Page 31 of Protecting his Secrets

Malachi smiled and cupped Nick’s jaw, loving that he could touch him however he wanted. “It’s okay. I would’ve done the same. I suppose it’s inevitable that people will find out. I hadn’t wanted anyone to while I was still working at the Chronicle, but if you found it, then maybe it’s already happened.”

Nick shook his head. “Felix sent me this. There’s not much Felix can’t find, but the average person wouldn’t figure it out. I don’t think you have to worry for now.”

Malachi couldn’t resist. He rested his head in the crook of Nick’s neck and closed his eyes when Nick wrapped his arms around him. “I can’t seem to find the energy to care if anyone knew at the minute. I’m so tired of it all, but I can’t give it up yet. Soon, though.” Something niggled at him, something he should remember, but he couldn’t figure out what, so he pushed it aside to think of at a different time. Instead, he luxuriated in being able to touch and hold Nick. Someone he had thought unattainable—to him, anyway.

“What do you want from this, Kai?”

Malachi loved being called Kai, but it was such a fuss to teach people to use a different name when he’d been using Malachi for so long. Maybe it would catch on, eventually. He lifted his head.

“I’ve been attracted to you for a long time, but I never, ever believed you would feel the same. It’s kind of like a dream that I don’t want to wake up from.”

Nick pulled him down and kissed him again. Unfortunately, it lasted all of a second, but he was grateful for every one he received.

“I’m not one for going fast in a relationship—not that this is a relationship…unless you want it to be.” A fumbling Nick was a cute Nick. “What I mean is that I want to take my time with you, Kai. I want to get to know the real you, not the one I thought you were.”

“Does that mean you want to wait for sex?” Malachi blurted out, his cheeks heating the second the words left his mouth.

Nick laughed, long and loud, and Malachi stared at him, grateful to have received one of the famous Nick Tennant laughs. He hadn’t thought he would ever be the cause of one of those. Locking away the sound for a time when he believed Nick would tire of him, he grazed his lip with his teeth.

“I’m happy to have sex whenever. There’s no timetable. But we don’t need to rush anything. If you’re not ready, that’s fine.”

“I’m so ready,” Malachi breathed. And it was true. He had a physical need to feel Nick’s hands on his body. Everywhere. Truthfully, he couldn’t remember a time when he had felt such a visceral need for someone. Even with his one-nighters and casual relationships, he never felt as important as that did. He wasn’t sure why it was Nick, but he also didn’t care. Now that Nick knew his secret, he wasn’t going to push him away when he could grab him with both hands. No one else knew everything about him, and there was always something missing. It was nice to relax about keeping things to himself.

“Then let’s see how the evening goes, yeah?”

Malachi nodded. “What’s the plan tonight? I can’t remember what you told me.”

“Dinner with the royal family, of course.”

Malachi stared at him, his mind flickering offline. “What?”

Grinning, Nick said, “Now before, I would’ve hated giving you this opportunity, but now I love leaving you speechless. I might have to think of other ways to do it.” He tugged Malachi towardshim and kissed him, sending more blood away from his brain and making it even more difficult for him to comprehend.

He pulled back. “Dinner with the royal family?”

Nick nodded and pulled him into another kiss. Malachi lost himself before he lifted his head again. “But it’s Prince Consort Kean’s birthday!” Nick nodded again and threaded his fingers into Malachi’s hair, but before he got distracted again, Malachi slapped his hand over Nick’s mouth. “I shouldn’t be there for that! It’s private!”

Nick raised his eyebrows but said nothing until Malachi realised he still had his hand over his mouth. Nick licked his lips once he was free. “They would love for you to join them, and as you’re such a huge fan, it’ll be perfect for you.”

“But what will I wear!” Malachi tried to rise, but Nick gripped him.

“Kai, shush. Breathe. You don’t need to worry about this. Everyone is glad for you to be there.”

“But they hate me!”

Nick smiled and brushed his thumb over Malachi’s cheek. “I think more than one knows who you are. I was one of the last ones to figure it out. Too blinded by my frustration.” He winked. “And attraction.”

Malachi swallowed. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Absolutely.” Nick slid his arms around him again. “Now, can we kiss some more before we have to get ready?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he slammed their lips together, closing his eyes as the taste of him hit his taste buds. Their tongues tangled, and Malachi lost himself in him again, still unable to believe the difference from that afternoon to right then. He’d dreamt of it but had never believed it would happen. Malachi with a royal bodyguard. He chuckled into Nick’s mouth, and Nick cupped his face.

“Most of the time, I would be upset that someone laughed while kissing me, but your little giggle intrigued me. What are you thinking about, Kai?”

He sighed. “Fairy tales.”

“I’m assuming that makes sense to you.” Nick pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. “Let’s get ready. Is it too soon for a shared shower?”

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