Chapter Ten
Foster: Where are you?
Atticus: Downstairs in the room next to the gym. I’m sparring with Tidy.
Foster: Don’t hurt him too badly.
Kirkland: I forwarded you some emails from the wealth manager.
Atticus: Got them. I’ll take care of it.
Atticus: I think I like the doctor here better than the one back home. She said I have the body of a stud.
Foster: LMFAO. Someone saying you’re healthy as a horse is not the same as having the body of a stud.
Atticus: I can think whatever I want.
Foster: You’re a mess, and yeah. That body is pretty damn amazing.
Atticus: Apology accepted.
Atticus: I think I heard you roll your eyes.
Foster: It’s that time of year again. Beau and most of the family are heading back to Cali soon. Are we staying or going?
Atticus: It’s up to you. I stay where you do.
Foster: Now I kind of wish I’d waited until after you came home from interviewing new wealth managers. I would’ve loved to hear that in person.
Atticus: I’ll tell you again when I get home.
Home. That was becoming a familiar term for them.
It felt a hell of a lot like they had made their decision to move.
If Atticus hadn’t called Hawaii home after saying Foster should choose where they would stay, Foster might feel like they still needed to sit down and talk.
Instead, Foster waved off the offer to fly home on Beau’s private jet with the family.
Since Foster wasn’t ready to have a sit-down and talk with his brothers about his moving, he simply told him he wanted to stay a little longer.
Crisp had shot him a knowing smile. Everyone else seemed oblivious.
Or maybe they weren’t. Maybe he would head back to California one day.
Atticus had a business there, a house, and Kirkland.
It was possible Atticus would want to get back to things eventually, or even need to go back for business.
If what Atticus did to run his company from here was any indication, all he did was the occasional meeting with investors.
He could do that online, which was exactly how he had been handling it.
There was only one rat that continually scratched at the back of Foster’s brain.
Atticus had kinks Foster wasn’t fulfilling, and he didn’t know if he could.
He hated the idea of hurting Atticus. Atticus hadn’t complained or even hinted that he needed more.
The worry was totally his, but he didn’t think his concerns were unwarranted. That was why he turned to Zeus.
Foster sat on the bed and watched Zeus pack. Zeus was his brother-in-law, but even before then, Foster had spent countless nights at Zeus’ club. They were close, but this was still an embarrassing topic.
“I guess there’s a lot of people missing their favorite dom at Affinity.”
Zeus chuckled; even that was as sexy as the man. Foster had never felt any way beyond friendship with Zeus, but he wasn’t blind. He was a god among men. “It’ll likely be a busy few weeks when we get back. How much longer are you staying?”
Foster hadn’t expected the question. It was his fault for opening the conversation. “I guess as long as Atticus wants to stay.”
Zeus didn’t look his way. He stayed focused on his task. “You two seem to have grown close.”
There it was. The perfect opening. Foster wouldn’t get a better chance. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with the guy.”
That had Zeus meeting his stare. “Part of me wants to say that’s wonderful news. Another part of me wants to tell you to run.”
Foster laughed at Zeus’ reaction. “Yeah. After getting my neck chopped and nose broken, I should’ve steered clear.
Unfortunately, I love that he keeps me on my toes.
I’m fucked up like that.” His smile slipped away.
“Except, I know he went to Affinity for a reason. I’m seriously worried I’m failing him in that department. ”
Zeus’ eyebrows rose. “Have you talked to him about it?”
“No.”
Zeus shook his head. “Well, there you go. If you want to be with him, an open line of communication is a must. It’s Atticus.
When have you ever seen him spare anyone’s feelings?
He is a medically diagnosed narcissist. If he wanted you to tie him up and beat him, he would tell you to get to work and please him. ”
Foster laughed. “That’s true.”
Zeus’ brow furrowed as if a thought hit.
“Then again, Atticus is completely aware he’s a narcissist. It’s something he hates about himself and actively works to fix every day.
It’s possible he hasn’t said anything because that’d be a me, me, me conversation.
I still think you should talk to him, though. Nothing will get resolved otherwise.”
Foster nodded along even as he died a little inside.
Zeus was right. Atticus worked hard to be better.
He had lost too many people due to his bullshit.
Atticus fully recognized he was the problem.
Foster was so fucking proud of him for that.
There was no shame in the med and therapy game.
Foster’s phone buzzed, pulling Foster from his thoughts. He checked the device.
Atticus: Did I lose you? I’ve looked in all the obvious places.
Foster: I’m hanging out with Zeus while Tracker works to shore up some security issues before they leave. Meet me in our bedroom?
Atticus: Already there.
Foster: On my way.
With his final message sent, Foster stood. “It looks like Atticus just got back.” He stuffed his phone into his back pocket. “Be careful going home.”
Zeus hugged him. “Be careful staying behind.”
They both laughed as he pulled away. With a final nod, Foster headed for the bedroom he shared with Atticus.
As Foster stepped through the door, his gaze shot straight to the balcony.
Enjoying the peace of outdoors had become their daily thing.
Their usual spot was empty. The door closed, and Atticus molded against his back.
Foster’s eyes fell shut. His entire being focused on the man holding him.
Yeah, his whole heart was in this thing.
Atticus kissed his neck. He popped the button on Foster’s jeans. “You’re wearing way too many clothes.”
A smile snapped to Foster’s lips. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not wearing any?”
A sexy chuckle vibrated against his skin as he kissed Foster’s neck again. “There’s nothing stopping you from finding out.”
Foster turned. Sure enough, not a stitch.
His dick hardened. Damn, everything about Atticus was sexy.
People saw the wealthy businessman who looked cold and unfeeling when focused on anything.
Foster got the privilege of seeing the body Atticus worked hard to keep, and when he turned animated, he was flawless.
“Gorgeous.”
Atticus smiled. Just sexy. “I know you are.”
Foster shook his head. He grabbed Atticus’ ass and hauled him fully against him so Atticus could feel his erection. “See what just the sight of you does to me.”
“I know. That’s what I’m banking on.” He unzipped Foster’s jeans while holding Foster’s gaze. “If you could see the way you look at me, you’d hate yourself.”
“Why?”
“You look obsessed.”
Foster had thrown pride out the window when he stalked Atticus.
“I am.” He didn’t give Atticus time to say anything to ruin the moment.
Foster tossed Atticus over his shoulder.
While Atticus had the perfect body and scary fighting skills, Foster had size on his side.
He had always been wide-shouldered and thick. Atticus was very portable to him.
Without thinking, Foster slapped Atticus’ bare ass before tossing him on the bed. The sound Atticus made had his earlier fears racing to the surface. Then he saw Atticus’ expression and all the clouds parted. He wasn’t scared of this.
Foster stripped while staring down at Atticus and letting his hunger grow. “We’re about to play a game.”
Atticus lifted one eyebrow, but he didn’t argue.
Once nude, Foster crawled onto the bed. With his back against the headboard, Foster patted his lap. “Right here. Facedown.”
Heat flared in Atticus’ eyes, and he obeyed without argument. The more turned on Atticus looked, the more aroused Foster became.
Foster dragged his short fingernails down Atticus’ back. A trail of goosebumps followed in their wake. He slapped Atticus’ ass again before soothing his hand over the abused ass cheek in apology. The low moans escaping Atticus had Foster all in.
He spit down Atticus’ crack and used the moisture to finger Atticus the way Foster knew he liked it. “You’re not allowed to come.”
Atticus whimpered.
Foster didn’t let up. “We have some things to discuss. Tell me about your mom.”
Atticus turned his head and shot Foster an annoyed look. “Now? You want to discuss my mom right now?”
Foster immediately stopped trying to please Atticus. “If you don’t want to, okay, we won’t.”
Atticus growled. The frustration vibrating from him was thick. “She died when I was twelve.”
Foster returned to tormenting Atticus. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I was too.”
Well, now Foster felt like shit for starting this. “Maybe I should try a different game.”
Atticus moved to his knees and shifted positions, stopping Foster from toying with him.
He straddled Foster’s lap and flattened his palms against Foster’s chest, as if stopping him from getting away.
“What’s this all about? You’re not acting like yourself.
Not that I’m complaining about you trying something new.
I just prefer for you to tell me if you’re bored. ”
The statement hit its mark. He hated Atticus thought that was what this was about.
Foster rushed to shut down that bullshit.
“No. I’m pretty sure you’re incapable of boring me.
It’s more that I’m scared of you losing interest. I’m fully aware I’m not fulfilling any of your kinks.
Plus, I just want to know everything about you.
This was my badly executed plan to fix that. ”