They fell asleep like they always did, wrapped around each other, Nico’s head tucked beneath Mal’s chin where he belonged.
Mal sucked in heaving breaths, drenched in sweat, clothes clinging uncomfortably as he grabbed his water bottle from the floor. “Good class, guys,” he panted.
The kids waved, their excited chatter echoing in the mirrored space as they filed from the room. He gulped down half his water, then set his bottle on the floor. He switched the playlist from the kid-friendly music blend used for his six to twelve-year-old jazz and lyrical class to the grittier, darker one he used for his advanced hip-hop class.
He contemplated just lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling but knew if he closed his eyes for even a minute he’d be out cold. He couldn’t stop the smile that crept over his face as he thought of the previous night. Nico was finally his. All his. He tried not to conjure up memories of the night before, the way Nico had submitted, his cries and whines, the way he’d cried so prettily, the tight clutch of his body around Mal’s cock as he fucked into him.
“I’m gonna go grab lunch. You want anything?”
Mal’s head snapped up, and he was surprised to see Maggie in the doorway. “I didn’t even know you were here,” he said, still trying to slow his breathing.
“Yeah, came in to do payroll. You were busy. Didn’t want to bother you.”
“Are you going to the bodega down the street?” he asked, perking up.
“Always,” she said. “If I’m gonna get through stupid payroll, I need a steak burrito.”
“Can you grab me some taquitos?” he asked, batting his lashes at the older blonde. “Oh, and a Jarritas hibiscus, please? Nobody else sells them around here.”
He jogged to his bag to grab his wallet, pulling a ten free before stuffing it into her palm as she said, “That stuff cannot be good for you.”
Mal flashed her his toothiest smile. “It’s not for me.”
She arched a brow but didn’t ask. “Be back soon. Don’t let the place burn down or anything.”
“Sounds good,” Mal said, already having dismissed the older woman. She was a nice lady. She treated Mal well. She seemed to feel they had a connection. She always said he reminded her of her son. Mal was happy to allow her to think that. Especially if it meant he got to bring a treat home for Nico. He loved the hibiscus soda but it was impossible to find near their house.
Mal grabbed his phone, unlocking it and thumbing open WhatsApp to see if Nico had messaged him since their earlier conversation where Nico spent fifteen minutes trying to convince Mal that a hot dog was a sandwich. Before he could get to their private chat, a notification popped up.
Felix
They fucked?
Mal snorted at Felix’s blunt question, tapping on the group chat and scrolling up to see what he’d missed.
Levi
I’m so fucking tired today that I’m a danger to myself and others. I’ve never felt this sleep deprived in my life. I dropped a tray with six plates on it. I thought Mama was gonna kill me.
Mal rolled his eyes. His brother-in-law was such a fucking drama queen. He was only bringing it up so that someone would ask why he was so tired so he could tell everyone about Mal and Nico’s night. That was fine with Mal. The sooner they all knew, the better. Nico was off the market.
For good.
Shiloh
I’m never speaking to either of them again. I’m traumatized for life.
Mal fought back a smile. Shiloh had given both of them the silent treatment in the kitchen that morning as they’d all tried to navigate the small space. Nico had tried to apologize, had begged for forgiveness, but when Mal refused to do the same, Shiloh stormed off, leaving Nico to glower at Mal.
Lake
?
Shiloh
My brother and Nico kept us up… All. Night.
Cree
