"How do you know? You've never been in a real relationship before. What if I piss you off?"
Nathan half-snorted, half-laughed, then nodded. "I don't doubt that you will."
Bailey slapped his thigh. "I'm serious."
"Bailey, I was raised since birth to be exactly who I am. I make a lot of money doing what I do, and my family has a lot of power. I am ruthless when it comes to handling my business. But I'm not a monster. I'm not that way all of the time. I've told you before, I never got into a relationship with anyone mainly because I never found someone who I thought I could share my life with. The men I've been with satisfied my need—sexually—but that was it. Some I could talk to, but never confide in. Do you understand?"
Bailey nodded. "I get a lot of men who want to confide in me."
"I'm different from them," Nathan snapped because he didn't like being compared to Bailey's 'johns.'
"Calm down, I didn't mean to strike a nerve. But this is what I'm talking about. Are you short-tempered?" Bailey asked as he looked at Nathan intently.
"No. But I am jealous, and it's my first time being jealous of other men. I don't like hearing about the men who come here looking for your attention." He leaned forward, picked up the tumbler containing his whiskey, and took a few swallows, and before he could place it back on the table, Bailey grabbed it and partook. Nathan's eyes followed Bailey's Adam's apple with each swallow. His desire for the man rose along with the interest his cock was showing. He leaned over and licked Bailey's Adam's apple just as he swallowed again, and Bailey moaned.
"I'm not fucking you in this room," Bailey said.
Nathan pulled back and looked at him. "Why not?" Not because he really wanted to—not that he couldn't. Nathan could fuck damn near anywhere if he were horny enough—but he truly wanted to know if his earlier assumption was correct.
"Because this is where I work, and if I decide to date you, I'm never going to fuck you in the same place I've fucked other men. Isn't that what you want too?"
I knew it,Nathan thought. Turns out he was right, but he was extremely horny, almost to the point where he didn't care. He decided to take a few breaths to calm himself. "I can work with that," he said, because the conversation was steering where he wanted it to go for now.
"If I date you, I want you to promise me these three things," Bailey said, holding up three fingers.
Nathan eyed the fingers, then returned his gaze to Bailey's blue eyes. "What are they?"
Bailey placed the now-empty tumbler on the cocktail table and continued. "Never cheat on me is number one."
"Not a problem," Nathan said without hesitation.
"Really?" Bailey asked, because he had concerns. He wasn't used to seeing loyal men. He felt that Zindel got lucky with Vito. In his own experiences, a lot of the men who came to him were cheating on their lovers, and it sickened him, but he had to make a living and pay off the debt.
Nathan nodded. "Being raised the way I was, my mother taught me self-control. And if you're dating me, you're mine. I don't share, and I don't have a wandering eye. If I'm horny, I expect my lover to satisfy me. If you're horny, I will do the same as long as I'm available. Anytime. Anywhere."
Bailey was a bit caught off guard by his response. "Oh... okay. I believe you."
"Good, because I'm never going to lie to you. One of the reasons I want to pursue this relationship is that I believe you're someone I can be myself around. You already know my dark secret, and you are still interested in me. That tells me all I need to know. My brother, Colton, after meeting Zaire, told me that when I found the right one, I'd know. I know it's you, Bailey."
Bailey stared at Nathan for a few seconds, then he took the man's face into his hands and kissed him. Out of all the men who came in and out of his life, proclaiming they wanted him or that they'd take care of him, none of their words ever touched him the way Nathan's had. None of their proclamations sounded honest, and when they left him in Desires, he was happy that he never believed them. After the first year of hearing such pretty declarations of love from men and never seeing them come to fruition, he learned to harden his heart. But Nathan was different for some reason. Bold, passionate, and... honest. He just felt it in his soul that this might be the one. Even with all ofthe things Nathan had going on, would he let that stop him from finding the man of his dreams?
Hell no. Zindel was brave enough to pursue Vito, and he found bliss. Damn it, he was going to do the same. He pulled back and pressed his finger to Nathan's pursed lips. "Number two."
Nathan sighed because that kiss had gotten him riled up again. He could tell that the kiss held the promise of true love, and he wanted to hear the rest of Bailey's conditions—all of them he knew he would accept.
"Go on," he said, settling back.
Bailey exhaled because he'd grown hotter during the kiss. Nathan's lips had been demanding as they claimed him, and if he hadn't pulled back, he might have broken his own rule about fucking where he worked. "Well, you kind of already answered my number two now that I think about it."
"Oh? And what was that?" Nathan asked.
"Always tell me the truth, no matter what it is and even if I don't ask. I say that because I may not know what to ask or when. For instance, say you have an enemy after you. Don't keep that from me. I want to know," Bailey said.
Nathan smiled because he had never been in a situation where he had an enemy after him. He was the threat to his targets, not the other way around, and since he never missed his mark, there wasn't ever anyone left to worry about. Still, he nodded. "I promise." It was an easy promise to make because he wanted the same from Bailey. "Just make sure you keep that promise too."
Bailey nodded. "I will. And third, teach me how to defend myself. If I'm going to be with you, I want to know how to fight," he said. As delicate as Zindel was, he knew that little power bottom knew how to fight and kill if necessary. It was probably one of the reasons why Vito felt comfortable letting his 'Minx' out of his sight. Ze had taught Zindel how to fight and shoot, and Zindel kept a gun on him at all times when he was out.
Nathan nodded. "I will. Is that all?" he asked.
