Remi’s hands rub my back lightly, but drop after a few moments. I pull out of him and roll to the side, dragging him close to me. He stiffens, a soft gasp leaving his throat.
I kiss his forehead, then pull him back slightly. “What is it, Hummingbird?”
Remi shakes his head. “Nothing. I just… usually…”
“Tell me,” I press, pushing his sweaty hair from his forehead and kissing him there. “You just came your brains out and you’re stiff as a board.”
“Trevor…” I growl at the sound of that son of a bitch’s name, and Remi gives me a small smile. “He would get out of bed as soon as we were done. I understand if you don’t want to stay.”
“Look at me, Hummingbird.” He does, those beautiful brown eyes boring into me. “I like holding you. I like how you feel with your arms around me. I like feeling your body against mine.” I kiss his nose. “You’re warm. You promised to keep me warm, remember?”
A shaky smile on his lips, he nods. “Yes, I remember. I just…” He blows out a soft breath, like he’s trying to get rid of the thoughts with it. “Thank you.”
I pull the blanket over us, the cold seeping in now that I’m not giving Remi a workout.
His soft fingers trace delicate patterns across my chest as I breathe him in. “Streeter?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I… can I ask you a personal question? Is that okay?”
I chuckle and tilt his chin up so he can meet my eyes. “Ask me whatever you want, Remi. Don’t ever be afraid of what I’ll say or if I’ll be upset.”
“You killed people,” he blurts out.
My lips tilt in a grin. “Yeah, I was there.”
He huffs a laugh with a roll of his eyes. “How did you… start?”
“When did I catch my first body?” I ask. He dips his chin jerkily. “I was eighteen. Some asshole tried to give me shit after they saw me kiss a man outside a queer club. He picked up a bottle to hit me with, but I broke it over his head then buried it in his throat.”
Remi gasps. “That sounds awful.”
“For him,” I quip.
“No, for you.” I look down at him with a curious expression. “He tried to hurt you because ofthat? What if he’d actually managed? It’s bullshit. I’m glad you… I mean…” He frowns before finally finishing. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I grin down at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you like the idea of me killing.”
He shrugs. “Sometimes people… sometimes people deserve it.” Remi shivers and it has nothing to do with the cold. His eyes take on that listless quality as they drift over to the door, as if he can see through it. “They were… going to rape me, Streeter.”
Even though I already knew that, hearing it come from his innocent lips makes me fucking feral. If I could, I’d kill those assholes all over again. What type of man would want to take someone against their will? I like my partner to be hot and writhing in pleasure under me. Consent is hot as fuck.
That asshole Trevor almost broke this precious boy for no other reason than he could. Hell, he’s already done a number on him, making him reluctant to moan, to show his pleasure. And not even caring for him after sex.
Remi is a fucking angel—I can see that—and I just met him a day ago. For someone he was with for years to not see that pisses me off all over again.
“Ouch,” Remi mutters, squirming under my touch. It’s only then I realize I’m holding him tight, as if Trevor will come back from hell to take him from me.
I loosen my arms and kiss his forehead. “Sorry. Got cold.”
He nestles closer to me, planting a gentle kiss to my throat. “What about now?”
Sighing, I say, “Better now. Tell me how you feel.”
“After what you just did to me?” He chuckles briefly. “Fucking phenomenal. I can’t wait to do it again.”
“Soon, I promise. But you need sleep.”
