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Beck glanced at him. “I’m guessing you didn’t black out some of what I said back there.”

Kole’s stomach somersaulted. “You’re guessing right.”

The man he was madly in love with stepped closer, pushing Kole back into the bike seat and caging him with his arms. His gaze traced his face again, something Kole noticed he was beginning to do a lot. “Bloody hell, Kole. How did you happen? How did you become so important in such a short time? How have you fit so seamlessly into my life? As if you’ve always been there.”

Kole swallowed. “Must be talent,” he whispered.

Beck cupped his jaw and kissed him. Kole let him. After all, who in their right mind would say no? He was lightheaded and weak-kneed by the time Beck finished devouring him.

“I need you, my love,” Beck said, and if Kole hadn’t already been in love with him, those words would’ve cemented it.

“You have me.”

“Let’s go home.”

As they wound their way through the streets, Kole wondered if he was strong enough to be what Beck needed. Could he provide what he was almost certain Beck needed in the bedroom? Could he dominate Beck fully? At the end of the day, they would find their rhythm, he had no doubt, but he wanted to be able to give Beck everything. And though his lover was unlikely to admit it—even then—Kole needed to be that person for him. He needed to be Beck’s haven. Hewantedto be it. The question was, how?

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Chapter 17

Beck

Despite feeling emotionally, mentally and physically wrung out from the meeting with Rebecca—Becca—Beck also had an itch inside him. He needed what he always needed when he felt like this. Sex. But not with just anyone. The idea of sleeping with anyone who wasn’t Kole sent a shiver up his spine. He needed Kole in a way he had never needed someone before. And he needed him right away.

He barely gave Kole enough time to safely climb off the bike before he’d turned it off, grabbed Kole’s hand and dragged him into the house. The swarm of ants feasted on his body as he made himself wait until they were in the bedroom before he faced the man he loved and paused. His chest heaved, and he could taste the sweat on his upper lip.

Kole tilted his head, his mouth curving at the corners, and said, “Take your clothes off, Mr Cavanaugh.”

And with those six words, Beck’s world narrowed to where there was only him and Kole. His hands were already unbuttoning his trousers by the time his mind checked in again, his shirt already gone.

“That’s it,” Kole breathed. “Show me everything.”

And boy did Beck want to. It wasn’t what he usually did—listening to someone else call the shots—but he pushed the thought away and focused on Kole and his words. It was so much better than drowning in his own mind.

When he was naked, Kole stepped closer, lifting his hands and skimming his fingertips across Beck’s skin. Goosebumps followed in his wake, as did Beck’s gaze. Kole left no area untouched, and by the time he returned to his starting point, Beck’s knees shook.

“Lay down on the bed.”

Beck licked his lips at the order, swallowed hard and obeyed. The second his back hit the bed, it was as if his body understood. He sank into the mattress, letting his limbs stay where they fell, and let out a long exhale.

Kole towered over him. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. His throat had closed enough to require some heavy swallowing before he could talk. “Yeah.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

That made him smile. “Not even a little.”

“In that case…” Kole smirked and crawled onto the bed, caging him in with his arms and legs. As he looked down at him, Beck stared into his eyes, knowing exactly where his heart lay—at Kole’s feet.

“Why has it taken me so long?” he whispered, mainly to himself.

Kole seemed to understand. “Because you weren’t ready. And neither was I. We both needed each other but didn’t know it.” He brushed his fingers across Beck’s cheek. “I never believed I could trust anyone. Until you.”

“But I’m broken.”

Kole shook his head, grabbing Beck’s jaw with his fingertips. “You’re not broken. You’re bruised. As am I. But bruises heal. They might leave a mark behind for a while, but they heal. As will we. Together.”

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