Page 22 of Fiendish Ways

“I’m so in love with you. No matter what. That won’t change.”

Nebraska drew an unsteady breath at Cree’s confession. He felt the same. This wouldn’t die. Even if he never saw Cree again, their love would still be the first thing he thought about when he woke up in the morning and his last thought before he fell asleep. “I don’t know exactly how to fix us. But I know I love you and I have to try.”

Cree’s lips found his mouth again.

Nebraska understood their confessions had changed something between them, but he wasn’t sure what yet. All he knew was he couldn’t let this end. “Stay with me tonight.”

“I don’t want to ruin things.”

“Then don’t say no.”

Cree’s hands moved to Nebraska’s waist. His lips skimmed Nebraska’s as he drew Nebraska’s shirt up his body. He pulled away and Nebraska lifted his arms so Cree could steal his shirt. Nebraska stole his chance to divest Cree of his shirt too. Things moved slow. They went back to kissing while Cree stroked Nebraska’s back and sides, as if he couldn’t get enough. Nebraska’s hands went to Cree’s belt.

Cree backed away. “I need you to be sure.”

Nebraska held his stare. “I’m sure.”

With a nod, Cree lifted Nebraska from the counter. They stripped each other in the kitchen before Cree carried him to the couch. He sat with Nebraska straddling his lap. With their erections between them, they kissed and touched. Time passed with no meaning. Every time Nebraska got carried away, moving against Cree, Cree slowed things down, drawing things out.

By the time Nebraska was ready to scream, sweat coated their skin. Cree stroked their cocks while Nebraska moved against him. He gasped for air, reaching for release. Cree kissed his throat while Nebraska begged.

“Please. I want to come all over you. I need it.”

Cree pumped faster.

Nebraska turned wild. He was half insane with desire. When he finally blew, a cry tore from him. Cree moaned against his throat.

“Fuck. I love you. I can’t do life without you. Please love me back.”

Nebraska forced Cree to meet his stare. His expression nearly made Nebraska come again. He looked aroused and completely enamored. “I love you. You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t let you be alone.” Nebraska didn’t know what he promised exactly, but they weren’t done. They would never be done.

Darkness enveloped them. Under the covers, in Nebraska’s bed, they held on for dear life. Cree could practically feel the way they fought for each other—like it was a tangible thing. He had expected it to take months to get this far. Cree had been prepared to wait. He would never give up. Yet here they were, and Cree couldn’t let go. He understood how fucking lucky he was that Nebraska let him touch him again.

“Can I ask you something?”

Cree kissed Nebraska’s temple. He answered between kisses. “Of course.”

Nebraska hesitated, as if he didn’t know where to start or he was uncomfortable. Cree waited. He knew Nebraska was too brave to hold back. Finally, he blew out a breath as if finding his courage. “Is there a reason you… ugh.” He tried again. “Why did you only touch me that one time like you did that last night?”

Fuck. He didn’t want to answer, but he did. “I never wanted making love to you to hurt. No matter how much prep you put in, there’s always some pain involved. I just wanted things to stay beautiful. As long as I make you fly, I’d rather not do that.”

Nebraska was quiet longer than Cree wanted. He wished he’d stayed that way when he spoke. “So, it was only meant to punish me.”

It wasn’t a question. Nebraska had obviously settled a debate in his mind. “No.” The denial immediately felt wrong. “Maybe. I don’t know. When I saw you were at a hotel and I thought you were with King, it just broke me. I don’t think I’ve ever hurt that much, and I didn’t know where to go with it. God, I just… yeah. I guess I wanted to make you hurt the way I did. But then I woke up, and you were gone. King and I almost tore each other apart. I put a gun to Archer’s head. It wasn’t until I was alone, and I put that same barrel to my head, that it really hit me how far I had gone off the ledge. I don’t know if you really understand how you’re all I have. No one prepared me for how to lose you.”

Nebraska rolled. He kept coming until he straddled Cree’s body and draped him like a blanket. Nebraska settled in—like he intended to stay there all night. He pressed his ear to Cree’s chest. “I don’t think you understand. I would rather rip out my heart than hurt you.” He sniffed. A tear hit Cree’s chest. “And I’d rather die than have anyone else touch me.”

Cree ached all the way to his soul. He didn’t want Nebraska to cry. Cree wanted to always be Nebraska’s happiness. One way or another, it would happen. Cree would devote his entire life to spoiling Nebraska. Never again would he shed a tear as long as Cree walked this earth. That was a vow. Nebraska would see.

Chapter Thirteen

One day, Cree came for dinner and didn’t leave. Nebraska had no complaints. They continued working on his driving until Archer presented him with a license. Really, it was the best Nebraska could hope for, since he had no access to his important documents. All of that had been left behind.

Two months after Cree moved in, he showed up with a huge box, looking insecure. Nebraska stopped in the middle of making a cake to investigate. “Why do you look like that? That’s not an empty box to leave me with, is it?” Nebraska didn’t really believe that. He just wanted to snap Cree out of his weirdness.

Cree shifted from foot to foot. “No. I would never do that. But I am worried you might ask me to leave once you see what’s in this box.”

Nebraska’s curiosity doubled. “What did you do?”

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