Page 40 of King of Pain (Damaged Hearts #1)

TRACK THIRTY · FIVE

Your Kiss Is On My List

Anthony

A soothing, professional voice answers my call. “Visconti, how may I assist you?”

“Hi, I'd like to confirm a reservation for tomorrow night, Saturday at eight p.m., under the name Pacini.”

A few clicks of a keyboard come through the receiver before she replies , “Yes, I have you down for a party of two. I see you’ll be dining with us for a special occasion?”

I hesitate for just a second before answering. “Yeah, uh… a birthday.”

“Wonderful. Would you like us to include a complimentary dessert for the birthday guest?”

I smile to myself, picturing Chance’s reaction . “Yeah, that’d be great. Thank you.”

“Perfect. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Mr. Pacini. Have a great evening.”

I hang up the phone, a smile on my lips.

Reservation confirmed.

I still can’t believe I pulled it off. I got lucky when I snuck away for a few minutes while we were in California to make the reservation.

They had one table left, and I snatched it up without hesitation.

If Chance thought he was going to get away with not telling anyone it was his birthday, he had another thing coming.

He has no idea what I have planned for the whole day.

I cleared it with Frank and Kathy as soon as we got back from California, making sure we were both off tomorrow so he wouldn't even have the excuse of work. A whole day set aside just for him. For us . And maybe… tomorrow night will be the night.

My stomach flutters at the thought, but I push it down. No overthinking. Not anymore.

The last few days since we got back from California have been surprisingly normal. Easy. We picked up Little G from Lexi’s, and the little cutie practically launched himself at us, tail wagging at top speed. Lexi filled us in on all the fun she had with him.

Then she turned her focus onme.

“So, how was the trip?” she asked, her eyes flicking between Chance and me as we sat on her couch, Little G happily wedged between us.

I was all too eager to launch into how much fun we had: the beach, the boardwalk, the ridiculous convertible, theclub. I left some details out, of course.

As I spoke, I noticed the way her gaze kept darting to where my hand was casually resting on Chance’s bicep. Or how, at some point, my fingers had started absentmindedly tracing little patterns against his back.

Lexi’s lips curled into a devious smirk. “I think that’s the most I’ve heard you say since I met you, Anthony. But there’s so much you’re not saying.”

Then, without missing a beat, she pointed at Chance. “You. You and I are going to lunch. Soon . And you’re giving me all the details.”

This time, it was Chance who blushed.

And, incredibly, I didn’t even flinch.

I wasn’t embarrassed. I wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything, I wasokaywith her knowing— really knowing. That was a first for me.

I hear the apartment door open, snapping me out of my thoughts. Chance steps in, carrying two brown to-go bags, the smell of spices and coconut milk wafting through the air.

I raise a brow. “What’s in the bags?”

“Swung by that Thai place on the way home,” he says, kicking the door shut with his foot. “Got Tom Kha Gai soup, potstickers, and Panang Curry Chicken.”

My stomach growls loudly enough for Chance to hear and he grins.

“Thought we could do an ‘80s movie night,” he says.

“Deal,” I reply, already moving to help him set up at the coffee table. “But you’re finally going to watch Vision Quest .”

Chance groans, flopping onto the couch. “Still can’t believe you think that’s some forgotten ‘80s gem.”

“It is ,” I argue. “It’s criminally left out when people talk about classic ‘80s films. You’re watching it.”

Chance smirks but doesn’t fight me on it.

We settle in, food spread out in front of us, Little G curled up at our feet.

The first bite of curry has me closing my eyes in bliss, and judging by the little moan Chance lets out, he’s having the same experience.

We eat in comfortable silence, breaking only to exchange bites of food or comment on the movie.

About ten minutes in, Chance shifts forward, eyes locked on the screen. “Damn,” he says, pointing his fork toward the lead actor. “This guy’s hot .”

I glance over, “That’s Matthew Modine. Do you recognize him?”

Chance tilts his head. “No. Should I?”

“That’s Papa from Stranger Things .”

Chance’s eyes bug out comically. “Holyshit, no way! Damn, he wassexy.”

I chuckle. “Right? See? You’re already appreciating this cinematic masterpiece.”

He laughs, shaking his head as he takes another bite of food. “Alright, fine . Maybe you have a point.”

And just like that, I had commented, out loud, that a guy was hot… and nothing bad happened. I’m breathing easier by the day, mostly thanks to the king of hot guys—and he’s going to be mine .

When our plates are empty, we both lean back against the couch, rubbing our bellies, content and full. Chance nudges my knee with his. “Okay, I’ll admit it. Pretty solid movie choice, Pacini.”

“Told you,” I say smugly, reaching for the remote to start the next movie.

Then, without even thinking, I let my body lean over, curling up against Chance’s side, my head resting on his shoulder.

Chance shifts slightly, adjusting so I fit even more perfectly against him. His arm drapes casually over my back, his fingers grazing my shoulder, and he keeps watching the movie like this is justa normal nightfor us.

And maybe it is now.

I smile to myself, eyes flicking to the TV but not really watching.

Because all I can think about is tomorrow.

His birthday.

Tomorrow is our night.

If he so much as makes a move, if he tries to kiss me…

I’m going to do it.

I may even encourage it.

It’s his birthday after all.

The morning sun peeks through the blinds, splashing rays of warmth across the sheets. But these are not the same blinds I’ve been waking up next to on the couch. No, these are different blinds entirely.

I shift slightly, blinking awake. Chance's arms are wrapped around me; his muscled body molded to mine. I bite my lip, suppressing the cheesy grin threatening to take over my face.

I groan slightly when I feel the same thing I’ve woken up to every morning since we’ve gotten back: his hard length pressing against my ass.

I stifle a laugh as I carefully move his hand and slide out of bed. Soon, sexy man, soon.

I glance down at my own morning predicament and shake my head. Yeah, yeah, soon for you too.

Padding into the kitchen, I get to work on breakfast. Bacon sizzles in the pan while I crack eggs into a bowl and whisk them, then measure flour for the chocolate chip pancakes—Chance's favorite.

The bedroom door creaks open, and I hear the shuffling of bare feet down the hall. I look up just as Chance steps into the kitchen, shirtless, his satin sleep pants slung wickedly low.

I'll never get used to the sight of him.

I can admit it to myself now.

He's so fucking hot with endless miles of muscle, all that ink, and that V that dips into his—

I never stood a chance.

I look up and catch his eyes as he watches me hungrily take in his body. His voice is rough with sleep as he warns, “You’re killing me, Ant. I'm patient, but there's only so much a man can take.”

I smirk. “Wait. Don't move.”

His brow furrows, and he glances around like he’s expecting some kind of trick. I take a slow, deliberate step forward, closing the space between us until the heat rolling off his skin wraps around me.

My hand finds the back of his neck, fingertips skimming just enough to make him shiver. His breath catches, his pupils darken and his throat bobs on a labored swallow.

I lean in, painfully slow, dragging it out, teasing, letting himanticipatethe moment before pressing my lips to his cheek. But I don’t pull away. I let my lips linger, just a second longer than is fair, just long enough for his breath to stutter.

Then, ever so slightly, I shift—my lips brushing the shell of his ear as I whisper, “Oops. I missed.”

I pause, feeling the way his pulse kicks under my fingers, his body coiled tight like a string ready to snap.

“Maybe,” I murmur, lips barely ghosting his skin, “ you’ll have better aim than me at the end of the night.”

I let the words hang between us before stepping back, smirking as I meet his dazed, blown-out gaze.

“Happy birthday, sexy man.”

A smile splits my face as Chance's eyes come back online. His voice is husky as he grumbles, “You really are trying to kill me, aren’t you? I’m going to expire at the ripe old age of twenty-two.”

I laugh as he walks past me, and on instinct, I let my hand glide against his abs. My eyes drop to see the tent I caused in his satin bottoms. Fuck, I love those pants. I’m buying him a dozen more pairs.

I look back up and grin at him. “Get some coffee and grab a seat at the table. I'm making your favorite breakfast. Little G already went out.”

He yawns, comes to a stop, and stretches his arms above his head, causing the pants to slide even further down his hips. They’re barely hanging on, revealing more of the top of those big, perfect globes.

Now he’s the one trying to kill me.

“Chocolate chip pancakes?” he says after torturing me. I’m not complaining. “Wow, I just woke up, and this day already couldn't get any better. Do I have time to throw on a shirt and call Ma? She wanted me to call her when I woke up.”

“Yeah, absolutely. I'd love to say hi, too.”

Chance grins. “Oh, you wouldn’t get away with not saying hi. I’m pretty sure I can’t claim to be her favorite son anymore.”

I throw my head back and laugh. I don’t even care if it’s true. I just love that he knows how much she means to me. Mary and I have talked and texted regularly since Thanksgiving. In that short time, she’s provided more warmth and motherly advice than my mom has… in my entire life.

So yeah, she means the world to me.

And so does he.

After pulling on a T-shirt, Chance comes out and props his phone up against his mug of coffee on the dining table before calling Ma. A moment later, Mary’s sunny voice fills the room.

“Happy birthday! How's my beautiful son?”

Chance smirks. “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him .” He picks up the phone and moves over to the kitchen, making sure I’m in the frame.

Mary’s face lights up. “Oh yes, hello, beautiful other son.”

I laugh but reply with sincerity, “You'll never know what that means to me.” Then, without hesitation, I lean my head against Chance’s, and she gasps.

“Oh, look at the two of you. My heart is happy.”

Chance rests his free hand on my chest and says, “Mine too, Ma.”

She clasps her hands together. “So, what are the big birthday plans?”

Chance shrugs. “I don’t have anything planned other than the chocolate chip pancakes Ant’s about to feed me.”

Mary grins. “Ooh, your favorite. That was thoughtful, Anthony.”

“Actually, he has plans all day. He just doesn’t know it yet,” I say, shooting her a wink.

Chance’s head snaps toward me, eyes narrowing. “What?”

Mary clasps her hands excitedly. “Oh, I love this!”

Chance keeps staring at me. “Don’t look at me like that, and no, I’m not telling you,” I tease.

Mary chuckles. “Okay, well, I’ll let you boys get to it then. I just wanted to say happy birthday and see your faces. Have fun tonight.”

Chance huffs, still staring me down. “I’m sure we will. Whatever it is.” His eyes narrow further, but I just grin.

Mary shakes her head fondly. “Alright, I want to hear all about it later. And Anthony…”

I perk up. “Yeah, Ma?”

“Promise me you’ll keep putting that smile on his face.”

Warmth floods my chest. “Yeah, Ma, I promise.”

Her expression softens before she turns to Chance. “And my son—promise me you’ll protect him like you’ve always done for me. And let him protect you, too. You don’t always have to be the strong one.”

Chance nods. “I promise, Ma. I love you.”

She smiles warmly. “I love you, son. So much. Never forget that. You’re the best thing that’s come out of my life. Now go have the best birthday ever. I love you both.”

At the same time, we both say, “Bye, Ma.”

As the call ends, the room is silent for a beat. Chance’s eyes flick to mine, full of unspoken things. My heart aches with the weight of everything he’s given me, everything I want to give him in return.

Today is his day. And I’m going to make damn sure he feels cherished .