Their motions never turned frantic. Instead, their lovemaking was slow, hot, and soul-shaking. Easton’s light green gaze latched on to Nico. Nico was transfixed. A flush rode high on Easton’s cheeks, making his eyes seem even lighter. His lips were slightly parted. Nico knew he was close. He reached between them and stroked, helping Easton along. Nico needed Easton to get there because he was ready to blow. There was no warning. The sexiest sound Nico had ever heard slipped from Easton. His body convulsed, sucking Nico’s cock deep and making his vision dim. Hot cum coated Nico’s body while his mind flew apart. The spring that had been winding tighter finally broke, shaking him to his core. An orgasm rocked his body while love totally fucked his mind. He’d already been obsessed to the point of unhealthy with Easton. As he hauled Easton down for a kiss, Nico found a new depth of insanity. Easton was his. Nico would die for him. After all, dying was nothing. Nico had already done worse things for Easton.
Six
The sun was bright, and birds were chirping. It was a beautiful day to turn thirty. Easton pulled a face, even though there was no one to see him. He gathered the boxes of muffins he’d made for the nurses and headed for the door. To some, thirty might be a special number. Hell, to most, any birthday was a special day. For Easton, it was just another day. He couldn’t lie and say it wasn’t a bit depressing. Easton never wanted to leave his twenties. There had been plenty of times he’d wished for a huge party where everyone celebrated him. Who wouldn’t want that? Despite his many charms, Easton wasn’t good at making friends. There was no one who would come to a party for him, much less throw one for him.
Before Easton made it to the door, his phone rang. He growled as he dumped the boxes he’d just picked up back on the counter.
Easton dug out his phone. “Hello?”
“Happy birthday!”
A smile exploded across Easton’s face at the sound of his nephew’s voice. Technically, Trace was Flynn’s son and only Easton’s nephew by marriage, but Easton took being an uncle seriously. Trace was—most likely—the only nephew Easton would ever have. “Hey, sweetie. Thank you. How have you been?” Easton swore he could hear the charm in Trace’s voice when he spoke. He was twenty-one and gorgeous. Everyone loved him, of course. Trace was perfect. He could sweet talk the birds from the trees.
“I’m good. Tell me about your day so far. Have you gotten tons of presents? Are you tired of hearing the phone ring?”
“Not everyone can be popular like you. No presents and you’re the first person to call. How are things in Colorado? Oooh, how’s that sexy husband?”
“Good on all counts. What do you mean no presents? What kind of shit show is my dad running around there? If I was in town today, I’d spoil you.”
A sudden unexpected burning started behind Easton’s eyes. He really loved Trace. “I know you would, baby. Don’t worry about me. I have a full day planned.”
“Doing what? Working? That’s not a birthday.”
Easton rubbed his chest, ignoring the pain while trying not to look too hard at things. “I like working. Speaking of which, I have to run. I plan to make a quick delivery before I go in today. You have no idea how much I miss your face. Please say you’ll see me soon, even if it’s a lie.”
“I promise you’ll see me soon.” Trace sounded so serious that a lump formed in Easton’s throat.
“I love you, nephew.”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
Easton slipped his phone into his pocket and gathered the boxes again. He ignored the wave of sadness that came from nowhere. Nico had to go to work super early and hadn’t stayed the night as Easton had become accustomed to him doing. That was fine. Easton hated that Nico also hadn’t asked Easton to stay with him. Judging by the heated kisses he’d left Easton with, Easton hadn’t started worrying Nico was getting tired of him until this morning. After a rough night of bad dreams and even worse sleep, Easton had ended up staring at the ceiling and questioning every word Nico said before he left. He had seemed...secretive. Fuck. Now Easton worried that he had someone else, on top of being tired of Easton.
While scowling at nothing, Easton turned the knob with the tips of his fingers while fighting the boxes and hip-checking the door hard enough to leave bruises. He spilled out the front door, nearly tossing muffins through the air in his aggravation.
A sexy chuckle caressed Easton’s ears, tightening the muscles in his stomach. “Damn. My sexy birthday boy looks fierce today. Tell Nico how to fix it.”
Easton had to take a breath. Happiness made him winded. “Hey.” Even to Easton’s ears, he sounded breathless. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning. I thought you had to work.”
Nico easily took the boxes from Easton with one hand while using his free arm to pull Easton against him. “I had to go in super early, so I’d be free to do this,” he said, dipping his head and claiming Easton’s lips.
Easton melted in Nico’s hold. The way Nico kissed him deep made Easton’s heart skip a beat. He fought the urge to squeal and cheer. Nico turned him into a high school girl.
Nico pulled away and kissed Easton’s forehead. “You should know I would find a way to spend as many seconds as I can with you on your birthday. I brought your favorite car so I can drive you to your regular visit with the nurses and then to work. No way will I let you slip by me today.”
Easton pinched his butt for the insinuation. “As if I ever try to slip by you.”
Instead of jumping away from Easton’s abuse, Nico moved closer. “Mmmm. Hurt me, baby.”
The luminous smile pulling at Easton’s lips was out of his control. “Later.”
Nico’s eyebrows rose in a way that made Easton laugh. “I can’t wait.” On that note, Nico linked fingers with Easton and headed for the car.
Easton fought the urge to skip like a child. He’d never been this happy in his life. All the way to the hospital, Nico swapped between toying with Easton’s fingers and bringing Easton’s hand to his mouth to nibble on. Easton’s cheeks hurt from smiling.
“Damn. They’re busy,” Nico muttered as he pulled into the hospital’s parking lot.
“Yeah. This place is always packed. They have valet parking available. That’s the only way I can ever get a spot.”
“Nobody drives my baby.” Easton bit his bottom lip at Nico’s growled words, fighting a smile. Nico had let him drive after only their second meeting. He loved all the ways Nico made him feel special. “How about this,” Nico said, pulling Easton from his happy daydreaming. “I’ll drop you at the door and then park at that medical center across the street. Is that okay?”
“Sounds good,” Easton said, gathering his boxes so he could exit quickly.
Nico pulled up to the door. He leaned over and gave Easton a quick kiss. “I’ll be fast.”
“I’ll wait here,” Easton promised as he slid from the car. He moved to the sidewalk and out of the way of anyone coming or going while he waited for Nico. It was a hell of a trek from the medical center to the hospital. Easton mentally prepared himself for a long wait.
“Easton?”
At the sound of his name, Easton turned his head and swallowed a groan. In the past year, he’d somehow managed to avoid running into his ex, Marcus, when he visited the nurses who’d cared for him. Marcus was a surgeon and at the hospital on a regular basis. Easton had known it would only be a matter of time before they saw each other again. “Marcus.”
Marcus was blond and polished. Everything about him screamed money, from his fake tan to his unnaturally white teeth. He even smelled expensive. Marcus’ smile kicked up a notch as Easton said his name. “What brings you here? Is someone sick?”
Easton shook his head. Even to Easton, his smile felt forced. “No. I’m bringing snacks to the nurses on the third floor who took care of me last year.”
At Easton’s claim, Marcus’ gaze sharpened. He openly eyed Easton’s scars, going as far as to sweep Easton’s hair away from his temple to get a better look. Easton’s heartbeat
pulsed in his ears. He fought the urge to snarl and snap like a wild animal. The only thing stopping him was his hands were full, and he hated scenes. Before the attack, he’d kept his hair short. In the past year, he’d let it grow past his chin, and kept it shaped into a stylish mess. Not only had he come to like his hair, it also hid most of his scars from people like Marcus. “I could probably fix most of this. You wouldn’t be able to tell anything happened once I finished.” Marcus was a gifted plastic surgeon. People came all the way from the east coast and sometimes other countries just to have work done by him. Easton wasn’t one of those people.
“Thanks, but I’m good the way I am.”
Marcus’ expression changed. His smile disappeared, replaced by open confusion. “That’s an odd choice to make under the circumstances. I hope you’re not choosing to cling to your scars just to avoid me.” Like there weren’t any other surgeons or men on the planet.
Easton fought the urge to snort at the guy’s arrogance. “No. It’s just not that important. I have a business that needs me, and surgery takes unnecessary time away from that. Not to mention, anyone who’s bothered by a few scars doesn’t need to be in my life anyway.” Yes, it was a low blow. Marcus had dumped him a few short hours after the attack. Easton was no longer arm candy in Marcus’s mind. Easton’s feelings had never been part of the equation.
The way Marcus’s face hardened let Easton know his shot hit its mark. “Maybe. Or perhaps you’re punishing yourself for all the times you’ve used your looks to pay your way. So who’s the dumb bastard that’s funded a business for you? I know you didn’t pull that off by yourself.”
If Easton hadn’t spent almost a solid year working eighteen-hour days to make his bakery a success, he might’ve been insulted. The thing was, he had worked his ass off and knew it. While his brother-in-law had financially backed him, Easton had repaid Flynn with interest in no time. No one had handed him that. “I’m sure thinking that helps you sleep at night after the way you ended things, but you needn’t bother creating scenarios for me in your head. The truth is, I’ve never needed anyone to take care of me. I’ve always just preferred the company of older men.” Men like Marcus, but that went without saying. “It’s too bad you couldn’t see that while you had a chance.” Easton hoped Marcus spent the rest of his life wondering if Easton had really cared about him. He hadn’t, but neither had Easton been using him. Marcus was simply someone Easton had known his parents would approve of him dating and he hadn’t liked being alone. Now, he gave no fucks what anyone thought about anything at all. Nor did he mind keeping his own company. This was the one life he’d been given, and Easton intended to spend it doing whoever and whatever he wanted. No one else’s opinion need apply.
“Are you ready, Knuddelbärchen?”
Easton’s real smile reappeared as Nico’s hand slid across the small of his back. His life was different now. He wouldn’t waste another second on people like Marcus. His gaze slid Nico’s way. “Yes. That didn’t take anywhere near as long as I expected.” He headed for the door with his gaze locked on Nico and without bothering with goodbyes.
“Here let me carry these,” Nico said, taking the boxes from Easton. “A spot opened before I made it to the other lot. Who was that guy?”
Easton shrugged. “Just a guy who goes to my parents’ country club.” Easton knew Marcus was still within earshot and didn’t care. Marcus wasn’t important and the shitty way he’d dumped Easton hadn’t broken him. He had Nico now. The past no longer mattered.
“I can’t believe you’re working on your birthday.” Nico tried to sound stern rather than whiny. It was all for show anyhow.
Easton’s sexy eyes flashed with humor. “Awww, sexy. It’s just for a couple of hours.” He scooted closer, leaning across the car and snagging Nico’s shirt. He slowly towed him closer. “Then you’ll come get me at lunch. We’ll go eat and then back to your place.” His smile grew naughtier by the second before he kissed Nico. Nico’s heart turned over in his chest. Damn. He had it bad.
Nico sighed. “Very well.” He opened his door.
Easton stared at him, looking more than a little surprised. “You’re going in?”
“Of course, Knuddelbärchen. Your brother is back in town, ja? He’s working today too, right? It’s time we meet.”
“Are you being serious?”
Easton’s open disbelief gave Nico pause. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
A smile exploded across Easton’s face. “No. It’s just that nobody has ever made the effort to meet Jake before. Of course, he would’ve hated anyone I dated, but I think he’d like you.”
“Good. I’ll walk you in.”
Easton scrambled from the car. Nico bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He loved making Easton happy. It was the highlight of his day. Nico linked fingers with Easton and tried to act casual. Easton turned to say something as Nico opened the door to the bakery for him.
“Surprise!”
The chorus of voices screaming at once made Easton jump. His gaze shot to the open doorway. A myriad of emotions crossed Easton’s face. “Holy shit.”
“Language,” a woman with ash blonde hair fussed as she stepped forward and kissed Easton’s cheek.
“Mom. What are you doing here?”
Easton’s open disbelief still hadn’t faded.
Jake took over, towing Easton all the way inside and hugging him. “Happy birthday.”
“What the—” Easton muttered. His head turned side to side as he took in all the people and decorations. “How did you do all this?”
“I didn’t.”
At Jake’s claim, Easton blinked. His grip never loosened on Nico’s hand. “You didn’t? Surely, Mom...”
Jake shook his head. “This is all Nico. He put everything together. I just made some calls.”
Easton looked his way. He looked shell-shocked. Once again, he opened his mouth the speak, but was interrupted as a young guy tackle-hugged him. Easton squealed, finally releasing Nico so he could squeeze the guy back. A hint of jealousy slapped Nico. He didn’t know who the boy was, but he was the definition of beauty. It wasn’t just the way he looked. It was his smile and the way he carried himself. The boy knew his worth and carried himself with that confidence. His smile bled wicked intent. He looked like sex on two legs.
“Oh my gosh. Trace. I can’t believe you’re here. Did you really make the trip for me?”
“Of course I did. You’re my favorite uncle.”
“I’m your only uncle,” Easton countered with a laugh.
Trace’s unusual blue gaze slid Nico’s way. “Nico. Right?”
Now that Nico realized he was family, his jealousy was replaced with appreciation. Easton obviously cared about this boy and he’d apparently made a trip to be here. That meant a lot to Nico because it meant something to Easton. “Right. I’m glad you were able to make it.”
Trace flashed Easton a wicked smile. “Damn, Easton. He has an accent too. Look at you go.”
Easton blushed. Nico swore his stomach growled as he watched the blood rise to Easton’s cheeks. Hunger owned him every bit as much as Easton did.
“Whoa,” Trace muttered, bringing Nico’s gaze his way once more. He watched Nico closely, obviously taking in Nico’s every reaction to Easton. “This one is a keeper,” Trace said out of the corner of his mouth to Easton.
The move had Nico shaking his head and smiling. The boy was a mess.
Easton seemed immune. “I know.” His chirped response had Nico’s smile growing even wider. He didn’t even complain when Trace dragged Easton away to talk to someone else.
Nico held his ground and watched. Keeping an eye on Easton from a distance was his specialty. He’d done this just to see the happiness he now witnessed. All Nico wanted was to enjoy the show.
“I’m Flynn.”
Nico glanced over at the thick Scottish accent. A man with red hair so dark it looked like it was brown stood at his side with his hand extended. Nico a
ccepted his handshake. “Nico.”
“Jake told me. I’m his husband, Easton’s brother-in-law.”
“I’ve heard the name,” Nico admitted.
Flynn motioned toward a pair who stood nearby. Nico already knew one was Easton’s mom. “These are Easton’s parents, Jim and Patricia.”
Nico shook both their hands. “Nice to meet you.”
They exchanged pleasantries openly eyeing one another. Money and high society bled from their pores. He recognized Patricia from her run for governor. Easton looked more like his father than his mother, but he had her eyes. Nico wanted to like them for that reason alone. The trouble was, Nico rarely liked anyone. He wasn’t overly friendly. Nico had spent his life learning to fight. Confrontation lived in his blood. He had to work at being nice.
“You look familiar to me,” Jim said, breaking the ice.
“He should,” Flynn said with a laugh. He glanced Nico’s way. “How many heavyweight boxing titles have you won?”
“Seven.” Nico kept his voice even and free of pride. Even though he was proud of those titles, it wasn’t for the reasons people would think. Winning meant freedom from a life he’d desperately wanted to escape. Those titles opened doors and gave him opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise.
“Wow,” Patricia said, drawing his gaze. “I really don’t know much about sports, but that sounds like it took a lot of work. That’s something I appreciate.”
Sugar Sentry (Sugar Daddies Book 13) Page 6
