Page 97 of Grind
He’d been in relationships before, but none were like this. Ezra was the perfect answer to all his needs—capable yet in need of Frank’s help and protection. Gentle yet with a sharp tongue. There was a balance to their love, and each passing day reassured him that this wasn’t just a prolonged dream. This beautiful man who could have anyone chose him, and Frank was determined to prove himself worthy of Ezra’s love. Always.
They had their meal times, daily rituals, and there was even a constant in the way Ezra always held his hand on Frank’s thigh when they drove. It almost felt as though they’d been together for years, not months.
And unlike all of Frank’s previous partners, Ezra knew all of him. The good, the bad, the ugly, Frank had laid it out, and Ezra chose him anyway.
“Paul called me yesterday,” Frank said, because while he didn’t want to upset Ezra, it was essential that he knew what was going on.
The hand on his leg twitched, but Ezra’s face showed no emotion when Frank peeked at it. “Why?”
“He does this now and then. Ever since I pulled away years ago. He claimed he desperately needed me for just ‘this one last job’, but that’s how things always escalate. It’s never one more job. So I turned him down. Pissed me off too, because he asked about you, and I’m not telling him shit.” Frank groaned and rubbed Ezra’s hand. “Sorry for dragging down the mood, I just needed to vent.”
Ezra sighed. “No, that’s okay. What does he want to know? If he cared about me in any way, he wouldn’t have tried to kill me.”
Frank shook his head. “He just likes to have strings to pull. Did you… Your arrangement with him. Was it a shallow connection, or something deeper?” He felt uncomfortable asking that question, but he’d rather have more cards up his sleeve.
Ezra remained silent for so long Frank regretted his decision to speak up, but when he opened his mouth, his voice was clear and calm. “I didn’t particularly like him as a person. I now think the reason why he chose to be with me rather than a real boyfriend is because he didn’t want to risk being exposed for what he is. But at the time I just saw him as one of those guys who like having all the power and everything catered to them. So no, no feelings involved. Just money.”
Frank took a deep breath. “Okay. Just to be clear, it would have been fine either way, I’ve got no issue with what you used to do. I wanted to know about him specifically to work out if he’s just being a menace or actually jealous. He’s a dangerous man, so I don’t want to underestimate him.”
Ezra’s eyes lost some of their sharpness, letting Frank know he’d said the right thing. “Not that I know of. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have asked me to sleep with his friends if he was jealous of me.”
“That’s true. Though I took into account that he might have just wanted to show off. But then he wouldn’t have been fine with me continuing to see you. Are you…” He licked his lips. “You’re okay with not doing it anymore, right? You don’t… miss it?”
It was dark, and the glow of the headlights reflecting off asphalt was the only light reaching Ezra’s features as they drove through the woods, heading for their home. He swallowed, once again taking his time. In many people this silence would have been a sign of anger or hurt, but Frank was gradually learning that Ezra liked to think things through before he spoke.
“I’m actually relieved. There was a lot of stress tied into my work. I’m not saying people who hire escorts are bad, but there are certain expectations that come with paying for sex and companionship. Always having to beonand never really letting go. The need to always be perfect, because that’s what is expected at that price point. I once looked up a discussion group about escorts. Someone was reviewing my teeth, which, apparently, aren’t white enough. I was very self-conscious about it for a while.”
Frank squeezed the wheel in helpless rage. “Jesus fucking Christ. You are aperson. People are fucked in their heads. I’m glad it’s not something you have to deal with anymore.”
Ezra shrugged, stroking Frank’s thigh, as if he were trying to calm an agitated animal. “It does help if you can separate who you are from what you’re doing, otherwise it would be a very difficult experience. Because while some clients are perfectly normal, others will be assholes. I did enjoy the money, but there’s a reason I kept having sex for myself while escorting. The work wasn’t there to satisfymyneeds. But I don’t regret any of it. It did give me freedom from my parents. And it gave me you,” he added in a voice so sweet Frank’s throat suddenly felt thick.
Frank raised his hand to his lips and kissed Ezra’s knuckles. “I love you.”
Ezra’s eyes were like bright stars, lighting up the dark cab when he smiled. “I’ll make sure you never stop. But it’s good to not have this constant pressure for perfection. I like working with you, because what I do now isn’t just about my charm, or the way I look. I really only need to care what you think,lover.”
“And you’re great at it. I know a thing or two about jewelry, but the way you research all the items for potential value… I wouldn’t have the patience.”
They were approaching the junkyard gate, and a giddy feeling once again spread in Frank’s chest. Because now this wasn’t just his home. It wastheirs. And while he hated Paul for the trauma he’d caused Ezra, the bastard had ultimately brought them together.
Shane would be home soon, so Frank left the gate open for him and headed straight for the house, but as soon as he got back in the vehicle, Ezra’s hand slid from his thigh and cupped his crotch, drawing a swirl over it with one finger.
“How long will it take us to put everything away when we arrive?” he asked in an innocent tone.
“I love you, but I’m not letting the ice cream melt. We’re gonna have to make a race of it.” Still, Frank slid his hand over Ezra’s, growing more excited by the second. This was the kind of thing that made him feel like he was twenty again. That buzz of arousal always remained in the air, even when neither of them felt like doing anything beyond hugging.
He’d found his Holy Grail in Ezra, and he’d make sure to always remind them both how much that meant.
“Freezer stuff goes into the freezer,” Ezra agreed as his long fingers played the piano on Frank’s growing cock. “But I have little patience today. I might just have to help myself to you.”
Frank wiggled his eyebrows. “Looks like I need to cuff you as I take my time putting things away into the fridge correctly. Should I do that naked?”
Ezra’s teeth shone like pearls when he smiled. “You wouldn’t do that to me!”
Which in Ezra speak meant,hell yes.
There was a good reason Frank had installed ceiling hooks both in the bedroomandin the kitchen.
“You’ll just have to find out,” Frank said and parked in front of their house.