Page 15 of Deadly Legacy (The House of Matvei #3)

Nikon nodded once, watching Reuben absently twist the band of his watch.

Their ongoing dance between security and independence had come to a head yesterday; not just about protection, but about trusting Reuben’s ability to handle threats as well as opportunities.

The training sessions with Stepan had proven that.

Nikon flexed his hand, acknowledging his instinct to control still warred with him trying to recognize Reuben’s independence. Perhaps they’d both been too rigid in their positions.

The terrace door slid open as Grigorii and Alexei returned, their expressions grim.

“Security picked up more activity around Dmitrii’s clubs,” Grigorii reported. “New men, new faces. He’s getting ready for something.”

“Or he simply wants us to think he is,” Alexei added. “Could be a distraction.”

Reuben straightened, adjusting his cuffs. “So, we stick with the plan. I handle the business side—”

“While I work our high-stakes players for information,” Nikon finished. “Grigorii coordinates security, and Alexei traces the money flows.”

The brothers exchanged glances, a silent communication honed through years of working together.

“We may need to watch Andrey more closely.” Alexei picked up the tablet again. “You think he’s putting on an act?” Alexei asked, hope coloring his voice.

“I think he’s trapped,” Reuben answered. “And people make desperate choices when they feel trapped.”

Grigorii crossed his arms, skepticism evident in his stance. “And he chose Dmitrii over blood.”

“He’s certainly paying for it now,” Nikon said quietly, seeing his youngest brother through new eyes.

Grigorii checked his watch, a heavy gold piece. “I need to go. I promised Natalia and Samuil I’d be home for brunch.”

“My ten o’clock is waiting downtown.” Alexei shrugged into his tailored coat and then picked up his tablet. “I’ll share your elevator, brother.”

The brothers moved toward the door, Grigorii pausing to place a heavy hand on Nikon’s shoulder. “Before I forget. Family dinner Sunday. Natalia insists.” His eyes moved briefly to Reuben. “Both of you.”

After they left, and the elevator doors closed behind the two men, Reuben dropped into the nearest chair. He ran a hand through his styled hair until it stood in displaced spikes.

“What are you thinking?” Nikon asked, noticing the thoughtful expression on Reuben’s face as he studied one of the surveillance photos of Andrey.

Reuben looked up, meeting his eyes directly for the first time that day. “That sometimes people make desperate choices when they feel trapped,” he said. “And that maybe Andrey isn’t the only one around Dmitrii who is feeling desperate.”

The insight struck Nikon with unexpected force. “Different strings, same puppeteer.”

Reuben nodded. “My father’s caught just like Andrey is, just in a different way.”

Nikon moved to where Reuben sat. He crouched before him, his hands coming to rest on Reuben’s knees; a gesture intimate enough to bridge the distance their argument had created between them, yet careful enough to respect the lingering tension.

“I should talk to him, properly this time,” Reuben said, his voice lower now. “Find out what Dmitrii really has on my father.”

“I don’t trust him.” Nikon’s eyes stayed on Reuben, his expression softening. “But I know you need to do this,” he added with a small smile that Reuben returned.

Reuben leaned in and kissed him softly. “I don’t trust him either. But I know what I need to do.”

Something tightened in Nikon’s chest at the press of Reuben’s lips. The tension from their argument still simmered between them, but beneath it coursed a current of raw need that had only intensified during their standoff.

“And what do you need right now?” The question came out in that low register he saved for private moments.

Reuben’s green eyes darkened, pupils expanding. “You. I need you.”

The words sent heat coursing through Nikon’s body. He rose from his crouched position, took Reuben’s hand, and led him toward their bedroom. Once inside, he closed the door and immediately pressed Reuben against it, claiming his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss.

Reuben’s fingers tugged at his tie, fumbling with shirt buttons. “Get these off.” His breath came hot against Nikon’s mouth.

Nikon shrugged out of his shirt, undid his belt while Reuben stripped away his own clothing. Their naked bodies pressed together against the door as the scent of Reuben’s skin hit his senses.

Clean sweat mixed with that cologne from Paris he’d gifted him last month. Nikon ran his fingers over the new muscle definition in Reuben’s shoulders.

“God, I want you.” Nikon walked him backward until Reuben’s legs hit the edge of their custom king-size bed. “Even when you’re pissing me off with that stubborn streak.”

“Show me.” Reuben held his gaze as he fell back onto the dark silk sheets, legs spreading in invitation.

The sight sent blood rushing south. Nikon knelt between Reuben’s thighs and took him into his mouth without hesitation. The firm press of Reuben’s cock on his tongue was flavored by the salty tang of pre-cum. Nikon sucked hard, taking him deep and pulling back slowly.

“Fuck.” Reuben’s fingers threaded through his hair. “That feels so good.”

Nikon hummed in response, feeling Reuben’s hips buck upward at the vibration. He relaxed his throat, taking him deeper. He gripped Reuben’s thighs, feeling more newly defined muscles from Reuben’s training regimen.

After several minutes, Nikon pulled back. “Turn over.”

Reuben complied without hesitation, rolling onto his stomach and raising his hips. The sight of him like this, waiting and wanting, made Nikon’s cock throb. He reached for the lubricant in the bedside drawer, the cap clicking open in the quiet room.

He circled Reuben’s entrance with one slick finger before pushing inside. Reuben’s sharp intake of breath turned to a low moan as Nikon worked his finger in and out, gradually adding a second.

“More.” Reuben pushed back against his hand, the muscles in his back flexing.

Nikon added a third finger, stretching him. He curved his fingers just so, knowing exactly where to touch.

Reuben’s back arched. “Now, Nikon. I want your cock.”

Nikon’s body warmed at the commanding tone in Reuben’s voice.

He withdrew his fingers and slicked his length with more lubricant.

The mattress dipped as he positioned himself behind Reuben, pressing against his entrance.

With a steady push, he breached Reuben’s tight ring of muscle, sliding inside inch by inch until he was balls deep.

“Christ.” His fingers dug into Reuben’s hips. The sensation of being inside him nearly overwhelmed Nikon, his body responding with an intensity that still surprised him after all this time.

“Keep moving.” Reuben glanced over his shoulder, green eyes dark with desire. “Hard.”

Nikon pulled back and thrust in forcefully. The sound that tore from Reuben’s throat spurred him on. He established a rough rhythm, skin slapping against skin as he drove into Reuben again and again.

“Yes.” Reuben braced himself against the headboard, meeting each thrust. “Harder.”

The bed frame responded beneath them. The solid wood headboard thumped against the reinforced wall with each powerful drive of Nikon’s hips. And sweat began to bead on Nikon’s skin as he drove into Reuben, each time shifting his angle to target that spot that made Reuben’s breath catch every time.

Nikon leaned forward, draping his body over Reuben’s back, one hand braced on the mattress. His teeth found the nape of Reuben’s neck, tasting salt as he sucked hard enough to mark.

“You feel so good around my dick.” The words came out as a growl against Reuben’s ear. “Always so tight.”

Reuben turned his head, seeking Nikon’s mouth. Their kiss was messy and desperate, all teeth and tongue as Nikon continued to thrust into him.

The pressure built at the base of his spine, his movements growing erratic as he chased his release. Nikon straightened, gripping Reuben’s hips with both hands as he slammed into him.

“I’m going to come.” The words came out strained, his rhythm faltering. “Fuck, Reuben.”

With a final deep thrust, Nikon buried himself inside Reuben’s ass as his orgasm tore through him. He held Reuben’s hips tightly against him as he emptied himself, cock pulsing inside Reuben’s tight ring.

After a moment, he slowly withdrew. They both groaned at the sensation. He turned Reuben over, noting his still-hard cock against his stomach.

“Now you.” His voice came out rough, almost unrecognizable to his own ears.

He moved down Reuben’s body and took him into his mouth without preamble.

“God, yes.” Reuben’s hips jerked upward, seeking more.

Nikon pinned Reuben’s hips to the bed with one forearm while his other hand reached up to tease his nipples. He took him deep into his throat, swallowing around him before pulling back to focus on the sensitive head.

Reuben’s hands found their way back into his hair, fingers tightening as Nikon worked him with his mouth. His breathing grew ragged, thighs tensing under Nikon’s touch.

“Nikon.” The word came out as a gasp.

Nikon didn’t pull away. Instead, he took Reuben deeper, hollowing his cheeks as he sucked harder. Reuben’s back arched off the bed as he came with a hoarse cry, pulsing against his tongue.

The taste of cum flooded Nikon’s mouth; salt, bitter, and uniquely Reuben. He swallowed everything, working him through his orgasm until Reuben tugged trembling hands at his hair, as he whimpered at the sensation on his oversensitive tip.

Nikon moved up the bed to lie beside him. The sheets felt cool against his overheated skin. He reached out to brush a strand of dark blond hair from Reuben’s forehead.

“I love you.” The words always still felt fresh on his tongue, despite how familiar their relationship had become.

“I love you too.” Reuben’s voice came out rough. “Even when you’re being an overbearing ass.”

A chuckle rumbled in Nikon’s chest. “And I love you, even when you’re being stubborn as hell.”