Sweet Obsession (Nights Series #4)(12)

Ash gazed at him steadily, anger and anguish warring on his face.

“So, you—you didn’t enjoy it?”

Luke’s pulse jumped at the brazen question. “Hell no!”

“But—,” Ash hesitated, embarrassment painting red flags across his cheekbones, “—but you came in her mouth.”

Luke stared, not quite believing they were actually having this conversation.

Despite the gravity of the situation, he couldn’t help but be slightly turned on by the fact that he and Ash were talking about sex, nor could he quell the small burst of happiness that bolted through him at the blatant jealousy in Ash’s eyes.

“She wouldn’t have let me out of there otherwise,” Luke said with a groan. “I only promised to watch and let her blow me. And, trust me, getting hard for that bitch wasn’t easy.”

Ash blinked rapidly.

“So, you didn’t—” He trailed off awkwardly.

Luke’s dick twitched at Ash’s bashful expression. “No, I didn’t fuck her.”

Ash’s gaze grew hooded.

“Were you thinking about your lover?” He released Luke’s hand and took a step back before twisting on his heels. “Was it that model you were going out with at the time?”

Luke stared at the flush of color darkening Ash’s nape, a deep sense of loss washing over him at the sudden break in their physical contact.

“No. I was thinking of the person I love.”

The confession left Luke’s lips before he could stop it. He froze, suddenly wishing he could take the words back.





Chapter 10





Ash stiffened. He felt blood drain from his face as he turned toward Luke once more, the shock of Luke’s disclosure regarding what had happened all those years ago swept away by the agonizing pain that tore through him at his last words.

“The person you love?” Ash repeated shakily.

Luke remained silent, his expression growing shuttered.

Ash stared at him for a moment, knowing he wasn’t going to say anymore on the matter. He took a ragged breath and raked a hand through his hair, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“I—anyway, I’m just glad you don’t hate me,” Ash mumbled after a short silence.

A gasp left Ash’s lips when Luke closed the distance between them and grabbed his shoulders.

“What?” Luke barked. “Why the hell would you think that?”

Ash blinked, stunned at the biting strength of Luke’s fingers and the despair pasted across his face.

“You never brought me home. And—,” Ash swallowed, a trace of resentment underscoring his voice, “—and you kept your distance after that. I thought I’d become a burden to you.” He bit his lower lip. “I thought—I thought you couldn’t wait to get rid of me.”

Luke dropped his head and groaned.

“Shit. I’m so sorry, Ash.”

Luke folded his arms around Ash and hugged him carefully, as if he was the most precious thing in the world. He burrowed his face in Ash’s hair and pressed a hot kiss to his scalp. “I—I never meant to make you think that. I just needed to keep you away. It was the only way I could protect you from myself.”

Ash’s pulse thrummed wildly as he listened to Luke’s heart pound under his ear, the heat radiating off Luke’s hard body so good that Ash almost groaned. He blinked when he finally registered Luke’s latest words. Hope bloomed inside Ash, wild and unfettered.

Does he mean what I think he—

“Oh!” Heat flooded Ash’s cheeks when he felt Luke’s erection dig into his belly. “Um—”

“Fuck.” Luke stepped back, an awkward grimace twisting his lips. “I’m sorry!” He turned and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck, but not before Ash caught sight of the thick shape denting the front of his sweatpants.

Understanding finally dawned, the pieces of the puzzle all slotting into place.

Ash blinked rapidly, stunned beyond words.

Jesus, how could I have been so blind?

Luke’s cold behavior. The distance he’d deliberately created between them. The length he’d gone to save Ash from harm and to keep him safe all these years.

“Luke.” Ash stopped and swallowed hard, his knees so weak he thought he would fall. “The person you love. Is it—is it me?!”

Luke stilled. A strangled sound left his throat. “I—I know, it’s disgusting. I—”

Ash moved, the euphoria sweeping through him so great he wondered how he didn’t fly to Luke’s side. He grabbed Luke’s shoulder, spun him around, and rose on his tiptoes to press his mouth to Luke’s lips. The amber gaze above him flared, Luke’s pupils dilating with shock while his body remained frozen to the floor.

Ash blushed and lowered himself back down to the ground.

“I—I’ve loved you all my life,” he said to the dumbfounded man before him. “I love you, Luke Rutherford,” Ash continued, his voice growing more confident. “And I don’t mean the way a brother loves his sibling. I’ve been in love with you since I was thirteen years—”

It was as far as Ash got. Luke grabbed his face in both hands, lowered his head, and took his lips in a blistering kiss.