by AJ Sherwood
“No, caro.” Brannigan had that face on again, the one that was nothing but stubbornness. He shook his head over and over, denying the argument. “No. It won’t come to that. We can find a different way to make this work. God, even if we never date, I don’t want you to keep living that way. You deserve joy—”
“That’s what it fucking takes to protect you,” Kyou snapped at him. “But set that argument aside for now because that’s only one side of this. Even if by some miracle we work out, then what? You can hardly take me home to meet your family—”
“They’re fully expecting me to do just that.” Brannigan arched a brow at him in challenge.
It was Kyou’s turn to be utterly speechless. He had to be exaggerating, right?
“Ah, caro.” Brannigan’s ire died, and he looked him over with sympathy. “You really thought that, didn’t you? That they couldn’t accept you if you came. Where did this fear come from? Of course we can accept you fully. Hell, we’re not any better than you.”
“Your family spent over two decades cleaning up their act,” Kyou managed. His core shook from some emotion he didn’t care to put a name to. “And you’re telling me that they’ll be fine with a wanted criminal in their midst?”
“Yes.”
Kyou put both hands over his face, hiding it, as he felt entirely too vulnerable just then and didn’t want Brannigan to see his expression. How could he convince Brannigan this was a mistake, trying this, when the man was so confident that it wouldn’t be?
Those arms came around him again, gently this time. Kyou let himself be drawn into the embrace, but he didn’t relax into it. He stayed stiff and unyielding even though part of him wanted to latch on and not let go.
“Caro.” Brannigan’s voice was low and soothing as he spoke against Kyou’s temple. “First of all, I do not consider myself better than you. I’ve lived differently, that’s true. But you know best of all just how morally grey my operations are on a day-to-day basis. I don’t think of you as someone to be pitied, or someone wrong. You are incredibly precious to me, and that’s all I see when I look at you.”
Brannigan sounded so sincere that Kyou couldn’t argue against him. And the man wouldn’t be advocating this hard if he felt differently, right? Kyou told his own fears that, and found himself waffling. This was still a bad idea, though. “But your father won’t feel the same way. I mean, look at me. He invested so much in me, and this is how I turned out.”
“A brilliant man who’s done his level best to protect his only son.” Brannigan snorted. “You really think my father’s disappointed in you?”
Kyou’s fears faltered, ground ashore. “He’s not?”
“He’s very much not. He’s not aware of precisely who you are, but he knows you were one he tried to save. And he’s very keen on meeting you. Really, if he possessed any idea of where we were right now he’d already be knocking the door down.”
Oh. Well. Kyou hadn’t really expected that. He’d have thought Mattias Genovese would have been disappointed on some level. The man had gone legit himself, given Kyou so many advantages, and he’d still gone rogue on him. Kyou expected disappointment and anger.
“Does that put some of your fears to rest?”
Kyou shrugged uncomfortably, not willing to acknowledge that Brannigan had taken about half of the wind out of his sails. It was really hard to argue with the man when he used facts and logic against him. It was why he was so terrible to negotiate with in a board meeting.
“Good, then let me address the other thing you threw at me. These people you tried to date, when it ended so poorly, were you dating them while protecting me?”
Sighing, Kyou nodded.
“Have you considered that they were jealous? They knew your attention wasn’t on them. I’ll hardly have the same opinion since it’s me you’ll be focused on.”
That…was a really excellent point.
“And I really, truly mean it when I say that my family’s been expecting me to date you for years. If you’d like, I’ll call my father tomorrow and have him confirm that for you. If you’re expecting trouble from that end, you won’t get it.”
Suspicions roused, Kyou finally dropped his hands. “Wait. If they were so sure you’d date me, then why have you been signing up for all of those dating sites? And going on blind dates?”
“Going on a date was a sure-fire way to get you to call me,” Brannigan answered matter-of-factly.
Kyou made a sound like a deflating balloon. “God, I’m not that predictable, am I?”
With a soft laugh, Brannigan pressed a kiss against his temple but didn’t answer.
He really had shown his hand there. Kyou just couldn’t seem to keep himself from messing with Brannigan’s dates. But no wonder the man felt so confident that Kyou wanted him. That jealousy of his left little room for doubt.
“Caro, I firmly believe this isn’t a mistake. I think that if we sit down, and properly work this out, we can find time for both of us—time that doesn’t involve you staring at me from a screen. I know your career is important to you. I don’t want to end that. But I do want you to step away from the desk more, experience life rather than watching it through a monitor.” Putting their foreheads together, Brannigan murmured to him, “You’ve given me so much over the years. Let me give this to you. Try me. That’s all I ask.”
A protest half-formed on Kyou’s mouth tumbled free. “Brannigan, I can’t—”
“You won’t lose me, either way. I promise you that.”
Was this wise? Kyou didn’t know anymore. He couldn’t think while standing in this man’s arms. Brannigan pressed soft, chaste kisses against his forehead, cheek, down to his jaw, then right under his ear. Kyou found himself tilting his head on instinct, reveling in those soft caresses. With each kiss, his reasons fractured. Logic spun away in a freefall, and for the life of him, he couldn’t remember why he was fighting this.
Kyou had wanted this man for too long. Longer than he could recall off-hand. Now that he had him, so very close and willing, he didn’t want to turn away from him. His fragile willpower unraveled, and Kyou didn’t even try to tie his shredded reasoning back together. He turned his head, meeting Brannigan’s mouth in a sweet kiss. Brannigan might have smiled against his mouth, but he was too lost in the kiss to really focus on that. His arms came up, sliding over that bare skin, curling around the back of Brannigan’s head even as he canted his face a little more to deepen the kiss.
With a groan, Brannigan took the offer, nipping at Kyou’s bottom lip, opening it enough that he could slip his tongue inside. Kyou’s nerves sparked with pleasure as their tongues dueled, the hot glide of it entirely sensual.
By degrees, Brannigan softened the kiss, gently easing them back. He lifted his head a few inches, watching Kyou with a smug tilt of his lips. “Will you give us a chance, caro?”
Kyou let out a gusty sigh. “If this all goes wrong, I’m blaming you.”
“If it all goes wrong, I’ll be the one to blame,” Brannigan agreed, tone mild. “Because I’ll have done something stupid.”
“I really think the odds are far better that I’ll screw this up, but okay.”
“Let’s focus more on making it work, shall we? But right now, I want to cuddle with you.” Brannigan kept a hand on him as he drew him towards the couch.
Considering the kiss they’d just shared, Kyou fully expected to head toward one of the bedrooms. He balked only a little. “Why the couch?”
“We’re not ready for sex just yet.” Brannigan shot him a wry smile. “Let’s not tempt it. I can behave myself out here. Come cuddle with me.”
Kyou flushed as the full realization of that sank in. In other words, Brannigan was so attracted to him that it was hard to keep his hands off? Oh. That was…nice.
Brannigan grabbed a couch pillow and arranged it so that he could lay back while comfortably semi-propped up. Kyou felt all knees and elbows as he snuggled in, half on top of the man, but as Brannigan’s hand smoothed down
his spine, he settled with a sigh, head pillowed on the man’s chest. A throw got tossed over the top of him, and he settled even further, hand curling over the top of Brannigan’s shoulder. This was nice. Kyou had never cuddled like this before. He now understood why people liked to do it.
“After this situation is dealt with, let’s go on a proper date,” Brannigan murmured to him. His hand traced an idle circle at the base of Kyou’s spine. It was all he could do to not purr and fall asleep on the spot.
“A date, huh?” Kyou tried to think of a date they could go on and immediately hit a blank wall. “Where?”
“Game arcade,” Brannigan said confidently. “Followed up by staying in one of my penthouse suites with a full five-course meal, hot tub, and even hotter sex.”
The realization hit him, and Kyou said in wonder, “You’ve really been thinking about this.”
“Thinking? I’ve been planning and scheming to make that happen. I figured you’d enjoy a game arcade. There’s one not far from my house that has everything you can possibly name, and they let you in for three hours at a time.”
“Sparky’s Stop and Game.”
“That’s the place.”
“I’ve seen you go in there several times. You really were gaming, huh?”
“Sure. What did you think I was doing?”
“Hiding from questionable life decisions?”
Brannigan’s chest jerked with silent laughter.
“Where else can we go?” Kyou was honestly curious just how far Brannigan had planned this.
“I thought maybe one of those murder mystery dinners would be fun. I’ve never been to one myself, but my sister has with her husband, and they do it yearly for their anniversary. And we can always stay in and do game nights.”
A little shyly, Kyou admitted, “I wouldn’t mind seeing a live show. I’ve never been to one before, but I know you like those.”
“Yeah? We’ll have to look at what’s playing in the next few months and get tickets.”
They fell into a back and forth, swapping ideas, learning a little more of each other’s tastes. Kyou had a better idea of what Brannigan liked than vice versa, but even he was taken by surprise at some of Brannigan’s suggestions.
Kyou had never cuddled like this with someone and spoken of the future. Actively planned it, no less. He loved every second of it, even as it scared him down to his marrow. He’d do practically anything to keep his fears from being realized.
But tonight, at least, he could set the fears aside. Tonight was about wishes, and hopes, and soft kisses. Tonight was only about the two of them.
“—don’t wake him,” Brannigan requested softly. “We were up late talking, and he needs the sleep.”
“Not even tempted,” Carter assured in an equally quiet voice. “I’m just very surprised at finding him cuddled in with you like that.”
“He agreed to date last night.” Brannigan sounded unbearably smug.
“Reaaally.”
With a grunt, Kyou forced himself to wake up enough to respond. “Too smug.”
“Shh, go back to sleep, caro,” Brannigan soothed him, trying to tuck him back in with the throw blanket.
They’d turned at some point, with Kyou the little spoon in front of Brannigan. The couch, fortunately, was wide enough to accommodate this, if only just. Kyou was comfortable, position-wise, and it was tempting to go back to sleep. But the idea of cuddling in front of other people made him strangely prickly. Besides, if everyone else was up, he should be, too. “No, I’m awake.”
Brannigan sighed in resignation, even as Kyou lifted himself free, swinging his legs to the ground. Carter had that expression on his face, as if he weren’t quite sure how to react to this situation, but he seemed pleased at the same time.
Kyou rubbed the sleep from his face and tried to kick his brain back into gear. Without coffee, it proved challenging. He could feel the gears grinding. It wasn’t a pleasant sensation.
Perhaps this was easily read on his face, as Ari came up with two coffee mugs and promptly handed one to Kyou. Kyou accepted the offering with both hands and inhaled it with a dreamy sigh.
Pointing a finger towards himself, Carter objected. “Wasn’t that supposed to be my coffee?”
“Sacrificed to a higher cause,” Ari deadpanned.
Eyeing him, Carter grudgingly admitted, “Probably for the best. Brannigan, you seem more awake, so I’ll tell you this. We’re going out to pick up supplies. We’ll probably be back after lunch. I can swing by and grab takeout, so think of what you’d like to have.”
“Sure, thanks.”
“Ivan’s got Remi, or is supposed to. Let Aiden sleep. He’s dead on his feet.”
“Got it.”
Kyou got to the bottom of his mug and frowned down at it. What had happened to the coffee? “Did I drink all of this?”
“You did.” Ari carefully eased the mug away from him and swapped it. “Have mine. We’ll be back later, okay?”
“Do I need to keep a watch while you’re with the dealer?” This thought had only just hit Kyou.
“Naw, I know this guy well.” Carter flapped a hand to negate the idea. “It’s fine.”
Accepting that, Kyou didn’t argue further and let them leave. They looked unfairly awake. They even had pants on. Who had pants on at—he squinted at the clock above the sink—eight o’clock in the morning? That had to be blasphemous. Sacrilegious. Something.
As far as Kyou knew, there was only one answer to any question this early in the morning. “Coffee.”
“I could use some myself.” Brannigan shifted, preparing to leave the couch.
Oh good. They were in agreement. Kyou got up so Brannigan had room to maneuver and headed for the kitchen. The coffee maker still had half a pot, thank god, and Kyou immediately poured himself a refill. Then reached for the mugs and poured Brannigan one as well. See? He could think of thoughtful gestures after only two cups of coffee.
Brannigan reached around him and took it, draining half of it in one go.
“Since when do you take your coffee black?”
“This morning calls for it.” Brannigan put the cup back down, pushing it to the side, then with a heave of effort, lifted Kyou onto the counter.
Kyou spluttered at this maneuver, not at all expecting it, and nearly sloshed coffee over both of them in the process. “Bran! The hell!”
“I,” Brannigan informed him with a perfectly formed pout on his lips, “did not get my morning kiss yet.”
He didn’t even have a chance to form a response to that when Brannigan tilted Kyou’s head up and sealed his mouth over his. Coffee, stubble, warm male skin, and sweet heat as a tongue tangled with his own. Kyou surrendered with a groan, setting his cup blindly aside somewhere on the counter so he could wrap both arms around Brannigan. Brannigan’s hands were hot against his back, soothing in circles, trailing down to his thighs to encourage him to wrap a leg around his own hip. Kyou was happy to do so, wanting Brannigan closer.
Brannigan’s mouth shifted down and back to the sensitive spot he’d found under Kyou’s ear last night. Kyou tilted his head with a sigh, enjoying the attention there. In a dreamy voice, he noted, “You like pinning me to places.”
“Been a fantasy of mine for a while,” Brannigan answered, the words hot on his skin. “And you like it.”
“Mmm,” Kyou agreed, his body in that hazy state of pleasure.
A hand found its way under his shirt, then dipped under the waistband of his pants and boxers. Kyou startled a little as one finger traced between his ass cheeks, stroking there playfully. His breath caught in his throat, eyes wide with surprise, then settling in pleasure. Oh. That was, hmm. Nice.
“I was about to ask if you’d like to bottom.” Brannigan kissed him lightly, mouth lingering. “I think I just got my answer.”
Kyou had only experienced anal sex twice and he had enjoyed it. It had been so long since he’d had another man’s hands on him, he’d forgotten how lovely it was to have
someone caress him there. He caught Brannigan’s head with both hands, kissing him fervently, demandingly.
Pulling back, Brannigan looked a little wild and desperate. “Caro, I know I said we weren’t ready for sex last night—”
“If you don’t properly put your hands on me, I will fucking murder you,” Kyou promised firmly. “And we need to get out of the kitchen before someone wanders through here.”
“Shower?” Brannigan offered hopefully.
The shower had something of a chance of softening the noises they were bound to make, and so they wouldn’t wake up Aiden. Kyou awarded Brannigan points for thinking on his feet. “Shower.”
11
Kyou
They hit the bathroom door with their mouths locked and feeding off each other. Brannigan’s hands roamed Kyou’s body, skimming his shoulder blades, grasping at his hips, catching and squeezing his ass. One hand only left long enough to close the bathroom door and then immediately returned. Kyou couldn’t seem to stop stroking Brannigan’s face—his cheekbones and sharp jawline, that soft, soft skin, warmer than Kyou’s own—all the features that Kyou had admired, dreamt of, but never touched.
Kyou’s shirt was yanked unapologetically off, and of course Brannigan had never put one on last night, so their bare chests brushed against each other. They fit together so stunningly well, better than Kyou had ever dared to dream. He dove his tongue into Brannigan’s mouth, and when their tongues brushed, Brannigan gave a soft little nng sound that he could taste as well as hear. It drove him a bit mad. Kyou really, really had to get them out of their pants.
He tried to break the kiss and buy himself some higher thought process. Brannigan categorically refused to let him. Every time their lips parted, Brannigan fused them back together again with a plaintive moan, like he couldn’t bear the separation.
