Page 35

MID-JANUARY

“Oh my God.” Dakota’s fingers trembled as he stared at the photos of his ex-boyfriend. It had only been a few weeks. He couldn’t believe how quickly this had happened. “You—you found him?”

“My PI did, yeah,” Gavin said.

His hand was heavy as he slowly rubbed it along Dakota’s back, the heat and pressure soothing.

“What—where is he?” Dakota looked up.

“Sacramento, California. He changed his name but it’s definitely him.”

“Wow,” Dakota whispered, staring down at the picture again. Funny, he’d been so in love with Bryce, so wowed by his looks, so … dazzled by him. And sure, on paper—or on the screen in this case—he was still incredibly good-looking. But there had been nothing of substance underneath. Dakota glanced up. “Wait, was Bryce even his real name?”

Gavin winced. “It doesn’t look like it.”

“Fuck.”

“And I don’t know if this makes it better or worse, but this isn’t the first time he’s done this to someone. There’s a history of this, both before you and simultaneously.”

Dakota sighed. So Bryce had been cheating on him all along, probably.

“We were together for years . He really played the long con with me, huh?”

“It seems like it.”

“What do we do now?”

Gavin smiled at him. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? There’s no way to get my money back?” Dakota asked, his tone hollow.

That stung. He’d really been hoping he could. It looked like Gavin was out whatever it had cost to hire the PI. Dakota didn’t love the thought but as he looked at Gavin’s face again, he thought he could live with that.

Gavin had done it out of love. There were no strings attached, no tally in the ‘owe’ column. He would never hold it over Dakota’s head.

But Gavin’s smile only widened.

“I have your money already,” Gavin said simply. He reached into his leather satchel and pulled out a large manila envelope. And then another one.

Disbelieving, Dakota took them, feeling the outline of what appeared to be stacks of cash. “How did …”

“Oh, my guy has his ways,” Gavin said with a smile. “He might have reminded Bryce—or whatever his name is—that while getting the guy you’re dating to loan you money isn’t illegal, setting up bank accounts and businesses under false names and not reporting that income to the IRS certainly is. And there was plenty of evidence he’d done it multiple times.”

“Ohh,” Dakota said, the pieces clicking into place. “So, your guy blackmailed him into paying me back.”

“I wouldn’t call it blackmail ,” Gavin said teasingly. “He just offered Bryce a little … incentive to do the right thing.”

For the first time, Dakota laughed. “Incentives are good.”

His expression fell as he thought about the other people Bryce—God, he’d probably never be able to think of him as anyone else—had scammed in the past. And the people he’d likely do that to in the future.

“Maybe I shouldn’t take this though,” he said reluctantly, holding the envelope out to Gavin. “It feels … kind of tainted, knowing other people won’t be able to get their money back. Maybe your PI could hunt them down and we could all split it or something?”

“You’re such a good person,” Gavin said, gently pushing the envelope away. “But no, that isn’t necessary. Bryce has been warned that reparations need to be made to his previous victims and we’ll be watching him. If he tries to scam someone again or if he doesn’t follow through on sending the money to the other people in a reasonable time frame … all the evidence will go to the government. And because he’s done this in multiple states …”

“It’s a federal crime,” Dakota finished. “ Damn , you’re clever.”

Gavin smiled. “Thad helped me, actually. It turns out he learned all sorts of things in prison. For better or for worse.”

Dakota smiled. “Well, I’ll have to thank him too. He’s coming over for dinner next week, right?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. You said Violet and Jeff and the kids are coming too?”

Dakota nodded, setting the money aside to deal with later.

It was odd. He thought he’d be over the moon about paying off his debt, and he was looking forward to that, along with rebuilding his credit score and having some savings in the bank again. But it didn’t feel as important as he’d once thought it would.

Maybe because he had so much else to look forward to in the future. So many other good things happening in his life.

“You know, Violet and Jeff gave me so much shit the other day when I said I was moving in with you,” he said, smiling at Gavin.

Gavin smiled back, his expression lighting up. “You decided to go for it then?”

“Yeah,” Dakota said, setting a hand on Gavin’s thigh. “I have.”

“Oh, fuck. That’s great news.” Gavin grabbed him and kissed him soundly, deep and thorough, and Dakota’s head spun by the time he finally let go.

But Gavin sobered, nodding toward the envelopes of cash. “You wouldn’t have to, you know. If you wanted your own place or whatever, you have the means now.”

Dakota squeezed his leg. “I didn’t decide to move in with you because I need an affordable place to live, Gavin. I could have stayed with Violet, Jeff, and the kids. Or found a place somewhere on my own. I did it because I love you. Because I trust you.”

The look in Gavin’s eyes made Dakota’s throat thicken.

“I trust you too,” he whispered. “So much.”

And for both of them, trust was harder than love. Or it had been when they first met. But now, Dakota knew without a single second of hesitation that Gavin was it for him. Gavin was the man he wanted to wake up beside every morning.

Dakota wanted to ride with Gavin to HCI, wanted to swing by his office and lovingly remind him to take a lunch break and stretch. He wanted to get to know Thad and watch Gavin smile down at his niece Lily like maybe he was thinking about a family they could have some day.

Dakota wanted it all.

With a sigh, he leaned forward, wrapping his hand around the back of Gavin’s neck and pulling him in for a kiss. One of the envelopes of money tumbled to the ground and Dakota let out a soft laugh but kept kissing Gavin.

He kissed him like he’d never stop, like it was all he ever wanted to do. All he’d ever need.

He fumbled for the buttons of Gavin’s black shirt, undoing each one slowly as Gavin’s tongue stroked his. They only parted to take sips of oxygen before diving in again.

When the shirt was open, Dakota smoothed his palms along Gavin’s chest, savoring the tickle of his soft chest hair and the feel of his warm skin below.

He rubbed his thumb along the pebbled rise of Gavin’s nipple, drinking in his quiet gasp. He did it again, and harder, until Gavin shuddered and sat back, shrugging off his shirt with short, jerky movements.

Dakota laughed softly and reached to help him undo the buttons at the cuff. He got them undone and Gavin tossed the shirt on the floor like it had offended him.

“Eager, huh?” Dakota teased, pressing a hand to Gavin’s chest and gently pushing him down onto the sofa cushions.

“For you? Always.”

The rough promise in Gavin’s voice made emotion tighten Dakota’s throat. He reached out, opening Gavin’s belt, then undoing the fastenings on his trousers.

He sat back, staring down at Gavin’s bare chest, drinking in the sight of him. He ran his hands along Gavin’s body, feeling the tickle of hair against his palms again and loving the way he arched up, shuddering as Dakota skated his thumbs along the grooves beside his hip bones.

As expected, Gavin’s impressive abs had softened a little, less rigidly defined than when they first met. And all Dakota could feel was relief.

Because he wanted this man alive.

Dakota didn’t want him to train and stress himself into an early grave. He wanted him alive and here with him , a part of his future.

So, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to Gavin’s pec, then skated them down over his stomach with soft glancing kisses that made Gavin clench and shiver.

Dakota reached down, slipping his hand into Gavin’s trousers and underwear, finding his cock below. He was only half-hard, but his skin was warm and soft as Dakota stroked.

Dakota dropped his mouth to Gavin’s pec, teasing his nipple with his tongue, flicking it and softly biting, alternating between the two until Gavin arched up into his touch, letting out the most delicious sound of pleasure.

The tight confines of his clothing made it difficult for Dakota to get any kind of good rhythm going, but Gavin’s cock was fattening up in his hand anyway. The drop of liquid at the tip made Dakota want to taste, so he pulled his hand away, lifted his head, and licked it from his thumb, sucking at the skin before releasing it with a wet pop.

Gavin groaned, low and deep in his throat, and then he was fumbling for his trousers, shoving them and his underwear off and tossing them on the floor.

Dakota laughed softly. “I’m starting to feel a little overdressed here,” he teased.

“Seems like you should do something about that then,” Gavin rasped.

“Seems like I should.”

Dakota rose to his feet, keeping his movements fluid and graceful. He shrugged out of the sweater he wore, tossing it toward Gavin’s trousers. He caught a glimpse of their bodies, reflected in the expansive stretch of glass.

“I wonder if anyone’s watching,” he mused as he sauntered over to the wall switch, dimming the overhead fixtures so there was only a pool of light right over the couch. “What do you think?”

Gavin growled softly. “God, I hope so. I want them to see how gorgeous you are.”

“Yeah?” Dakota smiled at him, skin warming at his words and the thought.

“Yeah. I want you to put on a show.”

“For them or for you?” he asked, walking back to the couch.

“Both.” Gavin’s gaze was heated, almost challenging.

Dakota’s blood fizzed in his veins as he thought about it, when he imagined some anonymous, faceless person watching them, getting turned on by the sight of him.

He stripped off his T-shirt and let it join the rest of the clothing on the rug below.

His gaze never left Gavin’s as he unknotted the tie on the loose trousers he wore, then let them drop until they puddled on the floor around his ankles. His underwear quickly followed.

Gavin reached for his cock, licking his lips while he blatantly stared at Dakota. “Spin,” he demanded. “Show me your incredible body.”

And Dakota felt incredible. Felt powerful and free. He did a little spin, kicking the trousers out of the way so he didn’t trip on them. He wasn’t big like Gavin, but lean and deceptively strong for his frame.

And he was strong, he realized with a little jolt of surprise. Not just physically but mentally. He’d weathered something awful last year and come out tougher. Not in a hard way, not in a closed-off way, like he’d been when he and Gavin first started messing around.

But he was resilient now, sure of himself in a way he’d never been before.

After the breakup with Bryce, he’d been powerless. Tentative. Acting like his life was out of his control.

But now, when he drew in a deep breath, skating his hands over his body in teasing little touches while Gavin spat in his hand and stroked his dick and watched him, he felt alive and thrumming with energy.

On top of the world. Like he could do anything .

Dakota wrapped a hand around his own cock, tugging at the foreskin a little to reveal the shiny tip. Gavin licked his lips.

Dakota smiled, because yes, this was heady. Having this big strong man practically vibrating with desire for him, all stretched out and looking at him like he was the only thing he wanted in the whole wide world … that was everything .

“Do you want this?” Dakota teased, stepping forward.

“Yes.” Gavin reached for him.

“I want to fuck you tonight,” Dakota whispered, stopping shy of his touch. “If you want.”

“I want everything you’ll willingly give me,” Gavin said quietly, his gaze never leaving Dakota’s.

And Dakota’s eyes pricked because damn, Gavin had to know what those words meant. How precious they were.

Shakily, Dakota sat and reached for the small box nearby, fishing out lube and a condom. He set the condom on Gavin’s flat stomach, then slicked his fingers. Gavin let his strong thighs fall open. Dakota fumbled for a nearby blanket and Gavin hastily grabbed it and slid it under his hips.

No point in wrecking the leather.

And then Dakota could think of nothing but the man he loved as he reached forward, grazing his slippery fingers across Gavin’s opening.

Gavin let out a quiet gasp, grip tightening on his cock, hand slick now too. “Yeah, keep going.”

Dakota did. He teased and toyed with Gavin’s entrance, tracing the puckered ring until Gavin made a noise that could only be described as a whine, lifting his hips to coax Dakota into pushing inside.

Dakota laughed softly and did so, stretching out over Gavin’s body and kissing him as he worked two fingers into him. Their kisses were deep and lush, filled with so much emotion Dakota’s head spun.

Dakota could dimly hear the slick sounds of Gavin stroking himself, balancing the stretch and discomfort of being opened up with the pleasure of the touch of his hand.

They were both panting by the time Dakota had two fingers deep inside Gavin, his hips rising and falling as he chased his pleasure. Dakota had to drop his head to Gavin’s chest, breathing in the scent of him as his own cock throbbed with need.

Because he needed this, he needed to be inside Gavin, needed to show him how he felt, needed to tell him without words what he meant to him.

He must have said some of that aloud because Gavin clenched around him and stilled. “Get in me then,” he pleaded roughly. “Come on.”

“Are you sure?” Dakota crooked his fingers. “I can?—”

“I’m ready.” Gavin let out a little growl of frustration and Dakota smiled, kissing his chest before he straightened.

It took them a moment to put on the condom and position themselves, but with Gavin’s left foot on the floor and his right leg draped over Dakota’s shoulder, Dakota lined up his cock and pressed carefully inside. Gavin’s breath hitched, catching in his throat as he tensed a little, so Dakota froze.

It took real effort to hold back. Gavin’s body was so hot and tight around him it made him lightheaded.

“Breathe,” Dakota reminded him softly, threading the fingers of one hand through Gavin’s.

Gavin squeezed, took a deep breath, and began stroking again, his body relaxing until he was no longer clenching around Dakota like he was trying to push him out. Instead, he tilted his hips, inviting Dakota in deeper.

And like a match had touched a pile of dry paper, the heat between them flared.

Dakota began to move steadily, rocking his hips, his head spinning at the heat and pressure. But Gavin only egged him on, clutching Dakota’s ass and urging him to go harder.

Faster.

Gavin made a low noise of pleasure when Dakota followed his cues.

Sweat broke out across Dakota’s shoulders as he hung his head, driving into Gavin, loving the ragged panting breaths he let out, the hard clutch of his hands, the way he whispered Dakota’s name.

Dizzily, Dakota thought of the open curtains and the spotlight haloing them.

“Do you think someone’s watching us now?”

Gavin shivered, clenching tightly around him. “I fucking hope so. I hope they see the way you fuck me.”

“Yeah?” Dakota asked, lifting his head so he could look Gavin in the eye. “You want that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He let out a strangled groan when Dakota’s cock hit his prostate. “Why wouldn’t I want them to know how right we are for each other? How good you make me feel?”

Dakota’s hips stuttered, his rhythm breaking momentarily as he thought about how far they’d come, how they’d shifted and grown from the men they were when they met. How they’d opened up to each other in every way imaginable.

“I love you, Gavin,” Dakota said brokenly, driving in harder. “I love you!”

A wave of pleasure slammed into him, so hard it left him gasping and breathless. With a few shuddering strokes, he emptied into the condom, head whirling with pleasure until the entire world seemed to be filled with exploding stars.

He was still shaking when he came back to himself, aware he was trembling and his fingers ached from how tightly he’d clenched Gavin’s hand.

Gavin, who lay beneath him, cock still hard.

“Shit, you didn’t come,” Dakota said, easing the grip he had on Gavin’s hand and pulling away.

“It’s okay,” Gavin said, squeezing his ass cheek in an oddly affectionate gesture. “I didn’t figure I would. This is the first time I’ve even gotten close.”

“Was it okay then?” Dakota asked, gripping the base of the condom as he eased out of the tight cling of Gavin’s body.

“It was amazing,” Gavin said, and when Dakota glanced up there was nothing but sincerity in his face and voice. “And I think we should keep trying. See if I can come when you fuck me.”

Dakota laughed softly, tying off the condom and depositing it on the coffee table with a mental note to clean up when he could feel his legs again. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

“Maybe we can take turns?” Gavin offered.

Dakota smiled at him. “You were the one who reminded me there are plenty of ways to have sex.”

“Exactly.” Gavin touched his face. “It’s never about what we do, or how we do it, only how we feel. We’ll go with whatever feels right in the moment to both of us.”

“How does this feel?” Dakota said, shifting so he was wedged between the couch cushions and Gavin’s body. He took Gavin’s cock in his hand, using the remaining lube to slick the way.

“Perfect,” Gavin said with a sigh, wrapping an arm around Dakota’s shoulders and pulling him in until he was half draped over Gavin’s chest.

They kissed as Dakota stroked him, firm, gliding tugs that made Gavin gasp against his mouth, hips beginning to rise and fall once again.

Dakota smiled against his lips, liking the way Gavin unashamedly chased his own pleasure.

It wasn’t long before Gavin tensed, shuddering as he came all over Dakota’s fist in a warm gushing release.

“Yeah,” Dakota whispered. “Just like that.”

He kept stroking until Gavin trembled under him and finally pushed his hand away with a gasping little laugh.

“Fuck,” Gavin managed, flopping back onto the throw pillow.

“Mm-hmm,” Dakota agreed, wiping his hand on the blanket under Gavin’s hips. The couch was probably fine, the blanket, not so much. Oh well. If it didn’t come clean in the wash, they’d get something new.

When Gavin invited him to move in, he’d offered to redesign the apartment to suit both their tastes, but Dakota wasn’t sold on the idea. He did have a few boxes stashed at his sister’s he’d like to unpack though.

He could picture adding a few of the handwoven pillows he’d picked up at artisan markets in Seattle to soften the look of the firm lines of the leather sofa. He could imagine buying a few plants and hanging a crystal suncatcher Violet had bought him a few years ago in front of the windows.

Dakota smiled and tucked his head against Gavin’s shoulder, reminded of the show they’d put on. Hopefully their neighbors had enjoyed it.

“How do you think our audience would rate us?” he asked, pressing his palm to Gavin’s chest and idly rubbing.

“Nine out of ten,” Gavin mumbled, already sliding into his usual post-orgasm stupor.

“Just a nine ?” Dakota was a little offended.

“Mmm, gotta leave room for improvement, sweetheart.” Gavin pressed a sloppy kiss to the top of his head.

Dakota smiled, trailing his fingers lower.

“You know, I think we’re both a little more versatile than either of us realized,” Dakota said, dragging his finger through the pool of cum on Gavin’s stomach. Objectively, it was kind of gross, especially as it cooled, but it was another part of Gavin. And how could he not love every bit of him?

“I guess so,” Gavin said, stretching a little, a yawn escaping him. “You might even say we’re flexible.”

Dakota snorted. “I think you need to do some more yoga before you can call yourself flexible.” He’d caught that wince of Gavin’s when he put his leg on his shoulder earlier.

“Good thing I have a live-in yoga instructor,” Gavin teased, though his eyelids were starting to look a little heavy.

“Good thing.” Dakota turned his head, pressing his lips to Gavin’s cheek. His beard was prickly soft right now. The perfect length.

“Hey, why haven’t you had me doing any Pilates yet?” Gavin asked, playing with the ends of Dakota’s hair.

“I had no idea you wanted to try it,” Dakota countered with a shrug, burrowing his face into the warm crook of Gavin’s neck.

“I’ll try anything at least once. Especially if it’s with you.”

Dakota smiled against his skin, heart filled with love at the sweet words. “Then I guess I’ll have to make up a new workout plan for you.”

“Send it to my personal email,” Gavin muttered. And then he was out.

With a soft laugh, Dakota wrapped himself more tightly around Gavin, so content it almost felt obscene. He had no idea he could love someone this much. Feel so content and safe and happy.

Gavin’s chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm and Dakota settled a hand over his heart, the equally slow, steady rhythm of its beat against his palm reassuring.

Dakota would get cold eventually and they’d have to get up and shower at some point. But for now, this was perfect.

He was exactly where he was meant to be.