“How did you get in?” Stavros asked at Daniel’s ear.

They hadn’t moved from the office or the desk. Daniel had shifted away to get rid of the condom and toss it into the wastebasket over in the corner of the room, but Stavros remained seated on the desk, his legs around Daniel’s waist.

His arms around him, too.

Daniel’s head was on Stavros shoulder, face buried in his neck. His legs and lower back protested that position, but he refused to move. Until Stavros spoke, they’d settled into a charged silence.

So much to say, no idea how to say it.

He cleared his throat. “Told the woman in white—”

“Tennyson.”

He grunted. “Told her we were business associates so we rode up together.” He’d waved her ahead of him when they entered the condo.

“You know I’ll have to fire them now, right?” Stavros’ hand slid up and down Daniel’s back slowly, making him shiver.

“That’s up to you, but you need loyal help.” He lifted his head and met Stavros’ slumberous gaze. “The woman, I watched her take off her panties.”

Stavros chuckled. “Tenny is…one of a kind.” He sobered. “I’m not fucking her, if that’s your way of asking.”

Daniel touched his face. “My way of asking is to ask, Mr. Konstantinou.” Stavros’ nostrils flared when Daniel addressed him so formally, and in response, Daniel’s semi-flaccid shaft jerked.

Wanting again.

“So why was she here to see you?”

Stavros’ expression went blank. “That’s business.” His teeth bared in a shark-like smile. “Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.”

But Daniel wouldn’t and they both knew it. Stavros dropped his legs with a low groan, releasing Daniel who stumbled off him. His legs were rubber, spine cracking as he straightened.

“Are you leaving?” The forced nonchalance in Stavros’ voice didn’t suit him.

Daniel paused in the process of pulling on his pants. “Still in a hurry for me to go?” He lifted an eyebrow, and Stavros turned away from him, quickly stepping back into his pants.

“Just a question.”

But it wasn’t. Daniel put back on only his underwear. “Unless you’re kicking me out,” he said softly. “I’m not leaving.”

Stavros stiffened, but he didn’t speak and he didn’t turn around. When the silence got to be too much, Daniel spoke again.

“Stavros.” Daniel went to him, yanking him around with one hand on his shoulder.

“What?” The anger in his voice didn’t match the look in his eyes, so Daniel focused on him, on his face.

“Are you kicking me out? Because I want to stay with you.”

Stavros flinched, Daniel saw it. Felt it. And he waited for a response to his question. The same struggle inside him, he watched it play out on Stavros’ face. He knew enough about the Greek to know he wasn’t a man who showed vulnerabilities. Ever. But he was showing Daniel this.

He touched Stavros, fingers sliding over his jaw, the days-old whiskers there prickling his skin.

“No.” Stavros closed his eyes on a whisper. “No, I’m not kicking you out.”

“I want to take you in your bed,” Daniel told him and watched Stavros’ swallow. “Do you want me in your bed?”

Stavros’ eyes flew open. And he was that, open. Vulnerable. “Yes.”

The word were easy enough, but Daniel knew it cost Stavros to show that kind of weakness. He nodded. “Lead the way.”

The bedroom was large, with beige carpeting and white walls. Expensive art decorated the walls, but all Daniel had eyes for was the huge bed. He’d seen Stavros being his usual debauched self in a lot of places, mainly the villa in Lisbon, but he’d never seen images of this bedroom. He faced Stavros. “Shower?”

The Greek pointed to the en-suite bathroom. “Everything you need is in there.” He dropped onto the bed, and fell backward with a sigh. “And I’ll be here.”

After one last glance back at him, Daniel went in to grab a quick shower. He wasn’t in there more than twenty minutes, but when he came back out, a red towel wrapped around his waist, Stavros was awake, head propped against the pillows, waiting for him.

Daniel stood over him, watching. Stavros didn’t lose his hard edge even in this position. But it showed how much he trusted Daniel. Staring down at him, eyeing the small scratches on his neck, the whisker burns Daniel put on his face and throat, something inside Daniel stretched.

Yawning. Reaching out to that man on the bed.

How all this happened, he still didn’t know. He questioned it. How could he not? But he wasn’t running from it. Wasn’t lying about it. It made no sense to do that anymore. Not when simply looking down at Stavros made him smile.

He dropped the towel and climbed onto that bed, sitting back on his haunches as he brought his hands to the front of Stavros’ pants.

Stavros blinking. “Wha—”

“Shh, let me.” He didn’t wait for a reply, and Stavros didn’t give one, except to lift his lower half off the bed. Daniel yanked and tugged on his pants until they were down Stavros’ hips then pulled the clothing off and tossed it to the floor.

Then he let his gaze fall.

In the bunker, he hadn’t allowed himself to appreciate Stavros’ body. And they’d had sex, but Daniel hadn’t taken the time to explore. But now he did, and under his gaze, Stavros’ naked cock hardened and lengthened, pearly drops forming at the flushed and shiny tip.

A light dusting of dark hair covered his chest and torso. His body spoke of strength without being too muscular. For a man who lived a life of excess, his body didn’t show it. He’d lost weight as Daniel’s captive, but it did nothing to diminish his frame.

Stavros shifted and his scent, faint sweat coupled with the scorching musk of their earlier sex hit Daniel’s nose. His body was beyond hard in an instant, arousal pounding through his veins. Saliva pooling.

“I want your touch.” Stavros licked his lips. “I crave it.”

Daniel felt it too, that craving. It shook his foundation, took over his reasoning. It brought him here, and kept him there.

“Tócame, Daniel.” Touch me. The thighs pressed to Daniel’s vibrated. “Touch me. Any way you want.”

The need in his voice called to Daniel. An invisible chain connecting them, yanking, pulling Daniel closer and closer. He circled Stavros’ throat for a heartbeat, grunting when Stavros arched. He liked that. Feared he would always like that, the lines of Stavros’ body pulling taut when he leaned into Daniel’s hold.

He dragged his hand down, and Stavros placed a palm over his, pushing Daniel down, past his chest and torso.

“Tócame.” His cock lay atop his belly, thick, the veins bulging. Dripping.

Daniel touched a fingertip to Stavros’ swollen crown. Stavros groaned, hips coming off the bed instantly. Under Daniel’s touch, he trembled and quivered. Daniel traced that length, watching it twitch and jerk with every stroke.

Stavros gripped the sheets, pulling, arching, head thrown back as he strained. He moaned, and that sound, it hooked on the need inside of Daniel.

Jerking.

He pushed into the mattress, pressing his shaft against the material, seeking relief. Shaking with that want, all the while knowing there was only one way he’d get it.

Clear liquid pooled just under Stavros’ navel. Warm and sticky pre-cum. Stavros made his sounds as Daniel touched him, but Daniel couldn’t. Their heat had dried out his mouth, taking his saliva, making his throat ache as he watched himself go places, and do things, he’d never expected.

The lube they’d used earlier landed next to him, and he didn’t look up from his task to thank Stavros as he quickly squeezed some onto his fingers.

Stavros’ legs drew up, bending at the knees, exposing himself. Daniel didn’t hesitate to move lower, sliding his slick fingers over Stavros’ balls and hole.

Stavros gasped, legs tense. Vibrating.

Daniel looked up then, watching Stavros’ face as his lover panted, lips parted, teeth sinking into the corner of his bottom lip. He grabbed on to the metal headboard with his both hands.

And he lifted his ass in offering.

Daniel’s heart thumped in his chest. Sweat trickled down his spine. He ached. His cock? Wet. Soaked. Aroused to the point of combustion.

He circled Stavros with two fingers. Then he pushed inside the tight clasp.

Stavros started talking then, calling his name in short gasps. “Daniel! Oh fuck. Oh fuck.” His face twisted into a sexy grimace. Face flushed. Sweat on his brow, nose and torso made his body glisten.

Daniel grabbed an ass cheek, pulled it to the side, and thrust in. Three fingers. The tightest heat, clenching around him.

He shuddered, tunneling in and out.

“Daniel. Oh fuck.” Stavros’s thighs shook. His chest rose and fell as he gulped his breaths, but he circled his hips. Moving on Daniel’s fingers. Inviting him back, enticing him to stay.

So dangerous. But it was everything Daniel liked. Everything he needed.

“Fuck me.” Stavros’ head was thrown back, veins bulging in his neck. “Yes.” He groaned, low and long. “Yes. Ah fuck.”

Daniel pulled his fingers free and sat back, putting on a condom, applying lube. Every touch made his eyes cross. Made his vision flash white. He bit the inside of his cheek as he brought himself to Stavros’ body and plunged deep.

“Argh. Dios.” He found his voice then.

Stavros flinched away, but Daniel grabbed him, held him still and continued. Giving him what he wanted. His body immediately molded around Daniel, squeezing tight, clamping down, but that didn’t stop him from pressing on. Because Stavros got harder with each stroke. He hurt, but from the look in his eyes, he liked the hurt.

Daniel liked giving him that hurt. Inch by inch he entered, and Stavros welcomed him in with the canting of his hips, and the sounds he made.

Daniel’s name on his lips. “Daniel.”

Daniel swallowed, tasted blood, and realized he’d bitten the inside of his cheek.

“Please,” Stavros said in a huskier whisper. Begging as he tore at the sheets. “Por favor. Daniel, por favor.”

He slammed the rest of the way in, and Stavros cried out.

“Fuck. Fuck.” He lurched forward and fisted Daniel’s hair, pulling tight. “Don’t stop.” Legs wrapped around Daniel’s waist, caging him in. “Don’t stop.”

Daniel grunted. There was no way. No way he’d stop. “Diablo.” He plunged in and out, shaking, fingers pinching into Stavros’ thigh. Burying himself deep with each thrust.

Stavros moved with him, slamming back on him. “I’m gonna come.” He gripped his shaft and stroked it once. “Daniel,” he sounded panicked. “I’m gonna come.”

“Do it,” Daniel managed to grit out. “Come for me, diablo.”

Stavros froze, eyes wide, mouth open, cum spewing into his hand. His body clenched, tightened.

Daniel hissed, head thrown back, hips working over to handle the fames dancing at the base of his spine. “Dios. Dios.” He exploded, fingers scrambling to hold onto a bucking Stavros. His lungs burned as he fought to breathe.

Always a battle to breathe when it came to Stavros.

He removed the condom with trembling hands, tossing it into the nearby garbage can, before collapsing onto Stavros. Their bodies were damp with sweat, but Daniel didn’t mind it. He didn’t mind Stavros’ cum sticking to him. He didn’t mind that Stavros hadn’t eased up his grip on Daniel’s hair.

He especially didn’t mind the hand that stroked down his back and gripped his ass.

“I’m staying the night,” he murmured into Stavros’ shoulder.

Stavros simply hummed and nestled closer, lips brushing Daniel’s throat. His lashes fluttered against Daniel’s fevered skin, one hand circled his waist and a leg draped over him.

New things. This person he was now had to get used to new things. Like this. Like another man snuggled up next to him in bed, breathing on him as he settled into sleep like this was the most natural thing in the world.

Daniel rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling with one hand under his head, the other around Stavros’ naked shoulders.

At one time he’d had comfort, he’d had softness, and he’d had Petra. He’d thought his life couldn’t be better. He’d thought himself the luckiest bastard out there, having her. Having someone who knew him, who understood the monster trapped under his skin.

Then in the blink of an eye he lost her. No, not lost. She’d been taken. By men like him who considered themselves judge, jury and executioner. By a man like him. With Petra gone, so was softness, so was anyone who saw and understood him for who he was.

He’d missed it, but he hadn’t wanted it back. He found his comfort in embracing his bloody revenge vendetta.

But he was here now, surrounded by Stavros. In Stavros’ embrace he found himself again. In his presence he found calm and peace. Understanding, too.

She wouldn’t hate him for that, would she?

She’d understand, wouldn’t she?

She’d see it, she’d understand just how much Stavros stunned Daniel. She had to know how hard he fought his connection to Stavros. She had to know how impossible it was to fight your heart.

She had to know how difficult it had been to breathe in her absence, and that Stavros made it easier. One bit at a time. One breath at a time, until it wasn’t so hard. Wasn’t so painful.

“Petra,” he whispered her name in the quiet darkness. “Forgive me.” She must know he’d been in that coffin with her, six feet under and suffocating until Stavros helped him come up for air.

But what if she didn’t? What if she’d been waiting for him to deliver justice like he’d promised? What if she was still waiting for him to be true to her? Would she recognize her husband the way he was now? In bed with the man who’d slit her throat, halfway gone in love with him.

When she’d been alive, Daniel had expected her to accept so many things, and she’d done it. The violence and the danger. She’d accepted it all.

But was this too much?

What if repairing Daniel’s broken heart meant shattering everything he’d had with Petra in the process?

Was there anything of the man he used to be left in him today?

Daniel didn’t know. The questions sat on him, the heaviest boulder, as he let Stavros’ snores put him to sleep.