“I can honestly tell you, Trey, I had the best of both worlds, and I was fuckin’ blessed to have them both, even for a short time.” Gage’s voice lowered, but there was more conviction in it when he said, “If I had a chance to do it all again, the only thing I’d do differently is I would’ve done it sooner. I’d give anything to have had more time with her. So if there’s a chance for you to find that with Magnus and Ava … goddamn, man, what the fuck are you sittin’ here with me for?”
***
“I’m gonna take a bath,” Ava announced, drawing Magnus’s attention away from the television. “If you don’t mind, that is.”
“Why would I mind?”
“Because I’m gonna use your bathtub.”
Her smile was devilish, and Magnus couldn’t help but smile back. “What’s mine is yours, little one.”
She leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Exactly.”
Magnus had to practically sit on his hands to keep from reaching for her. He wanted to. God knows he wanted to, but after what went down with Trey earlier, he was trying to take things slow. Until he knew where he stood with Trey, he wasn’t sure which direction they were headed. It shouldn’t matter because he should be focused on Ava, but Trey had thrown him for a loop. And now Magnus was battling the guilt over what he’d wanted all this time.
When Ava disappeared down the hall, Magnus glanced at his phone. He considered texting Trey or, better yet, calling him so he could hear his voice. He wanted to make sure he was all right. Trey had left so quickly that Magnus wasn’t sure what his state of mind was.
He resisted the urge, settling back on the couch when he heard the water rushing through the pipes in the wall. His bathroom shared a wall with the living room, so it was hell watching television while Ava filled the tub. Until she’d come here, he hadn’t even noticed because he’d never been in both rooms at the same time. Not to mention, he’d never taken a bath. He’d had the tub installed because the contractor had told him it was better for resale value. Since Magnus wasn’t sure he wanted to stay in this house for a lifetime, he’d given him the go-ahead.
When his phone chimed a short time later, he glanced at the screen to see a notification that someone had come onto the property. Gia was on overnight at the camp, and the daytime help had gone home after all the daycare pups had been picked up by their owners. He wasn’t expecting company, but that didn’t mean anything. People were constantly dropping by, most of them seeking information about the camp.
Getting to his feet, he headed to the back door so he could see if someone was coming to the office. It could be Gia’s husband was bringing her dinner. Randy was known to do that from time to time. So Magnus opened the door and leaned against the jamb, waiting for headlights to appear beside the house. A minute later, Trey’s truck pulled up near the back deck of the house, and Magnus stepped outside to greet him.
Magnus couldn’t ignore the thrill that raced through his bloodstream or the nerves that rioted in his stomach. This was certainly unexpected, but he wasn’t sure this was a positive thing. You never knew with Trey.
He walked over to the railing and leaned on his hands, waiting for Trey to get out. When he did, Magnus inhaled deeply. He looked good. More specifically, he looked calm. He was still wearing the same T-shirt and jeans he’d had on earlier, work boots on his feet. His long hair was down around his face, and he brushed it back by dragging his hand through it as he approached.
“Hey.”
Magnus stood tall. “Hey back. What’s up?”
Trey didn’t answer as he came up the steps. He still didn’t answer as he walked right up to Magnus, gripped his head firmly, and pressed his mouth to his.
Sometimes this man did things that surprised him. This was certainly one of those times. Trey wasn’t known for being gentle. Not when it came to their intimate interactions. So this was a new one, but Magnus damn sure wasn’t complaining.
“Where’s Ava?” Trey asked when he pulled back.
“Takin’ a bath.”
Lines formed at the corners of Trey’s eyes when he smiled. “Have you showered yet?”
Magnus frowned, not sure what prompted that question. “No. Why?”
“Neither have I.”
Magnus didn’t have time to say a word because Trey took his hand and led him into the house. He barely managed to lock the back door before being tugged down the hallway and into Magnus’s bedroom.
The water had been turned off, but Magnus could hear a gentle splash every now and then as Ava shifted around.
He considered announcing their presence, but then Trey was kissing him again, harder this time, exerting his dominance as he held Magnus’s head firmly between both hands. Magnus knew his lips were going to be bruised, but he didn’t give a shit. He’d sported plenty of bruises since he met Trey, and he didn’t regret a single one of them. He welcomed the way Trey bit his lower lip, then licked away the sting, and the way he licked into his mouth so deep their teeth bumped. He’d never met a man who could kiss like Trey. So sure of himself and always focused in the moment.
“Take off your clothes,” Trey breathed against his mouth, his words so softly spoken Magnus barely heard them.
His eyes bounced over Trey’s face. Magnus had never said no to this man, nor had he ever wanted to, but he was hesitant this time.
Then Trey leaned in and pressed his lips to Magnus’s ear. “It’s not over. And I’m not gonna run.”
When he pulled back, Magnus met his gaze again. He had no idea what Trey’s intentions were, but he didn’t care. That was more than he’d ever gotten from Trey before, so he didn’t ask. Doing anything with Trey while naked was sure to be a good time.
