Page 271

“You’d be the first person to think that,” Carter said with a dark look. “Even the bar sluts don’t stick around for long.”

Marco laughed. “Hey, once upon a time, I was a bar slut. Be nice to them, they’re stressed and horny.”

“I’m not mean to them,” Carter grumbled.

Marco smiled. “No, I’m sure you’re not. Grumpy, but not mean.”

Carter rolled his eyes as Marco chuckled and closed his own eyes. It was more than a little unnerving that Marco had figured out what had been nagging him even though Carterthoughthe hadn’t given anything away.

People were shitty toward him. Other than some of the teammates he’d had in the past who’d grown used to him or got to know him, most people dismissed him as trouble or an asshole. If he were to be fair, those weren’t unfair statements. He did seem to find trouble, had ever since he was a kid and had to fight some of the local punks and wannabe thugs who thought he would be a good target. And he didn’t think he’d find too many people, even the ones who were used to him and maybe liked him, who would disagree about him being an asshole.

Yet here was this man, who shouldn’t have been any different than the rest, who didn’t see things that way. If anything, Carter suspected Marcolikedhis grumpiness. He would bet the smile Marco gave him sometimes was because he thought Carter was cute.

“I’m not cute,” Carter muttered.

“Nope,” Marco said back. “You’re very manly. Practically overflowing with rich, dark masculinity.”

Carter scowled, swatting Marco’s leg. “I’m not fucking stupid. I know when you’re making fun of me.”

Marco yelped, sitting up to rub his leg and frown. “I know you’re not stupid. Because, yes, I was making fun of you. Because you are cute.”

“Fuck you,” Carter hissed.

“What, again? I might need more time to recover. Been a while, and I need to warm up,” Marco said, grinning wickedly.

And just like that, Carter felt his annoyance drain away at the man’s mischief. There was something so compelling aboutwitnessing the nice man become a little shit, or rather, a horny little shit, at the drop of a hat.

Marco leaned forward before Carter could do much more than feel his darkness threaten to stir to life. When he kissed Carter, it was warm and gentle, and Carter could feel the curve of the man’s lip as he smiled against his mouth.

“Maybe you’re not cute in the puppy and kitten kind of way, but I think you’re cute,” Marco murmured.

“Shit judgment,” Carter repeated, feeling a little lightheaded.

“Well, I’m about to show even worse judgment because I think it’s time to go to bed. And if you’d like, you can spend the night with me. I warn you, though, I expect cuddles,” Marco said as he slid off Carter’s lap, leaving it feeling cool in his absence.

Carter glanced at the loft and resisted the urge to look at the door since he knew Marco was watching him. There was a weight in the air, as though whatever he said or did next would carry a great deal of power behind it.

He didn’t like that, didn’t like the importance of his next action. Give him a target, a threat on the horizon, and a teammate to back up. He didn’t know how to weigh this moment with Marco or why he suddenly hated the idea of leaving, knowing it would probably upset Marco.

Marco’s feelings shouldn’t have mattered. He wasn’t different from anyone Carter had been with before—or at least heshouldn’thave been.

And yet.

“Whatever,” Carter grunted, pushing himself upright. “Probably better since little guys like you are always bedhogs.”

“You’re the expert on that, huh?” Marco asked, eyes glowing again as he led the way to the loft stairs.

Carter shrugged. “I’ve had little guys on my team before. They’re always the ones who steal space when you’ve gotta sharesleeping quarters. It’s like you idiots have to make up for being short.”

“We’re idiots because we’re short?” Marco asked as he flipped on a low light.

“No, you’re idiots because you...have to take up so much room,” Carter murmured, hesitating as he took in the space.

Where the rest of the apartment was wide open and spacious, Marco had gone out of his way to make this room as cozy as possible. The bed was big. The mattress lowered into a frame with walls extending above it, making it seem like a comfy pit. A soft rug had been spread over just about every inch of the floor, and thick, black curtains hung over the gaps that would have allowed them to see into the rest of the apartment.

“Huh,” Carter said, unsure how to respond to what he saw.

Marco stopped at the edge of the bed, frowning at him. “What?”