King’s laughter echoed from inside the bathroom.

  “Wait, come back here!”

  King turned around, and Leo could have kicked himself. He’d been so focused on the man’s abs, he’d completely disregarded the fact King was covered in tattoos.

  “Oh my God, you have tattoos!”

  King looked bemused. “You only just noticed? This is not the first time I’ve been shirtless around you.”

  “What the what?” When had King been shirtless? What was wrong with him? Judging by King’s flying eyebrows, Leo would hazard a guess that King had been shirtless often. Stupid brain. How could you betray me like this?

  “Those are incredible.” Leo stood and took a step toward King to inspect the artwork on his chest. The tattoo was a massive and stunning piece that went from his left shoulder, across his chest to his right shoulder. A regal lion’s head took up his left pec, a crown nestled in its majestic mane. On his right pec was the Special Forces insignia with the word Brotherhood beautifully written inside a ribbon. Behind the crest and lion were detailed flowers, and on his right shoulder above the flowers running across his collarbones to the lion were the words Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo, which pretty much translated to “If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell.” Or literally, “If I cannot deflect the superior powers, then I shall move the River Acheron.” On his left arm, he had two black bands, and in between each band, three black stars. Six stars. “Is this for them?”

  King nodded. “I always carry them with me.”

  “And the lion?” Leo asked, running his fingers over the proud lion.

  “Our commander used to say we fought like lions. No matter how exhausted or injured we were, we fought with everything we had in us. The guys and I all got lion tattoos in his honor, and in honor of our ODA.”

  “And the flowers?”

  “Chrysanthemums were my mom’s favorite.”

  Leo nodded. He took King’s hand in his and squinted at it. “Wait, was that always there?” Between King’s right thumb and forefinger was a small black diamond-shaped tattoo. “Wow, epic fail, Leo. Geez. Like that would be the first thing someone notices on a hot guy, right? Okay, well maybe not the first, but it would certainly jump out at you, especially considering how long we’ve been around each other now, and I just called you hot out loud, so now would be a good time to hit the showers and maybe the water will wash away my mortification. Excuse me.” Leo headed for the bathroom, ignoring King’s deep rumbling laugh.

  Showering felt amazing, and although it didn’t completely wash away his mortification, it certainly helped. He changed into his pajamas because the next time he came out of the zone would be to pass out for the night. Though he might be sneaky and try to wake up late in the night and get more work done. Who the hell was he kidding? Sneaking? With King sleeping in the same room? The guy didn’t just have eyes in the back of his head; his hearing and Spidey-sense were on par with Chip’s. Seriously.

  Leo set his alarm, knowing if he didn’t, he’d get another scowly lecture on his health from King. He didn’t set it for four hours, though, since he was done with his meals for the day. Instead he set it for six hours. Then he headed over to his computer and began his work for the evening.

  When the alarm went off, Leo stood and stretched, turning and freezing at the sight of King stretched out on the couch fast asleep. He looked so peaceful. His boots were off, his socked feet crossed at the ankles, long legs stretched out. One hand rested on his flat stomach, the other lay on the pillow above his head, pulling the snug black henley he seemed to favor over his firm muscles, his body taking up the length of the long couch. Knowing all the delicious tattoos that lay under that shirt sent a shiver through Leo.

  Mesmerized by King’s slightly parted lips, Leo inched a little closer. His beard had grown out some, and Leo was certain he’d never known anyone more rugged and handsome. What kind of man did King go for? Probably someone equally fit and handsome, who wore a suit to work and had a gym membership, made protein smoothies, and watched the news for fun. Certainly not a scrawny nerd sixteen years younger than him, who came with an airport’s worth of baggage. What could Leo possibly offer a man like King? He couldn’t even give him good sex, if Leo’s past partners were any indication of his sexual prowess.

  Unable to help himself, Leo inched even closer, silently moving around the couch. He was just checking that King wasn’t cold and in need of a blanket. It was the least he could do, seeing as how King insisted on sleeping on the couch rather than one of the big beds downstairs. Not that Leo was complaining. He’d been stupidly gleeful when King had made the decision.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Not watching you sleep,” Leo blurted. “Because that would be weird.” He took a quick step back, forgetting about the coffee table. The back of his legs hit the edge of the sleek black surface, and he flailed, throwing an arm out to King, who snatched hold of his wrist and yanked him forward, saving him from landing painfully on the coffee table. Instead he landed on King.

  “I’m such a dork,” Leo groaned, his face making a pretty good show of attempting to set itself on fire. At King’s chuckle, Leo buried his face against King’s shoulder. Oh, that was a mistake. Not good at all. Not that King wasn’t good. He was freaking amazing. Not good because Leo was sprawled on King, feeling him, smelling him…. His pulse went through the roof when he realized King had one arm wrapped around his waist, his free hand around Leo’s on his chest. Leo pulled back enough to meet King’s gaze. “You’re so hard.”

  King’s eyes went wide, and Leo gasped, mortified.

  “Oh shit, that’s not—what I meant is your body. Muscles. Your hard muscles, not—I should shut up, but apparently my mouth has other ideas where you’re concerned.” King’s eyes dropped to Leo’s lips at the mention of his mouth, and Leo swallowed hard. “I swear I’m not trying to make everything sound like an innuendo; it just happens. Not that it happens all the time. You make me nervous, and when I’m nervous, I ramble. You’re probably thinking I must live in a constant state of nervousness then, which is probably accurate since I tend to ramble most of the time, and I want to stop, oh man, do I want to stop, but I—”

  Why weren’t his words working? It took Leo a moment to figure out that he couldn’t hear himself talking because King’s lips were against his own. Leo gasped. King was kissing him. At his gasp, King pulled back, uncertainty filling his bright blue eyes. Panicked King would freak out and never kiss him again—as he most likely would come to the realization that he’d made a terrible mistake—Leo grabbed King’s face and kissed him.

  King’s arm tightened around Leo’s waist, and his lips parted, inviting Leo to deepen the kiss. If this was going to be their one and only kiss, Leo was going to make the most of it. He slipped his tongue inside King’s mouth, and heat exploded through Leo unlike anything he’d ever experienced. King’s sexy groan reverberated through his chest, making Leo shiver from head to toe. He savored King’s taste, the warmth of his mouth, the softness of his lips. Leo had no idea kissing could be like this—like Popsicles at the beach in the summer. Okay, so maybe King didn’t taste like his favorite Rocket Popsicle, but it filled Leo with joy nonetheless. Leo shifted up, slipping his fingers into King’s short hair as his tongue tangled with King’s.

  “Wait,” King mumbled against Leo’s lips, and Leo pulled back, their breaths coming out labored. “Leo, I’m so sorry.”

  Shit. King hadn’t wanted to kiss him. But it hadn’t felt that way. God, he was so stupid. Embarrassment slammed into him, and he scrambled to get off King.

  “Leo, wait.”

  “You don’t need to apologize.” Thankfully, King didn’t try to keep him there. Leo made to get up, flailed, and ended up on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. He lay on his back, his hands covering his face. How was he ever supposed to look King in the eye?

  “Leo, please hear me out.”

  Leo didn’t budge, his hands still on his face as King wrapped his hands around Leo’s wrists, the touch searing. “It’s okay,” Leo mumbled. “Just give me a minute. Maybe you can go downstairs. I’m sorry I attacked you.”

  “Attacked me?” King cursed under his breath, moved his hands to Leo’s waist, and hauled him up like he didn’t weigh a thing.

  A squeak escaped him when, instead of being placed on the couch, Leo found himself sitting across King’s lap.

  “Leo,” King urged softly, running a hand up Leo’s back, soothing him until Leo finally lowered his hands. “You didn’t attack me. If you’ll recall, I kissed you.”

  “You made a mistake. It’s okay. I’m sorry I took advantage. You’ve been nothing but amazing. I violated your trust—”

  “Stop,” King snapped, making Leo jump.

  “I won’t have you using those words to describe what just happened. I wanted to kiss you. What’s more, I really enjoyed it.”

  Leo’s heart skipped a beat. “You did?”

  “Yes.” King cupped Leo’s cheek, brushing his thumb over Leo’s skin.

  “Then why did you stop and apologize?” Leo asked softly, leaning into the touch.

  “Because I care about you, and I’m afraid of hurting you.” King carefully moved Leo onto the couch and stood. He ran a hand through his hair. “I have never had a problem with control. My whole life is about control. I don’t second guess myself. I don’t hesitate. I think things through, and I get the job done, not that you’re a job. Jesus, listen to me. With you….”

  “With me…?” Leo had to admit this was the first time he’d seen King like this. He was usually so unflappable. Not that he was flustered exactly. He doubted that word even entered into King’s vocabulary, but he was definitely… off-balance.

  King closed his eyes and let out a deep breath before meeting Leo’s gaze, the heat and need in his blue eyes slamming into Leo. Oh my God. King did want him. Him.

  “With you, I have to fight with myself for control. That’s never happened to me before.”

  “You want me?” Leo asked, the words so foreign to him. How was it possible?

  King folded his arms over his chest, his lips pressed together in a thin line as he nodded, his gaze elsewhere.

  Fuck, he was so cute.

  “You really want me?”

  King turned his narrowed gaze on Leo. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Leo looked down at himself. “Um, where do you want me to start?”

  “How about I start instead?” King counted off Leo’s qualities on his fingers, and Leo was not only charmed by how adorable the man was, but that King meant every word. “You’re funny, so smart, kind, sweet—”

  “Your scowl is adorable,” Leo said.

  “Pay attention. I’m telling you how amazing you are.”

  “Right.” Leo gave a curt nod, oh so serious. “Continue.”

  King peered at him but did as Leo asked. “You have an amazing smile. I love the way you laugh, how your mind works.”

  Leo’s heart was doing a little jig. This gorgeous, powerful, intelligent man wanted him. Leo stifled a gasp. What if they had sex and Leo was so awful King changed his mind?

  “No. Don’t do that. Rewind.”

  Leo blinked up at him. “Huh?”

  “You thought something not good about yourself, and now you’re doubting yourself again. You’re doubting me.”

  How did he do that? No wonder the guys were always grumping about not getting away with anything.

  As if reading his thoughts, again, King smiled softly at him. “You have the most expressive eyes of anyone I’ve ever met.”

  “What if the sex is terrible?”

  King’s impression of a deer in headlights was spectacular. It truly was. “What?”

  “Not that we’re going to have sex right away, or at all. I mean this whole you telling me how awesome I am is supposed to be a gentle, yet very flattering, let down, right? So it doesn’t matter, and your eyes are doing that angry death-glare thing that makes the guys downstairs run away like someone’s lit their asses on fire, so I’m going to shut up now.”

  King sighed and took a seat on the couch beside him. “I’m not angry with you, Leo. I’m angry at whoever or whatever caused you to see yourself as anything but the beautiful person you are. I’m not trying to let you down gently. I’m telling you that I’m afraid of the hold you have on me. I’m afraid of letting you down, of hurting you, because you deserve so much more.” He cupped Leo’s cheek again, his thumb brushing over Leo’s bottom lip. “This is all uncharted territory for me, and for the first time in my life, I feel lost. If I don’t know what to do, how am I supposed to keep you safe? And I don’t mean from danger; I mean from me.”

  Leo’s pulse sped up, and he did something he’d never done before.

  He took the lead.

  “Then let me guide you.” Leo sucked King’s thumb into his mouth, an explosive heat raging through him at King’s visceral reaction, the black of his pupils spreading into the now-darkened blue, like a feral predator about to pounce. Feeling bold for the first time ever, Leo stood and stepped in between King’s knees, smiling knowingly when King took hold of Leo’s hips, his fingers digging gently. Leo could see it. The very tremulous restraint King had on himself. Leo had never known anyone who wielded that kind of control over himself and others.

  This won’t do at all.

  Leo straddled King’s lap, rubbing his groin against King’s. He was so damned hard. The groan that rose up from King’s chest had Leo wrapping his arms around King’s neck and undulating his hips. He smiled wickedly against King’s lips, his tongue poking out to lick along King’s bottom lip. Where the boldness was coming from, he had no idea, but hearing King’s groans, seeing how desperately he was clawing at his restraint, was driving Leo insane.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” King whispered, his fingers digging into Leo.

  “You won’t,” Leo promised. And if he did get hurt, it would have been worth it to have had King for however long he could. Leo undulated his hips, rubbing himself against King’s hard erection as he nipped at King’s stubbled jaw. He pressed his cheek to King’s, his words quiet by King’s ear. “I need you, King.”

  With a growl, King grabbed Leo and hauled him underneath him, his mouth taking Leo’s in a breathless, scorching kiss. Leo gasped at King’s all-consuming need. He moaned at the feel of King’s hard body pushing him down into the couch cushions. The way King kissed him, as if he would lose his mind if he didn’t have all of Leo, had Leo desperate for more. King’s kisses turned sloppy, urgent, one hand in Leo’s hair, the other slipping under Leo’s shirt, his fingers blazing a fiery trail across his skin. Leo was doing this. He was shattering this man’s control. Leo scrambled to grab hold of King’s shirt, fisting the black material and pulling, their lips pausing their ravenous assault only long enough for Leo to pull King’s shirt off and drop it to the floor.

  If he’d been able to stand not touching King’s skin, he would have wanted to look his fill, to study every muscle of King’s delicious chest, run his fingers over every line of his tattoos, but right now, all he wanted was to touch, feel, kiss, and taste. King pulled back just enough to get Leo’s shirt off him, and Leo did his best not to fold his arms over his chest, especially when King sat back on his heels to look at him.

  “You’re so damned beautiful.”

  Leo’s cheeks heated, but before he could say a word, King’s lips were back on him, only this time they were on his neck, his shoulder, his chest. Leo arched his back, sucking in a sharp breath as King trailed kisses, licked, and nipped his way down Leo’s torso. His body was doing a pretty good job of making him feel like he was going to go up in flames any minute. Needing to touch King, Leo slipped his fingers into King’s short hair, his head thrown back and a low moan escaping through his parted lips when King started lavishing attention on Leo’s nipples. Leo was so damned hard he was in serious danger of coming in his pants. He needed release, but he didn’t want this to be over. Being the object of King’s desire was a heady experience.

  “King,” Leo breathed, arching up into him. “Please.”

  King nipped at Leo’s side, making him bark out a laugh. King chuckled. “Ticklish, are we?”

  Leo shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you don’t. We’ll have to explore that a bit more next time.”

  Next time.

  Please let there be a next time.

  King unzipped Leo’s pants, a groan rumbling out of him as he swiped his thumb over Leo’s leaking cock. “Fuck, look at you. Your lips are all pink and swollen, your face flushed, your breath panting. Beautiful. You’re a very dangerous man, Leo.”

  “Me?” Leo gasped as King unzipped his own pants. “How… how am I dangerous?”

  King slicked up both their cocks with their precome, his lips brushing over Leo’s before he started the slow, torturous movement of getting them off.

  “You have the power to bring a man like me to his knees.” King moved his hand faster, jerking them together.

  “You would do that?” Leo breathed, wrapping his legs around King and digging his fingers into the muscles of King’s back. “You would get on your knees for me?”

  King met Leo’s gaze, their lips inches apart. “I crossed an ocean to hunt down a man who hurt someone I care about. I’m terrified of what I would do to protect you.”

  “Like keeping me?”

  “I wouldn’t keep you just to protect you, Leo. I’d keep you because I wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of not having you with me. Of someone else touching you, kissing you.” King’s strokes became harder, faster, and Leo trembled beneath him. “Being inside you.”

  God, Leo wanted all those things so. Damn. Bad. He wanted King to keep him, to always want him, protect him, lose himself in Leo. Before he could respond, King brought their lips together, tongues tangling, panting breaths mingled. Leo was so close, his muscles tight as pleasure unlike anything he’d experienced flooded through him, setting him alight until his orgasm slammed into him and he cried out, King’s roar muffled against Leo’s neck. Ribbons of come hit Leo’s stomach and chest. Holy mother of dragons! Had he just…? Had they…?