Chapter 12
KNIGHT
The house was quiet after I’d showered off my yardwork sweat the next morning. Had Aiden run off already? But no. We weren’t doing that anymore. Aiden had stopped avoiding me last night. In fact, he’d been very direct about what he wanted once our bodies started doing the talking.
I gently opened his bedroom door to peek in. He was still out cold, face buried in the pillows, hair a rumpled halo around him, fitting for an angel. Aiden was a bit of a prickly angel—now that I knew him better—but still so damn sweet.
I eased the door shut and went to the kitchen. I pulled out a package of bacon and a carton of eggs. It was Aiden’s food, technically, but I planned to feed him, so I was hoping he wouldn’t mind.
I lined a baking sheet with foil and laid the bacon in strips for the oven. Once it was in, I got out the frying pan.
The coffee maker suddenly started brewing beside me. It was programmable, so I assumed Aiden set the weekends for later than other days of the week.
The scent of fresh-brewing coffee mingled with the bacon sizzling in the oven and made my mouth water, even though I wasn’t a coffee guy myself.
Aiden emerged from the hallway, looking scruffy in a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt.
“You didn’t have to get dressed for my sake,” I teased as he shuffled in, bleary-eyed and focused on the coffee pot like a man on a mission.
“Do I smell bacon?”
“Yep. Getting ready to start the eggs. I could make French toast too, if you want?”
“Uh…” His eyes widened as he surveyed the breakfast fixings spread over the counter. “I should go get a shower, but—”
I grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt and pulled him into a kiss. Aiden gasped against my mouth, and I swept my tongue in. He didn’t even taste bad in the morning. More like…butterscotch? Damn, I was starting to love those fucking candies of his.
He softened against me, making a little sound of pleasure, as I broke the kiss.
“We’re not doing that anymore,” I said.
His brow furrowed. “Doing what?”
“Avoiding each other. I’ve got breakfast cooking, and most of it is your food, so don’t run away.”
His lips quirked. “I’m not running. Just thought I’d shower before we ate so I could be presentable.”
“You showered twice last night. I was there, remember?”
He reddened and ducked his head. “Uh, yeah. I might remember something about that.”
“If you need a reminder, I’m happy to reenact certain events after you eat.”
He drew back. “This isn’t just for me, is it? Because making breakfast isn’t really on the casual hookup checklist.”
“Nah, of course not.” I cracked two eggs into a mixing bowl and beat them with a fork. “But we’re roommates too. I was hungry, and you’ve got all this food you never have time to make, so why not, right?”
“Why not?” he echoed, moving past me to pour a mug of coffee.
“Can you grab the milk for me? And a BEASTmode?”
Aiden set his coffee aside. He retrieved a carton of skim milk and one of my energy drinks. “I don’t know how you drink this crap. It’s toxic.”
“Yum, yum.” I took it from him, cracked the top, and took a big gulp. “Thanks.”
“Sure. Do you need help with anything else?”
I considered. “Not really. You work so much, Angel. Just relax and let me take care of it.”
He scoffed. “Like you don’t work a lot? I’ve seen you out there hacking weeds just about every morning.”
“You spying on me?” When he blushed, I doubled down. “Angel, you stalker!”
He laughed. “Shut up. I notice things, is all.”
I mixed milk and cinnamon in with the eggs, then reached for the bread I’d soak in the mixture. “Guess you had to keep an eye on me to know when to avoid me, huh?”
He ducked his head, gazing into his coffee with a frown. I hadn’t meant to make him feel bad.
“It’s okay—” I started.
“It’s not easy for me,” Aiden said, waving his hand between us. “This, I mean. I’m leaving at the end of the year, and I fucked up everything last year when I let someone who didn’t even matter get me all twisted up, so I have to stay focused on my goals. This is my chance to fix it.”
“What happened?” I asked.
He carried his coffee to the table and took a seat in one of the folding chairs. “I took my eye off the prize. I can’t do that again.”
“Well, this doesn’t have to go down that way. No muss, no fuss, right? A little eggs and bacon won’t change that.”
“You’re right. Thanks for cooking.”
“No problem. I’m looking forward to eating all your groceries.”
Aiden laughed, and some of the tension in the air dissipated. Good. I’d love to ask what went so wrong last year and who this someone was who didn’t even matter—but that wasn’t exactly casual hookup territory and Aiden was skittish enough as it was.
Besides, he wasn’t wrong. This was about enjoying each other, nothing more. I’d given love a shot, and it’d kicked my ass. Aiden was nothing like Puck, but if anything, that was more intimidating. Because Puck and I had at least been on even ground. Aiden was miles out of my league.
I focused on finishing the French toast and getting the scrambled eggs started in a saucepan with lots of butter, diced jalapenos, cheese, and red pepper flakes. It required attention to avoid overcooking them.
Five minutes later, everything was done. I pulled out the bacon and plated up our meals. Aiden grabbed the syrup out of the pantry, and we sat down together at the table.
My bottle of Tabasco was already in the center of the table because I poured it on just about everything I ate. I picked it up and gave my eggs a liberal coating.
“This is really good,” Aiden said as he cut a bite of French toast. “You know your way around the kitchen, huh?”
My chest warmed. Aiden wasn’t just plowing through his food without breathing as Puck had always done. He was savoring each bite. Really appreciating it.
That was such a turn-on. It made me think of the way he’d savored my body last night. He was eager and passionate, but also focused on enjoying every moment.
“Well, breakfast is my main area of expertise,” I said with a chuckle. “My dinners are fairly limited to tacos and spaghetti. I do okay on the grill, though.”
“Whoa.” Aiden choked a little after taking a bite of eggs and gulped his coffee.
“You okay?”
“Spicy,” he rasped.
Oops.
“Sorry. I’ve got a weakness for spice. Sometimes I forget other people want their food boring.”
“Boring, huh? I was going to offer to make a casserole tomorrow. I guess you wouldn’t like it.”
“I can add tabasco to anything,” I deadpanned.
Aiden laughed and smacked my arm. “Asshole.”
I grinned. “Guilty.”
“I’m serious, though,” Aiden said. “If we’re going to share meals, I want to contribute.”
“If you have time,” I said carefully. “I know you’ve got a full plate.”
Aiden looked down at his half-cleared breakfast plate—the delicious eggs remained mostly untouched. “Not so much anymore. I haven’t eaten this much in a long time.”
“Not what I meant.”
He grinned, a dimple popping to the right of his lips. “Yeah, I know.”
That smile. Damn. It really did me in. I loved seeing it. Loved even more that I’d helped put it there for a change.
I slid off my chair to my knees. Aiden’s smile slowly faded, but it wasn’t in disappointment. His lips parted with surprise and arousal as I pushed my way between his legs.
I watched the fabric of his shorts grow taut until it outlined a hard cock. “Thought I might help myself to a little more meat. What do you say?”
He let out a breath. “Yeah.”
I tugged at his waistband, and he lifted his ass so I could pull his shorts down. He was wearing no underwear beneath.
“Naughty Angel,” I murmured.
He laughed softly. “I was planning to go straight to the shower, so—oh god.”
I took his cock in my mouth, swirling my tongue along the head and shaft. Just like that night in Omaha, I drew decadent sounds of pleasure from him.
I drew back to tease at his slit, my hands braced on his thighs. His muscles tensed and relaxed under my palms, giving away how close he was to coming.
“Knight,” he gasped.
I drew back. “Remember that night in Omaha?”
“Yeah, so good,” he murmured.
“People were listening to you moan. They applauded when you said you were about to come.”
“Oh my god.” He raised his hands to cover his face.
“It was hot, wasn’t it?” I stroked one hand under his balls, rolling them gently. “I want you to think about all those strangers getting off as you came down my throat.”
He gave a strangled whimper, and I plunged down, sucking his cock in. He came instantly, pulsing over my tongue, crying out so loudly I could just imagine all those people in that dark club getting a rush of pleasure from it.
My cock throbbed in my pants. I was near to coming without a touch.
Aiden pushed my shoulder. “Get up here. My turn.”
I stood on shaky legs and he shoved my sweats and underwear down. He sucked my cock in, forgoing the teasing he’d given me last night. I buried a hand in his hair, holding on as pleasure rushed through me.
He pulled off with a pop. “The people in the club are listening to you too, Knight. You gonna give them a show?”
I groaned. “Fuck yeah. Let them hear how hot you make me.”
He dove down on my cock once more, taking it into his throat, and I erupted. It occurred to me only after I’d come that Aiden had wanted to use a condom the first time we were together.
“Fuck,” I said, yanking up my sweats and collapsing into my chair at the table. “Sorry. Should have asked if you were okay with that. I didn’t wear a condom.”
Aiden picked up his coffee and finished it, smooth as anything, and winked at me. “I know you a lot better now. It’s still a risk, but I know you wouldn’t endanger me.”
“I wouldn’t,” I agreed. “I, uh, haven’t really been all that active lately.”
“No?” He smirked. “There goes that bad-boy image you tried to give me.”
I laughed. “Guess so. Not that I wouldn’t fuck you in front of a crowd of onlookers. I’d lay you over one of the pool tables at Ball Breakers and let everyone hear just how much you like it.”
“Jesus,” he muttered.
“But only if you wanted me to,” I added. “I’m all about consent, baby.”
“Good to know.”
I stood to clear the dishes. Aiden leaped to his feet. “No, you cooked. I’ll wash.”
“You sure?”
“I can handle loading a dishwasher.” He gave me a push. “Go relax before you have to go to work.”
I wanted to invite him to relax in bed with me again, but I had a feeling that Aiden would frown on that. I retreated to the sofa and dropped down, a satisfied smile tugging at my lips.
My phone rang, and I checked the display. Matteo.
I picked up the call while I watched Aiden bend over the dishwasher. Damn, that view was sweet.
“Hey, Matteo. What’s up?”
“Knight, glad I caught you. I got a call from Tex’s parole officer yesterday.”
I straightened, my attention fully caught. “And?”
“He missed his appointment.”
“Shit.”
“I talked his parole officer into giving him one more chance. He’s got a make-up appointment scheduled in just over a week. Can you talk to him?”
“I wish, man. He’s not taking my calls.”
“Damn. Hollywood said the same thing, but I thought they might have a personal beef.”
“Yeah, pretty sure they do, but it’s been radio silence for me. Ghost said he’d heard from him. I’ll ask him to get in touch.”
“Sure, but if we don’t hear back…”
“Then we’ll go get his ass and take him to that meeting,” I said firmly. “We can’t let Tex ruin his life. He’s going through some shit. I don’t know what. But no one else will have his back, Matteo.”
“I should have tried harder to keep him here,” Matteo said. “I was caught off guard when he told me he was done. I didn’t know he’d been fired from Sauced, or maybe I could have talked him around.”
“No shit? Why?”
“The owner, Leah Fielding, said some customers complained. Sounded like it mainly came from one woman, Cassie Reynolds? She said she didn’t feel comfortable with a felon around.
What if he tried to poison someone? What if he stole their credit card info?
She got a few of her gal pals to pile on, and Leah didn’t think she had a choice. ”
“But he didn’t even run checks! He bussed the tables and washed dishes, for fuck’s sake.”
“I know. The Fieldings know that too. But they’re small-town business owners. They didn’t want to risk losing customers over it.”
I sighed. “Poor guy couldn’t catch a break. That was already his third job.”
“It didn’t help, I’m sure. But that doesn’t explain blowing off his parole officer. He could go back to prison.”
“We won’t let that happen,” I said. “We’ll get him to that meeting, even if I have to drag him there myself.”