The last few nights he had slept with Atlas. He hadn’t meant to and had gone to sleep in his own bed, but he kept having nightmares where men tried to get him. He would run and run, like he had today, and he couldn’t get away. That’s what had scared him so much. It had been like his nightmare had come to life. And like those times, Atlas had been there to save him like today or to make the nightmares stay away. Everywhere he turned, when he needed help, Atlas was there. Maybe that was just the kind of man Atlas was. Bazel was pretty sure of that. But there was something more to it.
He just wished he really understood. “You sure you aren’t mad?” he asked finally.
“Of course not. You should have called, and those men should not have been trying to hurt you.” Atlas’s hands clenched and unclenched as they stood in the yard. “You did nothing to make me mad.”
“But I caused problems,” he said softly, really trying to understand and believe what Atlas had told him. But he had heard those same words that the men today used from the menon the boat who had brought him here. They had all been mean to him and to the women.
“No. They did. You should be able to take a walk without being chased. I’m sorry this happened.” Bazel continued staring at the flowers, wishing they had some of the answers he needed. He grew quiet again because Atlas still seemed mad. He was just happy it wasn’t at him. Still, he didn’t like it when Atlas was upset.
“These flowers are really pretty. I wish they could just make all the bad stuff go away.” He turned and began wandering through the yard because he needed something to do. “I wish the whole world could be like this: pretty, and without weeds. Those men today were weeds. The problem with weeds is they keep coming back.”
“Let’s hope not.” Atlas stood still, and Bazel turned to look at him again. He was so handsome in his uniform, standing tall like the tree in the corner. When Atlas turned, his blue eyes, deep and big, pulled Bazel closer. He really wanted to know what Atlas was thinking and if Atlas’s words meant what he thought. Bazel found himself taking a step closer and then another, the distance between them slipping away until he was right in front of Atlas, so close he could feel the heat washing off him.
“I am not a weed,” Bazel said.
“No. You’d never be someone like that.”
He swallowed. “And I hope I am someone who deserves to be treated like a flower.” Atlas tilted his head slightly. Maybe Bazel’s words were wrong. “You give them sun, water, good food, and they bloom. I want to bloom because then I am pretty and people love me. I be loved.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Bazel’s legs seemed wobbly, but he pressed forward. Maybe he was being stupid, but he had to try. “That maybe I deserve to be….” He ran out of words, and Atlas watched him intently. Heshrugged and sighed before closing the distance between them, then put his arms around Atlas’s neck and kissing him.
Atlas stood still, and Bazel was about to pull away, thinking he had been wrong, when Atlas’s big arms closed around him, pulling him close. The kiss intensified, with Atlas kissing him back, strong and full, making Bazel want more and not knowing how to ask for it. He pulled away after a few seconds, smiling and holding Atlas’s gaze. He wanted to say what he felt, but it was too big and too much for words. Instead, he kissed him again, and this time. Atlas lifted him off his feet. Bazel wrapped his legs around Atlas’s waist to help hold himself up as they kissed hard and long, Atlas’s large, strong hands cupping his butt before pushing him upward, the kisses becoming more demanding.
Bazel thought he was on fire, it was so hot. But he didn’t want it to end. Being held and cared for was the best thing in the world and something he had honestly thought would never happen again. Maybe he was truly worthy of being loved. God, he didn’t know, but Atlas sure seemed as intense as Bazel felt, and that was a good sign.
“Damn, you are so hot,” Atlas whispered.
“You hot too. Make me hot,” Bazel said in return. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he drew himself upward and closer to Atlas, tightening his hold with his legs, wanting more. And he got it as Atlas slowly walked them toward the house.
Evie hurried out of the way and followed them through the house. “You really strong. I like that.”
Atlas growled, kissing him again as he slowly carried Bazel up the stairs. He didn’t pay attention to anything around them other than the way Atlas made him feel. It was like he had come to life somehow, feeling everything all at the same time and yet not knowing what to do about it. It was like he was going to explode with happiness and excitement.
They went into the bedroom, and Atlas swung the door closed before Evie could come inside, leaving the two of them alone. Everything was quiet except for Atlas’s breathing and Bazel’s heart pounding in his ears, and he hoped this feeling never stopped.
“Are you sure about this?” Atlas asked. “You know you don’t need to do this just because you’re staying here.”
“Is that why you do it?” Bazel asked. “Do you not like me… that way?” This was so confusing, and maybe he had been wrong again.
“Oh, I like you that way… a lot. I just want to make sure that you like me that way… too.”
Bazel groaned. “Why can people not say what they mean? I like you and I want you to like me. You strong and nice and you watch me all the time. Am I bad to want this? Are we bad?”
“No, you’re not bad and neither am I. This is good, and we have nothing to be ashamed of. I just have to know that you don’t feel some sense of obligation. Like you are doing this because I let you live here.”
“Of course I do this because I live here,” Bazel said. “Otherwise I never meet you.” He rolled his eyes. “But this not payment. I not that kind of boy.” He grinned.
“Where did you learn that?”
“Television. People are weird there.” He tugged Atlas down into a kiss. “I watch sexy show, and they say that you can tell from a kiss. So do I kiss good?”
Atlas growled. “You kiss really good, and I have to check what channels I’m getting. Well… then again, maybe not.”
Bazel giggled softly as he understood Atlas’s humor. “You funny.”
“I really try.” He tugged at the base of Bazel’s shirt, then pulled it over his head. The cool air raced over his skin, and he sighed for a second at the relief from the heat between them,but then Atlas licked the base of his neck and all the coolness disappeared. He was hot again, and his hips thrust upward like they had a mind of their own. He whimpered as Atlas’s hands slid over him.
