Brawler Read online

  Remy was blushing. It was hot. The woman got started and Aden tuned everything out. Remy’s confession kept snaking its way into his brain, eating away at him. He’d always known in his heart Remy hadn’t slept with Boston. Like he’d told Gunnar, he didn’t know what Gunnar had walked in on that day, but it wasn’t sexual.

  Aden’s gaze landed on a set of stencils. He tried to think of some reason for their existence and came up empty. There was a snowflake, cloud, and sun—like something a child would use for coloring. Aden couldn’t tear his gaze away. A smile touched his lips as he realized why.

  “Are you covered in chalk?”

  Remy’s eyes skirted away. Guilt etched his features—like a kid who’d gotten caught eating candy before dinner. “Possibly.”

  A snort escaped Aden. “Ain’t no possibly about it. The tip of your nose is blue.”

  Remy swiped at his nose, making it worse. He glanced down at his hands. Aden dropped his gaze as well. Remy’s hands were covered in a rainbow of colors.

  “You may as well spill.”

  Remy shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking uncomfortable. “Well, you remember how you said you wanted to paint the bedroom?”

  A bad feeling rose in Aden’s gut. “Aye.”

  “You may want to do it sooner rather than later.”

  Aden’s gaze shot to the closed bedroom door. He stepped around Remy. His long stride ate up the floor. He expected anything. He was still unprepared for the inside of his room. Every inch of bare wall was covered in chalk drawings—like a kid on crack had been set loose in his bedroom with sidewalk chalk. Giant hearts and rainbows assailed his senses, as well as a bright yellow sun drawn in one of the upper corners. It was like the inside of Remy’s unicorn mind had exploded on his bedroom walls. Flipping his eyes to the ceiling, Aden tried to decide how to react. Huge bubbly letters on the ceiling caught Aden’s attention.

  “Happy birthday, Aden. I love you.”

  Aden blinked at the message. Neither of them had said the words, but Aden definitely felt them. The backs of his eyes burned and his throat swelled.

  “Now I don’t want to paint in here. It’s gorgeous.”

  Aden motioned toward the stencils. “What are these for?”

  The saleswoman flashed Aden a wicked grin. “Great call. Which one do you like?”

  “The sun,” Aden answered without hesitation. “Remy brightens everyone’s day—like the sun.”

  “Awww. That’s sweet,” the woman cooed as she held the stencil to the apple of Remy’s cheek. “See, you use a little pearl coloring,” she said, tracing the tiny sun on Remy’s face. “And it’s pretty much invisible until the light hits it.” She tilted Remy’s chin until light hit the mark at just the right angle, making the sun sparkle. It was perfect.

  “You’re about to get a huge tip. Just so you know,” Aden said, letting the woman know how much he liked her work.

  “It’s been fun,” she said, sounding unconcerned.

  “So you’re finished, then?”

  She nodded. “Remy doesn’t need much, since he’s a natural beauty.”

  Aden winked. “He doesn’t need anything at all, but pretty things make him smile, and that makes me happy.”

  “You’re doing a lot of talking about me like I’m not sitting here.”

  Aden met Remy’s painted stare. His steel blue eyes stood out beautifully in contrast to the dark shading surrounding them. “Am I wrong?”

  Remy smiled but didn’t respond. Instead, he focused on the saleswoman. “I want to buy the eyeshadow.”

  While Remy was distracted with making his purchase, Aden set the second half of his plan into action. After leaving the woman the huge tip he’d promised, Aden reclaimed Remy’s hand and headed for the door. Before they stepped out of the store’s light, Aden pulled Remy to a stop. Snagging the man’s chin, Aden inspected the woman’s work. The light hit the sun on Remy’s cheek, pulling a smile from Aden.

  “Very nice.” He met Remy’s gaze. If Remy was happy with his new look, he didn’t show it. His expression remained clear of all emotion as he held Aden’s stare. Aden couldn’t take not knowing. “Do you like it?”

  “She did a good job,” Remy said, not really answering the question.

  Aden couldn’t hide his disappointment. “I’d hoped when you showed up twice at my gym, wearing eyeliner, you were finally living as openly in public as you’d done in private with me when we were together. But don’t worry. I won’t put you on display since I see that isn’t the case. For the record, I hate that you’re hiding,” Aden said before stepping away. As much as he wanted to kiss Remy and hold his hand, he’d just given his word he wouldn’t. Remy followed silently on Aden’s heels as he headed outside. The limo he’d called already sat at the curb, waiting. The driver held open the door. Aden waved Remy in ahead of him before climbing in behind him.

  The instant the door closed behind them, Remy’s voice cut through the darkness, sounding hollow. “Where are we going?”

  Aden shook his head and raised the partition to give them privacy. “Nowhere. I told them I wanted to see the city. So they’re driving us around for the next hour. I told you I wasn’t trying to put you on display. You’re with me. I just want to be with you.”

  Without a word, Remy moved forward and climbed into Aden’s lap. Aden’s heart swelled as Remy settled against him, fitting perfectly in his arms. “I’m not hiding,” Remy said, sounding certain. “I don’t match.”

  Aden snorted at the asinine comment. “You just said she did a good job.”

  Remy shook his head. Aden felt it more than saw it happen. “My outside doesn’t match my inside anymore.” Before Aden could puzzle that one out, Remy changed the subject. “An hour is a long time for sightseeing.”

  Aden’s arms tightened around Remy and he spoke against the man’s ear. “Not when I’m with you. It’s the blink of an eye.” Aden’s lips moved to Remy’s cheek, finding the sun drawn there. Softly, he hummed the song about Remy being his sunshine until he felt the man’s cheek curve into a smile.

  “I didn’t want to remember this side of you,” Remy whispered into the dark, as if it was the deepest confession. It triggered Aden’s admission.

  “I don’t ever want to forget anything about you.” Aden tried holding Remy closer. “After your match this weekend, I’ll go home. You never have to see me again.”

  “Tell the driver to take us back to the hotel.”

  Aden’s heart fell at Remy’s demand, but he hit the intercom button and did as asked. He’d known winning Remy back would be a longshot, if not impossible. Knowing didn’t ease the pain. Remy didn’t move from his lap. Aden took what he could.

  “You told Emily you would mess up my makeup.”

  “Who is Emily?”

  Remy shook with barely suppressed laughter. “The lady from the cosmetics counter. You told her it was your job to mess it up. I don’t like it when you don’t keep your word.”

  Aden held his breath to steady his voice. He didn’t want to misunderstand. “I don’t want you to think I only came here for that. As I said earlier, I’ve missed my friend.”

  Remy nodded. “So you don’t intend to keep your word?”

  “I didn’t bring any protection with me,” Aden said, putting it out there and hoping Remy didn’t punch him in the dick for assuming.

  “Don’t worry,” Remy said softly as he shifted positions in Aden’s lap. “You can trust me to take care of you.” Remy’s lips found his and Aden melted into his touch, immediately opening. His mind and body went to war. The soft brush of tongue on tongue tugged at Aden’s heartstrings, making him long for the nights of slow lovemaking. The nights when they’d kissed and caressed all night. His raging and overly neglected hard-on screamed for Aden to fuck Remy hard and fast before he lost the chance.

  When the car came to stop and Remy pulled away, taking his love with him, Aden’s muscles tensed. He fought the urge to jump from the car and race back to the room
. Instead, he waited with a patience he didn’t feel for the driver to set them free. Aden measured every movement as he passed some money the driver’s way before claiming Remy’s hand and heading for the elevator. He didn’t look left or right. Neither did he hurry. Instead, he took his time, while grinding his back teeth to a pulp. Once the elevator door slid closed, Aden chanced a glance Remy’s way. His face was turned away, but the curve of his cheek let Aden know Remy was smiling. The tension in his shoulders eased. He brushed his fingers down the back of Remy’s neck, bringing the man’s attention his way. When his sexy eyes focused on Aden, Aden automatically moved closer.

  “You’re beautiful.” He could tell Remy was holding his breath, waiting for more. Aden let him have it. “I want to strip you out of these clothes and taste every inch of your skin. The way you quiver against my tongue.” Aden sucked in a deep breath. “That shit gets me so feckin’ high.”

  Remy’s gaze dropped to Aden’s mouth.

  Aden smirked. “Aye. You remember what I can do for you.”

  Remy visibly shivered at the claim.

  Aden nearly came in his jeans right then. He also hadn’t forgotten a single detail. Remy was the most responsive sexual person Aden had ever met. He didn’t hold back. He cupped Remy’s jaw and dragged his thumb down Remy’s bottom lip, picturing his teeth sinking into its plump deliciousness. Remy’s eyes glazed over, making Aden’s dick even harder.

  “I wonder if I hit the emergency stop button and dropped to my knees, if I could suck you off before help arrived.”

  Remy whimpered.

  Aden’s hand shot out. “Let’s find out.”

  Remy jumped like someone had lit a fire under his ass, reaching for Aden’s arm. “No,” he cried as he snagged Aden’s hand before he could press the button. Not that Aden had intended to really push it.

  Aden used Remy’s momentum against him, pulling the man against his chest and burying his face against his throat. “Now I have you,” Aden said, growling the words against Remy’s skin. The elevator door slid open, and they spilled out into Remy’s penthouse. Instead of immediately sweeping Remy off his feet, Aden not-so-patiently watched as Remy turned the key in the control panel, stopping the elevator from opening on this floor for anyone else for the night.

  Aden peeled his shirt off as he waited. The moment Remy finished his task, Aden snatched the man off his feet and tossed him over his shoulder. Remy’s laughter filled the penthouse as Aden headed for Remy’s bedroom. Aden barely spared a glance for the room as he crossed the threshold into Remy’s personal space, although he couldn’t help but note it seemed somewhat impersonal for a place Remy had been living for a few years. At the moment, he didn’t have enough blood reaching his brain to work things out. He had a sexy man over his shoulder. Priorities.

  The instant he cleared the bedroom, Aden set Remy on his feet. He let the man slide down his body. His breath caught as Remy’s shirt slid upward as Remy got closer to the floor. Their bare torsos pressed against each other. Aden moved slow, refusing to let go of Remy. He held Remy’s stare. They were connected on a deeper level than most. Aden had always known it. Feckin’ hell. He’d missed this. No one looked at Aden the way Remy did.

  The man’s lips were slightly parted—anticipating. After snagging the hem of Remy’s shirt, Aden dragged the material over Remy’s head. He tossed the shirt aside. He didn’t care where it landed. All Aden cared about was the way Remy’s body felt against his.

  “I want to kiss you, but I’m afraid to close my eyes.”

  Remy’s expression turned to longing. “Why?”

  “You might disappear,” Aden admitted, uncaring if his fears sounded ridiculous. Remy had already disappeared from his life once. He’d wanted to die then too.

  “Then kiss me with your eyes open,” Remy said, making everything seem so simple. Aden flattened his palms on Remy’s bare back, savoring having Remy in his arms. The air stuttered in Aden’s throat, sounding unnaturally loud.

  Moving slow, Aden dipped his head and touched his lips to the corner of Remy’s mouth. “Do you remember?” Aden asked as he moved to Remy’s ear.

  Remy shoved his hands down the back of Aden’s jeans, clawing at his skin and trying to pull Aden closer. “That’s the second time you’ve asked me that,” Remy said, sounding breathless. “You keep my brain too fogged to read your mind.”

  Aden popped the button loose on Remy’s pants and slid his zipper down. “Tell your brain to shove off,” Aden said as his lips moved to Remy’s collarbone. “I’m talking to your body right now.” Aden brushed Remy’s skin with his lips, doing just that—whispering to the man’s body. “Do you feel my love? Do you remember how much and hard I loved you—still love you?” Aden shoved Remy’s pants down, revealing the sexy curve of the man’s ass. “Can you feel my heart racing, trying to beat through my chest to find its owner? I don’t want you to think with your head. Your head still hates me a little. The rest of you remembers us,” Aden said as he fell to his knees and pressed his face to Remy’s stomach. “Everything is the same,” Aden said. Hot tears threatened to push through, but no way was that happening. He peeled Remy’s pants and underwear down his legs, not stopping until Remy stood completely nude. “I’ve never let you go,” Aden swore before swallowing Remy’s cock. He felt Remy sway on his feet. Aden snagged the man’s hips, holding him in place and prepared to catch him if he lost the battle with his knees.

  He sucked hard, trying to savor the moment. Remy might be small in build, but he had a huge dick and Aden had always loved taking the whole thing down his throat. The way Remy moaned and begged made Aden feel as if Remy belonged to him again—if only in body. He rolled Remy’s balls between his fingers before urging his thighs apart and massaging his asshole. The mewling sounds falling from Remy’s perfect lips had Aden giving it everything he had. He licked, sucked, and swirled his tongue around Remy’s crown. Aden hummed his enjoyment of the man’s flavor as Remy’s pre-cum smeared across his tongue. The pressure of his jeans, squashing his erection, had Aden coming to his feet. Remy whimpered in protest but held on to Aden’s neck when Aden swept the man into his arms. He sought Remy’s lips before heading for the bed. Aden forced himself to keep their kiss short. He could kiss Remy for the rest of his life, but then he’d miss out on the rest. In a show of his love, because he was ruled by it with Remy, Aden gently set Remy on the bed before stripping off his jeans and joining Remy. Starting at the end of the bed, Aden crawled on and grabbed Remy’s ankle. “I hope you’re ready for a long night, because I am.” He felt Remy shiver and an evil grin pulled at his lips. Yeah. Remy hadn’t answered any of his questions, but the man knew the truth. He knew Aden loved him and what it was like when Aden made love to him.

  *

  Remy swallowed down a cry when Aden’s lips touched his ankle. He recognized the man’s expression. Aden intended to drag out Remy’s pleasure until he begged for Aden’s mercy. The aggressive blowjob he’d gotten only moments earlier had merely been a preview of things to come. With Aden, Remy knew he wouldn’t get the final show until Aden quenched his sensual cravings, and Aden was a sensual glutton. Aden’s lips moved from Remy’s ankle and up his calf until he reached Remy’s knee. Remy wondered if his heart would explode inside his chest. His dick leaked onto his stomach and his fingers tore at the blankets to keep from scratching at Aden’s skin. He knew the harder he fought to force Aden into giving him what he wanted, the slower Aden would move. The man was cruel like that.

  By the time Aden’s tongue brushed Remy’s hipbone, Remy was nothing more than one giant nerve, ready to burst. Aden’s eyes flickered upward. Remy stopped breathing at their heat. He couldn’t blink or look away. The intensity of the moment kept him frozen. While holding Remy’s gaze, Aden slowly lowered his head and dragged his tongue up Remy’s erection before taking Remy’s crown between his lips.

  “Aden.” The gasp of Aden’s name sounded like a gunshot ricocheting off the walls of Remy’s bedroom. As if the sound of
his name drove Aden, he swallowed Remy’s dick, taking him to the back of his throat before sucking—hard. Remy was lost to the pleasure Aden created. A jumble of words escaped Remy—praise and god only knew what else. He no longer cared as long as Aden didn’t stop. It was more than the sensation of Aden’s hot mouth tugging at his dick. For Remy, it was the entire package. The way Aden’s shoulders moved as he tried caressing every inch of Remy. The sounds he made around Remy’s cock. Everything. He never wanted the night to end. There was no stopping time or his rising orgasm. The pressure curling his toes and tightening his balls crawled up his erection and beat at his crown. Every muscle in Remy’s body tensed in anticipation of release. Remy’s fingers found Aden’s hair and held on as he openly took his pleasure. When Remy’s orgasm hit, the world tilted. He no longer knew where he stood with Aden. It was like they were back in New Orleans at the height of their love.

  Aden swiped his face across Remy’s stomach, wiping away the moisture before coming up onto his knees. “Where are those condoms?”

  Remy motioned toward the side table. Aden was in the drawer and suited up before Remy knew what happened. Aden’s tongue filled Remy’s mouth. He overwhelmed Remy even as pushed Remy’s knees higher. As he pushed his way inside Remy’s ass, Remy sucked in a deep breath against the intrusion. He’d forgotten how damn big Aden was. There were a thousand things he’d forgotten. Aden never danced, but Remy knew he could. The way the man gyrated against him while staying deep reminded Remy of the way a stripper moved. That was the last clear thought Remy had as his body’s demands took precedence.

  Everything about Aden was rough and raw. Remy felt consumed and commanded. He also felt free. For so long now, he’d been in tight control, never allowing anyone to help him let go or sneak past his walls. Aden had taken over again, leaving Remy free to enjoy the moment and let everything go. He kissed Aden deep, never wanting to stop. Any time Aden pulled back for a moment, Remy drew him back in, needing the man’s mouth meshing with his.