Page 56 of A Worthy Opponent
Hook frowns, but there’s no time to question me further, because the door opens and Gaeton walks in. He barely looks around, just walks straight to the kitchen and finds the liquor cabinet. He’s been here before, that Hook trusts him enough to let him into this inner sanctum of sorts. It confirms I’m right about what we need to do.
Gaeton considers the bottle and apparently decides that he’s not quite gone enough to drink without a glass. He pulls out three and sets them on the marble counter with a clink. “You heard.”
“We heard.” The exhaustion is gone from Hook’s face. He doesn’t quite have his charming rogue mask in place, but he’s pulled back. I didn’t realize how much he allows me to see until I watch him tuck away bits of himself.
He pauses to give my hand a squeeze that could mean absolutely anything and then tows me to the kitchen. Gaeton pours steep shots into each glass and sets the bottle down hard enough that I fear it might shatter. “We knew he was sick, but we’d half convinced ourselves that the old bastard would outlive both of us.”
No need to read betweenthoselines. Gaeton and Beast. Beast and Gaeton. A hostile and yet strangely symbiotic relationship if ever there was one. I can’t pretend to know Beast’s mind, but the best I can tell, Man in Black looked at both of them as the sons he never had.
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what to do with my hands. I might have crossed into being a person that accepts hugs as comfort, but I don’t know how to offer them. I’m not even sure Gaeton will accept that from me. Or if it would actually help.
Hook doesn’t have my confusion. He simply takes the shot with Gaeton and pulls the big man into a hug. “I’m sorry, too.”
I stare at them, at this man who caresso fucking muchabout the people he considers his. It might not always be the right thing, but the way Gaeton holds him, It’s the right thing right now. My heart lodges in my throat and, yes, no matter how strange it feels to admit it… This is love, isn’t it?
I love Hook.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that information, so I shove it down deep to inspect later and take my shot.
Hook shifts away to take Gaeton’s face in his hands. “What do you need?”
Gaeton tries for a smirk, but it doesn’t quite stick. “You sure I’m not here for political reasons?”
Hook’s lazy grin has my heartbeat picking up. He traces the other man’s cheekbones with his thumbs. “You’re here because you need to stop thinking, and you trust us to make that happen, so stop dicking around and answer the question. What do you need?”
Gaeton’s breath catches. “I can’t turn my fucking head off, man. I just want some peace for a little while.”
“Tell me your safe word.”
“Rose.”
“Good boy.” Hook releases him and turns to me. Tenderness filters into his dark gaze, and he takes my left hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles next to my ring. “And what do you need, beautiful girl? Watch or participate?”
I can’t quite take a full breath. “You’re asking what we need. But what about you?” I don’t know if I’ve ever asked a Dom that question before. It never occurred to me that I should, but Hook isn’t just any Dom. He’s mine.
He gifts me with a soft smile. “I want to fuck Gaeton’s ass while he eats your pussy, and then I want to sleep.” He lifts his voice the smallest amount. “You’re invited to stay until morning, of course.”
“No promises. Let’s just see where the night takes us.” He glances at me. “Depending on if Tink is cool with it.”
Fondness wells up in my chest. Gaeton might be a full-fledged asshole most of the time, but he truly is a friend. What a novel concept. I lean around Hook to shoot him a look. “Only if you’re not a cover hog.”
He grins, a little of his normal arrogance appearing. “I’m as hot as a furnace. You won’t need any fucking covers with me in your bed.”
“Promises, promises.” I switch my attention to Hook. “I want what you want. I trust you to get us there.” Does he understand the implication of what I’m telling him? I’ve always trusted him within a scene, but this feels different. Because itisdifferent.
He’s silent for a long moment, studying me as if he can see the very answers written on my soul. Finally he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Then let’s begin.”
Chapter 22
Hook
Iconsider Gaeton and Tink. As much as I want to get right down to business, there are other matters I can’t shuck off tonight. “Strip. Shower.” I level a look at Gaeton. “You can tease her, but no coming.” I turn the same look on Tink. “The same goes for you.”
She gives me a saucy smile. “I’ll try to remember that order. Don’t be gone too long.” No questioning that I have to leave for a moment. She knows that Colin is sweeping the building, just like she knows I’ll need that report before I can finally devote my full attention to the pair of them. It’s been barely thirty minutes, but we have enough men that they should be damn near done. If things have gone terribly wrong and thereissomeone dangerous in here, Gaeton will keep Tink safe. He’s brutally efficient when it comes to taking down threats, and he’ll protect her.
She jumps when Gaeton slaps her ass, and he booms out a laugh. “Come on, Tink. I can practically hear your pussy calling my name.”
“You are so full of shit.” She waits for him to walk into thebathroom to lean up and kiss me. “I’ll keep him occupied for as long as you need.”
