Page 47 of Rising Storm

“Bet? Why?”

“Hayrick had a thing forOliver Twist. It’s a long story. But you’re going to be set. And there are like eight damn bedrooms in that house.”

“Barnette would hate knowing that Hayrick had a mansion in another state.”

“I don’t give a shit about how that man feels about anything.”

“He’ll look for me, but like I said, he didn’t know about Hayrick’s other house, so I should be safe there.” He smiled and ducked his head. “I just want to be free of that man more than I want anything else. I don’t care so much about the stolen goods, so I’m not sure how welcome I’ll be.”

God, he made Helix’s heart ache. He had no sense of self-worth whatsoever. “You’ll be more than welcome. The others sent me here partly to find you. I promise, you belong there.”

“It’ll be nice to belong somewhere real. All I’ve known is this farce with Barnette.”

“The place is gorgeous. You’re gonna love it there.”

“Gareth lives there, too?”

Helix nodded.

“So, are you guys together then? For real?”

Helix nodded, knowing he had no choice in the matter. He was too attached. “We are. He wore me down.”

“If it means anything, I can tell the man cares for you. It looks like the real thing to me.”

Helix was scared to think of it as the real thing, but it wasn’t anything else at this point. He cared about the man more than he wanted to.

“You mind if I get some sleep here?” Sayer asked. “I’m still healing and just need the rest.”

“Sure. You hungry?”

“No.”

“I was about to pick up some food for Gareth and me, so I’ll just leave you to sleep.”

“Thanks, Helix.”

“I’m here for you, Sayer. Always.”

* * *

Gareth couldn’t get enoughof Helix. He’d showed up with food and they’d eaten in their boxers, their gazes on each other the whole time. Helix was smiling so much more and it made Gareth’s heart swell with love.

Yeah, love. He’d figured out during the heist that this was what he was dealing with.

He’d worried he’d gotten attached too fast, but this was damned real.

Gareth leaned over and captured Helix’s chin with his fingers, bringing his face up for a kiss. He didn’t press open his mouth, just put their lips together. Helix kissed him then pulled back to stare at him, his hazel eyes full of questions. Gareth knew he felt the connection between them, how could he not?

Helix moved the food to the table beside the bed and stretched out on the comforter. He held up his arms. Gareth moved in, loving the strength of those arms around him as he lay against the man’s body. He kissed him again. And again. Feeling that bond building between them as surely as he breathed air into his lungs. Helix opened his mouth and their tongues slid together, sending a spark of desire deep into Gareth’s chest. He slanted his lips over Helix’s, loving the man’s taste.

He pulled just enough away to whisper, “Want you in me this time.”

Helix groaned and rolled them over so he was on top of Gareth. Gareth opened his legs so Helix could fall between them. Their boxer-covered dicks slid against each other and it felt so good, Gareth moaned. He knew it wouldn’t just be fucking this time, but making love and he wanted that more than he wanted air.

Rubbing against him, Helix cradled the sides of his head and deepened the kiss. He explored Gareth’s mouth with leisure, sparking every nerve ending Gareth had to life. Then he pushed up on his hands and stared down at Gareth and something in his expression made Gareth hold his breath. There was love there, whether the man knew it or not. He’d bonded with Gareth just as surely as Gareth had with him. It was in his look, his touch. His heart started pounding hard and he pulled Helix back down to him, opening his mouth wide for his tongue.

They kissed until Helix pulled away to tug down their underwear. Then he took them both in hand and stroked, his glittering gaze locked on Gareth’s. That felt so good, Gareth started panting and thrusting up into his hand. “You want in me?”

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