An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(59)

Rob swallowed. “I’ve… thought about it.” He locked gazes with Vic. “Fuck me.”

Vic ignored his words, noting instead the rapid blinking, the way Rob’s breathing had quickened. For all his bravado, Rob was nervous and doing his best to hide it. Vic cupped his cheek and looked him in the eye. “No matter how much I prep you, the first time will hurt. Now, you may want to jump from one kiss to sex, but I don’t.”

Rob’s eyes were huge. “You… don’t?”

Vic shook his head. “If we’re going to do this, I’d rather we took our time.” He rubbed his thumb along Rob’s jaw. “I want to enjoy you.” Then he leaned in to deliver the bad news. “But not now.”

Rob stiffened. “Why not?”

Vic smiled. “Because, while your words give out one message, your body language tells me something else entirely. When they’re both on the same page, then we’ll take this further.” He straightened. “And besides, there’s something I badly need to do today.”

Rob’s breathing was back to normal. “What’s that?” His arms fell to his sides.

“Go to the gym.” Vic laughed when Rob regarded him incredulously. “I go two or three times a week, usually Tuesdays and Fridays, but the last couple of months have been crazy and my routine has gone to shit. Right now I’m in desperate need of a gym session.” Because he needed something to focus on beside how Rob felt in his arms, and how hard he got from just a kiss.

“When are you going?”

Vic thought about it. “As soon as I’ve washed the breakfast dishes, had one more mug of coffee, and slung whatever I need into my gym bag. So maybe half an hour?”

“Can I come?” Rob blurted out.

Vic didn’t think Rob was the sort of guy who worked out, but he wasn’t about to refuse. “Sure. Go find something to wear, maybe a pair of shorts or some jogging pants. But if you’re not ready, I’m leaving you behind. Got that?”

Rob had apparently recovered from his brief surfeit of lust. “Got it.” He left the kitchen at a run.

Vic listened until he could hear Rob overhead, then sank into a nearby chair.

Oh my God. He hadn’t seen that coming. Not that he hadn’t thought about kissing Rob—far from it—but that kiss had blown him away. And as for Rob’s demand to be fucked? Vic had his own ideas as to what had led to that particular declaration.

He’s full of hormones, and he admitted it’s been a while since he got laid. No wonder he wants to get his rocks off. Vic wasn’t about to take advantage of the situation. If—when—we take things further, it will be with Rob in full possession of his faculties. It will be because he wants it with every part of him.

And there was something else.

This wasn’t the club. This was no casual scene where both partners would get their needs met, where they’d fuck and then move on.

This was Rob, and as much as Vic wanted to be inside him, he didn’t want this to be just sex.

This fucking well meant something.




ROB SAT on a chair near the window and ogled Vic as he went through his routines. Does he even notice people’s reactions to him? The power in Vic’s body could be intimidating, Rob was sure, but only to those who didn’t know the warm, caring man beneath the large exterior. That’s what I’ve got to see for the past month.

He wondered if it had been like this for Alex. Did Leo sweep in and pick him up? Show him his worth? Uncover truths that he’d kept hidden—and not without good reason—from everyone, even himself? No, probably not. Alex had always been much more in tune with his nature. He’d accepted his role. Unlike Rob, who had denied it, who’d allowed it to eat away at him until he became angry at the world.

More like, angry at myself.

Vic was working on his chest and arms. He pulled down the bar on the machine, his muscles straining, his skin gleaming with perspiration. Rob’s breathing hitched at such an incredible display of power and muscle. For a moment he allowed himself to fantasize about being surrounded by all that muscle, maybe with Vic’s body covering his as they….

Down, boy.

Vic chose that moment to stand up and run a towel over his furry chest. Intense jealousy speared through Rob, until he stopped himself with a chuckle. Only I could be jealous of a towel.

Vic glanced across to where Rob sat against the wall. “I’m going to lift some weights next. Want me to teach you how to?”

Rob grinned. “No, thank you. I like my body the way it is.” Then he caught his breath as Vic strode unhurriedly across to him, his body moving gracefully. He stopped in front of Rob and inclined his head toward him.

“So do I.” The words came out in a low growl that went straight to Rob’s aching cock. Then the bastard turned and walked over to the weights bench. He squatted to choose the weights, and Rob stifled a moan at the sight of those taut thigh muscles, his firm back glistening with sweat, the curve of his arse in shorts that did little to hide Vic’s beautiful body.

Vic had been true to his word. He hadn’t pressured Rob for anything. In fact, beyond the kiss they shared, he hadn’t done much more than touch Rob to tousle his hair, lay a hand on his shoulder, or give him a brief hug. Every one of those had been an experience Rob savored, but they had left him wanting more.