Sergei laughed softly and kissed the back of his shoulder. Guilt, shame, even some fear… he was too deep inside a man to feel this way, but nothing made sense anymore.
When he was sure his limbs would at least try to hold him up, he pulled out, hissing sharply as the gentle motion overwhelmed his hypersensitive nerve endings. He got rid of the condom, and after they’d cleaned themselves up, they collapsed together in Sergei’s bed. They kissed for a little while, and then shifted around until they got comfortable. Eventually, Sergei was on his side with Dom cuddled up against him, and like that, they lay in silence for a while.
Fingers laced between Dom’s, Sergei stared at the window, watching the moonlight through the gauzy curtains. Dom’s arm was heavy on his waist. Any other guy he’d have shrugged off. Made him sleep on the other side of the bed so his skin wouldn’t make Sergei’s sweat and his arm wouldn’t keep him from breathing right.
But he’d quickly grown to like sleeping this close to Dom. And ever since Dom had left him at the motel, he’d missed it. Maybe this was cruel—as much to himself as to Dom—but he couldn’t give it up just yet.
Reality sank in faster than he wanted it to. What he had to do. What Dom thought he was hiding from by lying low in this bed. How many weapons were within reach so Sergei could finish the job.
I’ll let him go to sleep. Then I’ll make it quick. And he’ll never know—
Dom shifted a bit beside Sergei and burrowed his face a little closer to his neck. “You’re still awake.”
“So are you.”
“You think I can sleep right now? Somebody wants me dead.”
I knew that before you did.
Sergei shivered.
“Relax.” Dom reached up and stroked Sergei’s hair. “These guys mess with you, I’ll break their necks. I won’t let ‘em fuck with you.”
Sergei closed his eyes. “Dom…”
“I promise.” He kissed the side of his neck. “Nobody’s gonna—”
“It’s not me I’m worried about.” Sergei started to roll over, and Dom moved back to make room. When Sergei settled onto his back, Dom stayed on his side, head propped up on his arm. The white light from outside made him look pale and picked out deep shadows in his face.
“Dom, I’m not afraid of these guys.”
Dom found Sergei’s hand in the darkness and squeezed it. “You probably should be.”
Sergei laughed dryly. “I can handle you. Trust me, I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t think you understand what I’m up against.”
Sergei squeezed his eyes shut, and he was surprised at how much they stung. Yeah, he understood what Dom was up against. Dom didn’t, or he wouldn’t be here. He wouldn’t be lying beside Sergei, his skin damp and his touch tender, savoring the afterglow even as he tried to warn Sergei away from danger that was closer than he realized. If Dom knew, he wouldn’t have kissed Sergei like that. He wouldn’t have come here, and stripped off his clothes and his gun, and made himself vulnerable in every way, giving himself to Sergei with no fear, no distrust, no reason to wonder why the air smelled not only of sex, but of gun oil.
Fuck. Sergei exhaled. He couldn’t fucking do this.
He pulled away from Dom and swung his feet over the edge of the bed and got up.
“Where are you going?” Dom asked.
“Just need…” To get away from you before I do something I can’t undo. “Need a little air.” He pulled on a pair of boxers and left the room. Heart thumping, he stepped out into the tiny backyard and took in a deep breath. It was hot as fuck out here tonight, but Sergei was shivering hard.
Not thirty seconds later, Dom stepped out behind him. Sergei mouthed some profanity in his native tongue.
Just give me a few minutes.
Wordlessly, Dom wrapped his arms around Sergei’s waist.
For God’s sake, don’t you know what I am?
Sergei’s throat tightened, and in spite of himself, he put his hands over the top of Dom’s.
I don’t want to hurt you, but you’re killing me.
“You okay?” Dom asked.
“Not really.”
“I’m sorry.” Dom kissed the side of Sergei’s neck. “I brought all this right to your doorstep.”
Sergei winced. His conscience was going to eat him alive. He’d had a million opportunities to do it and be done with it tonight, and now he was just stringing Dom along, listening to him apologize as if he had half a clue what was really happening.
Finally, he pulled himself out of Dom’s arms and faced him. “Listen, you’re in a lot more danger right now than you think.”
Dom stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” Sergei glanced around them. Then he brushed past Dom. “Let’s go back inside. I’m not talking about this out here.”
He didn’t have to look back to know Dom was hot on his heels, and he led him into the kitchen. There, he flicked on the fluorescent light.
“What’s going on?” Dom asked.
Sergei leaned against the counter, his back turned. “It’s complicated.”
“I’ve got time.”
Not as much as you think, because I have to…
There has to be another way.