CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
NOAH
I don’t think either of us slept all that much that night. Even though we were tired after the day we both had and several hours of fucking, we were reluctant to give in and close our eyes. I got the feeling that neither of us wanted to miss anything.
Dom fell asleep first. On my favorite pillow, which I allowed him to use, even though part of me wanted to rip it from under his head. He was the only person that brought out a soft side of me. Other than my family, of course, but this was different.
Although listening to his deep breathing as he slept tempted me to choke off his airflow. To see him come sputtering awake, startled and ready for a fight. Somehow, I resisted the urge. Instead, I laid there enjoying the way he felt beside me.
Needing to feel him, I moved in closer, wrapping an arm around him. Pressing my face to his shoulder. Without waking, he reached for me too. Pulling me into his embrace.
How the fuck did I ever get so lucky? Based on how much hatred and conflict had passed between us, we never should have ended up this way.
I didn’t know if I believed in things like fate, God, or destiny.
Whatever it was, there was something powerful at work here.
Something bigger than both of us. I knew better than to question it.
Even though I fell asleep after Dom, I woke up before him. The morning light snuck in around the edges of the blinds, providing enough illumination for me to study the man sleeping next to me. His long lashes. Chiseled jaw. The steady rise and fall of his chest.
Dominik Taylor was fucking gorgeous. One of the most beautiful humans I’d ever seen. I may have been biased.
Feeling the weight of my stare, his eyes fluttered opened. As he focused in on me, his expression formed into a frown. “Why the hell are you staring at me while I sleep? Trying to decide how you’ll try to kill me next? You psycho.”
I flashed my teeth at him in a toothy Joker style grin, wiggling my brows. “Actually, I was thinking about waking you up with my cock in your mouth. I already know how I’ll try to kill you next.”
“Very funny.” Dom gave me a playful shove before stretching out on the mattress. Putting his delicious body on display. “What time is it? I’m fucking starved. And don’t make any jokes about feeding me your cock or I’ll punch you in the throat.”
I rolled in close, helping myself to a taste of him by dragging my tongue along the side of his neck. “It’s almost eleven. So much for classes today.”
Grabbing a handful of my hair, Dom pressed a hungry kiss to my lips. “I thought it was Saturday.”
“Is it? Damn. You’re right.” Running my hand over his chest and down his abs, I said, “You probably want to get going soon. I can make you breakfast first, if you want.”
“Breakfast sounds good.” With a hand on either side of my face, Dom kissed me several times. Kisses filled with a possessive affection. I couldn’t get enough.
We spent the next fifteen minutes kissing and touching. Making out like the voracious animals we were. Finally, our growling stomachs forced us from the bed. We reluctantly got dressed, leaving the bedroom and the memories we made there behind as we went down to the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, I scoured the inside. “What are you in the mood for? Eggs? Pancakes? Sucking my cock in the middle of the kitchen? Or maybe all of the above?”
Dom slapped me hard on the ass. “Pancakes sound good. Once you get them started, you can suck my cock in the middle of the kitchen. What do you have for coffee around here?”
Together we moved around the kitchen. Dom made coffee while I mixed up some pancake batter. Doing such mundane domestic activities together felt surprisingly right. Like starting the day together was something we should always do.
I almost burned one of the pancakes when Dom pinned me against the fridge, stroking my dick through my sweatpants while biting my lip. That’s when Damon walked in, took one look at us, and walked right back out.
“Oops.” Dom pulled away. “Sorry about that. I guess he isn’t cool with this. I probably shouldn’t be feeling you up in your kitchen.”
“Don’t worry about him.” I turned back to the pancakes, flipping the one in the frying pan before it was ruined. “It’s not you. He’s worried about what happens next. Between us and the Kings. I’ll talk to him later.”
I wasn’t sure if Damon would ever be all right with Dom and I and what that meant for all of us.
There had been a time when I’d never have believed we would ever join them or align with them in any way.
I couldn’t force Damon to do anything. However, I knew what I wanted.
Dom. Nothing would stop me from having him.
“So what does happen next?” Leaning against the counter next to the stove, Dom sipped his coffee.
“I’m hopeful we can all come to some kind of agreement on where we stand with each other. I have no intention of letting you go.” I met his inquisitive gaze, our eyes locking. “I’ve never been as sure of anyone as I am of you.”
He reached over to cup my cheek, his thumb gliding back and forth in a gentle caress. “I’m happy to hear that. You’re all mine, Noah. You’re never getting away from me.”
A heavy intensity fell over us as we gazed into one another. Being in the moment together. Dom leaned in to press his forehead to mine. A warmth slashed through me. Something rooted deep within. Emotionally driven. There was something more here than fantastic sex. I needed to explore it all.
I made sure to make enough pancakes for Damon as well, even though I doubted that he would join us. Dom and I sat at the table in the corner of the kitchen, enjoying our breakfast. Enjoying each other. Even though I had texted Damon to tell him there was food, he never replied, and he never came.
“These are really good.” Dom paused long enough between mouthfuls to compliment my cooking. “Who would’ve guessed you were so good in the kitchen? I guess you’re more than a pretty face and a nice tight ass.”
I almost laughed out a bite of pancake. “I’m also a psycho who thinks about killing you in your sleep. Don’t forget that part.”
Dom chuckled, his face lighting up. “Trust me, I’ll never forget what you’re capable of. If you take me down, I promise to take you with me.”
Even as we joked about killing one another, our feet touched under the table. Like we couldn’t be around each other without touching in some way. I didn’t think I’d ever been this happy.
When Dom decided he should probably get home and touch base with the rest of the Kings, I found myself already dreading his absence. What the hell? Since when did I have attachment issues?
I offered to give him a ride. He chose to order an Uber instead. “You should stay here and talk to Damon. Maybe you can smooth things over. I’ll call you later.”
We lingered at the door. Like neither of us wanted to part ways. I kissed him until I was hard as a rock. Ready to drag him back upstairs. It took the Uber driver outside honking his horn to tear us apart.
The door closed behind Dom. I leaned against it, my head falling back against the hard surface as I wondered at what point he’d reached so deep into me. I was head over heels for that man. Already I couldn’t wait to see him again.
I was in the kitchen cleaning up when Damon appeared. Glancing over my shoulder at him, I said, “You could’ve joined us.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt. You two looked pretty cozy.” He grabbed the pancakes I’d saved him from the counter, plopping down on an empty kitchen chair. “Thanks for making me some.”
After loading the dishwasher, I turned around to face him. “I know you have a problem with this. Is it me and Dom together or everything with the Kings?”
Damon chewed thoughtfully for a few minutes before answering. “I guess I’m worried you’re rushing into things here. That you’re so infatuated with him you’re willing to overlook everything the Kings have done to us.”
“What about everything we’ve done to them?” I countered. “If they’re willing to move past that, shouldn’t we as well?”
“They killed River and Colt.” Damon’s expression went cold. He clutched his fork like a weapon.
“River went after Storm. Rebel’s wife. He was going to kill her.
Have you forgotten that part? Colt wanted to rape Codie in front of Stray.
Can you honestly tell me if you were in the King’s position that you wouldn’t have killed them too?
” I hated that I’d been part of it all. A willing participant in everything.
Regret was useless in our line of business. However, much of our past conflict with the Kings hadn’t been about business. Rather it had been our egos getting the better of us. Seeing them as a threat instead of the potential allies they could have been all along.
Damon angrily chewed his pancakes, knowing that he couldn’t argue. After several long minutes, he asked, “Do you really believe joining them is the right thing to do?”
“I think we should give it a chance. Both of us. There’s only two of us now.
The Kings have their business, and we have ours.
Partnering with them will give us more protection and power if any outside group tries to fuck with us again.
We’ll be stronger for it.” I sat down at the table across from him.
Damon was my best friend. I needed him with me on this.
He waited until he had finished his last pancake to say, “Fine. I’m following your lead on this, Noah. I just hope you’re not thinking with your dick.”
“I’m not,” I assured him. “It’s not my dick making this decision. I love him, Damon.”
Damon nodded. His expression softened as he offered me a small smile. “Yeah, I know. I think I saw this coming a long time ago. He better make you happy. I really don’t want to have to kick his ass.”
A weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Damon could have taken a stand and refused to be involved with the Kings. Thankfully, he was open-minded enough to give this a try.
I had no way of knowing what the future had in store for any of us. But I was ready and eager to find out.