Page 43 of Demon's Desire
Onyx muttered something that sounded suspiciously likefucking asshole, his lips twitching as if he was trying not to smile. He glared for a moment longer before giving in.
Nico hummed in appreciation as Onyx got to his knees, pushing between Nico’s thighs, his slight form fitting in the space as if he were made for Nico.
Onyx met his gaze like a man confident he was about to ruin Nico for anyone else, his conviction splitting Nico’s heart open and laying him bare.
The vibrations of a ringing phone cut through the charged air. Onyx’s smug expression wilted, and his gaze turned distant. All the crackling energy between them seemed to snuff out.
Nico cupped Onyx’s worried face on reflex, stroking his cheek. “Is that your phone?” He’d left his on the kitchen counter.
Onyx pulled away. “Yeah. I don’t have to answer.” The buzzing stopped and started again, and Onyx extracted the phone from his pocket with a frown. “Fucking useless brothers.”
Nico’s cock rapidly deflated, Onyx’s displeasure stealing his complete focus. He didn’t want Onyx blowing him if he wasn’t fully in the mood and enjoying it. “It’s okay if you need to get that.”
“Ugh, fine, but I hate them.” Onyx stood and answered the call, pressing the phone to his ear. “What? I’m in the middle of something.” He winced. “No.” He paced the length of the room, then turned toward the couch. “I didn’t. Dante—I’m busy. Can I call you later?”
Onyx sounded pained, and Nico wanted to wrap his arms around him. He would have if he hadn’t been ninety-nine percent sure Onyx would shove him away.
“Why do you care where I am? No. I’m with Nico.” A pause. “So? What does that matter?” Onyx’s words got tighter and tighter. He was more upset than Nico had ever seen him. There was no playful edge to this fight.
“None of your business,” Onyx snarled into the phone. “Is that why you called? See, this is why I never pick up.” He listened for a few moments. “Fine, but I’m not flying all the way to your eyesore of a house.” Onyx’s gaze cut to Nico, and he lifted the phone away from his ear. “I have to meet them.”
Nico was shocked Onyx bothered telling him anything. He figured Onyx would storm out. “Okay. Uh… Want me to come?”
Onyx chewed his lip. “Can they meet us here?”
Nico’s chest swelled. He’d fully expected Onyx to tell him to mind his own fucking business. He must be really shaken about something. “Let’s meet at The Herb Emporium. I don’t like having people over.”
Onyx nodded as if not wanting people visiting his home was normal. “See you at the apothecary,” he barked into the phone before hanging up. He closed his eyes, and his nostrils flared, breaths audible from across the room.
Nico stood and approached cautiously. “I’m going to change my pants.”
Onyx blinked and glared at him. “You wouldn’t…you’re not…” His gaze fell to the stain on Nico’s crotch. “Don’t tell themwhat a mess I was.” His cheeks flushed pink, and he didn’t look up.
Nico clasped his shoulder. “I don’t blab about who I fuck around with. Hell, Onyx.”
“That’s not…” He stiffened under Nico’s grip and pulled away. “Don’t tell them I was upset when I showed up here.”
Nico rubbed the back of his neck. Onyx actually admitted he’d been upset? Wow. “I won’t say anything. Not about any of it. Let me change, all right?”
Onyx flopped onto the couch and waved him away.
Nico hurried to his room. He pulled off his ruined jeans and precum-soaked boxer briefs, then grabbed new clothes from the dresser and threw them on.
Onyx didn’t want his brothers knowing he was upset—beyond the anger Onyx directed at them anyway. Why was anyone’s guess. There was clearly more going on here. But Onyx had come to Nico when he’d needed someone, even if he wouldn’t admit it to Nico or maybe even himself, and Nico would guard that kernel of Onyx’s trust with everything he had.
Back in the living room, Onyx ran his fingers through his hair. He muttered, “Fuck it,” and with a flash of light, his hair was styled, and the last remnants of tears were wiped from his face.
Onyx rose from the couch. “Come on. I don’t want them beating us there.”
Nico followed Onyx to the front door. “What’s going on?”
Onyx paused, giving Nico a look that said he’d forgotten Nico had no clue what this was about. Was he going to change his mind and tell Nico to stay behind?
“It’s…” Onyx seemed to war with himself, chewing on his bottom lip once more. “It will take too long to explain. You’ll never get it.”
“Try me?” Nico did his best not to sound pleading.
He wanted to help Onyx more than he ever had with anyone. If Onyx pushed him away now, Nico would fight, dammit. He’d said he wasn’t leaving, and he meant it. Especially after Onyx had gone to pieces at the mere mention of Nico being there for him.
