Page 10 of Announcing Love (Sporting Pride #5)

He had never been more spoiled. Tip bathed him and fed him.

He cuddled Artem and wouldn’t stop doting on him.

Various desserts sat on the bed, surrounding them.

Artem sat between Tip’s thighs with his back against Tip’s chest and let Tip feed him.

He tried a little of everything. A happy hum lived inside his head alongside a hint of horror. He didn’t recognize himself.

Artem couldn’t lie. His body hurt. He was in pain.

Every time he thought about what happened in that SUV, he blushed.

He had begged, fucking pled for the dick.

How horrifying. There was a bite mark on his chest and light fingerprint bruises everywhere.

He had wanted Tip to hurt him. His body stirred just thinking about it, and life made so much sense now.

Tip kissed his ear.

Artem’s eyes fell closed.

Tip’s hand ran across Artem’s stomach. “I swear I hear your mind churning. What’s going on in your head?”

“I’m not sure.” Artem was too embarrassed to admit he had scared himself. He was humiliated by how he had wanted the pain. Fuck, it had felt so good. What was wrong with him?

“I still remember the first time I really bit someone during sex. They actually shoved me away from them. I spent a good six months after that just going through the motions, meeting my body’s needs, but not really. That probably doesn’t even make sense.” Tip sounded as defeated as Artem felt.

His discomfort emboldened Artem. “I’ve had chances over the years to sleep with guys.

They would kiss me, and we’d get close, but then I’d make some excuse and bolt.

I’ve always blamed the artist in me. People feel very tepid and watered down.

I thought maybe I was broken. It’s always seemed like I feel things deeper than other people.

Men don’t want the dreamer, and I don’t want the guy who can’t lose himself in me completely.

” Artem swallowed. He didn’t think he should go on, but he did. “I think you did for a minute.”

“More than a minute. I’m sorry if I scared you. Sometimes, I terrify myself, but I would never hurt you.”

“You don’t scare me. My only fear is you walking away after showing me myself.”

Tip held him. It was such a loving embrace that Artem’s throat swelled. “You must be joking. I just found you. Please don’t take that away from me.”

Artem closed his eyes and swallowed. He hadn’t been so close to tears in years. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Tip’s phone buzzed. He grabbed it and checked his messages. To Artem’s surprise, he unlocked his phone and opened the message with the phone held in front of Artem—like he had no secrets. That was a nice change. A picture of Ginger in a horse trailer appeared on the phone.

Quince: On our way to New York.

He watched Tip type.

Tip: Thank you for coming so quickly. We were afraid for her safety.

Quince: It’s no problem. She’s a sweet lady. I’ll make sure the trip doesn’t stress her out too badly.

“There. Your girl is safe.”

Fuck. He could love him. Artem already felt possessive and infatuated, but he could actually love him. “Who is Quince?”

“He’s the foreman at my ranch.”

“Damn. He got here quick.”

He felt Tip shrug. “I put him on a flight, and he arranged the truck and trailer on the way. That’s what I pay him to do. I told you I’m pretty hands off, so I need someone capable.”

“You keep talking about the ranch in New York like there’s no one there but employees and horses. I thought your family lived there.”

“That’s a different farm, but it’s close by.”

Sometimes, well, all the time, Artem felt very out of his depth with Tip. The financial divide was more like a ravine. “Damn. What do you see in me, again? In fact, why did you even ask me to dinner that first time?”

Tip didn’t answer right away, which did nothing to help Artem’s anxiety. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I don’t want to answer that.”

Artem rolled his eyes. “If your answer is that you just wanted to fuck me, it’s fine. I’m pretty sure that’s how ninety-nine percent of relationships start.”

“There’s not a single time I ran into you by accident outside of our first meeting.”

Artem’s mind froze.

Tip’s phone buzzed again. He growled as he opened it. “I need to turn this fucking thing off. If I hadn’t been waiting to hear from Quince.”

Tamara: I’m blown away by the video you sent me. When can I meet the artist?

“Well, it’s all just coming out tonight.” Tip cleared his throat again. “So, um, how do you feel about meeting the owner of Art and Artistry in New York?”

Artem was on his knees in an instant. He spun so he could hold Tip’s stare. Artem had a bad feeling he knocked at least one dessert on the floor. “What?”

“That video I took of your paintings. I sent it to the owner. She wants to meet you.”

“I don’t want professionals critiquing my work. I don’t want to hear people say they hate it.”

Tip pulled Artem closer until Artem straddled his hips. “Have you seen your work, gorgeous? No one could hate it unless they’re blind and an idiot. You deserve this. This could mean you making a living from your paintings alone.”

Artem swallowed. It hurt for some reason. He hadn’t even bothered to dream he could paint for a living. It was such an impossible dream out of everyone’s reach except a small few. “Don’t put that thought in my head. I’m easily crushed.”

“So don’t think about it. Just meet with her.”

He couldn’t believe this. Artem couldn’t say no. “Will you be with me? I don’t know anything about New York.”

A sweet smile touched Tip’s lips. “I’ll be at your side the entire time. You can visit Ginger while we’re there.”

Artem swallowed again. “Okay.” He dropped his forehead to Tip’s shoulder while Tip responded to the text. Artem couldn’t watch. He might take it back. “I haven’t forgotten the whole not an accident thing.”

A sexy laugh caressed his ears, making Artem breathe easier.

“Of course not. It’s pretty self-explanatory.

I met you and you mesmerized me, so I stalked you, hoping you’d notice me too.

But you, being you, never pay attention to your surroundings.

I had to literally plow you over to get your attention. ”

On some level, Artem recognized that was absolutely crazy. That didn’t explain why Artem couldn’t stop smiling, and Tip’s confession made him the happiest man alive. He really was as strange as everyone accused him of being. Artem had no clue why he hadn’t seen it before now.