Page 47 of Throw Down

Briar squirmed under the scrutiny. He wished he had something to fiddle with, but Derek kept his kitchen scrupulously clean and free of clutter.He laced his fingers together and stared down at them to avoid Derek’s intense gaze. One thumb had a hangnail, and he picked at it aimlessly.

“I already told you,” he said with false cheer. “In the city, nothing good shows up after dark.”

“It’s more than that,” Derek insisted.“You were scared of something specific.I saw it in your eyes.”

Briar was stubborn, but he wasn’t sure he could outmatch Derek’s determination.

He sighed and admitted, “I maybe haven’t had the greatest experience with men trying to break down my door.”

“I was just knocking,” Derek protested.

Briar bit back a smile. “Yeah, but you’ve got fists like hammers.It sounded like the whole door was about to go.”

A host of silent calculation was happening behind Derek’s eyes.

“What happened?” he asked calmly.

“Nothing, in the end.” Briar shrugged, but he worked even harder at the dratted hangnail.It was about to start bleeding. “The last guy I dated was a real deadbeat. He took my car, mooched off my paycheck, stuff like that. But he wasn’t violent or anything. Then one night, we were arguing and he just—it—well, I ended up locking myself in the bathroom until the cops showed up.”

If he concentrated, he could still feel Dax’s vise-like grip around his throat and the panic of being unable to drag even a sip of air into his lungs.It was humiliating, as a man, to be so helpless. Even as small as he was, he’d never realized he was so physically outmatched.

But just the thought of admitting that to someone as strong as Derek made him want to vomit, so he forced a smile and said, “I filed an order of protection, but he ignored it.When I moved to Sweetwater, Nate and I pretended it was because he needed help with the clinic.But it was mostly because I needed to get away.”

“Have you had any contact with him since?” Derek asked.

“He got my number once or twice.It stopped when I finally quit giving it out to buddies back home.I don’t think he’d ever come looking for me.He’s too lazy.”

Derek nodded and then turned his attention to breakfast, silently digesting the information.He didn’t say a word or offer any sympathetic platitudes.That was just the way he was, but Briar couldn’t help but worry that he was being weighed and judged.

“I’m notorious for picking men who are bad for me,” he blurted, just digging the hole deeper. “Nate says it’s a self-esteem thing, but we all know that’s ridiculous.I clearly know I’m fabulous.”

“You’re perfect.” Derek’s response was fierce and automatic.

Briar belted out a startled laugh.“I mean, I—”

“You’re perfect.” He was on Briar in an instant, shockingly quick, grabbing him by the arms and hauling him off his stool.Briar instinctively braced himself, but Derek only clasped his head between his hands and forced him to meet his eyes.His touch was firm but gentle, thumbs lightly grazing Briar’s cheeks.

“You're perfect just the way you are.I've never met anyone like you.”

“That's not saying much,” Briar protested wryly.

Derek ignored him. “Your only problem is opening up that big heart of yours even when you know you shouldn’t,” he said, strangely solemn.“Like taking in strays, or not throwing your drink in that asshole’s face last night.Like going out into a storm with a total stranger and helping jump a battery when you don’t even know how.You stand out, Briar, but not because of how you dress.”

Briar snorted, and Derek’s mouth curved in response.“Not only because of how you dress,” he amended wryly.“It’s because when you smile, the world wants to smile back.How many people can say that?”

Briar swallowed, mouth suddenly parched.Uncertainty and anxiety fluttered in his stomach, tangled up with the warm embers fanned by Derek’s words.

“No one’s ever said something like that to me,” he admitted weakly.“I’m not sure what to say.”

“Don’t say anything.” Cupping his face between his palms, Derek kissed him.Once, twice. Little pecks that melted his heart.“Just take the compliment. Then sit down and have breakfast with me.”

“Okay.” But when Derek turned back toward the stove, Briar grabbed him by the hand and yanked him back.He had a split second to register Derek’s surprise before he wrapped his arms around his neck and lifted onto his toes for a longer kiss.

Derek instantly took control, but Briar didn't feel threatened.He felt wanted. Adored. He wanted to crawl inside Derek and stay safe forever.

Derek’s breath was ragged when they finally broke apart.He rested his forehead against Briar’s, panting.

“I’ve never been late to work a day in my life,” Derek groaned.“But you’ve got me sorely tempted.”

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