Chapter 20
DO THEY FINALLY KISS??
Killian’s heart fluttered. Right now was probably too soon for that question. So many things had happened today, and common sense said he should sleep on the question before answering it.
But.
He trusted Crush. Crush had protected Killian without being asked; he had taken on the burden of killing so Killian didn’t have to do it again. For all his savagery with Killian’s pursuers, Crush’s hands were exceedingly gentle on Killian himself, warm and comforting.
Crush didn’t even mind what Killian had done in his past.
Killian swallowed, his heart thumping as he gently set Naddie in her new crib.
Instead of pressuring him for an answer, Crush pulled Killian backward so his back thumped against that broad, solid chest. Strong arms wrapped snugly around Killian and held him close.
“You don’t have to give me an answer right away,” Crush said.
Was it Killian, or did the alpha sound... nervous?
He leaned forward; Crush released him easily. So Killian turned and looked Crush in the eye. Crush’s shoulders were tense, his lips thin.
He was nervous.
All because of Killian.
No alpha had given Killian this much power over themselves.
“Why are you nervous?” Killian asked.
Crush wet his lips and sank to his knees, carefully catching Killian’s hips with both hands.
“I’m worried you’d say no,” the alpha admitted.
“Maybe it’s too soon for me to ask that question.
I just... can’t stop thinking about it. I want to watch our pups grow up.
I want to watch you with them; I want to see how you would raise them.
I would be helping, of course,” Crush added hurriedly.
Killian’s breath caught. He cupped Crush’s face and looked him in the eye.
“Yes,” Killian said quietly. “Of course you’re allowed to raise them with me. I wouldn’t want to deprive them of their other dad. And I don’t want to deprive you of your pups.”
Crush’s eyes lit up. It was amazing, knowing he could bring an alpha so much joy. Killian had never managed to do that for anyone; he’d never had his opinion matter this much before.
He brushed his fingers through Crush’s short hair, his throat growing tight at the bright, intense emotion in Crush’s eyes.
Slowly, Killian trailed his fingertips over Crush’s face, following the arch of his thick eyebrows, the contours of his cheeks down to his jaw.
Crush let him. He watched as Killian scraped his fingers through his stubble, slowly rubbing circles that edged closer to his full lips.
Killian swallowed. Was Crush’s mouth as soft as it looked?
Would Crush let Killian touch his lips?
Carefully, Killian brushed his thumb over the alpha’s lower lip, gasping at its soft velvety skin. What would it feel like to caress it with his own lips?
He leaned in, holding his breath. Maybe, maybe Crush would let him...
Crush’s tongue flicked out, wetting his lips.
“It’s so pink,” Killian blurted. “Like a cute triangle of wriggly flesh.”
Then the words sank into his brain.
“Did I really say that? To your face?” he squeaked in horror.
Crush’s eyes crinkled; his mouth curved into that familiar grin.
“Oh, gods,” Killian whispered, promptly turning away. “I can’t believe I was going to... to...”
He managed to slap his hands over his mouth before the words slipped out.
“To...?” Crush raised his eyebrows.
“Nothing!” Killian’s face burned as he hurried out of the room.
Hansel snickered. “That was amazing.”
Had he been listening to all of that? Killian realized he didn’t care; he just needed to not feel so embarrassed.
Still naked, he leaped onto the king-sized bed, burrowing under the covers so no one could see him.
“Sweetheart,” Crush rumbled. Heavy footsteps followed Killian into the bedroom. Clothing rustled and thumped onto the floor.
Then the other side of the covers lifted; Crush got into bed next to him.
Instead of lying down or sitting upright, Crush shuffled all of his giant body under the covers too, curling up next to Killian in the semi-darkness. His eyes flashed gold.
“What’re you doing here?” Killian whispered.
“Joining you in bed,” Crush whispered back. “I thought you should know—you’re beautiful no matter what you say or do.”
Killian wrinkled his nose. “Even if I fart?”
Crush sighed. “Do you think there’s anyone in the world who doesn’t fart?”
“Um. The richest alpha in the world?”
Crush snorted. “Nope. That alpha farts too. And poops. And probably clogs up the toilet sometimes.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Let me tell you a story. Remember how I got rich selling my game? Before that, back when I still owned it, I had a ton of investors courting me. I was invited to a bunch of fancy networking events where the rich and famous rubbed shoulders with each other.” Crush paused, leaning in.
“Bunny, I met a lot of people I had only seen on TV before then. Do you remember the actor who played Super Alpha? He was there too. He was kind of stuck up, so I only watched him from a distance. I happened to notice when he ducked into the restroom.”
Killian held his breath. “And?”
Crush smiled crookedly. “I was stuffing my face with finger foods. They were serving some pretty good treats. Anyway, I saw him step out of the restroom. Five seconds later, the door slammed open behind him and a massive wave of sewage gushed out. The instant I smelled it, I ran for the exit.”
“Oh rabbit gods,” Killian whispered, cringing. “How...? Why...?”
“My guess was that he did something explosive in the restroom,” Crush said dryly.
“A spell must’ve gone wrong in there. I kept an eye on the news in the following days—the mishap spread like wildfire, but either he pulled a vanishing act, or his PR must’ve paid off the news outlets to erase his involvement. ”
“Oh gods,” Killian whispered. “That sounds like a mess.”
“It’s worse than anything you could possibly say, isn’t it?” Crush grinned.
“Yeah,” Killian realized. “At least I’m not making a fool of myself in front of the entire world.”
“So there you have it. Even the rich and famous can have terrible bathroom accidents. You just don’t hear about it because they have deep pockets.”
“That’s crazy.”
Crush nudged his shoulder. “What I’m trying to say is, you don’t have to be so hard on yourself. Crap happens to everyone.”
Killian couldn’t help it—he giggled. Crush grinned back with boyish good humor.
In the darkness under the covers, this felt like a secret between them.
Eventually, Killian’s giggling tapered off. What was left, was a comfortable silence, their quiet breathing filling up the space.
“So...” Crush whispered.
Killian noticed, suddenly, how close their faces were. All he could smell was clean linen and Crush. With the outside world muffled by the blanket and walls, Crush’s pulse and breathing were all he could hear. Crush’s breath fell on Killian’s lips, heavy and warm.
“You’re so beautiful,” the alpha murmured. “Did you know that?” He curled his gentle fingers against Killian’s nape.
Killian stopped breathing. Ever so slowly, Crush moved closer.
Then he slanted his mouth over Killian’s in a velvety rush of friction.
Electricity sizzled down Killian’s spine.
Crush pressed closer, swallowing Killian’s helpless moan.
It probably didn’t surprise him that Killian wasn’t great at kissing; Killian hadn’t had many chances to practice.
But Crush didn’t seem to mind. The alpha nipped at Killian’s lips, his tongue flicking between them.
Before Killian could describe how it lit up all his nerve endings, Crush slid deeper into his mouth, a slow purposeful swipe.
It felt like a declaration of intent, like he was one step from being devoured.
“Eat me,” Killian said into Crush’s mouth.
Crush laughed, a puff of air against Killian’s cheek. And he gripped Killian’s hair, changing the angle of their lips. The kiss turned scorching.
Crush explored Killian’s mouth with the confidence of an alpha laying his claim, an alpha who had every right to be there. He tipped Killian’s head back so Killian gasped, thrusting his tongue deeper. He kept thrusting in, his tongue thick and heavy, his musky scent turning richer with arousal.
Killian grew wet, the warmth in his body blazing into an inferno.
“You taste amazing,” Crush growled when he finally broke the kiss, only to kiss and nip down Killian’s jaw. “Mine.”
“Please,” Killian whimpered, panting when Crush reached behind him to squeeze his ass. Calloused fingers slipped between his cheeks and massaged his wet hole, fingertips dipping brazenly into Killian’s body. “D-don’t tease!”
Crush’s laugh was low and rough. He sucked a trail of kisses down Killian’s throat, sharp teeth grazing Killian’s skin. The alpha rolled Killian onto his back and covered him with his own body, the full skin contact sending a shudder down to Killian’s toes.
“Please please please,” Killian whined, arching his spine to push himself against his alpha.
Crush was so solid and strong; he rocked his entire body against Killian, so every inch of Killian’s skin tingled.
Killian felt so unbearably empty again, his desperation growing with every second that passed.
“Please what?” Crush closed his hot mouth over Killian’s pulse point and sucked.
Killian jerked, tipping his head back in a silent offering.
Crush sucked a lovebite into his skin, each tug of his lips going straight between Killian’s legs.
“So lovely,” the alpha growled. “Spreading your legs like you need me inside you. Did you know? You were made for my cock, sweetheart. Made to open and stretch around me, take every thick inch.”
The burning intensified. Killian clawed at his alpha, moaning when Crush’s hard cock rubbed against his own. “Alpha. Now. Please.”