“Yes, I am.”
“Excellent.” Pausing to possessively wrap his arm around my waist, Bram sends everyone a quick salute. “Then goodnight, y’all. I’m taking Nacho home now.”
Jeers and whistles spin up, and I laugh, pulling him in for a kiss. Grabbing my hand, he marches me out of the house with a proud smile.
24
BRAM
Despite our dramatic exit, Nacho and I approach the truck quietly. We get in, and I turn on the engine, then reach over to turn off the music, driving in silence to the tiny mobile home park. I have loftier goals in store for him, but I’ve come to appreciate this place that gave him a home and a space to rebuild.
After parking, I quickly make my way around the front end, opening the passenger door for him. He seems surprised by the gesture but goes along with it, grabbing my hand as he exits the truck. Walking up the steps, he opens the door and lets me into his cozy living space. Locking the door behind us, I pull him into a deep, searching kiss.
It’s not as though I’ve done anything to hide my feelings, but the way he returns the kiss, the way his body melts into mine, I know I’m not alone. We part, and I drift my lips across the tip of his nose, then run my cheek against his.
“I love you, Nacho,” I whisper into his ear.
He inhales sharply and l lose myself in the rise and fall of his chest.
Looking up at me with a tear streaking down his cheek, he replies, “I love you too, Bram.”
We fall into the kind of endless kiss that feels like a promise for the future. When we pull apart, it’s only enough to search each other’s eyes for the truths they hold. More tears adorn our faces, which leads to a shared self-conscious chuckling as we wipe each other’s cheeks.
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” I say, my throat contracting around the words. “You are brilliant and brave and earnest. The way you let me see even the softest parts of you…”
My words drift off in wonderment as I touch the painted teardrop on his cheek.
“You risked your entire career for me,” Nacho responds, carefully tracing my lower lip with his thumb. “Even after our time together. I mean, Charlie’s a chill guy, but I doubt you knew he’d bethatchill.”
“As it happens, the fact that I play fast and dirty with some of the rules is a plus in his eyes.”
“Who would’ve guessed that you were the bad boy and I was the one let out for good behavior?”
“You’re gonna use that against me forever, aren’t you?”
“Eh. Just to tease you. You’re exactly the kind of guy Charlie needs.” He pauses, pinching his lower lip with his artful fingers. “Exactly the kind of guy I need too.”
Responding in the only way I can, I undo his work shirt and flip open his belt. Nacho reaches down to untie his boots, pulling them off as I remove his shirt, inhaling deeply at his chest and armpits.
“I love the smell of your sweat,” I say, my voice gravelly with need.
Nacho’s sweat smells vital, somehow, and it makes me think of all the ways he is brave and hardworking and strong.
“That’s nice,” he says, popping his brows, “but we’re not fucking on my expensive sheets like this.”
I respect his love of cleanliness and nice things, but one of these days, I’m going to take him filthy and unprepared, fuck the expensive sheets. Pulling him in for another kiss, I nose his armpit before running my tongue up his sweaty neck.
“It’s a good thing I also like how you smell freshly showered.”
He shoves off the rest of his clothes as I remove mine and follow him to the tiny shower closet. His eyes never leave me, even as he turns on the water. Taking in his perfect body, loving his attention, I stroke my cock. Grinning, he steps into the hallway to plant a kiss on my mouth while knocking away my hand.
Testing the water with one hand, he strokes me with the other, taking me apart in more ways than one. When his wet fingers land on my nipple, delicately teasing and pulling, I declare my love again.
I whimper as he ends the kiss to step into the steaming shower.
“This won’t take long, Dr. Barlowe.”
“Bram,” I say, reaching in to steal his washcloth, anxious to be the one to clean him, serve him. “It’s just Bram tonight.”
