When Nick didn’t reply, Bryce stopped pacing. A quiet voice was in his head, praying for Nick not to agree with his family. Praying that they weren’t right. He looked at the man who turned his whole life upside down. “They think I’m playing a game—or not that, I guess, but they think it’s just another way for me to not be serious about my own life. They think it’s a way to keep myself from settling down and growing up. They think we’re going to get involved and it’ll change our whole fucking lives and then I’ll just move on.” I’m scared that they’re right...

It felt like a whole fucking lifetime passed by before Nick spoke. “You told them you’re serious about me?”

Damned if the man didn’t make him smile again. “That’s what you focus on out of everything I just said?”

“Did you ever tell them you were serious about Christi, or did they just assume?”

Bryce shrugged. “I never used the words, no.” He’d never technically said he was serious about anything before bikes, and now Nick.

“Do you think this is just a way for you to avoid settling down?”

“Fuck no.” The answer came quickly and easily.

“Do you want this?” Nick asked more quietly, “Want me?”

This answer was even easier. “So fucking much I can’t think clearly most of the time. It’s like you filled this place in my world that I didn’t know needed to be filled. Hell, I didn’t even know it was there before you came and claimed it. Wanting you is the only thing I’m sure of. I don’t know how it happened or why, but I know it’s there.”

Nick felt right in a way nothing in his life ever had. It was natural and automatic, and he couldn’t imagine his life without the other man. “This is when you tell me you want me, too, Nick.”

He smiled, his green eyes deep, full of meaning, and firmly locked on Bryce. “I want you, too, you crazy son-of-a-bitch. If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that nothing is a guarantee. I thought Jill and I were, and we weren’t. Anytime you date someone there’s a possibility of getting hurt. I want you. I trust you. I’m willing to take the risk.”

Jesus Christ, he fucking loved this man. Loved? Yeah, he thought he did, and it didn’t scare him or make him want to run. It made Bryce want to hold tighter. “You’re the only risk I’ve ever taken, Nick. Nothing else could hurt me except you.” That still didn’t mean this would be easy. They still had a lot of shit to work through, but they both wanted it, and that’s all that mattered.

Bryce walked over and dropped to his knees in front of Nick. They met in the middle as their mouths devoured each other’s. He loved Nick’s taste—peppermint. The way he felt, hungry and urgent. The way he smelled, man and spice. He wanted it all, every fucking piece of the man...and he wanted Nick to have him, too.

Bryce pulled away to tell him just that as a grumble sounded between them. Nick laughed and asked, “Did you eat?”

“I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Me, either. Let me cook for you.”

He tried to stand but Bryce didn’t let him. Fuck food. He wanted Nick to have him instead. “I don’t want to eat. I want you to take me into your bedroom, take my clothes off and then fuck me.”

No, that was a lie. Bryce didn’t want that, he needed it. Needed Nick to claim him, and show him that everything would be okay.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

They still had a shitload of things to talk about, but logical thought fled Nick’s mind when Bryce said that to him. They’d kissed, rubbed and sucked each other like crazy, but this? The thought of fucking Bryce, the hole that hugged his fingers so tightly, made Nick go out of his mind. “Are you sure?” Because he knew he was big...he knew it would hurt. Hell, he didn’t even know if people enjoyed anal sex the first few times.

“Jesus Christ, don’t ask me that. It’s fucking. Yes, I’m sure.”

They both pushed to their feet at the same time. They kissed as they stumbled down the hallway toward Nick’s bedroom. He hadn’t made love since before his divorce. Hell, he hadn’t made love to anyone except his ex; and soon, Bryce. He wanted that more than he could put into words. His dick dripped pre-come as his heart thudded in both excitement and nerves.

He’d felt it before, but after this, Bryce would be his.

As soon as they got into his room, they both kicked out of their shoes, lips still attached. He could kiss Bryce all night. He loved the passion and hunger behind it. The roughness, in both the way Bryce touched him and of the hair on his face and cut of his jaw.