Page 113 of Smut Lovers

A smile exploded across his face. Straight white teeth.

Wow. It must be nice to be so perfect, unlike Cairo’s multitude of freckles…

and scars. He hoped Rhodes still wanted him once he was unclothed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called pretty.

” He slid the zipper down on Cairo’s one-piece pajamas.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no idea. I was raised in an orphanage until I ran away at sixteen. Beau found me and offered me a job.”

“He sounds kind.”

Rhodes froze with Cairo’s pajamas pushed halfway down his arms. He held Cairo’s stare.

“He isn’t. No one here is, other than maybe Beau’s husband.

It’s best not to get that idea in your head.

There isn’t a single person on property who hasn’t killed someone at some point in their lives.

They’ll do it again in a heartbeat to keep Beau safe. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Unfortunately, he did. Death and pain were all too familiar to him. “I don’t take back my compliment, though.”

Rhodes shook his head. A small smile lingered on his lips as he undressed Cairo. With a blank mind, Cairo let it happen. He used the only commodity he had to win Rhodes—his body. Cairo was too familiar with that too.

The moment Rhodes had Cairo nude, he led him to the tub that was already nearly full with bubbles almost overflowing.

The water had shut itself off, screaming money.

Cairo climbed in and sat—thankful for the heat that enveloped him.

It was self-regulating too, damn. He loved a bath that stayed hot.

He was especially glad to have the bubbles hiding him once Rhodes whipped his shirt up and over his head.

Cairo’s mouth went dry. The desire to run his hands all over Rhodes’ torso was nearly crippling.

Rhodes grabbed a rubber duck and toy tugboat that sat on a shelf inside the wet room.

He tossed them in the water with Cairo before going down on his knees beside the tub.

Rhodes snagged a clean washcloth from a nearby basket and went to work.

He used a yummy strawberry-smelling bodywash and shampoo to clean Cairo while Cairo played.

It was oddly satisfying to sink the boat.

He also realized if he squeezed the duck, it would fill with water he could squirt.

Letting go and reclaiming childhood was the only peace he got.

Unfortunately, one dark thought creeped in, and a million more followed. Cairo kept his gaze locked on the toys. “Why do you have toys? Do you bring boys home to play a lot?” Why had he asked that? Of course he did. All daddies were like that.

“No.” Rhodes sounded sad. That brought Cairo’s gaze his way.

Rhodes watched his hands as he cleaned Cairo.

“I used to have a boy. He fell in love with someone else: a guard for a drug lord we know. I guess he got sick of living with someone as needy as I am. I don’t know. He just said I was too much and left.”

An unreasonable amount of rage roared to life in his chest. It bled into his voice. “No. He was weak. You didn’t deserve that.”

Rhodes’ mouth lifted in one corner in a sardonic smile. “Maybe I did. You don’t really know me. I could be a monster.”

“Were you faithful?”

“Yes.”

Rhodes’ response surprised him for the earnestness in his tone. It was obvious he had been hurt. He believed Rhodes when he said he hadn’t strayed. Cairo doubted many men could say that. He could be honest too. “Then you’re better than anyone I’ve ever known.”

Rhodes held his stare. “You’re worth more than that.

” Rhodes let the water out of the tub and grabbed a nearby towel.

It was obvious he had no idea how hard that claim hit Cairo.

Maybe if a single person in his life had ever made him feel like he deserved anything at all, then life would have turned out differently for him.

Unfortunately, no one thought less of Cairo than Cairo.

Cairo dutifully stood when Rhodes helped him up and out of the tub.

He stayed like a statue while Rhodes dried his skin.

Cairo didn’t break from his thoughts until Rhodes wrapped him in the towel and then used the two halves to slowly tow Cairo forward.

His heart did a little flip as his gaze met Rhodes’ stare.

Rhodes lowered his head, and Cairo’s body immediately responded.

He wanted to be kissed. Cairo missed the sensation of lips against his skin.

Rhodes had nice lips. Cairo wanted to touch them.

Then Rhodes’ mouth touched his forehead, and Cairo didn’t know if he would survive the disappointment.

*

Rhodes hated to admit how Cairo terrified him a little.

He looked so innocent and sweet. Cairo asked all the right questions and said all the things needed to win Rhodes.

But Rhodes had been used and lied to before.

He didn’t know if this was an act. Rhodes had gone into this night expecting to soothe something inside himself.

Now he wanted to save this beautiful man, and it kind of pissed him off.

He hated this weakness. Caring for other people always ended up destroying him.

Rhodes hadn’t truly had anyone his entire life who wanted him and only him, and wanting things to be otherwise only led to heartache. Yet he couldn’t stop.

“Time to brush your teeth.”

He didn’t miss the disappointment that flashed across Cairo’s features, but he still let Rhodes lead him to the sink.

Cairo dug through his backpack and found his toothbrush.

The move kind of hit Rhodes. Why was Cairo walking around with an overnight bag?

Did he go home with anyone who asked? Was he homeless?

He looked too well cared for to live on the streets.

Rhodes would know. He had survived that life for nearly a year before Beau rescued him.

Some people might not consider the possibility of having to kill someone to protect their boss as being saved.

If they didn’t, that only proved they had never been hungry enough to know that level of desperation.

Beau had his loyalty for life. Maybe Cairo understood the feeling.

Rhodes readied his toothbrush. “Why are you carrying around an overnight bag?” He kept the question casual and his gaze locked on his task.

Cairo froze halfway through brushing his teeth.

He focused on Rhodes’ reflection in the mirror.

A hint of fear crossed his features. He spit in the sink.

His shoulders squared and Rhodes knew he was about to hear a truth he wouldn’t like.

Still, Cairo looked as if he couldn’t meet his stare. “I—” He froze and visibly swallowed.

Rhodes brushed his teeth and waited him out. He wouldn’t scare Cairo any more than he obviously already had.

Cairo’s gaze snapped to his in the mirror—like he had made his decision and would stand by it. “I recently left an abusive relationship. Banks has been letting me hide at The PlayPen, but essentially, I’m temporarily homeless.”

Rhodes wasn’t surprised. While Cairo had a gorgeous body, Rhodes noticed a few things about him while bathing him.

Scars he had seen before. Marks that looked way too familiar.

He rinsed his mouth and spit. Rhodes knew how he reacted now would set the tone for whatever happened between them. He put his toothbrush away.

“You have no reason to be ashamed.” Rhodes swept Cairo from the floor and headed for the bedroom. “Bedtime. You look exhausted.”

Cairo didn’t complain when Rhodes tucked his nude body beneath the sheets. His bright blue stare followed Rhodes’ every move as he stripped.

“Are you mad at me?”

The question hit as Rhodes turned out the light. His shoulders fell. He had tried to set Cairo at ease by moving slowly. It was obvious all he had done was make the guy’s anxiety skyrocket. He climbed beneath the covers, snagged Cairo around the waist, and tucked him into his hold.

“Why would I be angry with you?”

He felt Cairo shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe you might think I’m using you or something. Or maybe I’m a disappointment. I don’t know. It feels like you’re angry.”

Fuck. Rhodes hated whoever had hurt Cairo.

He kissed Cairo’s temple. “I’m not mad at you.

” He had to add that last bit because he was fucking furious someone hurt Cairo.

Rhodes slid his hand down Cairo’s soft body.

“I’m definitely not disappointed. You just need rest more than you need me pawing at you.

I can wait to play until you’re ready. Your health is more important to me than anything. ”

Silence met his claim. It dragged on for a minute before Cairo broke it. When he spoke, he sounded small. “You don’t even know me. Maybe I’m a horrible person.”

A smile snapped to Rhodes’ lips. “Are you a horrible person?”

Cairo didn’t answer right away, as if he really thought about it. That alone proved he was better than most. “I’d like to think I try to be good.” He snuggled closer and kissed Rhodes’ chest.

Rhodes lost the battle against the erection he had been fighting. “What would a good daddy do right now?” Rhodes really hoped Cairo knew the answer because he only knew what he wanted. It didn’t involve patience of any kind.

Cairo’s lips skimmed Rhodes’ chest again. “He’d let his baby soothe himself.”

Holy shit. He wouldn’t make it. Rhodes didn’t know what soothing him entailed, but Cairo’s tone had all the ideas going through his head. “You should do that.”

He felt Cairo’s lips shape into a smile against his chest. He had nothing to go by, but that smile still felt evil. Rhodes swallowed. He had a bad feeling Cairo knew exactly how to wrap Rhodes around his finger.

Cairo gently pushed, urging Rhodes onto his back. “I want my pacifier.” He slithered down the bed and sucked the tip of Rhodes’ cock into his mouth.

A low moan escaped Rhodes before he could stop it.

Cairo didn’t try taking him deeper. He simply sucked Rhodes’ head exactly like a pacifier.

Rhodes was pretty sure he would die soon.

Cairo moved restlessly against him. He pulled away. “Would you touch me, Daddy? I ache between my legs.”

Yep. He would be dead in the next few minutes. “Flip around so I can rub it and make it better.”

Cairo gingerly did as told, as if afraid he would move too quickly. The moment he was settled, he went back to sucking just the tip of Rhodes’ dick.

Rhodes petted Cairo’s erection and massaged the spot between his balls and asshole. His entire focus was on what Cairo did. The suction was just enough to make him crazy, but not enough for him to get off.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

Rhodes nearly groaned at the whispered question. Each word brushed against his desperate cock. Cairo would for sure be the death of him. “Of course, baby.”

“I like putting my pacifier in my butt. Don’t tell, okay?”

Rhodes swallowed hard again. If this didn’t end soon, he might do anything. Truthfully, Rhodes wasn’t that big into the age-play aspect of this dynamic, but he adored caring for his boy, and Cairo was sexy as fuck. “I won’t. You should do that now.”

Cairo scrambled up the bed like he couldn’t wait.

Rhodes dove for the bedside table for the lube and a condom. All pretenses of play fell away. Cairo’s tongue was in his mouth while Rhodes fought to put on a condom.

Cairo grabbed the lube and readied himself.

Rhodes breathed like he had already run a marathon.

Cairo had him that ready to go. When Cairo finally sank onto Rhodes’ dick, a sound like a dying man fell from Rhodes’ lips.

His entire body reacted. Chill bumps rose on his skin.

For a moment, Cairo held still, as if adjusting to the intrusion.

Then he lifted and lowered himself again.

Cairo whimpered. That sound alone nearly made Rhodes blow.

He ground his back teeth to stop himself from ruining everything.

“Please, Daddy. My private parts are throbbing. I need to make it spit.”

Rhodes rolled and pinned Cairo beneath him.

All hints of softness had gone from him.

He used Cairo. His tight asshole was all Rhodes cared about.

He thrust and pumped. Cairo was so tiny, he was easy to treat like a toy, taking what he wanted.

Still, he managed to follow the sounds Cairo made to keep his angle where Cairo enjoyed himself too.

He wouldn’t be satisfied until he made Cairo’s body dance.

He wanted to feel that asshole try to suck him deeper.

Cairo’s short fingernails scraped his arms. He took it like a man who loved getting dicked down. Cairo writhed beneath him, looking like the hottest porn.

“That’s it, baby. Take it. I want to watch you come.”

Cairo whimpered. He visibly strained to reach the edge.

Rhodes wouldn’t make it much longer. He reached between them and tugged Cairo’s erection.

Cairo’s back bowed. His moans turned rhythmic while Rhodes gave him everything.

Sweat poured down Rhodes’ spine. Cairo cried out.

Cum filled the space between them. Rhodes lost it.

He slammed himself into Cairo over and over until the pressure finally turned to ecstasy.

Too late, Rhodes realized he didn’t make a sound.

He simply stared at Cairo with all the intensity in his soul.

Cairo stared back. He had never felt more connected to anyone in his life.

What in the fuck was he supposed to do now?