Easton wanted even more. “I wish you’d kissed me.” He had to be honest, though. “But I’m a bit of a mess. I can’t promise how I’ll react. No one’s kissed me since... I’d like to try,” Easton said louder than he intended. He took a breath and clutched the bear to his chest.
“We’ll work on it together. I will keep you safe.”
Easton fought a smile. Nico was so strong and sure of his abilities. Easton was every bit the mess he claimed to be and would probably fail. “I’m not working tomorrow.”
“Text me your address. We will spend the day together.”
“Okay.”
“For now, you will talk to me until you get tired.”
Easton stared into the darkness. He didn’t think Nico meant to sound so bossy, but it was oddly comforting. “I’d like that.”
“Tell me about all your favorite things.”
“Only if you agree to do the same.” Because Easton needed to know those things like he needed his next breath.
Nico didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Knuddelbärchen. Whatever pleases you.”
A soft laugh came out breathless. “I like that. What you call me,” Easton said, clarifying. “It kind of makes me feel warm all over.”
“Good. That’s just how I want you.”
Easton couldn’t stop smiling or hugging the bear Nico won. He was ridiculously happy, and it was addicting. Even though he didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, maybe he’d flip if Nico kissed him, but Easton wanted to try living again. He’d never expected that would happen. Nico had something special. Easton wanted more.
Four
It wasn’t unusual for Nico to run on a few hours of sleep. Today, his impatience to see Easton had him moving on even fewer hours. The house where Easton stayed was in one of the poshest neighborhoods around. Nico had toured a few houses on this street when looking to buy his own home. In the end, he’d chosen to build a place where he wouldn’t have neighbors and plenty of room for his car collection.
When Easton answered, Nico fought the urge to throw the man over his shoulder and find the nearest flat surface. He looked sexy as fuck in his white jeans and a light green shirt. Unfortunately, for Nico’s plans, the outfit wouldn’t work.
Easton looked shy for some reason. “Hi.”
“You are beautiful. Where’s your bedroom?”
At Nico’s question, Easton blinked. “What?”
“We need to find clothes you won’t ruin.”
“Excuse me?”
Nico took Easton’s hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed it while holding Easton’s stare. “Bedroom. Where is it?”
Without another word, Easton led Nico through the living room and down the hall. His booted footsteps sounded loud on the marble floors. Everything he passed was pristine and expensive. The wood shined and smelled like furniture cleaner. Nico didn’t spare a glance for much other than Easton. His ass looked delectable in his form-fitting jeans. Easton’s hair was perfectly styled, and Nico wanted to make a mess of him. The fifth door they came to, Easton stepped inside, towing Nico along behind him. As soon as he cleared the threshold, Nico knew he could’ve picked Easton’s room out by himself. The sun shone bright, lighting every corner. Everything was light-colored and fluffy. His bed looked soft. The comforter gave Nico the impression he’d sink into it and disappear—like a fluffy cloud. The rainbow-colored bear sat in the center of the bed—like he’d slept with Easton. Nico couldn’t stop looking in every direction, learning everything there was to know about Easton. Hair care products, cologne, and what looked to be a million other bottles were scattered on his white dresser.
“I didn’t know what you had planned today, so I didn’t know how to dress.”
Nico shook off the spell of Easton’s too-cheery bedroom. “Let’s find you something you don’t mind ruining.”
“How do you mean? Will it be ruined beyond being worn again or just dark-colored because we’ll be in the dirt?”
“The first.”
Easton cast a look around the room while chewing on his bottom lip as if he didn’t own a single thing that fit the bill. “Um...”
“Let’s look together,” Nico offered. “Dresser or closet?”
“Closet,” Easton said with a nod, as if getting onboard.
Nico moved to the closet and opened the door. The closet turned out to be almost as big as the bedroom. It was stuffed full of clothes, shoes, and even a few unpacked boxes. Nico pulled out the first dark-colored item he spotted. It was a black V-neck t-shirt. “This will do,” he said more for himself than Easton. Next, he found some dark jeans. He turned Easton’s way. “Put these on.”
Easton looked uncomfortable. He didn’t move to take the clothes from Nico. “Okay.” Even though Easton agreed, he didn’t budge.
Nico crossed the room and snagged the hem of Easton’s shirt. He knew exactly what the problem was, and Nico wasn’t having it. While holding Easton’s stare, his lifted the material.
Easton flew into full-blown panic mode. He fought Nico for the shirt. “I’ll stay home.”
“Stop.” Nico didn’t raise his voice. He kept his tone level. “Easton, stop.”
The fire drained from Easton, but so too did the life. His shoulders sagged. Easton’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Whatever.”
It wasn’t Nico’s intention to break him. Nico needed Easton to see he wasn’t his scars. He touched Easton’s chin, forcing Easton’s gaze back to his. Light green irises focused on Nico. Nico shuffled closer and dipped his chin. Easton leaned away a hair. Nico chased him. Their lips touched. For a moment, Easton stood frozen beneath Nico’s lips. Then, his lips parted. He lightly sucked Nico’s bottom lip. His tongue swiped Nico’s lip. Nico let him lead. He opened for Easton. Their tongues met. Passion exploded through their kiss. As their tongues played, Nico used the opportunity to push Easton’s shirt higher. He counted Easton’s ribs with his thumbs as he drew the material upward. Nico pulled away and swept the shirt up and over Easton’s head. He reclaimed Easton’s mouth before Easton had time to panic again. Nico flattened his palms against Easton’s back and urged him closer. He memorized the bumps of Easton’s spine as he headed south. Easton didn’t protest. Nico took advantage. Easton’s ass filled his hands. Nico squeezed, going hard with the perfect, firm globes beneath his fingers.
Nico kissed a path from Easton’s mouth to his ear. He lightly nipped at Easton’s ear lobe. “You’re fucking beautiful. Please don’t hide from me.”
“I’m trying.” Easton’s response sounded winded.
“I know, Knuddelbärchen. In this, I ask you to trust me. Keep your eyes on me.” Nico pulled away long enough to grab the dark-colored shirt he’d picked out. He dressed Easton as he would a child. Easton tolerated Nico’s ministrations, but he looked wrecked—like he knew Nico would walk away now. Nico crowded Easton’s space again. He led Easton’s hand to his erection. “I want you. Call me a liar.” He held Easton’s gaze, daring Easton with his stare to say the words. Nico released Easton’s hand, giving him the freedom to do as he pleased. Easton didn’t treat him the way Nico had come to expect from everyone else. Nico was famous in certain circles. He’d never had a problem finding someone to fuck. Nico didn’t want just anyone. He wanted Easton. But Easton took a step back. A line appeared between his eyebrows. He looked confused. Nico had a bad feeling they were backsliding.
Nico couldn’t take it. “Talk to me.”
Easton focused on him. “Is it okay if we kiss again?”
Hunger roared inside Nico. He closed the gap between them and claimed Easton’s mouth. He wasn’t gentle. Nico poured every ounce of longing into their kiss. Easton didn’t realize how far above Nico he was. Nico had come from the streets. Everything he had, he’d literally fought for. Easton deserved someone soft. Nico was hard inside and out, but there was something about Easton.
Easton clung to his chest. His kisses were sweet, making Nico’s chest feel tight. It wasn’t sexual. Their kiss was a connection m
ade. A silent promise made by touch. Easton was the first to break their kiss, but he didn’t pull away. With two handfuls of Nico’s shirt held tightly in his fists, Easton pressed his forehead to Nico’s chest.
Nico rubbed Easton’s back. He soaked up the way Easton clung to him. The moment gave him hope. Still, Easton’s silence scared him a little. “Are you still with me?”
Easton nodded, squishing his forehead against Nico’s chest with every move he made. “I’m just guilty of being the cuddler you accuse me of being. You’re big and cozy. I don’t want to move. Nobody holds me anymore, and I don’t sleep.”
A bark of laughter escaped Nico. “My ego might never recover. I’m putting you to sleep.”
“Your ego has nothing to worry about.” Easton kissed his sternum. “You’re beautiful and wanted. I guess I should finish changing.”
Nico held his tongue and kept his hands to himself. While Easton stripped off his pants, Nico moved to the window under the guise of giving Easton privacy. Instead, he pulled the curtains closed. He moved to the other window and did the same. Nico moved quickly. He didn’t want to give Easton time to put on his jeans.
A chuckle sounded behind him. “Do you have something against the sun?”
“It’s harder to sleep in a bright room.” Nico turned. Easton held his jeans, looking confused. “You won’t need those.”
Easton’s open confusion turned to worry. He chewed his bottom lip, looking like he didn’t know if he should ask.
Nico nodded toward the bed. “Get in.”
Easton’s gaze slid toward the bed. He didn’t stop worrying at his bottom lip. With a sigh, Nico walked over and turned down the covers. He didn’t look at Easton as he kicked off his shoes. From the corner of his eye, Nico saw Easton move. He eased into bed in slow increments—like he still considered bolting. Nico didn’t rush. He wasn’t trying to frighten Easton. Nico waited until he was climbing into the bed to look at Easton again. Easton was wide eyed and looked scared as hell. Nico’s heart squeezed in his chest.
“It’s okay, Knuddelbärchen. My plans for the day can wait. It’s your day off and you should sleep. I will hold you.”
Easton cleared his throat. “In your jeans?”
Nico bit back a smile. “You are nervous. This is fine.”
He settled on his side and tugged Easton into his arms. Easton didn’t argue, but he also didn’t relax. His every muscle remained stiff. Nico imagined that his erection digging into Easton’s ass didn’t help matters, but Nico couldn’t help it. It was Easton in his arms and his body knew it. Easton’s muscles slowly relaxed as he realized Nico had no plans to molest him. Nico wondered if Easton even noticed that he stroked the arm Nico had draped over him. It was all Nico could focus on. He caught himself kissing Easton’s hair for the fourth time. Nico closed his eyes and forced his mind clear. Easton’s breathing evened and then deepened. Nico focused on the sound. Everything was as it should be. Nico was there, between the door and Easton, holding the man he’d fallen in love with from a distance. Nico didn’t doubt for a second the rest of the world would think he was crazy. Maybe he was, but he currently held the center of his obsession. Nothing else mattered to him.
A steady heartbeat thumped beneath Easton’s ear. He was so warm and comfy. A familiar scent penetrated his brain. Awareness slowly seeped in. His eyes opened. The room was dark. Easton took another deep breath, soaking up the delicious scent. He shifted slightly before deciding he was too comfy to move. The realization that he was draped over Nico like a blanket slowly dawned. Even as he came back to himself, Easton couldn’t convince himself to move. As solid as Nico was, Easton couldn’t believe the guy was the softest mattress in the world. Easton’s muscles were useless.
Nico shifted in his sleep. He grabbed Easton’s ass and pulled him higher—like he snuggled deeper beneath the covers. Easton stifled a laugh. The move left him with his face buried in the crook of Nico’s neck. Easton took advantage and burrowed closer. He could stay like this for the rest of his life. Easton couldn’t remember ever feeling so comfortable and safe. Cherished. He could easily become addicted to this.
Nico had been hard as stone when Easton had fallen asleep. How many men would’ve done that for him? He’d never met anyone who didn’t expect sex. Every man he’d ever dated had demanded Easton put their needs above his. Nico was different. He’d ignored his lust so Easton could sleep, and damn, Easton felt good for the first time in forever. He didn’t know what time it was, but he’d slept solid. No nightmares had come for him. Without thought, Easton kissed Nico’s neck. Once his lips were pressed against Nico’s skin, Easton found his lips parting. He needed to know how Nico’s skin tasted.
Nico’s hands slid across his back. His arms tightened around Easton. “How did you sleep, sexy?”
Easton smiled against Nico’s skin. His deep voice was twice as rough while sleep still clung to his vocal chords. “Solid,” Easton answered with a soft chuckle. He wasn’t ready to move. “No nightmares or anything.”
The hands rubbing his back fell still. “Do you have a lot of nightmares?”
For a moment, Easton debated lying. He was already nodding before he decided to be honest. It was Nico. Something about him made it impossible for Easton to hide.
“You will sleep with me from now on. Nico will keep you safe.”
A burst of surprised laughter escaped Easton. Nico was so fucking outrageous and sure of himself. “You have a life. I don’t expect you to do this all time.” Damned if Nico hadn’t kept him safe from even his dreams, though. It was ridiculous for one person to be so much of everything.
“You didn’t ask. I didn’t offer. This is how things will be. You need sleep.”
Easton could argue. He knew there were things he should probably say. Instead, he kept snuggling. Whatever happened would happen. If Easton knew nothing else, he knew he didn’t have control over anything at all. “What did you have planned for today that we missed?”
Nico’s hands slipped beneath Easton’s shirt. He rubbed Easton’s back skin on skin. “Nothing that can’t wait. I planned to take you to work with me and let you tinker with the Mustang.”
Guilt washed over Easton. “I made you miss work? Now I feel terrible.”
Without warning, Nico shoved his hands down the back of Easton’s underwear. He massaged the globes of Easton’s ass and Easton’s mind went blank. His dick went hard. Then the terror struck, side-swiping him. Easton scrambled from the bed, stumbling and uncaring of how he looked as he made a break for the bathroom. Once there, he flipped on the lights and caught sight of himself in the mirror. His face was flushed, and his hair was a mess. Inside, he was a car wreck with maximum casualties. It was like an interstate pile up in there. Easton didn’t know if he’d ever be whole again. He felt sick. What if Nico left? Surely, now he realized Easton was a waste of his time, and he’d disappear. The thought alone was heartbreaking. Easton didn’t want to be this person. He missed being the cutesy charmer. This was bullshit.
Nico appeared in the doorway. Easton couldn’t make himself meet Nico’s stare. Nico moved slow, slipping inside the bathroom and pressing against Easton’s back. Easton watched their reflections. Something about seeing things happen through the mirror made them less real—like watching a movie. Nico kissed his shoulder.
“You don’t have to be scared, Knuddelbärchen. I want you, but I can control myself.” Nico’s lips brushed Easton’s shoulder several times during his claim. Easton couldn’t recall experiencing this much lust with anyone else. In truth, sex had been pretty meh for him over the years. It was one of those things he hadn’t thought much about other than pleasing whoever took care of him at the time. Then, in a dark van between the pain and the fear, this part of him had been stolen along with his beauty. In fact, all the gorgeous things in life had been ripped away from him, so that even when he looked in the mirror, nothing normal was left behind. Now here was Nico, giving pieces of Easton back. He wanted to lie and say he wasn’t af
raid. When he tried, his teeth chattered, forcing him to lock his back teeth together.
Nico straightened and set his chin on Easton’s head. It really was ridiculous how much taller Nico was than him. Easton was used to being short, but this was nuts. He stared at their reflection. Damn. They looked good together, though. It was like Easton fit just perfectly against him. Easton smiled. He was definitely the little spoon.
“You are beautiful, yes?”
Easton held Nico’s stare in the mirror. He smirked. “That’s not what I was thinking. We look like we fit.”
A huge puppy-dog grin stretched Nico’s face. He nodded, digging his chin into Easton’s head with each bob. Easton laughed but cringed, trying to get away. Nico’s laugh kept him from running away. Everything should be uncomfortable, and Nico should be making his way for the hills after Easton’s earlier reaction. Instead, he was playing with Easton and being a big kid. Something grew inside Easton’s chest. The only person to stick by him no matter how hard Easton made things was his brother, Jake. Now, here this guy was, being fucking perfect. Easton’s eyes stung. He didn’t want to lose this.
“I need a shower.”
Nico gave him one more squeeze. “Okay.” He started to pull away.
Easton held on to Nico’s arms. “Stay.” Even though he wasn’t sure how much he could handle, Easton wanted to try. Here in the light where he could see who he touched.
For a moment, Nico held his stare. Finally, he nodded. “Anytime you want me to go, I will.”
With a dip of his chin, Easton dropped his gaze and moved to the shower. It had taken him a few tries, when he first moved in, to figure out the shower. It had so many buttons and switches, Easton needed a damn owner’s manual to figure things out. Now he knew the combo of three switches to create the perfect shower. He turned to find Nico watching him. Nico looked so goddamn delicious. It didn’t matter Nico wasn’t Easton’s usual type. Nico was universally sexy. Tall, chiseled, and confident. With his shirt missing and his jeans unbuttoned, Nico looked like a sexy god. The hunger he tried to hide had Easton feeling exposed and excited all at once. The line of his thick erection in his jeans drew Easton’s eye. He tried looking away.
Sugar Sentry (Sugar Daddies Book 13) Page 4
