Page 55 of He is Poison

Domenico’s stomachfluttered, but he didn’t let the enthusiasm spill into his tone. He looked intothe ceiling even as his fingers drifted toward Seth’s thigh under thecomforter. “Knew it.”

Chapter 10

Seth opened one eye,only to realize Dom wasn’t in bed with him. He stretched his arm to the sideand moved his fingertips over the still-warm sheet on Dom's side. His headhurt, and the memories of yesterday were blurry. Seth reached for his phone tocheck the time but stilled when he saw Dom’s muscled back moving up and down.This was the time of the morning Seth was beginning to like—the hour of thedaily pushups. It was a feast for the eyes with Dom wearing just a pair ofwhite Armani briefs. His body moved like a well-oiled machine, his breathsteady despite the intense exercise. Seth couldn’t wait to see Dom do pull-ups.

He smiled and leanedcloser to the edge of the bed. His fingertips brushed along Dom’s strong back.It stirred under his touch, but when Domenico looked back at him, there was asmile on his face. “Rise and shine.”

Seth was slowlyremembering some details of yesterday. Some worth putting into his mentalscrapbook, some worth forgetting. “I’m a Gypsy hooker. I sleep all day and fuckall night,” he said and yawned.

Domenico got to hisknees and crawled into bed, his cool limbs more refreshing than a shower. “I’mthe man to save you, my Gypsy hooker. Come on, we’re going to church.”

“No.” Seth moaned andpulled Dom closer. “I’ve sinned, I’m ashamed to go to church. They wouldn’thave me.”

Domenico burst outlaughing and kissed him, apparently not appalled by his morning breath, but thegood stuff was over soon with a slap to Seth’s butt. “Seriously, we’re going.”

“As a sinner,fornicator, and atheist, thanks, but no thanks.” Seth rolled over to his side.

“Atheist?” Domenicoshook Seth’s arm. “I’m not even willing to discuss this shit. You’re just beinglazy.”

“I haven’t been tochurch for a few years now.” Seth couldn’t understand why a man like Domimagined church would help him in any way. The guy was a professional killer!

His hopes were crushedby Domenico’s brows descending low over his eyes. “You will start again then.”

“Why would I?” Sethmoaned and spread his thighs accidentally-on-purpose. Maybe a make-out sessionwould get Dom less interested in matters of the soul.

“Remember what I said afew days ago?” Domenico pulled him into a sitting position. “I will take abullet for you if necessary, but you fucking get up and ask God to protect bothof us. You’re putting not only yourself but also me in danger.”

So much for trying to betempting. He wouldn’t make a good hooker. “Huh?” Seth focused his hurting brainon Dom’s words. “God doesn’t protect men like us.” He raised his hand without afinger as proof.

Domenico grabbed Seth’swrist. With his hair disheveled and uncombed, he looked like a wild man.“That’s what I’m talking about. Maybe you’d still have it if you had our Lord’sprotection.”

Seth frowned. “Yeah,sure. Faith against five armed men. You have no idea what I’ve been through.”

Domenico startedlaughing and dropped the hand. “Wow, five men. It could have been so, so muchworse.”

Seth’s expressionsoured. The son of a bitch was laughing at the terror he’d been through. “Ofcourse it could have been worse. Fortunately, it wasn’t. You can’t tell me whatto believe in.”

“I can if I’m to mentoryou.”

Seth laughed. “You’reyounger than me. Sure, I need to learn some things, but I don’t need a nanny.”

Domenico dragged hishand down his face. “Seth, discipline. Wash and dress.Pronto.”

Seth took a deep breathand crawled out of bed. He stopped next to Dom and slid his thumbs under thewaistband of those sexy Armani briefs. Domenico’s body was so strong and rigid.“I know you’d rather stay and sin with me.”

“We’ll sin later. Nowoff you go,” said Domenico with a kiss to Seth’s lips.

Seth gave him one morelonging look but went to the bathroom to get himself in order. He wasn’t usedto early mornings. He quickly washed himself as well as the stupid sink allowedand brushed his teeth, but then took his time shaving. He didn’t want to looklike a hobo. Focus was an easy thing to lose when he watched Dom in the mirror.Even though parts of last night were a blur, Seth remembered he really enjoyedhimself. The asshattery in the club put aside, Dom had made it good for him athome. Seth had to agree that maybe it did take him giving over the power toenjoy bottoming. It had to be a mental barrier that kept pushing him away fromit. Going to church and dwelling on his Catholic guilt issues wasn’t gonna helpwith that.

“Three minutes, Seth,”called out Domenico, who, to Seth’s astonishment, was wearing washed out jeansand a black T-shirt that fit him just right, stressing the chiseled torsowithout being tight. It was the first time Seth had seen him in something soinformal.

Seth shaved off the lastbit of stubble and laughed at him mercilessly. “No respect for the Lord?”

“I do have respect forthe Lord, but we’re not back home. And we’re going to the park straight fromthere.”

Seth walked out of thebathroom, faintly fresher. “Are we?”

“Yes, it’s a great dayfor exercise and fresh air.” Domenico grinned at him, munching on a cookie.