Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
F inn
The members of Ajax’s band only stayed a few hours, and Finn had watched when they’d picked up the fuming ex as they left. He’d gotten a real kick out of seeing Alan simmering outside the gate, so pissed he was actually ignoring the flashes going off.
That moment Finn had experienced with Ajax during the rain kept going through his head, but they both backed off it as if they each needed time to process it. Another week passed, and he found that he was enjoying the shared meals and time with Ajax in the evenings. Food still wasn’t good, but Finn didn’t care. This time together felt like something special as they got to know each other. Then, Ajax had become intrigued watching Finn play on his Steam Deck, so he’d had one delivered, and they’d started playing some games together at night. Finn had introduced Ajax to survival craft games, and watching the rock star scrambling to stay alive amused the hell out of him. Ajax took it so seriously.
There were more photographers gathering outside the gate, and camera flashes went off like crazy every time Finn got close. He was sure his image was being splashed out there as people speculated on who he was and why he was holed up in this supposed private getaway with the lead singer of Back to Chaos. This was actually normal in his line of work and had happened before, but his role as a bodyguard was usually easier to spot. Here, in this rental so far from Ajax’s home, the situation was bound to bring about questions. He’d talked to Xavier about it, but his employer had just replied that it sometimes came with the territory, and nothing was being said they needed to worry about.
His second weekend away from Ajax went quite like the first, with him jonesing to get back, but when he returned that Monday, something was different about Ajax. He wasn’t playing music, and instead he was quiet, agitated.
Finn let him be for a couple of days, assuming maybe this was a part of his creative process, but the way Ajax stared at him whenever they were in a room together said that this had something to do with him.
But then he caught Ajax in that nook he favored, pacing. Not lounging or curled up as usual, not playing his guitar or keyboard. Pacing and running his hands through his hair.
Sensing Ajax needed privacy, Finn turned away and went into the kitchen to grab a bottled water from the refrigerator. He took it with him into the main living area and stood by one of the front windows. He couldn’t see the gate from there, but he could feel the energy of the small crowd gathered there.
It amazed him that so many thought they could just butt into someone’s private life like that. Finn would never wish for fame like this. He liked his privacy too damned much.
But this is what Ajax had wanted. Maybe not the intrusive fans, but he’d wanted to succeed in his world. And fame came with that kind of success.
Ajax hurried into the room, spotted Finn, and froze, his features tightening. Yep, something was definitely wrong.
Finn watched him a moment. “Hey, how about we put you in some kind of disguise and get out of the house for a while? Take in some new scenery. You’ve seemed pretty agitated the last couple of days.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“Is it your work? Hit a block?”
“No. Yes, kind of.” He ran his hands through his hair, those green eyes pinned on Finn. “Does your company have rules when it comes to clients?”
Finn narrowed his eyes. “Yes.” He drew the word out.
“Well, I’m about to break them.” He strode to Finn until he was so close Finn could feel the warmth from his body. “I’m interested in you, Finn. Attracted to you. And normally, I don’t feel that sort of thing until I’ve gotten to know someone better. But with you, it happened pretty fast, and honestly, it’s driving me a little crazy.”
“Why?”
“Because I just know that we’ll be fire. I want to feel that fire.”
Oh, Finn was more than interested, but he was also wary. He knew that if he let himself, he’d come to really care for Ajax, and whether he liked to admit it or not, his early years had left him with a fragile heart.
And a deep fear of being abandoned again.
There, he’d put words to that life-long fear.
Ajax could break him.
But desire was winning as he stared at the beautiful man in front of him who looked at him with raw need etched on his face.
“Just a kiss,” Ajax whispered. “I need to see.”
There was no way to resist that, so Finn put his hand on Ajax’s hip and tugged him closer until he was flush against him. Ajax’s pupils dilated as he sank into him.
Finn pressed his lips to Ajax’s, knowing instantly this was a bad, bad idea because his body reacted like he’d been lit. Ajax groaned, melting against him more and opening his mouth. Their tongues tangled together. Absolute, overwhelming lust shot through Finn, and he dug his fingers into Ajax’s hip. Ajax clutched his arms as the kiss grew deeper. It felt like he was…claiming Ajax. Like this man was made just for him. Ajax matched his fervor, plastering himself against Finn and grinding his hips into him.
Finn tore his mouth away to gasp air into his lungs, staring at Ajax in shock. “Fuck!”
It took Ajax a couple of moments to catch his breath, and the whole time, he stared at Finn’s mouth. When he finally lifted his gaze, his eyes were heavy-lidded. “ Fuck is right. Fuck those company rules, because I’ve never felt anything like that in my life, and I want more.”
Finn forced himself to back away when all he wanted was to press Ajax up against a wall and taste him again. And again. And again.
“Tell me you feel the same chemistry, Finn.”
“I do,” he breathed out. “Damn, Ajax, I feel it. But this is a bad idea.”
“Why? We’re both free.”
“Several reasons including the fact that you are getting over a breakup. I’ve heard some of your lyrics. Your ex did a number on you.”
“And a lot of those lyrics were written months ago when we were still together and right after I cut things off. I don’t have feelings for him other than a faint resentment that I let things go as long as I did. I knew what he was about. Fame seekers are a huge part of this business. With you, I don’t have to worry about that.” He took a step closer. “We have months together. How about we make them a little more fun?”
Because you could wreck my life.
But Finn couldn’t say that. For the first time in his life, he was at a complete loss as to what to say. All he had was the knowledge that fucking Ajax would be way more than mere fucking. But he couldn’t bring himself to say no.
“Let me think about it.”
Ajax just nodded, his gaze locked with Finn’s.
Finn shivered with sudden realization. That kiss had told him everything he needed to know. That heat, that overpowering desire…the fact Ajax could see past glamours.
This man, this talented, gorgeous man, could possibly be his mate.