Bang (Hard Hit Book 13) Read online

  The Sahara desert wasn’t as dry as Marshall’s mouth.

  Thankfully, Trent was full of words today. “He really is the most talented person I know,” Trent said, sounding proud. “You should see his ground floor. The walls are lined with trophies. If Marshall touches a ball of any kind, he masters it.”

  Maksim’s mouth lifted in one corner. “Is that so? Now that’s something I’d dearly love to see.”

  “If you want to swing by when you leave here, I’ve got time.” Marshall heard the offer as if it came from someone else. In fact, it took him a second to realize he’d definitely invited Maksim to come home with him.

  “I’m headed out now. I just stopped by to say hi before I left.”

  Marshall couldn’t let him get away. “I’m done too if you’d like to follow me out.”

  God bless Trent for not telling on him again. He was nowhere near finished with his usual workout routine. He’d let Maksim get away once. Marshall wasn’t sure he could do it twice and still look at himself in the mirror.

  “Sounds good.”

  At Maksim’s agreement, Marshall came to his feet. Trent slapped him across the back again and winked before walking away. He focused on Maksim. “Would you like me to drive? Or would you rather follow me?”

  Maksim motioned toward the door. “I’ll follow you. That way I’ll be free to leave in time for my afternoon appointments. Plus, I like bringing up the rear.”

  Marshall got the feeling there was a warning in there somewhere. He chose not to think about it too much. Even throughout his drive home, Marshall kept his mind blank. Thinking too much always got him in trouble. This one time, he’d let whatever happened happen. He was damn lucky Maksim bothered speaking to him again after the last time. This time, he’d do his best not to fuck things up.

  “I’m impressed.” Maksim was blown away by more than just Marshall’s trophies. His house was amazing for someone so young. The place didn’t really have a basement, but it felt like it to Maksim, since they’d entered on the second floor. Everything was immaculate and polished. There was dark wood and some rooms smelled like leather. Maksim hoped, one day, Marshall would give him a grand tour of the three-story brick home. Well, another tour. One he would see. This time, he hadn’t noticed anything other than the man leading him, because… damn. Marshall was beautiful. After their last meeting, Maksim never intended to approach Marshall again. Then, he’d been finishing up his final sets at the gym, and he’d felt the man’s stare. When he’d turned his head, Maksim had lost his breath. Green eyes had been locked on him like a laser. With that one glance, Maksim had known Marshall would be the most amazing fuck. Attentiveness was highly underrated. Maksim had slept with enough men, so he knew exactly what made for the perfect experience.

  Marshall effortlessly twirled a football on the tips of his fingers. “Don’t be. Winning comes easy to me.”

  “I should think a lot of things come easy to you.” Maksim couldn’t help dragging his gaze down Marshall’s body as he made the claim.

  Without warning, Marshall tossed the ball his way. “Not everything.”

  Maksim easily caught it and threw it back. “Give me an example.”

  Marshall smirked but didn’t bite. The playful glint in his eyes got the best of Maksim. Men liked to toy with him, but not the way Marshall did. This man was more like a giant child. He made Maksim want to be the same. When the ball came flying his way once more, Maksim snatched it from the air and hit the floor, as if taken down by the power of Marshall’s arm. Marshall’s laughter made the ridiculous move worthwhile.

  Maksim felt lighter than he had in years, with no explanation other than being in Marshall’s company. Marshall was easily a good ten years younger than Maksim, but the man’s childlike nature was like a beacon, drawing Maksim in. A smile that felt out of control, even to him, stretched his lips. He turned his head and caught Marshall’s eye. As he looked on, Marshall sprang, flipping onto his palms and walking across the room on his hands. Maksim wondered if Marshall ever acted his age. He hoped the man never grew up. While flat on his back in the middle of Marshall’s playroom, Maksim watched as Marshall crossed the room on his hands, heading his way. A laugh escaped him when Marshall managed keep his weight balanced on his palms until he straddled Maksim’s body. He slowly dropped to his knees, making sure he didn’t harm Maksim. The man kept his weight balanced on his knees, sparing Maksim his bulk. The huge grin stretching Marshall’s lips had Maksim wanting to kiss him just to taste the man’s happiness.

  “Are you always the jokester?”

  Marshall shrugged. His bright smile never wavered. He was like a sexy man child. In fact, Maksim decided that would be his name from now on.

  Maksim massaged Marshall’s thighs. “Don’t ever change, man child.”

  Marshall smoothed his hands down Maksim’s arms before encircling his wrists and drawing his arms above his head. Marshall’s dark expression had Maksim’s mouth watering. He pinned Maksim to the floor by holding his arms down. When he leaned in, with their mouths inches apart, Maksim fought the urge to lift his head and capture Marshall’s lips. Marshall had gone from playful and flirtatious to downright hot in an instant.

  “Careful,” Maksim whispered. “You’re dangerously close to giving me the wrong impression again.”

  Marshall shifted, easily holding Maksim’s wrists above his head with one huge hand. With his free hand, Marshall cupped Maksim’s jaw and pressed his thumb to Maksim’s lips, as if it was his lips instead. He nuzzled Maksim’s neck. Maksim’s dick strained to reach Marshall. Lust tightened his throat. He couldn’t recall ever meeting anyone he wanted as badly. “You can’t draw an impression if you don’t think. Don’t think,” Marshall warned. The pressure against Maksim’s lips increased as Marshall shifted positions, settling between Maksim’s thighs. Marshall was hard for him—all previous impressions confirmed. Their erections bumped. Their thin workout shorts were no protection. They may as well have been nude. Maksim swallowed back a gasp, worried he’d spook Marshall if he made a sound. Marshall’s lips brushed the shell of Maksim’s ear. “We’re just playing around. Two guys, tossing the ball.” A ragged breath escaped Marshall. His hips rolled. The delicious friction against Maksim’s erection had him leaking in his shorts. “Hanging out.” Each word Marshall spoke came out harsher than the last. His hips rolled, making Maksim insane. He needed more, but he knew this would be the most he’d get. This was more than he’d dreamed Marshall would do.

  Maksim’s lips parted. Without thought, he touched the tip of his tongue to Marshall’s thumb. To his surprise, Marshall didn’t back down. He let Maksim lick him as he rocked against Maksim. With his mouth pressed to Maksim’s throat, Maksim could feel Marshall sucking air while he fucked Maksim in his clothes. With his arms pinned, Maksim couldn’t stroke Marshall, or himself. The pressure of Marshall’s hips wasn’t enough. Maksim had gone way past the point of caring if he came in his shorts and had to drive back to his hotel with a huge wet spot. In truth, Marshall wasn’t touching him hardly at all. He didn’t kiss Maksim or stroke him. His erection barely skimmed Maksim’s through his clothes, yet Maksim had never been more aroused in his entire life. This boy drove him crazy with his I-don’t-want-you but I-want-you attitude.

  Maksim’s balls drew up tight. Pressure beat at his crown. His hips lifted, seeking more. Seeking release. A chime rang through the house. Marshall leapt to his feet, looking unfazed. Maksim stared at him from his spot on the floor—dying.

  “Someone’s at the door. I’ll be right back.”

  His words didn’t make sense. Maksim’s body screamed in denial. Marshall walked away. Maksim watched him go in confusion with his dick leaking in his underwear.

  Marshall didn’t come back right away. Maksim’s body cooled. He rolled to his knees, silently cursing the sexy football player for teasing him. More than one set of footsteps stamped down the stairs. Maksim moved to the couch, grabbed the closest throw pillow, and did his best to hide his st
ill half hard cock. Marshall, Michael, and Gavin descended into view.

  A bright smile lit Michael’s face. “Maksim. What an awesome surprise.”

  “Hey, it is the sexy Michael.”

  “Watch it,” Gavin said behind him, sounding like the jealous husband he should.

  Maksim winked, pushing his luck. “Do I lie?”

  The pride in Gavin’s expression had jealousy scratching at Maksim’s skin. “No. You don’t lie.”

  Michael saved Maksim from himself. “Marshall said he had company, but I never expected to see you here. Tell me everything,” Michael demanded in his most scandalous tone.

  Maksim might have laughed if Marshall didn’t look so damn worried that Maksim might actually tell him everything. “I ran into Marshall at the gym. After listening to his friend brag about the huge number of trophies Marshall has, I had to stop by to see them for myself.”

  “Then we tossed the ball around,” Marshall said, but no one seemed to hear him but Maksim.

  Michael and Gavin’s gaze stayed glued on Maksim. Gavin was the one who got the first word in. “Are you thoroughly impressed? Marshall’s collection of trophies is massive. He’s the best at everything he does.”

  Maksim’s gaze slid Marshall’s way. “It was worth the trip.” He switched his attention to Michael before he gave Marshall away by the lust in his tone. “Now, I hate to run when you just got here, but I have a few practice sessions to attend today. I have my eye on some local players. It was nice seeing you both.”

  “You too,” Gavin said.

  “Don’t forget you have my number,” Michael reminded him. “You could let us know when you’re in town sometime. Maybe we could take you to dinner.”

  “Sounds nice,” Maksim said, flashing them both his most congenial smile. He genuinely liked Michael. The man was everything his twin was not—honest, for starters. Still, Maksim’s gaze slid Marshall’s way. Michael didn’t set Maksim’s body on fire the way his twin did.

  Marshall wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Thanks for stopping by. I had fun, showing you around.”

  “Thanks again for the tour,” Maksim said, heading for the stairs.

  Marshall followed on his heels. “I’ll walk you out.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Maksim argued. He didn’t want to give Marshall away if Marshall was determined to lie to everyone, including his brother. “I can find the door.”

  The sexy-sounding chuckle behind him had Maksim’s dick stirring again. He needed to get out of there. “I know you can find the door, but it’s my house and my rules. In my house, I have some manners.”

  Maksim measured every breath as he climbed the stairs. He was hyper aware of how close Marshall was behind him. “Very well.”

  A half second before he reached the door, Marshall overcame him. His body molded against Maksim’s and his lips touched the shell of Maksim’s ear. “Damn, you have a sexy ass. I hate that we were interrupted.”

  Maksim’s throat tightened. He’d never been hit so hard by desire. “Me too,” he managed to squeak out.

  Without warning, Marshall shoved his hand down the front of Maksim’s shorts and stroked his hard cock. With that one move, he had Maksim ready to come in his pants. “Come see me again next time you’re in town.”

  Because he couldn’t make his voice work, Maksim nodded as he clawed for the doorknob. He had to get out of there. The man had company, so they wouldn’t be fucking. Maksim couldn’t see a second into the future past jacking off the moment he got back to the hotel. Jesus, Marshall fucked with his head. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Maksim needed to find him a young, malleable, and hard-bodied athlete—one who’d be very grateful for his assistance in finding a pro contract. Those were always the easiest to please and leave. Maksim had a bad feeling in his gut that Marshall would be neither.

  After closing the door behind Maksim, Marshall pressed his forehead against the cool wood and gave in to the huge smile that had been trying to escape all day. He bit his bottom lip, trying to regain control. His brother was downstairs. Damn. Marshall readjusted his cock and made sure his t-shirt hid any hint of erection from sight before heading for the stairs.

  He made a beeline for Michael and placed a noisy kiss on the man’s cheek. “Twin!”

  Michael swiped at his face. “Clown.” His expression turned devilish. “Maksim Petrov.”

  Marshall shrugged and grabbed the football he’d abandoned earlier. He twirled it on the tips of his fingers—like he always did when he was nervous. “He’s nice.”

  “Marshall and Maksim. That’s so damn cute, I want to engrave some silverware.”

  Without thought, he tossed the ball at Michael’s head. Gavin snatched it from the air before it hit its mark. He tossed it back Marshall’s way. “No hitting Michael because you don’t like what he has to say.”

  Marshall dropped down on the couch. “It’s not like that. Trent says he could be a great connection. You know, in case I lose my spot on the team next season.”

  Michael gasped and hit him in the arm, showing a decided double standard. “You’re using him? Fucker. You’re better than that.”

  Even though it didn’t hurt, Marshall rubbed the spot where Michael hit him for sympathy points. “It’s not like that either.” Marshall shrugged. “He’s fun, and like he said, he just stopped by to check out my collection. I’m sure we’ll never cross paths again.”

  Michael looked away and sniffed. “Sure. Lie to me. What do I know, right? It’s not like I’ve ever seen what two people look like after making out. What else have you been up to?”

  Marshall couldn’t help his smile. His twin knew him too well, but since his brother was amazing, Michael gave him an out. “Same as always. Jet-setting, whoring, and drinking myself into an early grave.” Marshall could tell he’d wheedled his way back into Michael’s good graces by the way the man tried hiding his smile.

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  “But you love me,” Marshall teased.

  “I’m the only one,” Michael grumbled.

  Marshall’s smile fell. “I know.”

  Michael hit him in the arm again. “Stop that. Everyone fucking loves you. It’s sickening.”

  “It’s the whoring,” Marshall said, incapable of being serious for long.

  Michael shook his head as if he didn’t know what to do with Marshall. “I guess I’d better tell you why we stopped by before you give me details I can never unlearn.”

  “You mean that’s not why you stopped by?” Marshall asked, trying to sound innocent. He moved before Michael could hit him again.

  Michael huffed instead and got to the point. “Gavin has to give a speech at a charity event tonight. It’s a black-tie thing and I don’t want to sit there alone while he’s doing his thing.”

  Fuck. Michael was already giving him the puppy dog eyes and Marshall fucking hated black-tie events. “Where and when?” Marshall asked, sounding petulant even to his ears.

  Michael immediately perked up. “The Vandelier Center at eight.”

  “You owe me in a big way,” Marshall said, because it was easier than admitting there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Michael.

  Michael’s mouth twisted in an obvious attempt not to smile. “I love you, big brother.”

  Damn, the ultimate blow. Michael only gave Marshall that two-minute age difference when he felt sentimental.

  “You’ve already gotten your way.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true,” Michael said, sounding sad. “Maybe later, you’ll tell me about Maksim.”

  Marshall shifted to his feet. “Okay, that’s enough of that. I have to get a tux and you need to get out,” he said, attacking before Michael could get away. He tossed his brother over his shoulder and headed for the stairs.

  Michael’s laughter let him know he wasn’t pissed about the manhandling. “You can’t toss me around like this. We’re grown.” He tried pushing at Marshall’s back to get away, without luck. “And my husband
is here.”

  “Your husband is ready to leave so he can have you alone,” Gavin said behind them, his voice heavy with laughter.

  Michael went limp, purposely making it harder to carry him. “No one is ever on my side.”

  Marshall dropped Michael on his feet at the top of the stairs. “Drama queen. Go home so I can get ready to entertain you later.”

  Michael winked, letting him know he wasn’t as upset as he pretended. “Thanks, twin. You’re the best.”

  “I know,” Marshall said, one-arm hugging Gavin before shoving them both toward the door. “See ya.”

  He didn’t stop pushing until his back was leaned against the closed front door. The smile stretching his lips was beyond his control. Marshall told himself it was his brother’s antics making his day, but deep down, Marshall knew the truth. A sexy Russian was to blame.

  Chapter Three

  Maksim had never liked public speaking, especially since his accent was thick and sometimes he didn’t express himself well. His dislike didn’t change the fact that he had more than most and a voice, so he did his part. With notes in hand, Maksim approached the podium while doing his best not to look at anyone in the crowd. Instead, he focused on the white tablecloths draped over hundreds of round tables and the low-lit candles flickering in the centerpieces. That way, it appeared he made eye contact with the crowd while he saw no one.

  “Good evening. On behalf of the Thomas Handler Foundation, I’d like to welcome you to this year’s Play for a Cure.” A polite smattering of applause gave Maksim a chance to gather his thoughts. “As you all know, the Thomas Handler Foundation was founded by the wife of former football star Thomas Handler, after Thomas’ tragic passing five years ago. Marie was rocked by her husband’s unexpected suicide. Each year since, I’ve spoken on Marie’s behalf, because the words are still too painful for her to deliver.” Sympathetic sounds came from every corner of the room.