Page 4

Rain poured down, soaking the city. It wasn’t often Axton had to park his bike and take his truck instead. He was especially bummed about it today. Axton had promised Adan he would take him for a ride tonight. Starting out breaking his promises was definitely a bad look, but he couldn’t control the weather.

He had time to kill before Adan got off work, and he was bored off his ass. Axton drove to a historic area near Adan’s work where several boutiques were located. Most were locally owned and had an eclectic mixture of things for sale. He knew he could park, walk the covered sidewalk, and kill time. One of these days, he probably needed to stop living off his inheritance and get a job or something. The jobs willing to hire a felon weren’t occupations he could see himself doing. Mostly, though, he was savoring his freedom. He wasn’t ready to be trapped by a nine to five.

Axton roamed a few shops. Nothing caught his eye. Finally, at the store at the end of the block, he hit pay dirt. He spotted a bright yellow raincoat with matching duck boots. A smile lit his face as he grabbed the items and made his way to the register. While waiting for his transaction to clear, Axton glanced around. His gaze landed on a mirror behind the register when the bell above the door jingled. One of Beau’s henchman came in.

“Do you have a restroom?”

The twenty-something blond behind the counter eyed him. Lust tinted her features. He might have rolled his eyes if he wasn’t attempting to stop a shootout in her shop. Axton got it. He looked like a dude who just got out of prison. For whatever reason, people thought that was hot. People were dumb.

“I’m not really supposed to let customers use our bathroom, but since you bought something.” Her smile turned even more predatory. “It’s down the hall.”

He dipped his chin in thanks and slipped down the hallway unnoticed. Axton bypassed the restroom and found the back door. He took a breath. Fuck, he hoped it didn’t have an alarm. He pushed it open and released his breath when no blaring sounds erupted. Axton made his way around the building to the corner, keeping an eye out for Beau. He wasn’t scared of the guy. The number one rule of survival was to let no one take him to a secondary location, and there was no way Beau intended to confront him here. As he peeked around the corner, he spotted Beau’s vehicle. The guy who had entered the store walked back out. His hands rose and fell, showing he had nothing. Axton watched him climb back inside the SUV. It slowly backed away. Thankfully, it headed in the opposite direction. The moment it was out of sight, he made for his truck. Axton wasn’t stupid enough to start it right away. He checked the obvious places for any sign of trackers or explosive devices. Axton didn’t put anything past Beau. As far as Axton was concerned, every move Beau made was dumb as hell. If he hurt Axton, Adan would never take him back. But Axton didn’t think Beau had exactly been thinking clearly since Tabitha’s death.

When he found nothing, Axton headed for the coffee shop. There was a good chance that was exactly where Beau was headed too, but Axton had the advantage this time. When the Back Porch came in to view, he immediately spotted Beau’s SUV. Axton circled the building and parked by Adan’s apartment. He checked his watch. Adan got off in five minutes.

Axton: I’m here. Meet me out back when you’re free.

Adan: Yay! Okay. I’m almost ready.

If Beau wanted to confront him, he would do so in front of Adan. This wouldn’t be some divide-and-conquer bullshit. While he waited, Axton removed the tags from his purchase. He wanted to be ready. When he spotted Adan running from the back door, dodging the rain, he threw open his truck door.

“I’ve got you.”

Adan changed directions and darted into his arms.

Axton easily pulled Adan into his lap and out of the rain.

Adan was all smiles and laughter. “I got wet.”

Axton couldn’t stop smiling. He looked like a drowned cat. His curls were all over the place. “I’ve got just the thing.” He handed Adan his haul.

Adan’s eyes lit. “Oh my gosh. It’s so cute.” His voice took on the same tone as someone squishing a dog’s face.

“Try them on. There’s a bunch of puddles out here that have your name on them.”

With an adorable giggle, Adan scrambled out of his shoe s. He put on the boots and Axton helped him into the jacket. He took off the cat ears and pulled up the hood before setting him back on the ground.

Axton swatted his ass. “Go have fun.”

While wearing a huge grin, Adan ran for the biggest puddle. He dove in with both feet, stamping and sending water flying. Axton couldn’t stop smiling. Adan looked his way, laughing. He stamped his way to another puddle.

Axton slipped from the truck and headed for the awning. He leaned against the building, staying out of the rain while still enjoying the show. Adan’s childlike happiness was infectious. He had forgotten what it was like to savor the small things.

“I thought this wasn’t your thing.”

Axton startled at the sudden appearance of Boone at his side. Beau’s oldest was a huge guy. He was also quiet, and Axton had never been able to get a read on the guy. His dark eyes, hair, and beard made him look hard and impenetrable. He had married a Little and seemed beyond gentle with him. But in every other aspect of life, Boone wasn’t approachable.

He refused to let Boone see he had gotten the drop on him. “It’s not.”

“Mhmm.” In one sound, Boone called Axton a liar in three languages.

“What are you doing here?” Axton didn’t want to beat around the bush. He wanted to enjoy his day with Adan.

“I came with Dad to make sure he didn’t kill you. He’d like to speak with you.”

Axton kept his gaze locked on Adan and snorted.

“You know he won’t let Adan go, right? If he wouldn’t do it to save his relationship with me, there’s zero hope for you.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You should be.”

Axton turned his head. He held Boone’s stare and let him see the killer he tried to keep hidden. “I’m not worried. Unlike your dad, I don’t send others to do my dirty work.”

Boone gave him a sharp nod. He cast a quick glance Adan’s way. Adan laughed and stamped a path through the parking lot. “You make a good daddy. Adan deserves that.”

That shocked the absolute fuck out of Axton. “I’d expect you to be the last person to say that.”

Boone nodded. He looked thoughtful. “A year ago, you would’ve been right. When Mom passed, she left each of us a letter. Mine had a lot of thoughts on Adan. He’s the same age as Banks. I’ll admit, back then, I hadn’t really thought about that since I’m not much older than him. But Mom, his age, is one of the biggest things she couldn’t live with. Don’t get me wrong; Mom hated him, but she wasn’t unaware of his age or circumstances. She saw more in that house than she let on. She had a lot of reasonable things to say that I admit I hadn’t considered. For one, seeing her husband with someone the same age as their youngest child made her worry she was married to a child molester. It ate at her, wondering if Dad had wanted Adan before he turned eighteen. If he was the first one. On the other hand, she knew Adan was just a weapon he used to destroy her. She had a lot going on and too many things she couldn’t live with anymore. As someone who’s tried to end it all.” He motioned toward the scar on his head. “I understand her better than most. I get having all hope stripped away by the people you thought loved you the most. That’s more on my dad’s head than Adan’s.” A bitter-looking smile touched Boone’s lips. “Not that I forgive anyone at all.”

A soft chuckle escaped Axton. He fully understood bitterness. He sighed. “Look, I know Beau wants his toy back. I also know he won’t stop. But what would you do if it was your husband he had his sights set on? Would you let him take a second man from you?”

The deadly shadow that settled into Boone’s eyes reminded Axton of Banks at his most terrifying. “He wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.”

Axton dipped his chin. “Then you have your answer. This won’t end well for one of us unless one of us backs down. It won’t be me.” He glanced Adan’s way. Adan was frozen, standing in a puddle and staring at them. His face had bleached white. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a little one who needs me.” Axton darted out into the rain. Adan watched him approach. He looked like he might be sick. Axton pasted on a bright smile and snatched Adan from his feet. He tossed Adan over his shoulder and spun. A squeal rent the air, turning Axton’s smile genuine. Boone disappeared. Axton chose love.

Despite his new rain jacket and boots, they were both completely soaked by the time Adan let them into his apartment. Each time they looked each other’s way, they burst into laughter. Axton had mud on his cheek. He looked adorable. Adan kept a tight grip on his hand as they toed off their shoes. He didn’t let go as he dragged him toward the bathroom.

“I don’t have anything your size.” He fired the shower to life.

Axton peeled off his shirt. “That’s cool. I’ve got a bag in the car from when I’m always crashing at Banks’ place.”

Adan stared at the tattooed, wide expanse of chest on display and nearly swallowed his tongue. Fuck. Nothing got him hotter than a strong man. Even the scary, somewhat demonic-looking ink heated his skin. To keep himself busy, Adan grabbed a fluffy towel.

“I’ll get my bag and let you shower.”

“Oh. You didn’t want to join me?” He didn’t know why he assumed Axton would. That had probably been a dumb thought after Adan turned him down last night. But they had talked about a lot of things, and Adan felt better about them now. He shouldn’t have assumed Axton still wanted him. Plus, it was just a shower.

Rather than answer, Axton crowded his space and helped Adan out of his jacket and shirt. Adan couldn’t look away from the intense way Axton watched him. The next thing Adan knew, his fingertips glided down Axton’s sexy torso until they found Axton’s belt. He worked it loose. His heart rate kicked up as he unbuttoned and unzipped Axton’s pants. He wasn’t scared. Adan was painfully turned on. The scary way Axton watched him was hot. He knew Axton was dangerous, but—for once—that deadly nature was on his side. The emotions focused on him were the exciting type of scary. He wanted more.

Axton’s patience obviously snapped. Adan went from undressing Axton to sitting on the bathroom counter in a flash. Axton’s tongue explored Adan’s mouth. He kept one hand braced on the bathroom mirror while he held Adan in place with the other. Adan thought he might explode. Tiny sounds escaped him, and he wasn’t even on Axton’s cock yet.

“Oh god. Please don’t stop.” Adan didn’t care that he begged. He had never been more certain he would die if he didn’t get relief.

Axton peeled off his clothes. With Adan nude, he carried him to bed. From his spot on the mattress, he watched Axton disappear inside the bathroom. The sound of running water stopped. In no time, Axton was back. He dug through his wallet, coming out with a condom. His set expression had Adan beyond curious what thoughts ran through his head.

Adan motioned toward the bedside table. “There’s lube in there.”

If Axton heard, he didn’t acknowledge the words. He stripped off the rest of his clothes. Adan’s gaze ate up every inch of newly bared skin. He couldn’t help but eye the same piercings he had fingered last night. Whoa. They were so much sexier than he expected. He squirmed at the idea of what they would feel like inside him.

“Don’t be scared.”

At the reassurance, Adan realized he hadn’t stopped staring at Axton’s dick. He met Axton’s stare. “I’m not.”

“Good.” Axton grabbed his ankle and dragged him to the edge of the bed.

Adan fought the urge to yell “ whee ” and make the moment awkward. Then Axton worked on lubing Adan’s asshole and all thought disappeared. Again, Axton manhandled him. He lifted Adan from the bed, leaving him no other choice but to straddle his lap when Axton sat in the wingback chair in the corner.

“I’m still covered in mud. I don’t want to get your sheets dirty… yet.”

Ho boy, Adan thought his head might explode. Axton was incredibly sexual. Adan wanted to taste him.

Axton handed him the condom. “I need to know you really want this.”

Adan held his gaze and opened the condom with his teeth. He rolled it down Axton’s length, going slow, and trying not to catch anything on a piercing. An unexpected nervous babble struck.

“I know you said the lip ring doesn’t hurt, but this seems different.” An uncomfortable-sounding chuckle burst from him.

Axton didn’t laugh. He took Adan’s hand and led it to his cock, stopping at the first ring—the one in his crown. “This one is all about sensitivity.” He moved lower, hitting the next one. “This one is for you, and you’ll know why soon.” He moved to a different one on the other side of his dick. “This is for me. You can trust me.”

He did. It was odd. He should recognize the hands of a murderer touched him, but Axton wasn’t the first, and he was definitely the best. Adan shifted positions and slowly sank onto Axton’s cock. He held the breath. Axton was huge. He knew the exact moment that piercing revealed its purpose. A moan burst from him with no permission from his brain. Holy shit. He had been unprepared. The ring hit the exact spot Adan craved.

Axton captured his mouth as he grabbed Adan’s hips and took control. Adan turned to putty in his hands while Axton used him. He easily lifted and dropped Adan, while surging upward and stealing Adan’s soul. Adan had never felt fucked and made love to at the same time before. That was what happened now. Axton took him, but Adan swore he tasted his love. He felt cherished. The idea made his eyes burn while his body reveled in every thrust. Adan held Axton’s face between his hands and savored every second of their kiss while Axton controlled his body. Adan fought his way toward the edge while also begging for the moment to never stop.

The pressure became too much. Adan tilted his chin back and tried dragging air into his lungs. His body moved closer and closer to what it craved. Axton sucked his neck, whispering praise against his skin. Adan couldn’t understand a word. His pulse pounded too hard in his ears. The spring inside him snapped. Cries poured from him. Axton’s thrust got harder. All Adan could do was shake in Axton’s arms.

The words Axton babbled became clearer as his heart slowed. “Goddamn. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you. Everything about you is perfect. You’re way too good for someone like me. Why would you even let me touch you?”

Tears filled Adan’s eyes. Axton truly thought he didn’t deserve love. Maybe neither of them did, but goddamn it. Adan loved Axton.

He grabbed Axton’s face and forced him to look him in the eyes. “I love you. You’re perfect to me and I need to watch you blow.”

For a moment, Axton looked ready to cry, and then he was on his feet. Adan’s back hit the wall and Axton leaned into him so hard, Axton almost begged for another orgasm. He used the wall as leverage and fucked Adan. Axton wasn’t gentle. He didn’t let Adan hide. He held Adan’s stare and took him. Without warning, another orgasm built and hit so fast it took his breath. An evil-looking smirk touched Axton’s lips, fucking with Adan’s head. Then Axton’s expression hardened. His features turned terrifying, but he never looked away as he came. Adan knew the moment would burn into his memory. Later, he would take out the image and try to decide if he should be scared or thrilled. Either way, Adan wasn’t going anywhere. This one was his.