Page 9 of Announcing Love (Sporting Pride #5)

The place was every bit as gorgeous as the pictures. It was twice as beautiful with Artem’s huge smile while petting the horses. Tip could barely stop staring at him to focus on anything else.

“You look happy here.”

Artem kept petting the horse as he looked Tip’s way.

“I am. This is the life I always wanted. A beautiful ranch, someplace quiet where I could set up my art studio. I could paint all day and just enjoy life. Not here, of course. This is too far from Sacha, but you get what I mean. Obviously, it’ll never happen, but yeah.

That was my dream before everyone died and I grew up.

Reality hit and I still chose an art major like that would take me anywhere.

” He shrugged as if getting uncomfortable with the topic.

“I haven’t asked because I didn’t want to pry, but we’re a couple, so… What exactly happened to your family?”

Artem didn’t look his way. He made loud kissing noises as he kissed the horse he had been babying for half an hour.

“They all packed, leaving Sacha and me behind to care for Baba, and headed back home to help in the war. Our hometown is on the Ukrainian border and is still Russian occupied. When they got there, all our extended family was already gone. Then they were too.”

“I’m sorry.” Tip had known it would be traumatic and hated that he had asked. But Tip wanted all of Artem, and that meant even the ugly bits.

“Yeah. Me too. I mean, I get why they went, but then again, I don’t. Maybe it’s unfair to feel so bitter about it. I know they had family they wanted to help, but…” He shrugged again.

“But they had kids,” Tip finished for him.

Artem flashed him a sad smile. “Yeah.”

“Are you ready to head to the room so we can get cleaned up and find something to eat? Or do you want me to find out what it’ll take to get you on this horse?”

Artem’s sweet laughter had Tip smiling like they hadn’t been talking about death. “We should head to the room. It’s getting late and I’m starved.”

“I can’t have that.” He really couldn’t. Artem had a long night ahead of him.

After a few goodbyes, they were back on the road.

“Do you think you’ll buy the place?”

“I’m undecided.” He knew Artem wasn’t really interested.

Artem merely made conversation, but Tip wasn’t used to having anyone to talk to like this.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property and pretty much exactly what I want, but I’m not crazy about the people running the place.

I don’t want to get so involved I’m stuck hiring new people.

It’s important to me the place runs itself and the sellers feel pretty strongly about keeping everyone on after the sale.

Not that they can do anything about it once I own the place.

Still, I’m not the type to make promises I intend to break. ”

“Everyone seemed nice enough.”

Tip hated disabusing Artem’s sweet nature and ability to see beauty in all things. “Yeah. They were pretty pissed off about you babying what I gather is a working horse of some kind. Apparently, that makes them lazy.”

Artem turned in his seat. “Are you fucking kidding me? She was so sweet. Goddamn it. I hate she got left with those people. How sad is that? Thinking that little bit of attention is all she’ll ever get.

There’s no telling what they’ll do now that we’re gone to counterbalance the positive attention.

They’ll make her think pets and kisses means punishment. ”

He sounded so outraged and hurt. Artem had a beautiful soul. “Would it make you feel better if I buy her and have her sent to my place in New York?”

Artem didn’t answer.

Tip glanced his way.

Artem chewed his bottom lip, looking torn. “I can’t ask that of you. Everyone uses you and your money for everything. I don’t want to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. You’re right about the punishment, I’m sure. I can call someone and have her out of there by tonight.”

“I’ll pay you back. Just let me know how much it is. If I have to make payments, I will. Damn. No doubt it costs a lot to keep a horse. Let me know how much that is too.”

Tip let him ramble. “Are you through?”

He practically felt Artem deflate. “Yes.”

Tip smiled at the defeat in Artem’s voice. It was adorable. “This is my decision. I don’t want to leave your horse there either. One more animal won’t hurt me.” And he’d have an excuse to lure Artem to New York next.

“My horse?”

Despite all his words and arguments, Tip heard the happiness in Artem’s voice. “Yes. Yours. Does she have a name?”

“Ginger.”

With his gaze locked on the road, Tip nodded. “I’ll let everyone know back home.”

“You’re a good person.”

Tip fought the urge to snort. He would let Artem think whatever he thought. “Get your phone out and find us a restaurant near the hotel.”

Artem didn’t argue. He went to work, scouring the web while Tip tried to keep his mind blank.

When Artem had admitted to being a virgin, Tip had been horrified.

The closer he got to having Artem in bed again, the hungrier he got.

The ugly, dark, possessive side of Tip that he kept hidden purred a little at knowing he would be the only one.

His ego was fluffed like a pillow straight out of the dryer.

The only downside was the whole having to go slow thing.

He could do it. Artem just had him low on patience.

“This place sounds good. Southwestern fusion cuisine. Bold flavors with our signature spices at down home prices.”

A smile stayed glued on Tip’s face around Artem. He read the ad like auditioning for their commercial. “Do they have online ordering, or do you want to sit in another restaurant?”

“The room you got us is actually more like an entire fucking apartment, so I’m cool with eating in.

As long as I have a chair, I’m good.” A moment passed.

“We should just go there first and grab our food. That makes a hell of a lot more sense than going back to the room only to get right back out to come to the room again.”

“That’s fine.” Tip actually preferred that. He didn’t want to be interrupted once he had Artem shut in that room.

“I’m ready to take a hot shower and relax.” Artem paused. “Plus, I can’t wait to have you alone where no one can see.”

The heat in Artem’s voice took Tip all the way out.

It was at such odds with his usual self.

Tip had never been hit so hard by lust. He needed to swallow it and find his patience.

Artem had wanted to go slow last time, and that was why they almost hadn’t even happened.

If Tip wanted this, he needed to be someone he wasn’t.

He had to be gentle and sweet. Tip had to ease Artem into things.

He just needed to not be himself. Artem’s fingertip traced the shape of Tip’s ear, bringing chill bumps to the surface of his skin.

He glanced over. Artem stared at him the same way he had that night in the parking lot of that wireless store. Tip lost control.

Without warning or thought, Tip swerved off the road.

They were in the middle of nowhere, with only acres of farmland surrounding them.

In a flash, Tip was across the console and on him.

The seat went back and Tip ate at Artem’s mouth, taking everything.

Artem was there for every second. He didn’t back down.

A ripping sound filled the air as Artem tore the two halves of Tip’s dress shirt open, sending buttons flying.

It was a massive SUV, but there was still barely any room.

That didn’t stop them. They fought like animals to get each other out of their clothes.

All good sense and planning vanished. He didn’t know what happened.

They fought each other to get to the back the fastest and lay the seat down.

Less than two minutes from the time he pulled off the road and, with only the small packet of lube from Tip’s wallet, Tip was pressing his way inside.

Artem didn’t let him go slow. With his palms flattened against the back door, Artem tried taking what he wanted. “Oh God. Please? Don’t stop.”

Tip was just far enough gone to let Artem have his wish.

He slammed inside Artem. A loud moan filled the car, sending Tip further into madness.

With Artem’s legs in the air and zero care, Tip took him.

It was violent. Artem begged for more. He bit and clawed.

Tip clenched his teeth and tried to cling to any sanity.

There was none. Artem’s body felt more amazing than anyone Tip had ever fucked.

His every reaction was ten times hotter.

He was fucking perfection. Artem was everything Tip searched for his whole life and never found.

He took punishment like he needed it to survive.

The controlling, sadistic bastard inside him got high as hell on Artem’s body.

He was like an addict with an endless supply at his fingertips. A glutton.

“Tip. Goddamn. Please?”

Tip grabbed Artem’s throat, cutting off the sound of begging.

They held each other’s stare. Tip had found him now.

He stared down at the man for him. Artem belonged to him.

If he tried to get away… Tip scared himself at the thought.

He already choked a fucking virgin. It was like he had lost his mind.

“If you ever want to breathe again, I suggest you come.” Tip sounded inhuman. Still, he loosened his grip, letting Artem have enough air to survive.

Artem whimpered, and then his entire body jerked. Cum jetted through the air and Tip was the one who couldn’t breathe. He slammed himself inside Artem, struggling against the pull of Artem’s body. A cry ripped from his throat as his orgasm hit. Artem owned his soul. There was no going back.