Page 36 of Compulsion

There was something more here—we weren’t just talking about lovers. There was little enough evidence of Seve’s personal tastes and belongings in this flat, let alone the influences of anyone else. “You don’t let people in.”

“No, I don’t. But I will for you. In fact, I’ll do more than that. I’ll fight for you, Max. I’ll fight to have you for as long as I can.”

His hand slid up under my shirt. I realized how close he’d come to me while we’d been talking. While I’d been listening, fascinated, to his deep, rich voice—talking about himself in a way I’d never heard before.

He nuzzled at my neck and ran a finger of his other hand inside my collar. “I can still see the bruises on you. Does it hurt?” There was a strange tone to his voice.

“I’m fine. They’re healing,” I replied. My throat constricted and I knew he was trying to distract me. The hand under my shirt slipped around my waist, his fingertips rough yet gentle at the same time. He wanted us to fuck again, I knew.

“I meant it, Max. I really don’t care what you did before, what you’ve been. It’s now that matters.”

If only that were true. “I made mistakes. I’m not proud of it.”

“You’re brave to say so.”

“No, I’m not.” I shook my head, dislodging his lips at my ear. “No, Seve. Not… I don’t want to.”

He stilled and pulled his hand away. We both stood there for a moment, the only sounds in the kitchen our breath and the residual bubble of the boiled water in the coffeemaker.

“I’d better go,” I said. “At the risk of being accused of leaving early.” I offered a wry smile to take the sting away from my words, and Seve smiled back. But the pain and confusion in his eyes were unmistakable.

“I will look into it for you, Max,” he said. “I promise you.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“No!” He tensed up, scowling at me, and for a moment I could imagine the fear that black look would instill in a recalcitrant employee. “You must believe me. I will look into my uncle’s dealings, prove to you there is nothing untoward at Compulsion. I may….” He paused and restarted. “I will visit my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“She will know if anything is wrong. She’ll reassure me and therefore you as well. My family would never allow investment in the Medina Group to be shared with my father, who was only in the family by marriage, so the shareholding rests with Mama. She also retains control of the Nuñez business interests.”

“She’s still a Medina,” I said and wished immediately I hadn’t spoken it aloud.

His eyes had darkened. “No more talking,” he said, and I could feel his breath, coarse on my cheek. As he turned away, his hip brushed against mine. His sweats were tented at the groin. But nothing was going to happen between us, I was sure of that. Not yet.

I retrieved my socks, which were scrunched up in two small piles by the front door. My boots were cold and still slightly damp, but I pulled them on regardless. Seve had followed me into the hallway, his arms held out from his sides as if he weren’t quite sure what to do with them. As I straightened up, he nudged against me and slid a hand back around my waist. I didn’t protest; in fact, I instinctively leaned into him. But when he ran his hand around to the front of my jeans and reached for the button, I flinched.

“Max….”

“No,” I said. “No way.” I laughed shakily. “My damn arse is so sore, I’ll be walking into work like John Wayne. I don’t want to have to explain that to my very lusty, very hetero mates, you know?”

It was another of my weak jokes, but Seve took note. That was another surprise. He lifted his hands off me and leaned in for a kiss instead. I wasn’t going to begrudge him that, was I? It was a long, hard kiss, and his tongue delved deeply into my mouth. I could feel both our hearts hammering against my chest. Then he pulled his mouth away, trailing saliva as a thin silver thread between our lips.

“You taste so good, Max. I’m going to shower now. How about joining me?”

My head swam. What a vision that conjured up! I was mad to refuse him, my dick said. Get back to the flat, my head counseled. Either way, I was a mess of thrill and panic. “I… no, Seve. I’m going.”

He nodded and his cheeks looked pinker than before. “Max, you’ll remember what I said, won’t you?”

“Of course I bloody well will.”

“I mean….” He seemed unsure too. “About me and you. I don’t say that sort of thing every day, that… about meeting you. Wanting you.”

“I know,” I replied. “I understand.” And I thought I did.

“Go, then. It’s fine. I’ll see you again soon.”

I paused at the door. I felt I had to say something else, because I wasn’t sure where I’d last left my confused, anguished thoughts. Somewhere inside the crotch of my jeans, and that wasn’t necessarily the right place at the moment. “Seve, I will find out what’s going on.”