That was when he realized they weren’t alone. Several other people were also online. That had to be better, he supposed. Witnesses. It was good to have witnesses. Sometimes, denial was sitting between your best friend’s legs while you played a video game online with friends.
He waved half-heartedly into the camera, taking in his friends in turn. Arsen was there with Ever, who sat between his boyfriend’s legs, half hidden in his hoodie, rainbow cat ears in place as he bobbed his head to some tune only he could hear. Nico tried to ignore the implication of how their bodies mirrored the happy couple’s. This was hardly the first time he and Mal had sat that way. It wasn’t even the first time that week.
Somehow, that only made it worse.
Lake was also on screen, typing out a message on his phone, ignoring his camera. Cree was in his small apartment, sweeping his long, straight hair into a bun on the top of his head.
Silas appeared to be looking at his monitor, but Nico knew he was actually watching the mirror just behind it, hoping to catch a glimpse of his crush as he walked by his door at the same time every single day.
Last was Seven, who looked like he’d just had his ass handed to him with his tie askew and his shirt untucked. His internship at that fancy law firm wasn’t going quite as he’d hoped.
“Aren’t you gonna play?” Nico thought to ask Mal, suddenly suspicious.
Mal sat forward just enough to put his pretty lips dangerously close to Nico’s ear. “Nah, I already ran two missions. I’ll just watch.” Had Nico been in the shower that long? Mal suddenly nuzzled his nose against the delicate skin just behind Nico’s ear, hands tightening around his waist briefly. “You smell really fucking good. Like I could eat you up.”
Why did he have to say it like that, all low and seductive? It slid along Nico’s nerves like silk, making him want to lean into it. Had he always sounded like that? Was it a byproduct of whatever personality Mal had slipped on that morning? Maybe Nico was just sensory seeking. Mal had always been his favorite dopamine hit.
“Oh, right,” Nico said, his whole body rigid. “Thanks.”
Mal chuckled softly, his voice taunting. “They can see us, you know. If you don’t relax, they’re going to ask questions.”
Mal was such an asshole. Why was he purring in Nico’s ear like that? Why could he feel just how snug Mal’s crotch was against his ass? Why did Mal smell so good? Why was his skin so warm? Why did Nico just want to drag him into the bedroom and let him do unspeakable things to him?
He’d never been so hyper-aware of another human being in his life. He felt every expansion and contraction of Mal’s chest, the way his thighs flexed when he shifted, his breath on Nico’s neck, his fingertips dancing along the thin sliver of skin between his hem and his waistband.
Mal wasn’t playing fair.
But Nico had bigger problems to worry about, like not popping a boner on camera. The camera wouldn’t notice. But Mal would. And he’d take full advantage of Nico’s vulnerabilities. Because Nico’s sweet, gentle, tragically crazy bunny was actually an evil incubus in a rabbit suit.
Mal giggled like he could read his thoughts, snapping Nico back to reality. He quickly started the game. “Who’s leading?”
“Anyone but Lake,” Arsen said, grinning into the camera like he was excited to watch the fit Lake was about to throw.
“Hey,” Lake cried indignantly.
The Russian mechanic’s hair was a much more vibrant blue than it was the last time he saw him. Shiloh must have gotten a hold of him.
Arsen rolled his eyes, his accent heavy as he said, “I am sorry but I’ve been yelled at by angry customers all day. I will not be chastised by an angry druid every time I get creative with my game play.”
“You threw a water balloon at an orc,” Lake snapped.
“It was a holy water balloon. And it worked,” Arsen reminded Lake smugly. “What is the point of having expansion packs if we don’t use them?”
“Whatever. You people have no appreciation for my military strategizing,” Lake whined.
“I’ll lead,” Cree said, his voice as tranquil and calm as always.
“Excellent. Our games are always so peaceful when you lead,” Seven said, but only so he could watch Lake’s pout intensify.
“Let’s just play,” Silas said. “I have to orient a new tenant in an hour.”
They were five minutes into the game when it started—Mal’s hands on Nico’s thighs, fingers teasing just under the hem of his shorts. It wasn’t anything obvious, just his thumbs ghosting back and forth across the skin there. Nico could see his own cheeks glow scarlet in the camera. He could also see Mal’s innocent expression as he appeared to watch the game play out.
“So, are you gonna tell us about last night?” Seven asked.
“What?” he squeaked, his heart rate accelerating dangerously.
“Last night?” Seven said again. “Are you just going to keep the gory details to yourself?”
