21. Kane
Kane
There’s a certain calm before a storm that I usually ignore. Running and gunning my way through life—through people—means that I don’t pay attention to signs if they get in my way. If I want something, I go after it. End of story.
But with Zane, I’ve been waiting for him to make the first move.
I’m not stupid or unobservant or cruel enough to lead him on.
The man needs to learn to buck up and nut up.
I thought that over time, he’d get so sick of watching me flirt with and date other people that he’d explode, charging at me with his fists until I could calm him down and reassure him that I’m not going anywhere.
And that, yes, I love him too.
But with each passing year, I get less and less sure that he wants anything from me other than the pain. The hole in his heart is self-inflicted, a festering wound that he can fix if he just?—
Stops being so goddamn stubborn.
I stare at my phone for the hundredth time, rechecking his location to make sure that I’m not seeing things. He’s home. He’s just not inside. Sitting in his car, no doubt, frozen to the spot.
Is it fear? Is it regret? Does he not want to rock the boat because I could rock his boat? I snicker at how witty I am, but my levity dies in an instant as the deadbolt on the front door unlocks. Standing from the couch, I wipe my palms on my thighs and wait for Zane to enter.
Any second now.
He’ll walk through that door and finally admit how he feels.
I sigh, dragging my hand through my hair as another minute passes without any change.
Maybe he really does regret it. Maybe I pushed him too hard.
Maybe I should have focused on his emotional well-being instead of the physical, but I’m better at the latter.
Groaning, I shuffle to the front door and rap my knuckles on it.
“Zane,” I call out, “I know you’re there. ”
A moment passes before he responds. “Yeah.”
Pulling open the door, I give him a once-over, pausing at the heavy flush on his cheeks and the hint of tears in his eyes. The bastard’s gonna psych himself out from coming home. Fuck. Maybe I did push him too hard.
But there’s no going back.
I grab his hand and pull him into my chest, cradling the back of his head and holding on tight. “Welcome home, idiot.” He relaxes instantly, a choked sound catching in his throat.
“You’re just horny,” he rasps, grabbing my hips. “That’s all this is.”
Yeah, I’m damn near always horny, but?—
“That’s not what this is.” Walking backwards into our apartment, I kick our front door shut before pinning Zane against it. Grabbing his chin, I force him to meet my eyes. “Zane Hunter,” I growl, using his full name, “you are so fucking stupid.”
He scoffs, grabbing my wrist with both hands. “Get off of me.”
“No.”
A silent tear tracks down his cheek. “What do you want from me?”
“I’d settle for honesty.”
Grinding his jaw, he doesn’t say anything, clamming up once again.
Fine.
Fuck it.
I’ll make the first move.
Crashing into Zane feels like being hit by a tidal wave, both of us suddenly lost at sea.
Most people would claw their way to the surface, desperate for air, but we cling to each other and forego oxygen so that we drown.
He gasps as our lips meet, his entire body reacting to mine like a live wire, twitching at the slightest touch.
I let go of his chin to cup his cheek, sighing into the kiss and trying to take it slow.
Really trying.
But then he rakes his nails against my scalp and moans, the neediest little sound I’ve ever heard pass his lips, and I’m a goner, grabbing his hips and grinding into him. We gasp in unison as our dicks touch through our pants.
He stares into my eyes and suddenly says the sweetest thing. “Is this really happening?”
Chuckling, I press our foreheads together and lift him off the ground, eager to feel him wrapped around and beneath me.
“Fucking finally,” I laugh, carrying him out of the foyer and into his bedroom.
I lay him down on the bed and try to admire the sight, but those stupid fucking clothes have to go.
“Take off your clothes.” I rip my shirt off my shoulders, tearing the buttons clean off. “And let me worship you.”
He flushes prettily, exhaling like he doesn’t believe me. “Kane?—”
I stop tugging my belt through the loop and raise an eyebrow. “Do you want to go slow?” I wait for him to answer.
“No.”
“Good.” I unbuckle my belt and strip, pulling my boxers off with my dress pants and kicking my shoes out of the way. “Any slower and the glaciers would fucking melt.”
Throwing a pillow at my face, Zane cracks a smile. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Get the fuck naked,” I growl, climbing onto the foot of the bed.
I pull off his ugly ass shoes and help him out of his pants, tossing those as far away as possible.
When I grab the band of his boxers, I slow down, meeting his wide eyes.
My heart’s beating fast, but I can only imagine how hard his is pumping.
“Tell me if I need to stop.” His pubic hair tickles my knuckles as I pull his boxers down, grazing his dick as it bounces up and smacks his stomach.
Fuck , that looks tasty.
I whip off his boxers and slide between his thighs, wrapping my palm around his shaft and admiring the view. I rest my head on his thigh and exhale over him. “Fuck, you’re pretty.”
Biting his lip like that.
Mmm.
“I’m not supposed to be pretty,” he chokes, moaning at my first stroke.
“You’re fucking pretty,” I assure him, smiling.
“All wound up over me. Prettiest fucking thing I ever saw.” Kissing his thigh, I groan.
Damn, I never knew it would be this good, and we’ve barely begun.
My cock is leaking like crazy, and we haven’t even touched it.
I jump up to steal a quick kiss from his lips before hunkering back down over his cock. “Ready?”
His chest expands on a deep breath and he nods, quickly biting that plump bottom lip again. I’m tempted to make him beg for it, but I’ll play nice tonight. After all, we’ve both been waiting long enough.
I kiss the tip first, flicking my tongue against the salty slit, and Zane’s entire body trembles as he moans. Responsive as fuck, and I’m here for it.
I’m also here for this.
Popping open my jaw, I take him inside my mouth in one fluid motion, going as deep as I can without choking. I’ll be fine after a warm-up, but I also want to take things slow and enjoy every one of Zane’s reactions.
The man is falling apart.
Arching his back, grabbing my hair, whining as I drag his cock over my tongue.
A sweaty, hot mess, hardly able to catch his breath and unable to decide if watching is better than closing his eyes.
He tries to stare, but then I’ll grab his shaft and stroke on the upswing, and he’s tossing his head back with a moan.
This is what I’ve been missing. All of those times I’ve had sex with other people, it’s never been this intense. I’ve been looking for something that was right in front of me the entire time.
Zane’s dick throbs, swelling as he gets close. “K—Kane,” he pants, struggling to breathe as I take him even deeper, relaxing my throat as I get ready to swallow.
I’m a pro, after all.
He comes with the neediest fucking whine caught in his throat while I’ve got his dick pumping into mine.
I let up after the first few spurts so that I can roll his cum over my tongue and taste it, swallowing greedily as even more spills into my mouth.
Zane’s hips jerk with each pulse, and I have to hold his hips down.
“Easy, boy,” I rumble, kissing his shaft. “You’ll wear yourself out.”
Covering his face with his hands, he groans. “You should not have swallowed that.”
I nip his abdomen, enjoying the way his muscles twitch. “I always swallow.”
“I’m sure you do,” he huffs, peeking at me through his fingers. “I just never thought—” There he goes, biting his lip again. “I never thought you’d do that for me. ”
Sliding up his body, I kiss his cheek and throw my leg over his, idly grinding my cock against his thigh.
I’m okay taking things slower than I usually do, but that doesn’t mean I’m a saint.
“I’d do anything for you, Zane.” Turning his face towards mine, I stare into his eyes for what I have to say next.
“I love you.” Seeing him smile makes me so happy that I have to kiss him again.
I’ve missed the way he lights up the room.
He’s been way too fucking moody and broody lately.
Speaking of?—
We need to talk about Mercy, because I’m not willing to let her go.
I love Zane. I want Zane. But I also want her.
Having both of them would make me the happiest man alive.
But I know that Zane doesn’t think the same way I do.
We run on different wavelengths and at different speeds, and getting him involved with Mercy could take time.
After all, it’s taken us years to get to this point.
I don’t want to fuck this up, but I’d be lying if I said that this was all I wanted.
This is only the first piece of the puzzle falling into place.
Zane’s quiet and contemplative, gently stroking my hair. “You’d do anything?”
I hum in response, not sure where this is going.
He takes a breath and exhales slowly, blowing air across my forehead. “Stay with me,” he murmurs after a moment, rolling onto his side so that he can smother me. I have a feeling that he’s choosing the safer path, because this is an easy ask.
“Alright,” I promise, “but we have to do something about my dick, or you’ll wake up covered in cum.
” Cupping my balls, I hiss at how hot and heavy they are.
“Between you and Mercy, I’ve been ready to bust all damn day.
I’m gonna explode.” I grab my shaft and lazily tug, seriously needing some relief. “I don’t expect you to?—”
He smacks my hand away and takes over, grabbing my dick and stroking hard.
Hissing, I thrust into his palm and let him take out his frustration on me.
Yeah, I know that talking about Mercy, even in passing, is going to rile him up, but that’s what I want.
I want him to work himself up into a frenzy.
I need him to break out of his goddamn box. I need?—
Shit , I need to come.
Zane pants in my ear and kisses my neck, sending heat straight down my spine. “You’re such a fucking slut,” he growls, gripping me tighter. “Can’t wait to come for your best friend, huh? For your brother ?”
We aren’t related, but fuck , that’s hot.
Grabbing Zane’s face, I drag him on top of me and grind against his body, sealing our lips together and panting into his dirty fucking mouth.
He is my best friend. We are brothers. But we’re so much more than that.
“Don’t insult me,” I laugh, winding my fist in his hair and pulling his head back.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, giving me a perfect view of his neck.
“ Lover. ” He whines, and I quickly cover his mouth with mine, greedy to claim the sound.
Releasing his hair, I grab his ass and wedge my cock against his cheeks, greedily thrusting between them.
Lube would be killer—fucking his tight little hole would be better—but I’ll settle for whatever Zane can give me, because the look on his face is priceless.
Lidded eyes, mouth open, pink from his hairline to his chest.
I suck on his tongue just to hear him moan, and I come so fucking hard that it hurts.
Thick ropes paint Zane’s ass, his sheets, his back, dirtying his bed but filling my heart.
We collapse onto his pillow— one pillow, needs another—and catch our breath, smoothly transitioning into cuddles and comfort, like we always do when we’re in bed together.
Only this time, I’m not afraid to hold him closer, spread kisses across his shoulders, or whisper that I love him, knowing that when he’s ready, he’ll say it back.