle up, papi.”

  Andrew complied and then apologized again. “This is probably a big waste of time we could spend fucking.”

  “Not if you can’t let your worry go.” Eddie twisted his upper body around to watch as he backed the car down the driveway and out onto the road. “It’s all good. Better to make sure.”

  “Thanks.” Andrew hoped he wasn’t making another mistake—like breaking those glasses. These days it seemed as though every step he took on his dad’s behalf made things worse.

  Chapter 24

  On the drive to his dad’s place, Andrew leaned his head back and gazed up at the stars. The sky was spectacular—clear enough to see the faint few stars that shone brightly despite the city lights. The moon was full. It seemed so close he wanted to try touching it.

  He could get used to Eddie’s convertible. He liked it even better at night when cool air rushed around them like sea foam.

  There were hardly any other cars on the road once they got to Reese’s neighborhood. They coasted to a stop in front of his house, which was dark, as were most of the houses on his cul-de-sac. Eddie killed the engine.

  “I’ll go ring the bell.” Andrew got out of the car.

  “I’ll come with you.” Eddie exited his side and then walked around to the curb, hands shoved in his pockets. They walked together until they got to the door, where Andrew rang the bell.

  “I’m going to catch hell for waking him up.”

  “Probably,” Eddie agreed. “Or we’ll get arrested for disturbing the peace.”

  “That would be a first for me.” Andrew glanced over at Eddie. “Jail, I mean.”

  “Me too.”

  When nothing happened, Andrew rang again. “I don’t like this. If nothing else, you’d think he’d come down here to give me a piec
e of his mind.”

  “Are you certain the doorbell works?”

  “Yes, I heard someone ring it last week.”

  Eddie frowned. “Try his phone again.”

  Andrew tried the number, and the call went straight through to voice mail. “No good.”

  “Let’s go around the back and take a look,” Eddie suggested. “You really should have a key.”

  “Don’t you think I’ve asked for one? He won’t give me a key. He says he doesn’t want me invading his privacy.”

  Eddie reached over the tall fence. Given his height, he found the latch on the gate easily. “Shoot. Padlocked.”

  “Boost me up.” With Eddie’s help, Andrew hoisted himself up onto the cinderblock wall. He glanced down. “Can you get up here?”

  “I’m not some oaf, Andrew. Drop over, and I’ll be right there.”

  Andrew dropped to the ground, and Eddie jumped up and over to land lightly on his feet on the other side.

  Andrew whispered, “I never called you an oaf or an Orc or anything like that. Seems like you have an issue with your size and—”

  “Analyze me later. Right now, we need to check on your dad, and I don’t want the neighbors calling the police to report prowlers.”

  Andrew jerked his head follow-me style. Eddie trailed after him. The yard was too dark to make out much more than shadows. There was no light coming from the kitchen.

  Andrew used his phone as a flashlight, but it made peering into the window hard. “Damn. I can’t see a thing.”

  “Wait here. I’ll shine a flashlight in through the other window.”

  “You have a flashlight?”

  “On my key ring.” Eddie pulled out his keys and flicked his penlight into the On position.

  “I always thought you were just glad to see me.”

  “Fuck. You.” Eddie cuffed his arm. “If I was glad to see you, you’d think I was carrying a baseball bat.”

  Andrew snorted. “Sure. We’ll go with that.”

  “Shut up, you.” Eddie pointed his light into the window. “Try knocking on the door back here.”

  Andrew knocked again. No answer. He tried to see in. Nothing.

  Eddie’s frown was made of light and shadow, reminding Andrew of old black-and-white movie stills. Andrew got lost, looking at him.