“Don’t,” he said firmly. “He wants you to hit him. Then he can press charges and really make trouble for us.”
He was right, and I knew it. With enormous effort, I released Trevor’s shirt and stepped back, my hands shaking with adrenaline.
“Stay away from us,” I repeated, my voice low and dangerous. “I won’t warn you again.”
Trevor straightened his shirt, his expression contemptuous. “Whatever. You two deserve each other.” He turned and walkedaway, calling over his shoulder, “Hope it’s worth it when everyone finds out.”
I stood there, fists clenched at my sides, watching him go. James’s hand was on my back, steady and grounding.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
“No,” I admitted. “I wanted to punch his fucking teeth out.”
“I know. Thank you fornotdoing that.” He tugged at my arm gently. “Come on, let’s go inside before we attract anymore unwanted attention.”
I followed him into the building, my mind racing. Trevor’s words echoed in my head. Would he make good on his threat? Who would he know that would even care about us?
As we stepped into the elevator, James pushed the button for our floor and then turned to face me. “Kent, look at me.”
I dragged my gaze to his, still buzzing with anger and fear.
“He’s just trying to get under your skin,” James said, his voice calm and certain. “He’s hurt and lashing out. I don’t think he’s actually going to tell anyone.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because who would he even talk to? He doesn’t know any of my friends, my clients, or my family. He’s just a heartbroken ex with nothing better to do but cause trouble.”
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the hallway. James unlocked our door, and we went inside, the familiar space immediately bringing a sense of calm. I felt the tension in my shoulders start to ease as James closed and locked the door behind us.
“I shouldn’t have lost it like that,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I just... when he started talking about you?—”
“You went all protective caveman on him,” James finished, a small smile playing at his lips. “It was kind of hot, actually.”
I stared at him incredulously. “Hot? I nearly punched your ex-boyfriend in broad daylight.”
“Ex-hookup,” he corrected. “And yes, hot. Though I’m glad you didn’t actually hit him.”
I sank down onto the couch, the adrenaline leaving my system and making me feel suddenly exhausted. “What if he does tell someone? What if he finds out who my dad is, or where I work?”
James sat beside me, his thigh pressed against mine. “He won’t. How could he?”
“I meant what I said, you know,” I said quietly, looking down at my hands. “You’re mine, James. I don’t care what anyone thinks about that.”
James reached over and tilted my face toward him. His eyes were soft, full of an emotion that made my chest ache. “I know. And you’re mine too.”
Without warning, he leaned in and kissed me, hard and possessive. I responded immediately, my hand coming up to cup the back of his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, became hungrier, all teeth and tongue and desperate need.
I pushed him back against the couch, my body covering his as we continued to kiss. His hands slid under my shirt, palms hot against my skin, and I groaned into his mouth.
“Fuck me,” he gasped when we broke apart for air. “Now.”
In a flash he was standing, stripping his clothes off in a flash. I barely had time to unbutton my own jeans before he reached down and practically tore them off, my already hard cock springing free. He turned away only for a moment to grab a bottle of lube before he was climbing into my lap, his ass warm and soft against my cock.
“You’re so fucking sexy, James,” I murmured against his throat as I pulled him in, nipping at the sensitive skin there. “Ineedyou.”
James ground his ass against my dick, his hands laced behind my neck. “Then take me.”
I growled like an animal and claimed his mouth again. The encounter with the waiter and then Trevor had awakened something in me, a need to mark James as mine, to erase any doubt about who he belonged with.
