Just as Reid was about to give up and turn over, Nikolai spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
Reid’s breath caught in his chest. “Sorry for what?”
“For not being there when you needed me. I wasn’t there to rescue you or protect you from Mikhail and that piece of shit he sold you to. I failed you.” Niko’s eyes lowered as guilt appeared to wash over him.
Reid raised his hand and gently caressed the side of Niko’s face. “Hey. Buddy. There was nothing you could have done. Mikhail was a smart man. He waited until you weren’t around, then fed you a lie that anybody would have believed.”
Slowly, Niko slid his arm up over Reid’s shoulder and gently caressed his skin.
“But, still. We were supposed to protect each other. And I wasn’t there when you needed me the most.”
“You were there for me so many times when we were younger. You kept me from falling over the edge and turning back to a life of drugs and risky behavior. Plus, you’re here now. Protecting me against Lucas and all the monsters of this enchanted forest.”
Niko smiled at Reid. He leaned up on one arm and caressed Reid’s cheek. “I fucking love you, man.”
Reid smiled back. “I love you too.”
Eyes still locked on Reid’s, Niko leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against his.
Reid’s breath caught in his chest. His heart was pounding, and his mind was exploding a thousand times.
Niko’s lips were soft and gentle, and carried with them all the history of their lives together.
Slowly, Niko’s lips parted as they sought out and devoured Reid’s waiting mouth.
Holy. Shit.
Reid melted into Nikolai’s kiss as the man breathed new life into his lungs.
This wasn’t just a “friendship” kiss; this was something much deeper, much more significant.
Reid could feel his body begin to tremble. He was in deep trouble. He was madly in love with Niko, and if he didn’t feel the same, Reid’s heart was going to be smashed into about a million pieces.
“Come here,” Nikolai whispered, lifting his sleeping bag and waiting for Reid to slip inside.
Reid’s lips pulled back as his gut did a million somersaults before slipping into his best friend’s sleeping bag.
Letting out a satisfied purr, Niko maneuvered his body until he was lying on top of Reid.
God, what was happening?Reid thought to himself, secretly loving every minute of it.
Hands resting on Niko’s broad shoulders, Reid watched as the hungry Russian slid out of his underwear, then reached down and pulled Reid’s off as well.
“There. That’s much better.” Nikolai moaned, lowering his body so that his hard cock was pressed up against Reid’s.
Fuck, the man was stunning.
There was something real and vulnerable about the way Nikolai was staring down at him. It was as if he were looking at Reid for the very first time.
If there were ever a moment that he felt his most vulnerable around Nikolai, it was this one. This right here.
“I don’t want you to leave,” Nikolai began.
Reid’s lips parted as if he was about to ask for further clarification—but none was needed.
“I want you to stay here, with me, forever,” Niko whispered, licking the palm of his hand before sliding it under the cover and grabbing both of their cocks together. “We belong together. You and I.” Niko slicked up their cocks before returning his hand to the side of Reid’s body. “Say you’ll be mine.” Nikolai slowlystarted to rub his cock against Reid’s painfully hard length. “Say that you want me.” Niko’s body began to move a bit faster. “Tell me I’m yours.”
