Page 11 of Dead Ball Situation

Sacha’s gaze shot to Bandit. He looked completely serious. Damn. He was amazing. “I can’t ask that of you.”

“Is that Bandit?”

Sacha ignored Artem’s question. “Baba is a handful. She can barely walk any longer and… well, you’ve met her.”

Bandit chuckled. He was so goddamn sexy. “I know all of that. It’s fine. If she’ll let me, I’ll take her. Then we can spend time together after your appointment.”

Something grew inside Sacha as he stared at Bandit.

“Sorry, Sacha. I have to go. Love you.” Artem disconnected the call before Sacha had time to respond.

Sacha clutched the phone between his hands. Hope and guilt built inside him. “I just…”

Bandit set the flowers on the coffee table next to Sacha and pulled him to his feet. He kissed Sacha’s forehead. “It’s okay, gorgeous. You’re not alone. I know if I needed you, you’d have my back. It’s part of being in a relationship. We’re a team.”

Sacha’s throat swelled. “We’re in a relationship?”

Bandit looked confused. “Was that not understood?”

Sacha shot forward and stole another kiss. “I’m lucky as hell to have you. I swear I’ll make this up to you.” Sacha had no clue how. It would probably be sexual. He couldn’t wait.

Bandit kissed his cheek and then swiped another sweet kiss across his lips. “Just give me all the information I need and go to your meeting. I’ve got Baba.” His lips swept Sacha’s mouth, as if sweetly calming him. “I’ve got you.”

Sacha didn’t deserve him. He honestly didn’t know how he had landed this out-of-this-world man, but Sacha planned to do everything he could to keep him. Bandit already had him addicted.

There had been a small part of Bandit that expected to regret volunteering. Universally, no good deed went unpunished. His day with Baba had been nice. Bandit’s grandparents were either not in his life or had already passed. All he had were his parents.Even when his grandmother had been alive, she never really had much to do with him. She had been a hands-off grandparent. She believed she had done her job, raising her kids, and now she was done. He understood, but he realized now how much he had missed. Bandit might have been the one doing all the work, but she wouldn’t stop trying to spoil him. They stopped for ice cream before heading home. Baba was visibly ready for bed by the time they came through the door.

Sacha met them as they stepped inside. “Hey. How did the doctor’s appointment go?”

“I’m old.”

Sacha rolled his eyes at Baba’s response. “Did you learn anything?”

“That I’m old.”

Sacha huffed.

Baba patted Bandit’s hand. “Thank you for going with me today. It was fun. Kiss me and I’ll head to bed.”

Bandit didn’t point out it was still late afternoon. He kissed Baba’s cheek. “Thank you for spending time with me.”

She chuckled and let Sacha help her to her bedroom.

Bandit wandered toward the kitchen. He caught sight of the fresh flowers in a vase on the counter. Sacha deserved nice things. He wished Sacha would let him do more than bring him flowers. While he knew they hadn’t been officially dating that long, they had known each other and been in each other’s lives for years. Bandit wanted to do more.

Sacha molded against his back and kissed his nape. “Mhmm. This spot is sexy.” His lips skimmed the back of Bandit’s neck again. “Thank you so much for helping me today. You have no idea how much it means to me.”

Bandit turned and wrapped his arms around Sacha, blatantly touching his ass. “It was fun. I’ve never really had much of a grandmother experience. Thank you for letting me borrow yours.”

Sacha’s smile was everything.

Giving in to temptation, Bandit touched his lips to Sacha’s cheek and kissed a path to his ear. “Plus, I wore her out and now we get to play.”

The sound of Sacha’s soft laughter warmed his chest. “Absolutely. You definitely deserve a treat after that.”

Bandit started to ask what Sacha wanted to do for the rest of the night, blowing off trading favors as a joke. After all, he hadn’t helped Sacha for any reason other than he cared. He didn’t want Sacha thinking he was only there for one thing. Before he said aword, Sacha took his hand and headed for the bedroom. Bandit wouldn’t say no.

The moment they were shut inside, Sacha headed for the bed. He sat on the edge and pulled Bandit forward to stand between his knees. Bandit couldn’t blink against the sight of Sacha’s lust. He genuinely looked hungry for Bandit. Something surged through him he couldn’t name. Then Sacha kissed his stomach. Bandit’s body fired to life. But he still couldn’t do anything except stare down at Sacha as Sacha unzipped Bandit’s pants.

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