Page 12 of Enslaved

“Who says I did?”

Court held his stare and chose to wait him out. He didn’t want to play games. Unfortunately, the silent staring contest turned hotter than Court expected. Heath’s gray eyes were amazing.Everything about him appealed to Court. Always had. It seemed the longing had never stopped.

“I’ve come to take you away.”

Court shook his head. “You’re really taking this sixty-day thing seriously.”

Heath’s expression stayed serious. “No. I paid your dad’s debt with Saul, but his credit has been closed across all casinos. When he realizes he’s cut off, this’ll be the first place he comes, restraining order or not.”

“I’m not afraid of my dad. Just tired of him.”

“Your dad only owed Saul twenty grand.”

Court looked away. “I was afraid of that.” Even he heard the dead note in his voice.

“So you know about the drugs?”

Court’s arms rose and fell. “It’s kind of hard to miss.” He stood. “Where are we headed? What do I need to bring?” Court tried to keep his tone light, but he couldn’t meet Heath’s gaze as he headed for the hall.

Heath stood and intercepted Court before he got away. He stepped into Court’s path and hugged him. It seemed it was Heath’s go-to move when Court fell apart. God, Court needed it.It was so fucking warm in Heath’s arms. Court wanted to rage about losing his parents while they still lived. It didn’t matter they breathed, walked, and talked. They were as lost to him as if they had died. They were like dumbass teenagers wanting to fit in with the cool kids. Now he was alone and used up and tired. So fucking tired.

Court didn’t know who made the first move. He very much feared it was him. His head turned and their lips bumped. Time froze as they shared each other’s air. Old desires raced to the surface. He wanted Heath so fucking badly.

Heath took a step back. “I’m sorry.” He looked defeated. “It’s like I can’t stop proving to you that I’m a terrible person.”

Lust made Court’s brain slow. “What?”

Heath made a helpless gesture. “You’re having a bad time and I’m just—” His hands rose and fell again.

“You’re so dumb.” Court closed the distance between them and took the kiss he wanted. His soul cried out for all the dreams he had lost. Then Heath hauled him closer, and Court let it go. He wanted this. Heath’s kiss scorched him. But the way Heath lovingly held him made Court’s eyes burn. He didn’t grope Court or try to go further.

“Whoa.” Heath’s breathless-sounding whisper sounded every bit as blown away as Court felt. “That was… wow.”

Court chuckled.

They didn’t let go. He couldn’t give up the way Heath’s arms felt around him.

Heath kissed his cheek. “I fucking hate it, but we still should go. Pack a bag for a few days.”

Court didn’t know why he didn’t argue or even question where they were going. He simply nodded and headed for his bedroom with his brain trapped in a fog of lust. Court had no idea where this thing with Heath was headed. All he knew was he didn’t know how to stop.

Heath couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. He wanted to do it again. First, he needed to get Court someplace where he could rest. He wished Court hadn’t found his phone, but there wasn’t much he could do about that. However, Heath knew exactly where to take Court to forget all his troubles. After calling a friend and snagging a private flight, they were in New Orleans just in time to have gumbo for dinner.

For the hundredth time, Court shook his head at Heath as they sat across from each other at one of Heath’s favorite restaurants. “You really just do what you want, don’t you?”

The claim made Heath a little uncomfortable. “I thought you’d already concluded I’m spoiled.”

Court cocked his head to one side and eyed Heath, as if seeing too much. “I don’t know. Obviously, you have access to anything you want, but there’s still something about you. Something that keeps you grounded.”

Heath stared for half a second before responding. “Not really, no.” Court snorted, making Heath smile. Heath chose to be as open with his life as Court had been with his. “There used to be. My grandfather.” A smile touched Heath’s lips and fell away. “I remember when I was like fourteen, he got a brand-new golf cart. It was his baby. I was messing around and drove that sucker straight into the pond at the golf course.”

Court covered his mouth.

Heath couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fuck. He was so mad at me. There had honestly been a part of me that thought, meh. He’ll just buy a new one. Because like you said, spoiled. He was not amused. When we got home, he stripped my bedroom of everything but my bed. Took away everything. He said I had to earn each and every one of my possessions back one by one with acts of service. One act of service equaled one possession. I whined to my dad about how it would take me forever. I thought he would stick up for me and get my things back. Instead, Dad told me to work smarter and not harder. So, I had a brilliant idea. I would volunteer at a homeless shelter, and I’d have my stuff back by the end of the day.” Heath flashed a wry smile. “It was brutal. It was eye opening. But I kept going until I got all my things back and then I kept going because I made friends. So, you know, I’m still spoiled, but my grandpa tried. Of course, he’s dead now, so…”

“Nobody really sees you, do they? Not even you.”

Heath didn’t know how to respond. He found himself turning subconscious. “Don’t worry. I’m still a bad person. You’re still allowed to hate me.”

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