20
Courtside getaway.
“C’mon, Nick.” Killian stole a quick glance at his wristwatch, thankful they still had a few minutes before they needed to leave.
Nick finally walked out of the en-suite bathroom and into their bedroom, brushing his fingertips through the hair above his ears. “I wish you’d tell me where we’re going.”
Killian stared, swallowing heavily, unable to voice a word. He had guessed Nick’s suit size and had pegged it perfectly. Instead of the black pinstripe, he had chosen the dark green, not realizing how well it would accentuate Nick’s pale jade eyes and the gold strands in his hair.
“I haven’t worn a suit in years,” Nick said with a nervous chuckle. “I guess the tux from that party counts, but I can’t remember the last time I dressed up for a date.” He stopped and stood in front of Killian, flattening his palms repeatedly against his suit jacket. “Do I look okay?”
Had he not looked at himself in the mirror? Killian wanted to rip the suit off and lick every inch of Nick’s freshly showered skin. Instead, he nodded. “We need to go.” He swallowed heavily and turned toward the door, stopping when Nick firmly grabbed his forearm.
Nick refused to release him as he walked around him, blocking his escape by planting his hand on his chest. “I normally don’t need assurances. But I need one right now. I want to know if I look okay.”
“Yes.” Killian cleared his throat. “Yes, you look really good.”
“Great.” Nick tugged the bottom of his suit jacket, straightening every line before walking out of the room. “You can rip the suit off me later and lick me all over.”
Killian raised a brow. How the hell does he do that?
Nick returned when Killian didn’t follow. “Don’t be so shocked. You’re a horny guy, and I make it a point of pushing that side of you. If it were up to you, I’d be naked all the time, and you’d be right there with me with the lube in hand.”
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. He had officially been reduced to caveman status.
Correction. Perpetually horny caveman status.
Nick pulled his hand away then cupped Killian’s face, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss. “I love you. And I love that you want me so much it’s the first thought that comes to mind when you see me. So don’t ever be embarrassed by that.”
“I’m not…embarrassed.”
“Of course you’re not.” Nick screwed his lips tight to hide a smile. “I just want to make sure I look okay when standing by your side.”
“You always look perfect standing by my side.”
Nick sighed and smiled. “Careful. You’re running the risk of me ripping your suit off and licking you all over.”
“You can. Later.”
Nick bit his lip to hide a smile. “I don’t know where we’re going. Do I need to wear anything to hide my face a little?”
Killian shook his head. “We’re going to a private location, and I’ve vetted everyone who’ll be there. So it’s fine.”
They finally left the house and drove into the city, neither one saying a word as they traveled on the highway into the night. He imagined Nick was going stir crazy, locked up in the house all day. But Nick never complained. Killian wondered how someone under such obvious stress could keep it together so well. Then again, Nick had been a surgeon in his prior life, and a level-headed nature likely came with that profession.
“Um…the arena?”
Killian nodded, saluting the hired guard at the gate. He drove into the garage and pulled into the parking spot closest to the designated doors.
“As far as I know, basketball season’s over,” Nick commented as he exited the car.
“It is.”
“You’re not going to tell me. Are you?”
“No.”
They walked toward the double doors and were immediately greeted by a large man in a dark suit. Nick stiffened, probably spotting the bulge under the man’s arm and recognizing it for what it was.
“Ian, who are these men?” Nick whispered, walking a little closer alongside him.
“They’re here to make sure you’re safe. They all know better than to cross me.” Killian didn’t trust easily and rarely asked for favors. But over time, he had earned both from others, especially those directly affected by a monster on his contract list. Ramon Gutierrez hadn’t been the only one grateful for closure, there were many scattered throughout the world. Evil was universal, with no single language or culture. A quick call to one grateful customer had earned him a half-dozen men for a few hours of protection detail.
They trotted down the stairs, Nick keeping up with him at every turn.
Killian took a deep breath. He sucked at stuff like this, but he wanted to do something special. He crossed his fingers, hoping Nick could escape the chaos of his life, even if only for a little while.
═ ☼ ═
Nick stilled when they pushed through the doors leading into the main stadium. The hardwood floors were barely visible with the series of curtains and tables arranged on the court.
“What is this?”
“A…little getaway,” Ian mumbled.
Nick slowed his steps as they neared the court, observing every tiny detail, deciphering the layout. A small round table and two chairs resided in each curtained square for privacy. He glanced around, quickly counting off almost two dozen different private sections. Small signs with names of cities, states, and countries were pinned to the drapes—Germany, Italy, Louisiana, China, France, Spain—the list continued. White linens and place settings decorated each table.
Nick gasped as the realization finally blindsided him. He yanked Ian by the hand when the words failed him.
Ian turned toward him, his eyes shifting from side to side, hesitant to maintain eye contact. “It’s not really traveling around the world, but it’ll be genuine cuisine from each region. I’ve got a world-renowned international chef working on signature dishes for each area. So I hope you’re hungry.”
Nick threw his arms around Ian’s neck, screwing his eyes shut as he tightened his hold.
“I promise you’re safe here,” Ian whispered in his ear. “So I want you to try to enjoy tonight.”
He rested his head on Ian’s shoulder as he brushed his fingers along the back of Ian’s neck, not ready to let him go. Ian claimed to not know what to say, but he always knew what to do.
“Do you want to go into the kitchen setup?” Ian asked, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You can put in any request you want?”
He released Ian with a sigh. He’d have to wait until later to show him how much this meant to him. Ian clasped their hands together and led them through another door off to the side. The side area opened to another large space, blocked off with several commercial-sized ovens, burners, and tables. A young man, obviously the chef, issued a few orders to the other kitchen staff members. He glanced over, and a beaming smile brightened his features. He wiped his hands and walked over to them, immediately extending his hand in greeting.
“Hi, I’m Augustus Renzo, but please call me Gus. I’ll be your chef for the evening.”
Ian shook his hand, responding with a thank-you and introductions.
Gus looked over to Nick, tilting his head to the side. “As requested, everything is regionally authentic.” He quickly glanced over to Ian with a bright smile that seemed as much a part of his face as his personality. “I can’t imagine cooking any other way.”
The smile was contagious, Nick couldn’t help responding with one of his own. The chef’s demeanor and the undeniable brightness in his green eyes showed both his love for cooking and his eager welcome to Ian’s challenge for the evening. “If you have any requests for a particular region, please let me know.”
Nick shook his head, stealing a glance at Ian before responding. “Anything you have planned is wonderful.”
Gus nodded and excused himself, returning his attention to the stove and his sous chef and helpers working on the food preparations for the evening.
“Hi, Nick.”
Nick whipped around at the familiar voice, his breath quickening at the sight of his former boss. “Mr. DeMatto…” He extended his hand in greeting, but the older man immediately pulled him into a hug.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay.” The older man inched back a moment later and placed his hands on Nick’s shoulders, a warm smile smoothing his features.
“I take it you played a hand in this evening?”
Mr. DeMatto’s deep chuckle shook his body. “I was surprised when Mr. Marks called.”
Nick’s gaze slid to Ian.
“You said he catered events.” Ian added a shrug to his response. “I figured he’d know the right people to make this happen.”
Nick usually had a ready comeback, but he couldn’t seem to gather enough words to assemble a sentence. Everything about this evening was far beyond what he could have imagined. This was a grand gesture, but it was based on the tiniest of comments. A wistful dream he had voiced during a dark and rainy night, assuming it would never happen. But Ian had made it possible. All because it had been Nick’s wish.
He didn’t think he could love this man any more than he already did at that very moment.
Ian was shielded yet transparent. Complicated but simple. He was hard and stoic, but in truth, every minuscule action proved Ian had surrendered his heart somewhere along the way.
And Nick knew it was his responsibility to guard that rare gift.
“There you are.”
The second familiar voice pulled Nick from his thoughts with a gasp. He spun around and launched himself toward Tracey, lifting her in his arms and spinning her in the air.
Her loud laughter filled the space. Her mood quickly sobered and her arms tightened around him. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” He pulled away from the embrace. “How’s your mom?”
“At home and back to her usual self.”
“Enough chitchat. We have work to do,” Mr. DeMatto said with a clap of his hands. He pointed his finger at Tracey and narrowed his eyes. “You have a long night ahead, and you are an army of one.”
Tracey saluted her boss, hiding a smile as he stepped away. “We don’t have the full robot catering staff tonight. Just me.” She looked over to Ian, holding his stare far longer than she had ever dared during his visits at the restaurant. “Thanks for keeping him safe.”
Ian nodded once.
Nick grabbed Ian’s hand as soon as Tracey walked away, anxious to get the night started. He led them back to the court, his stomach rumbling from the teasing scents wafting in the air. “Where do we start?”
“They’re numbered.”
Nick stopped at Ian’s tone, tugging at their clasped hands, forcing the man to stop and face him. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking?”
Ian sighed heavily, a scowl suddenly making an appearance. “I would have liked to have taken you to the actual places.” He paused for a moment, his scowl deepening. “Not like this,” he finished with a sweeping motion of his hand toward the arena court.
“You’re, literally, offering me the world on a platter tonight.”
“On a fucking basketball court. Yeah, totally romantic and classy.” Ian shoved his hands in his pocket and lowered his head. “You deserve better than that.”
“You are a stubborn man.” Nick closed the space between them and pressed his lips to Ian’s, lingering close enough to let their breaths mingle. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? Anywhere with you is better than the most exotic location.”
Strong arms pulled him flush against a hard chest. “I don’t care about exotic locations.” Ian brushed his mouth against Nick’s neck as he spoke. “I’m a very selfish man.”
“No, you’re not.”
“If it were up to me, I’d keep you hidden away.”
“In a secured bunker or an island. I’d be fine with either as long as I’m with you.”
Ian groaned, burying his nose in the crook of Nick’s neck. The arms around his waist tightened, holding him close. “I’ll go anywhere and do anything. Just…don’t…”
Nick closed his eyes, hearing the unspoken words in the slight shake in Ian’s voice. He pulled back from the embrace and held Ian’s face. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Ian stared at him, his eyes pleading. “Promise?”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Yes.”
“That’s my favorite fucking word in the entire English language,” Ian said with a groan.
“I would have figured ‘fuck’ was your favorite.”
“Only if you’re involved.”
Nick huffed a laugh. “C’mon. I’m hungry.” He pulled Ian along and sat at the first table.
In fifteen-minute intervals, they traveled to different parts of the world—dining on regional signature dishes, sipping native wines, and savoring desserts they would have had to travel thousands of miles to taste.
Hours later, Nick said his goodbyes to his old boss and friend after they had cleared the court of all the tables except for one. They sat together in silence, neither one wanting to end the night, biding their time as the chef and his staff worked to shut down the kitchen.
Nick sighed as he enjoyed the remnants of the last food item off his fork, savoring the taste as much as the company. With his belly full of food and his heart overflowing, he knew the only reason this had meant so much was because he had shared it with the man staring back at him.
A man who was mesmerized, watching him lick a fork.
Ian leaned forward on the table, resting his weight on his crossed arms. “You know what my favorite destination is tonight?”
“Hmm.” He had to admit, Ian had been far more patient than he would have thought possible, especially with his blatant teasing. Nick glanced upward, pondering the question as he deliberately swept his tongue along the fork, hiding a smile when an almost silent moan escaped Ian. “Let me guess.” Nick slowly rolled his lower lip into his mouth, returning his attention to the man sitting across from him, knowing his answer would immediately throw Ian into action. “Home?”
“Yes.” Something shifted in Ian’s features, almost softening while maintaining that constant thrum of possessiveness that hummed between them.
Nick set the fork down and leaned forward, mirroring Ian’s position. “That’s becoming my favorite word too.”