Chapter Twenty-Three
He loved his parents.
Really.
But why now?
The doorbell rang.
Hayden brushed his hair back, checked that he’d gotten himself under control, and counted to five.
“Hi, you two. How come you didn’t let me know you were coming?”
His mother kissed his cheek. “Well, you did say come visit anytime, and since it’s been so long…oh.” She spotted Armi, and Hayden watched her face light up. “Hi. I’m Nikki.”
Armi darted a glance his way, then held out a hand. “H-hi, I’m Armi.”
“Armi Winters? Hayden’s boss?” His father extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Jim.”
“Hello, sir.” They shook.
Hayden had stepped over to Armi’s side, knowing how nervous he must be, and received a grateful smile. “So yes. When I told you I was seeing someone, it was Armi.”
His father sat on the couch. “You were so adamant about not getting involved with your boss. What happened?”
“I don’t know, Dad. I guess you can’t stop what feels right. I know I said it was a bad idea, but nothing that feels so right could be wrong.”
His mother waved a hand in the air. “We should all chat and get to know each other. Obviously, Armi is important to Hayden. He’s never introduced us to any other man.”
His hand in Armi’s, they sat together. “He is. Very important. I never planned this, and Armi and I talked about it. We tried not to follow through on our feelings, but it just didn’t work out that way.”
“So far, we’ve only heard from you, Hayden. Armi? What do you have to say?” his father asked. He and his father had always been extremely close, and Hayden knew he was acting out of love, but at the moment his main concern was Armi’s state of mind. Only he truly knew the extent of Armi’s hurt over the cold and tense relationship with his father and how that affected him in his everyday life.
“Maybe we should—”
“No. It’s fine,” Armi cut him off, quietly but firmly. “I’ve never been in a real relationship, mainly because I didn’t think I was good enough for anyone to want. It’s what happens when you grow up with a father who constantly belittles you and makes you feel less than.” His eyes met Hayden’s, who was cut to the core by the fierceness of his gaze. “From the first time I met Hayden, he made me feel equal. Important. Like what I have to say matters.”
“It does,” Hayden said softly and squeezed his hand. “You matter.”
“And I know you might be concerned that I’m his boss and very wealthy, but all the money has done for me is make me less secure that someone could want me for who I am. Hayden didn’t know who I was the first time we met, and that made me trust him, which isn’t easy.”
“Why?” his mother questioned, her eyes brimming with sympathy. Hayden could see she was touched by Armi’s words and wanted to hug him.
Armi clasped his hands. “Like Hayden, I’ve never had a boyfriend, but not for the same reason. No one’s ever been interested to find out who I really was. Except Hayden.”
“That’s very sweet. And I’m sorry you had a tense relationship with your father.” His mother reached out and gave Armi a pat. “Just to warn you, we’re not like that. The opposite, in fact.”
Hayden took advantage of the goodwill between them. “What my mother isn’t saying is she likes to be involved. Expect phone calls and visits. She has a need to know.”
Armi’s smile was shy and sweet. “I think that’s nice. I wouldn’t mind. I love my mother, but she’s always been busy with her charity work and friends. I didn’t see her much when I was growing up, but we’re trying harder now.”
Unwilling for Armi to get dragged under by unpleasant thoughts, Hayden slipped an arm around his waist. “Why don’t we go out to dinner?”
“First we have to find a hotel and make a reservation, but sure.” His father took out his phone. “We should be able to find something nearby, don’t you think?”
While his father checked for reservations on his phone and his mother used the bathroom, Armi whispered in his ear, “I think your parents should stay here, and you come home with me.”
Hayden grinned. “You do, huh?”
Armi’s smile was unexpectedly wicked, and Hayden wished he could drag him into the bedroom and finish what they’d started earlier. He was outrageously delicious, and Hayden was crazy about him.
“It makes the most sense. I know you wanted to stay here, so the other alternative is to give your parents the bedroom, and we stay out here.”
Alarmed, Hayden shook his head firmly. “Oh, hell no. I can’t spend the night next to you without being inside you. I need to hold you.”
“Then come home with me. We can do whatever you want with them—breakfast, lunch, dinner, museums…I can get tickets to a Broadway show if there’s a play they wanted to see.”
“Dad,” Hayden called out, and his father glanced up from his phone. “Forget it. Armi has a better idea.”
They had a great dinner at an incredible Michelin-starred restaurant, where his parents were impressed by not only the name, but the fact that the owner himself came out to greet them.
“My mother is a favorite and frequent guest,” Armi explained, and Hayden could see his parents were touched by the personal service they received. After they finished their dinners, they sat with their cappuccinos and dessert.
“We don’t do this every night, in case you were wondering,” Hayden explained. “Most nights we order in sushi or salads.”
“It was very nice of Armi to go to all the trouble,” his mother said. “We may be from upstate, but we know about restaurants like this, and we never imagined eating here.”
“My pleasure. If you want to see a show, let me know, and I’ll see about getting tickets.”
“We’d rather spend time with the two of you,” she stated with a nod toward his father, and Hayden chuckled.
“That I could’ve figured. Breakfast tomorrow around ten at Armi’s? Does that sound good?”
“It does, but can I make a request?” his mother asked.
“Sure, anything.” Armi looked to him, but he shrugged.
“Not a clue.”
“I’d like to make my special breakfast. It was always Hayden’s favorite when he was little, and I don’t get to have us all together that much anymore.”
“Say yes, Armi.” He sighed and rubbed his stomach. “My mom makes the best bananas foster French toast and candied bacon.” Hayden groaned. “Oh God, I thought I was full, but just thinking about it, I’m already hungry for it.”
“Who could say no to that?” Armi joked. “Of course. Tell me what you’ll need, and I’ll make sure to have it for you.”
While Armi paid the bill, Hayden called a car for his parents.
“He’s adorable. And so sweet. You couldn’t have found someone better to love you.”
“What? Who said anything about love?”
A snort of laughter escaped her. “Oh, sweetheart. You’re cute.” She patted his cheek and kissed him. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
Armi returned, and his mother hugged him tight. “Thank you so much for tonight. This was the best dinner, and we’re so happy you’re with Hayden.”
His father squeezed Armi’s shoulder. “It was terrific, thank you. And I agree with my wife. I had some reservations in the beginning, but I can see you’re a good man, and that’s all we want for our son.”
“I’m happy you enjoyed it. I had a really great time getting to know you.”
“And don’t be late for breakfast. I’m still thinking about the French toast and bacon.” Hayden licked his lips.
“Oh, you.” His mother nudged him as the car drew up. “Go home and kiss your boyfriend.”
He blinked and kissed her cheek, then hugged his father. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Side by side, he and Armi watched the car pull away. He took Armi’s hand and laced their fingers together. “That’s the first time anyone said out loud that you’re my boyfriend.”
The second car drove up, and he and Armi slid in. “How do you feel about it?”
Hayden pulled Armi by the tie and kissed him firmly on the mouth. “I like it. I like it a lot.”
Inside Armi’s town house, he pushed the suit jacket off Armi’s shoulders and undid his tie, all while they were frantically kissing.
“I was dying during dinner. I want you so much,” Hayden rasped, his hands flicking open the buttons of his shirt. Armi mimicked him, and soon they were naked and still in the entrance hall.
“I can’t wait.” Armi pressed kisses to his chest and neck.
“If we don’t get upstairs now, I’m gonna fuck you right here. Against the front door. People might hear you scream for me when they walk by.”
Wild-eyed, Armi licked his lips. “Do it.”
His cock jerked.
“I have to get the—”
“No. Do it bare. Fuck me bare.” Armi gripped his own dick, and Hayden was mesmerized by his hand moving up and down the thick, reddened shaft. “I need to feel you, Hayden. All of you. Skin to skin. Heart to heart.”
“I-I’ve never done it that way,” he confessed, but the thought of nothing between him and Armi was blowing his mind, and his cock ached with need. “I have no lube. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“There’s some in the living room, remember? From the other night?”
They’d been watching reels of Kings games on the couch for hours, and he’d decided Armi needed a break, so he’d sucked him off, then fucked him on the couch.
“Yeah.” He swooped in and gave Armi a hard kiss. “I’ll go get it.”
He grabbed the bottle and ran back to him, skidding to a stop. “Face the door,” he commanded, and Armi did as told, his legs at a wide stance.
Hayden had every intention of keeping his promise and taking Armi hard and fast up against the door, but now seeing him, so beautifully open and ready, he wanted it to last.
His hands smoothed over Armi’s white ass cheeks and spread them open. Armi shivered.
“What’re you— ahhhhh ,” he moaned as Hayden licked a wet path around his hole. “Fuck, oh God, Hayden. Hayden ,” he cried out but stuck his ass into Hayden’s face. “Please,” he panted, shamelessly begging for more.
“ Mmm …” Hayden licked the rim, then speared in past the tight ring. Feeling Armi go wild under his tongue, hearing him groan with pleasure, had him working harder and faster. “You love getting eaten, don’t you? Love my wet tongue shoved up in you?” Armi twitched and shook, his hand moving fast on his erection.
Hayden’s dick throbbed and leaked, and with one last suck to Armi’s hole, he stood and stuck two slick fingers where his tongue had been. He worked them in and out for a minute, then with his shaft lubed and ready, he nudged past the opening and filled Armi in one hard thrust.
“Fuck, oh fuck,” Armi screamed and stiffened, his come spraying the door. Hayden caught him by the waist, hips snapping rhythmically as he pounded into him.
“Mine. You’re mine. Aren’t you?” He licked Armi’s ear and bit the lobe, loving how he quivered and whimpered in his arms. “Say it. Tell me.”
“Yours, I’m yours. Always. Forever.”
Hearing that, Hayden thrust deeper, pinning Armi under him as his orgasm roared through him. “I love you. I love you.” Hayden pressed gentle kisses to Armi’s neck. “And I’m yours.”
Armi stiffened at his words and turned his head. “What?”
Wishing he could stay this way forever, Hayden placed a messy kiss on the corner of Armi’s full and trembling lips. “I said I’m yours.”
“Before that.” Armi’s lips tugged up, and unable to resist, Hayden kissed him.
Reluctant to leave the warm clasp of Armi’s passage, he slowly eased out, not caring that he was a sweat-and-come-soaked mess. He needed to see Armi’s face when he spoke those words.
Hand to Armi’s shoulder, he turned him around. “I. Love. You. I’ve never said those words to anyone. Never thought I would.”
Armi’s blue eyes glittered and filled. “I can’t believe I’m hearing them. You love me?”
“Baby, why are you crying?” Hayden kissed the teardrops off his lashes. “Of course I do. Why do you sound so surprised?”
Armi buried his face in Hayden’s shoulder, and he held him tight, feeling Armi’s heart beat a rapid tempo. “I didn’t think I’d find anyone who’d want me. The way I am. Clumsy, awkward Armi who was always picked last for everything.”
“I pick you first for my heart.” Hayden pressed his cheek to Armi’s wet one, soaking in Armi’s heat, wrapping himself in the man’s sweetness. “Is that corny? Yeah. Do I give a fuck? No. Finding you that first night was the luckiest thing to ever happen to me.”
“For me too. I never thought a beautiful man like you would be interested in someone like me.”
“Someone like you—kind and loving, good-hearted and always thinking of others? I’m the damn lucky one.”
Shiny-eyed, Armi tugged at his bottom lip before covering his mouth in a heated kiss he’d remember forever. “You are the one. You give me strength. Self-worth. You accepted me and didn’t try and change me. The only one who’s ever stood up for me. I think I fell in love with you that first day you came to the office and got in Jacob Whitmore’s face to defend me.”
Hayden nibbled on his neck and cupped Armi’s ass. “That was fun. And I’ll do it over and over if anyone ever messes with you again, but I don’t think I’ll need to.”
“Why? He’s never going to change.” Armi’s scrunched up face was so adorable, Hayden couldn’t help kissing the tip of his nose.
“Yeah, but you have. Don’t you know how strong you are?” He squeezed Armi’s ass. “Let’s go take a shower and go to bed. I’m not finished with you yet.”
They picked up their discarded clothing, and hand in hand walked up the stairs.