Page 16 of Duped

Portland licked a path to Tarek’s ear and sucked his earlobe before lightly kissing the shell of his ear. His breath brushed across Tarek’s ear while his hand slid down Tarek’s stomach. “You’re too beautiful to be worrying.”

Tarek gripped the edge of the bar where he sat, watching the chef Portland hired to cook for them four nights a week bustle around the kitchen. The poor guy visibly tried to keep his eyes averted and head down.

“We’re not alone.”

A sexy chuckle rumbled against his ear. “I take it you don’t like to be watched?”

Tarek swallowed. He was so turned on. “Not like this.”

Portland pulled away. “I didn’t answer your text because that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Some things should be done in person.”

Tarek’s stomach dropped. “I’ll take some stuff home.” He heard the hurt in his voice and hated himself for it.

Portland spun the stool, forcing Tarek to face him. He moved to stand between Tarek’s thighs. “That’s not what I want. In fact, I’d prefer the opposite. Let’s pick up the rest of your things and make it permanent. This is your home. I’d love for you to admit it.”

Tarek was shocked to his core. In a good way. “Really?” There was no missing the hope in his question.

Portland shuffled even closer and hauled Tarek against him. “I love you. This is where you belong. I don’t want to worry about the possibility of you sleeping somewhere else again. Your home is with me.”

Tarek wanted to cry and shout at the same time. Happiness choked the air from his lungs. It was the first time Portland had said he loved him. Tarek had started worrying he never would, and Tarek couldn’t be the first to say it. There was too much of a power imbalance already. He sniffed, holding back happy tears. “I love you too. When I grabbed my things today, I purposely only left one t-shirt so I could say I still have stuff there. It’s one I don’t even wear.”

Portland visibly held back laughter. He looked every bit as happy as Tarek felt. “I have a confession too.” He massaged Tarek’s thighs. “I maybe did something that’ll possibly make you angry.”

The immediate sickness in Tarek’s gut would have brought him to his knees if he had been standing. “What did you do?” Tarek had no clue how he managed to speak without his voice shaking. A million horrible scenarios ran through his head. If Portland touched someone else, Tarek would die. No exaggeration. That would push him over the edge.

Portland opened his mouth and closed it again. He took Tarek’s hand. “Maybe I should just show you.”

Tarek had to step over a leather duffle bag next to the stool to follow Portland.

Portland led him to the garage. The lights flared to life as the door opened.

Tarek took a cursory glance before he planned to ask Portland what in the hell was going on, but something was missing. It took him a second to realize why he had experienced such an immediate feeling of loss. His car was gone.

“Where in the hell is my car?”

“Sorry, angel. That thing was on its last leg. I sold it and put the money in your account.”

All Tarek could do was stare at Portland in disbelief. He had too many questions and angry words to say. It was like too many people trying to fit through a door. Not a single word would break loose.

Portland chuckled and kissed him. “If you could see your face. It’s obvious you intend to kill me, but maybe wait.” He took Tarek’s hand and led him to where his car should be. A bright blue Audi R56 Avant sat parked in his bay. “I got you something else.”

Tarek blinked. The car was fucking beautiful, but he still didn’t know how to feel. Portland always dropped things on him. This wasn’t like a bag full of cash. Tarek could leave that behind if he needed to leave. This car truly belonged to Portland. He wasn’t oblivious. Portland was slowly making him more and more dependent on him. Truthfully, since he lived there now, the car represented the final piece of his life before Portland. With the one thing he truly owned gone, everything belonged to Portland now, including Tarek.

“I worried about this.”

Tarek tore his gaze away from the car and focused on Portland. He looked hurt.

Portland shoved his hands in his pockets. “I swear, I only want to keep you safe. It’s fully in your name alone. You don’t have to worry that I’m trying to steal your independence or anything. It’s completely yours—free and clear.”

He was so adorably worried. There wasn’t a chance Tarek could be upset with him. Despite his initial fear, he knew Portland had a gorgeous heart and always had the best of intentions. He was a good man. Tarek wrapped his arms around his waist and squeezed, hugging him as tightly as possible.

“Thank you. I know your heart was in the right place, and I’m not worried. Nothing is ever going to come between us, so it doesn’t matter anyhow.” Parts of that were true. There was enough truth in Tarek’s words to let the rest go. It wasn’t worth fighting over and it was a gorgeous car. He didn’t have any sort of attachment to the old one. It had always gotten him from point A to point B. Otherwise, it was just a car. Portland’s feelings mattered more.

Portland hugged him back. He kissed the top of Tarek’s head. “Do you want to take her for a spin?”

Tarek shook his head. “Not right now. Right now, I want to make love to the sweetest man alive.”

Tarek listened as Portland’s chuckle rumbled against his ear. “Tell me his name. I’ll have him killed.”

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